When Milena Marques-Zachariah announced Radio Mango Toronto’s first Global Konkani Idol Contest in July this year, she didn’t know what to expect. The contest was organised by Radio Mango Toronto in celebration of ten years of Konkani broadcast, Radio Mango, the first Konkani Radio in North America. It was open to all Konkani singers, of any age, from any part of the world.
The contest received an overwhelming response with over 50 singers across the globe participating in the competition. Goans presented their best songs and won the first three prizes in the competition. Agnelo Fernandes from Calangute won the first prize, for his rendition of his original song, ‘ Mog Calangute Praier’, Monica Fernandes from Merces won the second prize for her original composition, ‘Louis Tailor’, which is dedicated to her father and 13-year-old Ethan Pinto won the third prize for his song, ‘Sopnam’.
Radio Mango is unique because it was created for the Mangalorean and Goan diaspora spread across the globe. The name MANGO is a contraction of Mangalorean and Goan. The not-for-profit venture, run by Goan Milena Marques-Zachariah is a passion project. She took it from live radio to a podcast, to reach more listeners across the globe. “The aim was to provide a global platform to showcase the talent of Konkani artistes from Goa and Mangalore, plus the Konkani diaspora spread all over the world. This contest created a buzz and interest beyond my expectations,” says Milena Marques-Zachariah. The Global Konkani idol contest had equal representation from both communities.
Agnelo Fernandes has been into music for decades, even though he missed a few years away from Goa due to this work. Right from 1974, when he was a college student, he was part of the band, ‘Hijackers’ from Calangute. He then joined the band ‘The Deep’ from Mapusa before quitting music in 1983 when he was offered a job in Chicago Bridge and Iron Company in Saudi Arabia, where he worked for 28 years without the sound of Goan music. Before the internet boom, it was difficult to keep in touch with the latest in Goan Konkani music and with work on the mind, music takes a backseat. “I worked in different parts of Saudi Arabia, Dubai and even Russia when I was a part of the construction company building refineries and pipelines. The only free time I got to listen to music was on Aramco Radio from 12 pm to 4 pm on Fridays and the show, since it aired from America, focussed on country music and the top 100 hits. If we had any programmes in the company by Keralites, I would join them in playing the keyboard,” says Agnelo, who is still surprised about winning the global contest.
He came down to Goa in 2011 and since then has been focussing on doing what he loves – music. “One sleepless night, I was getting the same words in my mind. They were flowing as a song and I was humming a tune. Finally, I got out of bed and penned down what I had in mind and finished the entire song. I sent it to my good friend and Goa’s ace musician Chris Correia, who added the correct music to it and he recommended Benny de Aldona to polish the lyrics. I recorded the song in June. I was shocked when Milena informed me that my song won the first place. It was the first time I participated in a competition. It is a simple song of a couple meeting on the Mapusa bus stand and how they fall in love,” says Agnelo.
The competition was judged by three panelists who are renowned musicians and singers themselves. Besides Crystal trophies, sponsored by Mario Martins of 3 Way International Logistics Inc, the winners will also walk away with cash prizes. Agnelo won Canadian $500 sponsored by Reynold Sequeira of Remax Realty Specialists Inc. and Romeo Jack Barbosa of Green Pi. Monica won $300, sponsored by Max Mendes Group Real Estate Consulting and Investments, while Ethan won $200, sponsored by Flavian Pinto of Sunlife.
Among Canadian participants, two winners were presented special prizes. Sonia Monteiro won a spice-filled hamper, donated by Noel D’Souza of Goan Spices and Wilson D’Souza won two Amazon gift cards, donated by Cynthia Gomes James. 82 year old Mary Philomena Colaso from Loutulim was awarded the special Jury Award, sponsored by Reynold Sequeira, who was also one of the judges. He was amazed and inspired by her enthusiasm and singing prowess.
Agnelo is working on bringing out more music to the audience. He has three weekly performances at Taj Holiday Village, Sinquerim, Casino Motels in Porvorim and Fortune, Miramar. He plans to release singles on social media and his next song will be a country music styled Konkani song which is still in the production phase.
