Robin, Jacqueline emerge King, Queen of Konkani singing

MANGALURU: Robin Sequeira and Jacqueline Fernandes have been crowned Rai Kogull and Ranni Kogull of Soad – 4, a contest to determine the best Konkani singers here on Sunday. The contest that was being telecast on private web television channel since August 2014 came to an end with declaration of winners. While Robin won the title with a tally of 273 marks out of 300 in the final, Jacqueline totaled up 269 marks to make the title her own.
Ashwin D’Costa was the runner-up scoring 267.5 marks and Smenita Pinto, the runner-up scoring 268.5 marks. Well-known music composer and singer Sidhanath Buyao, Goa, who crowned the winners assured them of an opportunity to sing in his upcoming album. Nithin Koottungall (Kerala), Sonia Shirsat (Goa), Joel Pereira and Anil Patrao (both from Mangaluru) were the judges of the final round. Both the winners took home Rs 50,000 for their efforts.
Mandd Sobhann, the leading Konkani cultural organization of the city offered the winners to be the Ambassadors of Konkani for the next one year, which they accepted. Mandd Sobhann awarded the two runners-up with cash prize of Rs. 25,000 each. The winners and runners-up thanked everyone who supported them and also vowed to promote Konkani, through their singing and in any other way possible. Nishma Murial D’Souza emerged winner of guess the winner.
In the beginning, the top 10 contestants - Jaison Sequeira, Rynel Sequeira, Shelton Pinto, Robin Sequeira, Ashwin D’Costa, Smenita Pinto, Jacqueline Fernandes, Senet D’Cunha and Preeti Lopes performed a song composed by Jaison Sequeira, one of the contestants, especially for the occasion. Mandd Sobhann gurkaar Eric Ozario, President Louis Pinto, Lawrence D’Souza of web TV channel and Richard Monteiro were present. Arun Raj Rodrigues anchored the programme.