Goa CM inaugurates World Konkani music convention in Mangaluru
The 13-day event marks the 40th anniversary of the cultural organisation Mandd Sobhann.
Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant inaugurated the first World Konkani music mega convention at the Town Hall in Mangaluru on Tuesday. The event marks the 40th anniversary of the Konkani cultural organisation Mandd Sobhann.
According to the Deccan Herald, the convention officially began at 6 am with Dr Sawant playing the traditional Gumot percussion instrument. The 13-day programme is scheduled to run until November 15.
Dr Sawant praised the Konkani-speaking community in Mangaluru for their efforts to sustain the language through their own commitment rather than relying on state assistance. He noted that while Konkani has different dialects across Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, the community remains united by a shared cultural identity.
The convention includes a 12-day non-stop singing marathon titled ‘Konko’nni Niro’nto’ri – So’msar So’raso’ri’ in an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records. More than 6,700 singers from 300 teams, including 53 teams from Goa, are expected to perform over 4,500 songs.
The event is dedicated to the memory of the late Eric Ozario, the founder of Mandd Sobhann. Goa MLA Michael Lobo also spoke at the event, commending the lifelong contributions of the late Ozario to Konkani culture.
The inauguration was attended by Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, MLC Ivan D'Souza, and Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares.