Konkani singers, aspiring vocalists from anywhere in the world, have the opportunity to win 20,000 pounds this November in the UK. Anyone who knows the Konkani language, is over the age of 18 and has a passport, can enter the Aikat Mozo Tavo, a competition that will give the world the next Konkani idol.
Organised by Simon Rodrigues, this international competition is a first of its kind, and will be taking Konkani and aspiring young singers to the global stage.
“It’s for all Konkani people worldwide. They can come from any part of the world and participate in Aikat Mozo Tavo and become the next Konkani idol,” says Rodrigues, the brain behind this unique competition who further stresses, “The competition will only be in the Konkani language.”
Growing up with his musician brother and singer dad, Rodrigues sang in church choirs. When he set foot in UK in search of better prospects, he initially faced some struggles.
With an electrical engineering background, Rodrigues began doing all kinds of jobs to gain experience. And living the phrase, ‘hard work always pays off one day’, he reached that payoff after getting into the food business and today has about six outlets and a venue of his own.
Living nine years in UK, did nothing to reduce his love for Konkani music. It, on the other hand, increased his urge to create a platform as huge as American Idol and so, Aikat Mozo Tavo became his dream project.
“My late father, late mother-in-law and late father-in-law loved Konkani music and sang Konkani songs,” he shares, adding that he is organising the event in their memory.
Not just the Goan community in UK, but even those in Goa are looking for opportunities and creating music within means accessible to them. Rodrigues opines, “Even in UK, we have people writing, composing and uploading their Konkani music on YouTube. But there’s no other platform to recognise their talent on an international stage.”
It was in 2020 that he shared his idea with his friends and family, receiving feedback as to how to go about it. “It took time to research and almost a year to register the Intellectual Property Rights and finalise everything.”
The main event is scheduled on November 15, 2024 at the Harrow Leisure Centre, UK but the registrations on the website have already gone live. “Everyone who is 18-plus from any part of the world can participate in this through our website www.aikatmozotavo.co.uk with online registration and online auditions,” informs Rodrigues.
Speaking about the first of its kind competition, famed singer Sonia Shirsat, who will be judging the event, says, “It’s a platform that’s giving an opportunity to talent from all over world, and has a great award waiting at the end. You win or not, it is going to be a great learning experience. See you at the finals!” The jury includes Hemaa Sardesai, Risma Leitao and Oliver Sean.
Be it organising Goa’s famed Carnival on the streets of London or other traditional festivals, Rodrigues is a pro at it and this time he is setting the stage for Konkani singers and is also making a UK trip possible for them.
“Well, the only criteria is that one should know the Konkani language and have a passport. The top 20 contestants will get a chance to perform in the United Kingdom and the winner will receive a prize of 20,000 pounds,” Rodrigues says extending an invitation to all.
Grooving to the Konkani beats or speaking their mother tongue in distant lands, Goans today haven’t just ensured they don’t lose touch with Konkani but have seized every opportunity to keep it alive and give it a boost. Rodrigues is one of them and Aikat Mozo Tavo is his vehicle taking it further.
REGISTER ON : www.aikatmozotavo.co.uk
