PROUD MOMENT: President of Mandd Sobhann Louis J Pinto, Goa Chief Coordinator and Executive Committee Member Michael Gracias, and other officials with the Guinness World Records certificate at the Town Hall in Mangaluru on Sunday.
PANAJI
Konkani has made history, with Mangaluru-based cultural institution Mandd Sobhann setting a new Guinness World Record for the longest singing marathon, clocking an unprecedented 12 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes of continuous singing. The record was officially created at 6.15 pm today, following a round-the-clock singing marathon that brought together Konkani performers and groups.
The record was first equalled at 5.11 pm yesterday, surpassing the previous record of 11 days, 11 hours and 11 minutes (275 hours and 11 minutes), set by Shree Harikrushna Kirtan Yaag in Vadtal, Gujarat, between July 9 and July 20, 2024.
The official declaration was met with overwhelming emotion and celebrations at a packed auditorium. The finale in Mangaluru featured leading groups from Goa, who took to the stage to bring the historic campaign to a fitting close, celebrating Konkani music and culture.
The first group to perform on the final day was the Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Sancoale. The 21-member sisters' singing troupe dished out a beautiful selection of Konkani carols, making it feel as though the early joys of Christmas had already begun. They were followed by the renowned Mando group, Sant Antonicho Svadik Nad, led by Albino Fernandes. This group delivered rich Konkani music featuring polyphonic singing, backed by a live band comprising four violins, two guitars, and a double bass. The double bass proved to be particularly eye-catching for the Mangaluru crowd in attendance, who took time out after the performance to click photographs standing alongside the instrument.
The third group to take the stage was another rich traditional cultural troupe, the St Sebastian Church choir, led by Philoo Cardozo and Rev. Fr Ubaldo Fernandes. They captivated the packed auditorium with a diverse array of traditional songs, including Mando and Dekhnni. This set the perfect stage for the grand finale of Goan music, delivered by Goa’s cultural troupe, Kala Niketan. Led by Michael Gracias, who is widely known for his vast contributions to Tiatr, Mando, Konkani films, and other spheres of Konkani culture, the group delivered a performance that brought the audience to a frenzy.
Kala Niketan initially started with slow songs, which were exceptionally well received. A standout moment was their narration of the story of why the body of St Francis Xavier reached Goa, and how the saint refused to leave Goa at the time of liberation when the then Governor-General Vassalo e Silva went to the Basilica to take the coffin to Portugal. The emotional and powerful performance had the audience dancing in the evening sunlight outside the auditorium, as the inside was completely packed with people chatting and celebrating.
The second half of Kala Niketan's presentation shifted to pure entertainment. The crowd was seen clapping and applauding the group for every single song and every stanza as the music climaxed into fast beats, capping off what was truly the day for the Goan troupes and the Mangaluru crowd present.
People left the venue brimming with joy after the final presentation. Michael Gracias, the chief coordinator for Goa and executive committee member of Mandd Sobhann representing Goa, was given a place of pride on stage when the historic title was declared.
Overwhelmed with emotion and excitement, Gracias stated, "I'm delighted, thrilled. Today, the efforts of 53 Goan troupes bore fruit with the Guinness record coming in the name of Konkani. Today, the flag of Konkani is hoisted once again at the pinnacle of glory. The flag flies high all over the world across the globe. The world is constantly changing. This is the title of the divine record, and we are proud that it will live forever till the end of the world."
