Speaking on the occasion, Chief Coordinator of Gulf Voice of Mangalore Valerian Peris informed that the show was conceived by Lawrence Pinto and Louis Rodrigues of Kuwait inspired by Indian Idol and Voice of India and the first season of the show was held in 2008.
This year, the show will be held in October 2010 and will be open to singers of Mangalore origin with residence in any GCC country and born on or before October 15, 1992. The competition will take place in both male and female categories and will have preliminary, semifinal and final rounds.
The winners will be paid Rs 1 lakh in each category and the second prize will be Rs 50,000, along with a trophy. The competition is dedicated to Konkani songs only from released albums. The preliminary rounds will take place in respective countries and qualified local judges will judge the round.
The semifinals will take place in Bahrain (Sept 30), Kuwait (October 1), Muscat (October 7), Doha Qatar (Oct 8) and Abu Dhabi (October 15) and the finals will be held in Dubai on October 22. The competition will be judged by a jury comprising eminent artists Joel Pereira, Claud D’Souza and Reena D’Souza, he added.
Other members of the organising committee Manohar Pais, James Mendonca and Lenus Moras, Lawrence Pinto were present at the press meet.