*Press Release* *“Hi Povitr Raat” Singing Competition Celebrates Voices Across Generations and Borders*
*Chorao, Goa | 01.Jan.2026* The results of our "*Hi Povitr Raat @ Christmas2025" Singing Competition* have been officially announced, marking the culmination of a unique, year-long, community-driven musical initiative centred on the Konkani rendition of the timeless Christmas carol *O Holy Night*. Inorder to provide reference tracks to our participants 11 AI-powered multi-genre Konkani renditions of this carol were released as an album on YouTube in early-December 2025 by our music label, Urben Utah, and were well received by Konkani audiences globally. Album @ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNFCkf8oSNCDEVwqM4jlOVBLonR6GFKnj Conceived as more than a conventional contest, the competition invited singers of all ages and backgrounds to interpret *Hi Povitr Raat* with sincerity, musical sensitivity, and respect for the song’s emotional depth. Participants included children, solo adult singers, vocal groups, and contributors from across Goa, Mangalore, Dubai, New Zealand and Indonesia including non-Konkani singers from the last 2 countries. Winners were selected in three competitive categories — *Children*, *Adults (Solo)*, and *Adults (Group)* — with rankings revealed through a curated *Results video released on YouTube:* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a_kW3FAN7Q *Children's Category Ranking:* 1. Abiel Borges (Curtorim, Goa) 2. Nicole Gomes (Marcela, Goa) 3. Charisha Pereira (Quepem, Goa) 4. Freida Lobo (Tivim, Goa) *Adults Solo Category Ranking:* 1. Joyce Mascarenhas Music (Mangalore, Karnataka) 2. Monica Fernandes (Merces, Goa) 3. Jossie Mascarenhas (Mangalore, Karnataka) 4. Simraaj Fernkaar (Vasco da Gama, Goa) 5. Crispino Faria (Chicalim, Goa) *Adults Group Category Ranking:* 1. Bogmalo Parish Choir (Bogmalo, Goa) 2. Chicalim Church Choir (Chicalim, Goa) 3. Grace Notes Choir (Sanquelim, Goa) 4. Joyful Messengers (Loutulim, Goa) 5. SEMIBREVE (Navelim, Goa) In addition to ranked winners, the competition featured two curated non-competitive sections: - *Special Renditions – Beyond Rankings*, highlighting sincere musical contributions that reflected courage, cross-cultural participation, and community spirit, including entries from outside India. - *Featured Artist Renditions*, showcasing invited performances by prominent artists who shared their interpretations as a gift to the season, outside the competitive framework. We are sincerely grateful to Aurvile Rodrigues (Margao, Goa), Myron Estibeiro (Macasana, Goa), Claniffa Almeida (Panaji, Goa), and Lloyed Pereira (Dubai, UAE) for their renditions here. All participants are acknowledged with equal respect, and links to their full-length social media renditions are available in our YouTube video's description. Looking ahead, we are exploring high-calibre singing challenge possibilities for Christmas2026, with the modern classic carol *“Mary, Did You Know?”* as the leading contender for its Konkani avatar. We have invited singers and music lovers to suggest other vocally demanding carols as potential alternatives. The *Hi Povitr Raat* initiative reaffirmed Konkani as a living, expressive musical language, capable of carrying global-standard music traditions while nurturing local voices. Kindly reach out to me should you need any clarifications or additional information in this regard. *🙏 Our sincere gratitude to the Goan press and media fraternity for their continued support to our various social-impact initiatives for over a decade. Wishing you and your loved ones an amazing New Year 2026! ✨* Warm regards, Vincent Toscano. *Creative Director | **Urben Utah (* <https://www.youtube.com/@UrbenUtah>*Rise with Exuberance)* <https://www.youtube.com/@UrbenUtah> *Organizer | Konkanin World Music <https://www.vangdda.org/>* *Managing Partner *| *Uzoorba Technologies LLP <http://www.uzoorba.com/>* Chorao, Goa, India | +91 97654 10020 TEDx*Panaji2020 *Village IT - A necessity for India <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-pHL6FTyCY> *Get Up & Startup* Interview by Herald <https://www.facebook.com/goanewshub/videos/1090679355134969> *Career Guidance* Interview by CCR TV <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6AqrrMoPF8> *Our Social-Impact Work since 2012 <https://www.vangdda.org/about-us>*
