NT Reporter
Panaji/Margao
The celebrated champion of Konkani music and heritage from Mangaluru Eric Alexander Ozario passed away on Friday at the age of 76.
The Gurkar of Mandd Sobhann and former president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy, Ozario was the recipient of several honours. Known as a flag-bearer of the Konkani movement, he was also the recipient of the title ‘Vishwa Konkani Kala Ratna’ from the Konkani community.
Ozario had been battling kidney related ailments for the past few years, and was on dialysis. He had been undergoing treatment for the past 18 days at Father Muller’s Hospital, Mangaluru.
He is survived by his wife Joyce, and daughter Dr Rashmi Kiran and son Rithesh Kiran.
The schedule for the funeral will be as follows: on August 31 a Mass will be held at 11.15 am at St Vincent Ferrer Church, Valencia. Mangaluru. His mortal remains will be kept for public viewing at Kalaangann from 1 pm to 4.30 pm, which will be followed by the last rites at 4:30 pm at Boloor crematorium.
Several bodies, including Tiatr Academy of Goa and Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan, condoled the death of
Ozario.
A gifted and pioneering musician, Ozario devoted his life to the enrichment of Konkani music, striving ceaselessly to bring innovation and artistic excellence to the field.
Celebrated as a noble voice magician, he breathed life into the works of both past and contemporary poets, composing melodies for their verses and delivering them to the people with passion and artistry.
In his quest for a distinct Konkani identity in music, Ozario initiated the Mandd Sobhann musical experiment on November 30, 1986. Over the course of his career, he staged more than 200 Mandd Sobhann shows in India and abroad, composed music for over 1,000 poems and songs, performed in over 800 programmes, and produced 26 audio cassettes and CDs.
He has left behind a legacy of unmatched richness.
With the support of the community, he established Kalaangann — The Konkani Heritage Centre — ensuring it was not merely a structure but a vibrant nucleus of continuous cultural activity.
Mandd Sobhann to this day holds the only Guinness World Record in the name of Konkani.
Ozario was one of the architects of the first World Konkani Convention held in Mangaluru.
His tireless advocacy also led to Konkani being introduced as an optional subject in Karnataka schools, securing its place in the curriculum.
Ozario’s efforts brought global recognition to Konkani art through festivals such as the World Konkani Music Festival, Mandd Fest, and the Global Konkani Music Awards.
Tiatr Academy of Goa president Anthony Barbosa expressed sorrow at the passing of Ozario.
Ozario was not just a gifted composer and performer; he was a cultural visionary who dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Konkani language, music, and identity. As the founder of Mandd Sobhann and the driving force behind Kalaangann in Mangaluru, his work inspired generations to take pride in their roots and celebrate the richness of our traditions, Barbosa said.
President of the Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan Kennedy Alphonso also mourned the demise of Ozario.
Ozario championed the cause of Konkani language, supporting various initiatives for Romi Konkani in Goa, Alphonso said in a press note.
“He actively collaborated with the Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan by providing legal paperwork and guidance for the movement and also facilitating the formation of All-India Konknni Maha Sabha by bringing together Konkani associations from Mangaluru,” Alphonso said.
With the death of Ozario, we have lost a supportive friend and mentor in the cause of Romi Konkani, the Abhiyan said.
