Eric Ozario

Eric Ozario
Ozario in 2012
Born
Eric Alexander Ozario

(1949-05-18)18 May 1949
Died29 August 2025(2025-08-29) (aged 76)
Mangaluru, Karnataka, India

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

  1. ^ "'If identity is lost, everything is lost'". Gulf Times. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Konkani heritage centre opens today". The Times of India. 1 December 2001. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Konkani may be third optional language". The Times of India. 30 September 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  4. ^ "Konkani to be optional third language". The Times of India. 10 December 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  5. ^ "Konkani language teaching awaits its first true test". The Times of India. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Tomozinho Cardozo to head Jagotik Konknni Songhotton till August 2015". The Times of India. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  7. ^ Release, Press (30 August 2017). "Goan Jose Salvador Elected President of Jagotik Konknni Songhotton". Mangalorean.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Who is Eric Ozario? Renowned Konkani music composer dies at 76 in Mangaluru". mint. 30 August 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  9. ^ "Citizens to tie ribbons to save trees". The Hindu. 4 September 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Mandd Sobhann Gurkar – Eric Ozario's biography to be released on Sunday". coastaldigest.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  11. ^ Fernandes, Royston. "The Indefatigable Crusader". notionpress.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  12. ^ "New book on Eric Ozario likely to 'be scandalous to some'". The Times of India. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Eric Ozario, champion of Konkani music and cultural heritage, passes away at 76". Daiji World. 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  14. ^ Fernandes, John (10 March 2020). Unbeaten Paths: Theological Reflections on Times of Transition. Living on the Periphery, Crossing Borders, Building Bridges. Revised Edition. LIT Verlag Münster. ISBN 978-3-643-91153-7. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Barkur Online". barkuronline.com. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  16. ^ Pinto, Arun (17 February 2023). "Konkani Sabha's Lifetime Achievement Award for Eric Ozario". News Karnataka. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Mangaluru: KNS honours Eric Ozario with life time achievement award". Daijiworld Media. Retrieved 13 March 2023.

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