Bhatkal : The first World Konkani Music Mega Convention opened with great enthusiasm at Town Hall in Mangaluru on Tuesday, bringing together Konkani-speaking communities from across the world to celebrate their language, music and cultural heritage. A notable highlight of the event was the participation of Bhatkal’s Nawayathi language, closely associated with Konkani, with the Nawayath Mahfil team drawing attention and appreciation for its distinctive musical presentation.
Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant inaugurated the 13-day international convention at 5 am, while Bishop of the Mangaluru Diocese Dr Peter Paul Saldanha offered prayers at the inaugural ceremony.
Organised by the Konkani cultural organisation Mandd Sobhann to mark its 40th anniversary, the convention will continue until November 15. It aims to bring together Konkani-speaking communities worldwide, promote different forms and traditions of Konkani music, and encourage the younger generation to remain connected with their language and culture.
Among the nearly 300 participating teams, Bhatkal’s Nawayath Mahfil team was given an opportunity to perform among the first ten teams. Each team was allotted one hour for its presentation. The Nawayathi performance, held between 3 pm and 4 pm, emerged as a distinctive feature of the programme. Bhatkal’s poets and singers presented Nawayathi verses without musical instruments, relying entirely on rhythm, melody and vocal expression. The unusual style surprised the audience and earned considerable appreciation.
Nawayath Mahfil Secretary Shabbir Ajaib said the team had been preparing for the event for the past 45 days. A total of 18 lyricists and performers, including Noufil Damudi, Samiullah Barmawar and Jeelani Shabandari, presented a series of Islamic songs and Nawayathi compositions, dressed in traditional Nawayath Islamic attire. Through their performances, they showcased the richness of the Nawayathi language, its poetic traditions and its distinct cultural identity.
According to the organisers, the major attraction of the convention is an attempt to set a Guinness World Record through a continuous music marathon. Titled 'Konkani Nirantari – Sansar Sorsori' (Konkani Music Without Interruption), the initiative aims to achieve 12 days, 12 hours and 12 minutes of uninterrupted singing.
More than 6,700 singers from 300 teams are participating in the marathon, presenting over 4,500 Konkani songs composed by more than 250 musicians and lyricists. Each team has been allotted an hour, with organisers ensuring that neither singers nor songs are repeated during the marathon.
Apart from various parts of India, teams of Konkani singers from Australia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar are also participating. Goa alone has 53 teams in the event. At the inauguration, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant played the traditional Konkani percussion instrument 'Ghumat', formally launching the record attempt.
Addressing the inaugural gathering, Sawant praised Mandd Sobhann and the organisers for their efforts to preserve and promote Konkani. He said that although Konkani has different dialects, its speakers share one language and a common cultural identity.
He noted that while Konkani enjoys official-language status in Goa and receives government support, the Konkani community in Mangaluru and coastal Karnataka has kept the language alive through its dedication and commitment. He also announced that the Goa government would consider recognising individuals outside the state who have made significant contributions to Konkani language and culture. Goa and coastal Karnataka, he said, may belong to different states, but share considerable similarities in their coastal culture and way of life.
Goa MLA Michael Lobo also recalled the contributions of late Eric Ozario to the promotion of Konkani language and culture, noting that he had provided a platform for younger generations of artists to showcase their talent.
The concluding ceremony of the convention is scheduled for November 15, with Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expected to attend.
It may be recalled that the wider Konkani community also considers the Nawayath community of Bhatkal and surrounding areas part of its broader linguistic and cultural fold. The inclusion and appreciation of Nawayathi compositions at this international convention therefore marks an important recognition of Bhatkal’s distinctive linguistic and cultural heritage.
Photos: Abdul Basith Ikkeri