While there was torrential rain falling all
around, people still thronged to Kala Academy on August 30. The reason was
simple… Goan Konkani music lovers gathered in large numbers to witness the Mega-Final
of Goencho Avaz, the all Goa Konkani solo and duet singing competition
organised by the Herald Group in association with State Bank of India. The Mega-Final
saw the auditorium at Kala Academy packed till the doorway, with many left
scouring the venue for seats that were impossible to find.
The first place at the event was taken away
by Cielda Pereira from Betalbatim in the solo category, followed by Fleur Dias
from Margao and Scully D’Souza from Sangolda who settled for the second and
third, respectively. In the duet section, the pair of Ruchita and Princewell
scored but a few points more than their rivals Rynell and Lionel and went home
with top honours.
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Proud parents couldn’t control their
emotions when their children stepped off the stage. Silvana D’Souza, who spoke
on behalf of her daughter Scully, said, “Though we were only in Goa on holiday,
the moment I heard of the competition, I pushed Scully to enter. Though she isn’t
a trained vocalist, it is an area she excels in.”
In similar vein, Irineu Dias, a musician
himself, who accompanied his daughter Fleur throughout the competition, said,
“It is heartwarming to watch the revival of age old classics left to the next
generation. Through initiatives such as these, children will understand the
legacy of Goan music. Even more than excelling at the
competition, I wanted my daughter to be exposed to Konkani music.”
