Toronto: Jeraldi James w/o Boney Mani Thomas (Paramount Coir Mills, Alapuzha), won the titles “CMA-Admiral Best Singer 2013″ and “Voice of Kerala in Canada -2013″ in the Singing Competition organized by Canadian Malayalee Association [CMA], under the sponsorship of Tom Varughese [Travelair Canada].
Tania Anto Karunakkal and Manu Roy Thomas won the second and third places respectively.
Jeraldi received the cash award and the ever-rolling Trophy from Tom Varughese in the award distribution ceremony which was held on 17th August, 2013 @ Wildwood Park, Mississauga.
Jeraldi is a professionally trained musician under the great music guru Kalaratna Sri. Jayavijaya and his daughter-in-law Smt. Gireja ManjuJayavijaya. She has learnt Carnatic Music for 10-12 years and has many accolades to her credit. She was the winner of many District & State Level Youth Festivals and has sung in devotional musical albums in Kerala. Her first stage performance with a Ganamela Troupe was at age 3.5 years.
Jeraldi is in Canada as an International Student, doing Early Childhood Education. That does not stop her from her music! She is a lead singer in “Dhwani Music Orchestra”, a leading Malayali music band based in Toronto. She sings in various languages for other regional music bands as well.
She is the Director of “Nakshathra School of Music” for Malayali children in Scarborough, where she teaches Classical & Light Indian music and devotional songs for individuals and groups.
Jeraldi takes great pride in serving the Malayalee community in whatever way possible. She is the entertainment convener of ‘Toronto Malayalee Samajam’ and an active member of the Scarborough St. Thomas Catholic Church and Music Choir.
Not limiting herself to music alone, Jeraldi is now venturing into the field of dance! She is part of the “Dancing Damsels Dance Group“, a Toronto based Non-Profit dance group for adult women.
Jeraldi is the only daughter of E.S James (Deputy Transport Commissioner, Kozhikkode) and Jiji James. She has a younger brother Jix James, who is persuing his Mechanical Engineering in Toronto. Jeraldi says she inherits her musical talent from her dad.
The Second place winner Tania Karunakkal [also known by her Pet names: Akhila, Malu, Pinky] is the daughter of Anto and Preetha Karunakkal, now residing at Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Tania is equally-talented in Music and Dance. She learned her dance lessons from Kalamandalam Gopinath and Omanakuttan and music from Kumari. Tania has proved her talents in painting too. This multi-talented young girl [a rising star!!] is also brilliant in her academics. Now she is studying for Grade 10 and at this small age, she is finding time to teach Music to little ones.
The Third place winner Manu Roy Thomas is a post graduate in Business Administration, with a strong passion for music. Even if he is not trained in music, it is there with his genes. He has been living in Mississauga since one year along with his wife. Presently he is working as a member of wireless network management and logistics team for Bell Mobility.
Report by: Jaison Mathew [WNN]