By Magimai Pragasam

Chennai, Jan 4, 2024: The international Christmas Carol Competition organized by a Fransalian institute has attracted as many as 60 entries from different parts of the world.

Parishes, seminaries, religious institutions, orphanages, schools and children homes took part in the competition in December 2023 with great interest and enthusiasm.

It was organized by DeSales International Film and Media Academy, based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

“It is unbelievable. The costume, instruments, backdrops and the way the choir members sang the Christmas songs lifted my spirit. The singing simply mesmerized me,” said Johan, one of the judges and a noted music director during the evaluation process.

Stephen, another judge who is a noted music composer and sound designer, said. ‘How would it be if Jesus was born in a Tribal village? How people would have welcomed Him?’ The way Pammal Parish Choir visualized it and performed through a creative dance can never go away from my memory.”

Fransalian youth of MSFS Mission, Liteta Parish, Zambia staged a song and dance.

The jury praised the song by ‘Voices of Hosea from Abu Dhabi.”

Fransalian Father J. Stephen, the director of DeSIFMA and the chief organizer of the event, said, “We never thought that sixty members would take part in the competition. We thank all of them immensely for their spirit, sacrifice and commitment. Their participation motivates us to conduct the competition in a much bigger level in 2024.”

The first prize was bagged by Christ the King Church Choir of Pammal Parish, Chennai and awarded 30,000 rupees. The second prize was shared by two groups namely Fransalian youth of MSFS Mission, Liteta Parish, Zambia, and Church Choir, Pallikaranai, Chennai, who received 10,000 rupees each. The third prize went to team ‘The Voices of Hosea’ of Abu Dhabi which received 10,000 rupees.

The prize-winning songs were telecast on Madha TV on December 31 2023 and the following day, watched by millions.

DeSIFMA conducts diploma courses in film direction, cinematography and film editing. Besides regular courses, it also conducts seminars and workshops on film and media related topics.