Mangaluru: Mandd Sobhann, marking the occasion of its Ruby Jubilee, officially launched the invitation and fundraising campaign for the ‘First World Konkani Music Mega Convention’ at the Mangalore Club on Tuesday.Fr Faustine Lobo, director, Father Muller Institutions, inaugurated the programme. He lauded Mandd Sobhann for remaining at the forefront of preserving and promoting the mother tongue. Emphasising the organisation’s unique capacity to pioneer new possibilities in Konkani, he noted that this mega convention would showcase the adventurous spirit and cultural richness of the Konkani people on the global stage. He urged the community to wholeheartedly support this monumental project with their time, effort, and financial contributions, wishing the event a grand success.Louis J Pinto, president of Mandd Sobhann, detailed the scale of the upcoming convention and the planned Guinness World Record attempt. He said that over 6,000 singers spanning the Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities worldwide would participate, with 300 teams slated to render 5,000 songs.Outlining the event’s estimated Rs 3 crore budget, he explained that the convention would feature much more than performances, including symposia on the history and future of Konkani music, cultural exhibitions, a hall of fame and the felicitation of senior artists. In a beautiful display of Konkani tradition, he then extended a formal invitation to the entire community by symbolically offering betelnuts, betel leaves, and water to the chief guests.During the event, CA Olvin Rodrigues officially released the promotional jingle for the mega convention. Anil Lobo, president of MCC Bank, Roy Castelino, chairman of the Mega Convention’s Finance Committee and Mandd Sobhann coordinater Stany Alvares were present. Raina Sequeira and her team presented musical performances.
