India - 265-hour-long music concert eyes record books

G.Mohiuddin Jeddy

A 12-day, 265-hour-long music concert by a Navi Mumbai-based academy may soon find its way into the Guinness World Records.

Organised by Bandish foundation’s International Music Academy (IMA), the concert, Dream 2008 — held at the City Centre Mall in Vashi from December 24 till Sunday — was aimed at providing a platform for amateur performers and to take Indian music to the world. The performances included singing, dancing, mimicry and instrumentals by around 300 artistes.

“This is the first time in the world that a music academy held such a non-stop performance. The earlier records have been by individuals,” said Dr Vikram Parlikar, who heads the IMA.

“We conducted auditions in various schools of the city and selected budding talents. They were trained for around four months and now they, along with our students, have been given a platform to showcase their talents. We had performers from a four-year-old to a 75-year-old artiste.”

“This was a dream project for me made possible by my entire team and all those who supported us. We have approached the Guinness World Records and Limca Book of Records for an entry,” he added.

The performances by the artistes included various themes, from Heal Mumbai and Christmas to songs on marriages etc.

“It requires a lot of dedication to achieve such a feat which definitely is not an easy task. A lot of hard work goes into it and the result is for all to see,” said Marathi TV actress Rani Gunaji, the chief guest at the concluding day of the concert.

“It was an excellent opportunity for music lovers to gain confidence and start performing on stage. I took part along with my mother and sister and we had great fun,” said Sakshi Raut, a Class 7 student who took part in the event.

“This was a great effort by IMA and music lovers will wholeheartedly support it. It is nice to be a part of this event which will go down in history books,” said 75-year-old Vinod Trivedi, the eldest participant at the concert.

IMA has earlier held a non-stop concert of 13 hours at DY Patil auditorium in 2006.

BOX:

Dream 2008 — the 12-day, 265-hour-long music concert held at the City Centre Mall in Vashi — began on December 24 through January 4.

Around 300 artistes took part in the concert — aimed at providing a platform for amateur performers and to take Indian music to the world — organised by Navi Mumbai-based Bandish foundation’s International Music Academy.

According to the organisers — Guinness World Records and Limca Book of Records for an entry — this is the first time in the world that a music academy held such a non-stop performance. The earlier records have been by individuals.

IMA has earlier held a non-stop concert of 13 hours at DY Patil auditorium in 2006.