With a Pinch of Salt: 12 days, 12 hours, 12 minutes, Marathon Singing in Konkani (Day one)

November 3, 2026

Can you imagine bringing 6789+ Singers from worldwide in 300 groups on one stage at Town Hall between November 3 and November 15, 2026 so that they churn out 4500+ songs in one language, Konkani.

Perhaps this was possible for the vision and efforts of one person, Louie Pinto, and his team that supports him as 300+ volunteers have maneuvered day in and out for the past many months.

The idea was to make a title EFFORT to set up a world Marathon record singing Konkani song for 12 days, 12 hours, 12 minutes.

I am sure this is going to be a great tribute to the legendary Vishv Konkanni Ko"la Ro'tn,  Eric Bab O'zario who dreamed to make Konkani the language of a lifetime. He strived to make it extra-ordinary during his life of 77 years, by composing and showcasing Konkani music on the world stage. Who can one forget his effort during his life time, when he set up the Konkani Nirantari (2008) World Record at Kalangann Stage by holding  a non-stop Konkani Singing Marathon (Konkani Nirantari) from January 26–27, 2008..

Today, the inaugural segment saw Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, the Bishop of Mangalore diocese who prayed and blessed the event so that it is successful in making a World Guinness Record. Also accompanying him was the one who inaugurated the session, none other than Dr Pramod Sawant, the chief minister of Goa accompanied by his Goa government legislators, Shri Michael Lobo and Smt. Delaila Lobo. Also present were our own local legislators, Shri Vedavyas Kamath and Shri Ivan D'Souza.                                      

Dr Sawant, in his key note address said the attempt to make world record has put the Goan State behind, which is a prominent Konkani State. Also, he highlighted two steps by his BJP government, a grant for Theatre Academy and translation system in the Lok Sabha. 

According to him, if a Konkani speaker wishes to utilise the opportunity, he can make use of the translator which is new and due to the efforts of his party. (He also spoke about Shri Almeo who spoke years ago in Konkani in Lok Sabha without knowing how many members knew what he spoke about in Konkani. It’s a tragic moment as his own government was in power then.)

We also saw Vedavyas thumping to the announcement of the Chief Minister, and whenever he took the name of the Prime Minister Narender Modi, in spite of  the fact that the Central Sahitya Academy is ignoring the Konkani books published in Kannada script for the award. Is the truth too difficult for us to consume?

The brief stage program was simple yet colourful which pave the way for Marathon Singing by the singers from Bejai, Jeppu, Moodbidri, Valencia, Pakshikere, Nirmarga, Mangalore City Youth (led by the energetic Robin Sequeira) Mangalore Music House and Miyar till 14.00 hours in the afternoon. I understand many from the outskirts performed the whole night. 

Shri Joel Pereira, the main music director in his invitation bulletin reminisces his four assistants, Anil Patrao, Rev Fr Alwyn Sequeira, Alwyn Noronha and Simon Pais, besides, the Goan composer Michael Gracious who trained the Goan Singers Team.

Giving him continuous support is a gang of stalwarts like Roy Castelino, Ronald Mendonca, Stany Alvares, Navin Lobo Bajal, Rony Crasta Kelarai, Sunil Monteiro, Victor Mathias (PRO) and above all, Arun Raj Rodrigues, who is the main announcer besides many other vibrant members of Mandd Sobhann.

I have my own positive comments which I am destined to share at the end of this attempt, only after we receive the certificate.

 

 

 

 

By Hemacharya
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Title: With a Pinch of Salt: 12 days, 12 hours, 12 minutes, Marathon Singing in Konkani (Day one)



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