Ramnath N Pai Raikar (The Navhind Times) won the first prize in the competitive category of the 2nd GUJ Solo Singing Competition 2026 on Saturday.
Rajtilak Naik (The Times of India) won the non-competitive category while Hemant Parab (The Navhind Times) won the Jury Award.
A total of 15 participants across two categories (Competitive and non-Competitive) registered while 13 presented their songs in a well-attended event at the GUJ hall, Shram Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji.
Director, Information and Publicity, Government of Goa, Mr. Abhir Hede inaugurated the Solo Singing Competition by lighting the traditional lamp in the presence of Judges, participants, and the GUJ executive committee members.
The competition was judged by noted Sitar artist and Lecturer- Faculty of Indian Music and Dance, Kala Academy, Sadanand Amonkar, and noted vocalist Omkar Chari
Results: Competitive category
1st Prize: Ramnath N Pai Raikar (The Navhind Times) for the song ‘Ae mere pyare watan’
2nd Sushant Chimulkar (The Navhind Times) for the song ‘Desh premiyon aapas mein prem karo’
3rd: Hemant Parab (The Navhind Times) for the song ‘Maa tujhe salaam’
1st Consolation Prize: Vitthal Gawade Parwadkar (Pudhari) for the song ‘Shoor amhi sardar’
2nd: Krishna Divkar (Goa Times-The Times of India) for the song ‘Des mere des mere’
3rd: Vasant Katkar (Tarun Bharat) for the song ‘Ae mere pyare watan’
Non-competitive category
1st Prize: Rajtilak Naik (The Times of India) for the song ‘Mere dushman, mere bhai’
Jury Award:
Hemant Parab (The Navhind Times) for the song ‘Maa tujhe salaam’
Earlier, GUJ General Secretary Vasudev Pagi enthralled the audience with a soulful rendition of the invocation on the flute.
GUJ President Rajtilak Naik welcomed the gathering and introduced the judges, while GUJ General Secretary Vasudev Pagi compered and proposed the vote of thanks.
