Imagine this.
Any man, woman, boy or girl across
the globe, who knows konkani and can hold a tune, or for that matter compose music
and lyrics, now has a chance not only to be heard, but awarded globally.
Thanks to the power of the internet, and more importantly, the
inititiative taken by musicians , singers and konkani lovers, the World Konkani
Music Awards, has been launched, and will be a newly launched platform for
emerging new talent. The event was announced in Goa and its first ever edition
will be held on February 7, 2020.
Founder of the awards is musician and singer Allan Vaz. He says,
“We want to offer a platform that celebrates and showcases genuine musicians
across the globe and create an award that aims to put Konkani music on the
global map in addition to facilitating young talent to challenge themselves,
find opportunities and realise their dreams.”
Using the power of
the latest tech and digital platforms, their mission is to reach every
individual who is craving for Konkani music. Participants have to register
their entries onto www.wkma.in to sign up and upload their audio and video
files on the website in multiple categories. The competition will have the
following categories: Best Singer (Male and Female), Emerging Talent
(Male/Female), Best Music Director, Best Music Video, Best Lyricist, Most Sold
Albums, Most Streamed Song, Best Rock Band and Best Film Music. Apart from the
contestant categories, the awards also recognise the stalwarts from the
industry through the Lifetime Achievement Award and other awards for
contribution towards Konkani music.
All entries will be
screened by a panel of eminent judges from the music field and the winners will
be announced at the grand finale to be held at the Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee
Stadium. The esteemed panelists include celebrity singer and social activist
Hema Sardessai, veteran in the music industry Atul Churamani, and Editor of
Rolling Stones Magazine, India, Nimrika Singh.
Hema Sardessai says,
“Every mother and father must teach their children the Konkani language with
responsibility and music is a great way of doing so. When Allan expressed his
desire to give our young children the platform to show their talent, I accepted
it with pleasure.”
Allan Castelino, one
of the promoters, says, “We all have a liking for music, specially the ethos of
Konkani. Since the language seems diminishing in this world, we thought of nurturing
the rich Konkani culture by blending it with the might, dynamism and diversity
of Konkani dialect across the globe.”
The
competition will be judged only on original songs. The competition is open for
the age group of 18 years and above. Entries must be submitted by December
2019; the same will then be shortlisted and handed over to the judges.
