Mangaluru: The world’s first World Konkani Music Mega Convention, a 12-day non-stop marathon singing event aiming to create a Guinness World Record, will be organised by Mandd Sobhann at Kalaangann, Shakthinagar, Mangaluru, from November 3 to November 15, 2026. The ambitious global cultural initiative seeks to bring together Konkani-speaking communities from across India and abroad through music, unity, and shared heritage.
The mega convention will feature continuous marathon singing for 12 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes, involving hundreds of organised teams and thousands of singers. The organisers aim to hoist the Konkani flag high on the global stage while celebrating the richness, diversity, and emotional depth of Konkani music.
A global platform for Konkani unity
Conceived as a once-in-a-lifetime cultural milestone, the convention is open to Konkani speakers of all dialects and communities, including Christians, Hindus, Muslims, GSBs, Kudmis, Kharvis, Siddis, Daldis, Navayatis, RSBs, Daivajns and others, from anywhere in India or overseas. The event underscores inclusivity by allowing teams to be formed by families, parishes, institutions, colleges, wards, professional groups, choirs, music academies, and even individuals.
Religious congregations including priests, nuns, brothers, and novices are also eligible to form teams, while interfaith teams comprising members from different religious backgrounds are explicitly encouraged, reflecting Konkani’s shared cultural roots.
Record attempt structure and participation
The record attempt is structured as a non-stop marathon singing event involving up to 300 teams. Each team must consist of a minimum of 18 singers, with no upper limit. NRI teams are permitted with a minimum of 12 singers, of whom at least six must be NRIs.
Each team will be allotted one full hour for performance and is required to sing between 16 and 18 Konkani songs within the allotted time. Repetition of songs is strictly prohibited to ensure musical diversity throughout the marathon, with an estimated 5,400 songs expected to be rendered during the event.
As this is a Konkani record attempt, only Konkani songs are permitted, though singers need not necessarily be of Konkani origin. Teams performing in the Mangalorean Christian dialect will be provided with curated song lists across 18 different genres, while teams from Goa and other dialect groups may finalise their own song selections with prior approval from the organisers.
Practice, performance and discipline
To maintain uniformity and adherence to Guinness World Records norms, each team must conduct a minimum of 10 practice sessions and appoint both a Music Director and a Team Coordinator. Mandd Sobhann will assign a Chief Music Conductor (CMC) to guide teams during practice sessions, which may be held either online or offline.
Only keyboards will be permitted during practice, though folk teams may use traditional instruments such as gumott, damam, daff, tabla and similar instruments. For the final presentation on stage, the organisers will provide professional musicians and instruments including keyboard, lead guitar, bass guitar and drums.
All on-stage performances will be directed by the assigned Chief Music Conductor, and strict discipline regarding reporting time, rehearsal schedules, costumes, and backstage arrangements will be enforced.
Allowances, accommodation and certification
Participating teams from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasaragod districts will receive a team allowance of ₹5,000, inclusive of practice and travel expenses to Kalaangann. Teams from outside these districts will receive the same allowance along with second-class sleeper train fare reimbursement and food allowance for the journey. NRIs will receive travel allowance only for travel within India.
Accommodation, if required, will be arranged for a maximum of 24 hours, and food will be provided by Mandd Sobhann for all teams during their performance period. Acceptance of the allowance remains at the discretion of individual teams.
All participants will receive participation certificates and official photographs within one month of the successful completion and formal announcement of the Guinness World Record.
Dedicated to Eric Ozario
The World Konkani Music Mega Convention is dedicated to the memory of Vishva Konkani Kala Ratna Eric Ozario, whose lifelong contribution significantly elevated the stature of Konkani language, culture and music. Organisers stated that the convention stands as a tribute to his vision of global Konkani unity through artistic excellence.
Guinness norms and responsibility
As the event is being conducted strictly under the rules and disciplines of Guinness World Records, no exceptions to the prescribed norms will be permitted. With the project involving an estimated expenditure of over ₹1.5 crore, organisers have emphasised the importance of discipline, responsibility and collective commitment from all participants.
The final decision on all matters related to the record attempt will rest with Mandd Sobhann and Guinness World Records Limited.
Beyond music: a cultural movement
In addition to the marathon singing, the mega convention will host symposiums, seminars, felicitation programmes, fairs and cultural interactions, making it a comprehensive celebration of Konkani life and identity. Organisers have appealed to Konkani-speaking people worldwide to extend wholehearted support and participation.
The First World Konkani Music Mega Convention is being hailed as a historic cultural movement that blends music, discipline and unity, reaffirming Konkani pride across generations and geographies.
