TG LIFE
The Institute Menezes Braganza hall was filled with an eager audience waiting in anticipation for the rhythmic and melodious notes of the fado and they were not disappointed. The tenth edition of the Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa (Goa) hosted its annual Fado Contest which saw an enthusiastic audience turn up to cheer for the state’s young talent. The competition saw participation from contestants in three categories; 13 to 17 years, 18 to 39 years of age and above 40 years.
Judged by music aficionados Miguel Cotta, Maria de Fatima Filomena Figueiredo de Albuquerque, Nadia Rebelo and Eduardo Falcão, the competition saw some of the state’s best talent compete onstage for the coveted prizes. Last year’s winner Danielle Fernandes performed for the guests as part of the celebration.
The Fado, the traditional Portuguese music genre and art form can be traced back to the early 1800s. Fado has been a part of Goa’s art and music for long and the experience in the last five editions of the contest has brought forward a few potential Fadistas.
In the first category of contestants between 13 and 17 years, Sigrid Celestial Fernandes was adjudged the first place for her soulful rendition of the fado, while Samaira Nadia Furtado and Karl Oliver Meneses won the second and third place respectively.
In the second category of contestants aged 18 and 39 years, Shrushti Prabhudessai took home the first prize with a power packed performance. The second and third place was awarded to Grisha Costa and Karen Coelho respectively.
In the above 40 years category, Lorraine Ethel Barretto Alberto walked away with the first prize while Anupama Prabhudessai and Francisco Walli de Lima Fernandes won the second and third prize respectively.
The awards were given away by Dr António Chrystêllo Tavares, Consul General of Portugal in Goa, Sonia Shirsat, Delfim Correia Da Silva and Francisco Martins, Chairman of the Organising Committee.
To train the contestants and hone their skills, Carlos Meneses, Franz Schubert Cotta, Sonia Shirsat and Delfim Correia Da Silva mentored the participants prior to the contest.
Semana da Cultura Indo Portuguesa have helped revive the fado movement in Goa. In the recent past, the state has witnessed Fado concerts by some noted Fadistas from Portugal like Maria Ana Bobone, Cuca Rosetta, Deolinda, Minguel Capucho, Claudia Duarte and also some Indo Portuguese fusion performances by Goas Nightingale Sonia Shirsat and noted classical singer Praveen Gaunkar.
