Chandor singer releases global music video after lockdown low

Colva: Over the past two years, the lockdown necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely impacted the livelihoods of many.

One among these has been music entertainer

Emmanuel Antao

.

In its edition dated August 30, 2020, TOI had highlighted Antao’s dilemma, who had resorted to selling fish to keep his hearth burning.

Now things seem to be looking up for the singer who recently had a

global launch

of his first

music video

‘

Raah Pe

’ (On the way).

Attributing this turn of events to the TOI coverage, Antao says he received a call from then Sony Music general manager Richard Mascarenhas, promising him support to boost his career.

“He urged me to get into Hindi music and shoot two videos as a start to give fillip to my career. From then on, there was no looking back,” Antao said.

As the market started opening up, Antao started getting singing contracts from hotels and restaurants and money started to come in. “But as it was not much, I started looking for financial help to prepare the video. Some people promised help, but it never materialised. After a year of uncertainty and restrictions, I finally decided to take the risk and put my hard-earned money into shooting the video,” he said.

In January this year, with the help of lyricist Supraj Kerkar, music composer Joy Banerjee and project director Jojo Dsouza, Antao decided to shoot the video at various scenic locations such as Utorda and Hollant.

Having travelled the world on the back of his Konkani and English performances, the singer, who hails from Chandor, says he now wants to tap into the Hindi music genre which has massive global acceptance.

Antao has till date performed in nine countries and 11 states across India. More recently, durings BRICS, he was to perform for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the performance was called off at the last minute due to security reasons.


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