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SAMA Presents King & Queen Pageant
Shailendra Prasad
INDIA JOURNAL
The South Asian Modelling Agency (SAMA) presented its fourth annual
SAMA King and Queen Pageant on Aug 11 at the Living Arts Centre in
Mississauga.
Known for bringing young talents to the forefront of modelling and
ramp career, SAMA showcased a colourful show, featuring 20
participants vying for SAMA King, SAMA Queen and SAMA Princess.
The attendance was below expected, however a little over five hundred
people, mainly youngsters, showed enthusiam and encouraged their
fellows on the stage. The event’s organizers Mala and Ray Singh put
together a colourful youth-oriented event, in spite of coordination
and schedule problems with the backing out of some of the members.
Nevertheless, the glitz and glamour was evident in the posh Living
Arts Centre when the show unfolded with the ex-beauty queen Melissa
Bhagat holding the stage, acknowledging the guests and encouraging the
participants. Then the responsibility of wording the events fell on
emcees Jessica and Shawn who took over.
Melissa herself performed a popular Cuban dance with her Cuban beau
William. The entertainment section began with SAMA models dressed up
in hip-hugging costumes presenting sizzling dance numbers from some
of the latest Bollywood movies.
A young girl Teshana Prasad performed a mixture of classical and
modern-mix dance. The 11-year-old prodigy, who said that she would
pursue dance as a career, performed continuously with flawless
movements of body. She was greatly applauded by a good number of
spell-bond admirers.
The evening put forth some promising talents on stage who were very
confident during the judging rounds in verbal introduction, talent
round and Western formals. The participants introduced themselves one
by one and mentioned about their sponsors. They then presented their
items in the talent round followed by a display of evening gowns.
The event was also briefly attended by MP Scarborough-Rouge, Derek Lee
and MP
Scarborough-Agincourt, Jim Karygiannis. The dignitaries said they were
impressed by the efforts of the youth and wished them luck in their
future endeavours.
The highlight of the event was a very well-arranged fashion show by
Rawaaz Houte Couture. The models dressed up in the bridal silk lehnga
embroidered with Renaissance pearls and embellished with crystals and
zaris, and in lehngas designed with hand-embroidered zardozi , cut and
sequin work, were a feast for the eyes. While, male models in their
sherwanis and Jodhupuris, courtesy of Roop Shinghar, were no less
impressive in the array of wardrobe
display.
The fashion show featured former SAMA Queen Tricia Bhim and Stephanie
Singh, Shivani Singh, Miss Canada-India Beauty Princess and other SAMA
models Tanya Kalwani, Ishmat, Kim Virdi and Ngozi.
A popular singer from Toronto Jolly Bawa played his music video and
performed his chart-buster number Teri yaadein...from a newly-released
album Yaadein. Singers Sonni, a group performance by Sweet Vibes and a
solo by reigning queen Stephanie were other attractions in the
entertainment.
Among the judges were Naval Jee Sahai (State Bank of India), Mohit
Rajhans (Filmi.org), Doraiswamy (famous brain specialist from New
York City) Suzie Mukherjee (CBC film director), Lax Nagda (film
director/real estate agent) and the chief judges Co-ordinator Anil
Schembri (Ontario Hydro, Director).
The winners of the Pageant were SAMA King Sameer Dawson of Halifax
Nova Scotia, for SAMA Queen Reena Parekh and for SAMA Princess Nalini
Ramroop.
Ray and Mala Singh expressed thanks to the committee members Bob Tuli,
Manish Dodeja, Nisha Amin, Shelly Dhingra , Anil Schembri and Viresh
Mathur. Ray Singh distributed trophies to all the Contestants, quoting
“In our eyes all of our models and all the contestants are winners!”
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(Caption:The newly-crowned winners of the SAMA King and Queen 2001
Pageant:
SAMA King Sameer Dawson (middle) with SAMA Queen Reena Parekh (left)
and SAMA
Princess Nalini Ramroop.) |
