Goan artistes after attending the Holy Eucharistic celebration at the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
As many as 53 Goan teams comprising 1,435 singers of Goan origin will participate in an attempt to set a Guinness World Records title for the longest singing marathon by multiple singers during the first World Konkani Music Mega Convention in Mangaluru from November 3 to 15.
The event, organised by Mandd Sobhann, a premier Konkani cultural organisation established in 1986 at Shaktinagar in Mangaluru, will bring together 300 teams from India and abroad in an effort to celebrate Konkani music and unite Konkani-speaking communities across the world. The convention is being organised to mark the organisation’s Ruby anniversary and is dedicated to the memory of its late Gurkar, Eric Ozario, who made significant contributions to Konkani music.
RECORD ATTEMPT
The record attempt, titled ‘Konko’nni Niro’nto’ri – So’msar So’raso’ri’ (Eternal Konkani – Unto the World’s End), will begin at 6 am on November 3 and continue for 12 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes, concluding at 6.12 pm on November 15. The singing marathon will feature over 6,800 singers performing more than 4,500 Konkani songs composed by over 250 composers across various dialects of the language.
The participating teams will represent Konkani-speaking communities from Goa, Mangaluru and other parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala, besides Australia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Participants will represent Christian, Hindu and Muslim faiths and communities including Christians, Goud Saraswat Brahmins (GSBs), Kudal Deshasthas, Kharvis, Kudumis, Siddis, Nawayathis and Syrian Christians, among others.
A total of 300 teams will perform for one hour each, with no singer or song being repeated. Joel Pereira, popularly known as ‘Sangeeth Guru’, will serve as the chief music director for the record attempt. Known internationally for his contributions to sacred, folk and other genres of music, Pereira will oversee the musical aspects of the marathon.
Registration for the attempt has been completed with the Guinness office in London, and a senior official adjudicator has been appointed to oversee the proceedings.
The current record for the longest singing marathon by multiple singers stands at 11 days, 11 hours and 11 minutes. It was achieved by Shree Harikrushna Kirtan Yaag in Vadtal, Gujarat, from July 9 to 20, 2024, with 1,200 singers participating as part of Chaturmas, a holy period in Hindu tradition, and celebrations marking the bicentenary of Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Vadtaldham.
GOA'S CONTRIBUTION
Michael Jude Gracias, an executive committee member of Mandd Sobhann representing Goa and coordinator of the Goan teams, said the organisation had initially approached him in January 2026 to arrange 20 Goan groups for the event. “Within a week, the 20 participating groups were arranged. I then learnt about the existing record from Gujarat and was fascinated by the 1,200 singers who had participated. I contacted Mandd Sobhann officials and requested them to allow Goa to field at least 50 groups. My intention was to unofficially break Gujarat’s record by sending more than 1,200 singers. I am happy that 53 teams from Goa, with 1,435 singers of Goan origin, are participating,” he said.
The convention will be inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant at 5 am on November 3 at the Town Hall in Mangaluru. Bishop of Mangaluru Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha will deliver the benediction, while Reception Committee president Dr Ronald Colaco will preside over the ceremony.
ACADEMIC SESSIONS
To add academic depth and an international dimension to the convention, 12 seminars will be held at a venue adjacent to the singing arena during the marathon.
The sessions will cover Konkani devotional music in Goa, presented by Fr Onasis D’Cruz, and devotional music in Mangaluru and beyond, presented by Fr Jayaprakash D’Souza. Konkani folk music in Goa will be discussed by Dr Cosma Fernandes, while Dr Preethi Keerthi D’Souza will speak on folk music in Mangaluru and beyond.
Other topics include music for health, by Ankush Nayak; international music, by Dr Paolo Pacciolla; baila music, by Alwyn Fernandes; musicians and their compositions, by Neeta Rebello; theatre and cinema music, by Cajetan Dias; the impact of Mandd Sobhann music, by Rev Dr Alwyn Serrao; intellectual property rights, by retired judge Dr Sayonara Telles; and artificial intelligence and music, by Rev Dr Victor Ferrao.
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Twelve senior musicians who have made significant contributions to Konkani music will be honoured with the World Konkani Musical Excellence Award.
The awardees include Rev Fr Lino D’Sa of Goa, Lawrence Saldanha of Mumbai, Shridhar Kharvi of Bhatkal, Melwyn Peris of Mangaluru, Nemiraja Gowda of Kompadavu in Dakshina Kannada, Juliana Siddi of Haliyal and Mamdu Ibrahim of Shiroor.
Five awards will be conferred posthumously on Alfred Rose, Chris Perry and Ulhas Buyão of Goa, Vasanthi R Nayak of Mangaluru and Jerome D’Souza of Mumbai. Prominent personalities from the political and cultural spheres will felicitate the awardees.
CHILDREN’S MUSICAL EVENING
A special musical evening titled ‘Ful Fulota’ (The Flower Blooms) will be organised on November 13 at the Rajaji Park Amphitheatre, opposite the Town Hall, to encourage children aged between 10 and 16 to participate in the convention.
The programme will follow the Konkani Niro’nto’ri format and is intended to engage younger generations with the language and its musical heritage.
EXHIBITION AND HALL OF FAME
An exhibition showcasing the history of Konkani music and the life, traditions and culture of Konkani people will be set up on the Town Hall premises.
A dedicated Hall of Fame will feature senior and contemporary musicians who have brought recognition to Konkani music. The Goan musicians featured will include Lorna Corderio, Remo Fernandes, Braz Gonsalves, Ulhas Buyão, Fr Lino D’Sa, Edwin D’Costa, Chris Perry, Alfred Rose, C Alvares, Frank Fernandes, Fr Loudino Baretto, Anthony Gonsalves, H Britton, Emiliano D’Cruz, M Boyer, Micael Martins, A R Souza Ferrao, Marcus Vaz, Connie M, Osvi Veigas, Mini Mario, Jack Rebello, Hortencio Pereira, Elvis Goes, Siddanath Buyão, Purnanand Chari and Tomazinho Cardozo.
Food stalls serving delicacies from different Konkani communities will also be set up, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the diversity of Konkani cuisine. The record attempt will conclude at precisely 6.12 pm on November 15, followed by the formal valedictory programme. Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will attend the valedictory ceremony.
PREPARATIONS IN FULL SWING
Preparations for the mega convention have been under way since the public announcement of the record attempt on August 31, 2025, during the funeral services of Eric Ozario.
The organisers have undertaken extensive work to curate thousands of songs, document lyrics, form 300 performing teams, distribute musical tracks and prepare karaoke or minus tracks for the finalised songs. Forty assistant music coordinators have been appointed to supervise rehearsals.
Arrangements have also been made for maintaining practice attendance records, collecting participant declaration forms, and providing accommodation, travel and catering facilities. Volunteers are undergoing comprehensive training to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
The estimated budget for the convention is approximately Rs 4 crore. Mandd Sobhann president Louis J Pinto described the expenditure as an investment in elevating Konkani music and laying a strong foundation for the future of the Konkani language.
