Mangaluru: Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant inaugurated the first World Konkani Music Mega Convention at Town Hall in Mangaluru on Tuesday, November 3, celebrating the language, music and cultural heritage of the Konkani-speaking community.
Organised by the renowned Konkani cultural organisation Mandd Sobhann as part of its 40th anniversary (Ruby Jubilee) celebrations, the 13-day international convention will continue until November 15. The event aims to bring together Konkani-speaking communities from across the world and showcase the diversity of Konkani music and traditions.
The convention was blessed by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of the Diocese of Mangaluru.
Goa CM praises Mangaluru’s Konkani community
Addressing the gathering, Sawant congratulated Mandd Sobhann and the organising committee for bringing together artistes and music enthusiasts for the international event.
He appreciated the Konkani-speaking community in Mangaluru for preserving and promoting the language through its dedication and collective efforts, despite limited institutional support.
The Chief Minister observed that although Konkani has several dialects, its speakers remain connected through a shared language and cultural identity. He also highlighted the close cultural relationship between Goa and coastal Karnataka, noting that the two regions share a coastline, lifestyle and traditions despite being separated by state boundaries.
Sawant further announced that the Goa government would consider Konkani achievers living outside the state for its prestigious state awards, recognising their contributions to the language and culture.
Guinness World Records attempt to feature 6,700 singers
One of the biggest attractions of the convention is an attempt to set a Guinness World Records title for the longest singing marathon by multiple singers.
Titled Konko’nni Niro’nto’ri – So’msar So’raso’ri, the initiative aims to present an uninterrupted musical programme lasting 12 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes.
Around 300 singing teams will participate in rotation, with more than 6,700 singers expected to perform over 4,500 Konkani songs. The performances will represent different dialects, communities and musical traditions.
The organisers have planned the marathon to ensure that neither singers nor songs are repeated during the attempt. Participants are arriving from different parts of India and overseas, including Goa, Australia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar.
The marathon began at 6 am on November 3, when Sawant formally launched the singing programme by playing the Ghumat, a traditional Konkani percussion instrument.
Convention honours legacy of late Eric Ozario
The convention is dedicated to the memory of late Eric Ozario, founder and visionary leader of Mandd Sobhann, who made significant contributions to the promotion of Konkani language, music and cultural heritage.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo recalled Ozario’s lifelong efforts to encourage young talent and create opportunities for artistes to showcase their abilities. He also welcomed the participation of several teams from Goa.
The event forms part of Mandd Sobhann’s four-decade journey of promoting Konkani through music, theatre, literature and cultural activities.
Artistes and dignitaries attend inaugural ceremony
The inaugural event was attended by Karnataka Legislative Council member Ivan D’Souza, Goa MLAs Michael Lobo and Delilah Lobo, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Stany Alvares and other dignitaries.
Mandd Sobhann president Louis J Pinto welcomed the gathering, while Rynel Sequeira compered the programme.
The convention also features academic seminars, cultural exhibitions, music programmes and activities aimed at encouraging younger generations to connect with Konkani language and traditions.
Mangaluru becomes a global platform for Konkani music
With thousands of singers and hundreds of participating teams, the convention seeks to bring different Konkani-speaking communities together through music.
The programme will continue at Town Hall until November 15, offering a platform for established and emerging artistes while celebrating the language’s diverse musical traditions.
Through the international gathering and the ambitious singing marathon, Mandd Sobhann aims to strengthen the global presence of Konkani and carry forward the cultural legacy of the community.