Eric Alexander Ozario (18 May 1949 – 29 August 2025) was an Indian Konkani music composer, cultural activist, trade unionist and the founder of Mandd Sobhann, a leading Konkani cultural organization. He also founded Kalaangann, a Konkani heritage centre.[1][2] Ozario was instrumental in Konkani being approved as an optional language in school education in the state of Karnataka.[3][4][5] He had also been the secretary general of the Jagotik Konknni Songhotton (JKS – Global Konkani Organisation) for many years.[6][7]
Early life
Ozario was born in 1949 in Mangalore. He developed an early interest in Konkani music and cultural identity, which later influenced his life’s work. His legacy as a composer and cultural activist began with the foundation of Mandd Sobhann, through which he promoted Konkani music locally and internationally.[8]
Career
In 2009, Ozario participated in a movement to protest a plan to cut trees in Mangalore.[9] Ozario's biography, The Indefatigable Crusader was released in 2014.[10][11][12]
Death
Ozario died from kidney disease on 29 August 2025, at the age of 76,[13] in Mangaluru.[8]
Awards
- In 1994 Ozario was bestowed the title 'Konkani Kala Samrat'.[14]
- Konkani Ratna[15]
- 1993 State Rajyotsava Prashasti[15]
- 1999 Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Award.
- Aug 2017 Konkanis in Tel Aviv honoured Eric Ozario at the Independence Day Celebrations.
- Feb 2022 Eric Ozario conferred with Lifetime Achievement Award by Daiji World Dubai
- Feb 2023 Ozario was conferred a lifetime achievement award by Konkani Natak Sabha® (KNS) in Don Bosco Hall, Mangalore. 2023.[16][17]
References
- ↑ 'If identity is lost, everything is lost'. Gulf Times(31 July 2013). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Konkani heritage centre opens today. The Times of India(1 December 2001). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Konkani may be third optional language. The Times of India(30 September 2005). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Konkani to be optional third language. The Times of India(10 December 2005). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Konkani language teaching awaits its first true test. The Times of India(21 July 2011). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Tomozinho Cardozo to head Jagotik Konknni Songhotton till August 2015. The Times of India(18 August 2013). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Goan Jose Salvador Elected President of Jagotik Konknni Songhotton. Mangalorean.com(30 August 2017). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Who is Eric Ozario? Renowned Konkani music composer dies at 76 in Mangaluru. mint(30 August 2025). Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ Citizens to tie ribbons to save trees. The Hindu(4 September 2009). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Mandd Sobhann Gurkar – Eric Ozario's biography to be released on Sunday. coastaldigest.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ The Indefatigable Crusader. notionpress.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ New book on Eric Ozario likely to 'be scandalous to some'. The Times of India(25 May 2014). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Eric Ozario, champion of Konkani music and cultural heritage, passes away at 76(29 August 2025). Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ↑ Unbeaten Paths: Theological Reflections on Times of Transition. Living on the Periphery, Crossing Borders, Building Bridges. Revised Edition{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. LIT Verlag Münster(10 March 2020). ISBN 978-3-643-91153-7
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Barkur Online. barkuronline.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Konkani Sabha's Lifetime Achievement Award for Eric Ozario. News Karnataka(17 February 2023). Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ↑ Mangaluru: KNS honours Eric Ozario with life time achievement award. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
Further reading
- The Indefatigable Crusader{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Notion Press(1 May 2014). ISBN 978-93-84049-55-3