The vibrant spirit of Konkani music resonated across the St. Sebastian Church compound, Aquem, on 29th January as Kantaram Lharam 2026, in its much- anticipated 4th edition, took centre stage. This year’s Konkani Singing Competition was conducted across three categories- Cover Solo, Original Solo, and Duet with the newly introduced Original Solo category receiving an enthusiastic response. The event beautifully celebrated Goa’s rich musical heritage while offering a prestigious platform for talented parishioners from across the state. The core objective of Kantaram Lharam remains the promotion and preservation of Konkani music among parish communities in Goa.
The evening commenced on an inspiring note with the signature song “Kantaram Lharam”, composed by Fr. Seville Antao, OFM Cap., and rendered by the Assisi Music Academy, Monte de Guirim.
A total of 29 finalists performed on the Grand Finale day, having been shortlisted from 85 participants at the auditions held on 23rd January. The First Prizes were bagged by Mr. Prinson Rebello (Cover Solo), Mr. Sabino Dias (Original Solo), and Conceicao Fernandes & Reema Dias (Duet). The Second Prizes went to Ms. Juella Fernandes (Cover Solo), Conceicao Fernandes (Original Solo), and Mr. Tevry Brito & Ms. Juella Fernandes (Duet). The Third Prize in the Cover Solo category was secured by Ms. Esther Rodrigues. The winners were awarded trophies, certificates, and a combined cash prize pool of *75,000.
The performances were adjudicated by a distinguished panel of judges comprising Fr. John Fernandes, Mr. Joywin Fernandes, and Ms. Classy Cardoz, who evaluated the contestants on parameters such as vocal quality, rendition, and stage presence. The Mentor of the event, Fr. Simpliciano N. Fernandes, congratulated the organising committee for the seamless execution of the programme and commended the parishioners for their commitment to upholding and promoting the mother tongue. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by the Project Manager, Mr. Desmond Gomes, who acknowledged the guidance of the Parish Priest Fr. Simpliciano N. Fernandes, the dedication of the organising committee, the generous support of sponsors, and the enthusiastic participation of the contestants. The evening concluded in an atmosphere of joy, music, and fellowship, leaving the audience eagerly awaiting the next edition.
Adlete Mascarenhas