Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Nov 10: Renowned Konkani music composer, singer and cultural personality Lawrence Saldanha, originally from Siddakatte in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district and currently based in Mumbai, has been honoured with the first World Konkani Music Excellence Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Konkani music.
The award was presented during the felicitation ceremony of the first World Konkani Music Mega Conference, organised by Mandd Sobhann at Kudmul Ranga Rao Memorial Town Hall in Mangaluru. The 12-day musical marathon, featuring 12 hours and 12 minutes of continuous singing, was organised from November 3 to 15 in honour of the late Eric Ozario, founder of Mandd Sobhan and a prominent Konkani activist. The event was also organised as an attempt to create a historic Guinness World Record.
At the felicitation ceremony held on Saturday, November 7, MLC Ivan D'Souza, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Joachim Stanislaus Alvares, Mandd Sobhann president Louis J Pinto, Mandd Sobhann Kalangan's Pirjent Roy Castelino and conference coordinator Irene Rebello, among other dignitaries, honoured Lawrence Saldanha with a shawl, bouquet, certificate and memento.
Lawrence Saldanha began his musical journey in 1969 through a music programme on All India Radio. He subsequently participated in Doordarshan programmes in 1978, 1979 and 1984, helping introduce Konkani music to a wider audience.
He has performed more than 35 'Lawrence Saldanha Nights' in India and abroad and has composed over 800 Konkani songs, besides more than 100 songs in Tulu, Kannada and English. He has also released 14 music albums and demonstrated his literary interests through his work 'Podancho Shivor'.
The organisers stated that the award recognised his decades of dedicated service towards the growth, preservation and promotion of Konkani music, describing the honour as a proud moment for the Konkani music fraternity.
Leo Fernandes of Jerimeri, Mumbai, regional representative of Mandd Sobhann Kalangan and president of Konkan Association Charitable Trust, coordinated the participating groups for the musical marathon. Several Konkani music groups from across Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai and Pune, took part in the event.
The participating teams included Konkani Sabha, Mulund; Manik Gavpi, Mira Road; Melodies of C Alvares, Mumbai; Swaranjali Malwani, Malad; Porzollchim Taram, Marol; Konkan Taram, Jerimeri; Konkani Kallzam, Sakinaka; Vasai Konkani Welfare Association; Manglorean Catholic Association, Pune; Swar Me'll, Sacred Heart, Andheri; Konkan Association, Mumbai; Vakalacho Tallo, Mumbai; and Urbhesth Kalakar, Borivili.
The musical marathon brought together Konkani artistes and cultural groups, celebrating the richness of Konkani music and strengthening cultural bonds among Konkani-speaking communities.