Date:09/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/09/stories/2007020922850400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Singing his way into the Guinness Book

Staff Reporter

Thomas Vijayan sang continuously for 72 hours

WELL DONE: Guinness Official Scott Christie (right) presenting certificate to Thomas Vijayan in Bangalore on Thursday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: The wide toothy smile never once left his face even as he accepted the standing ovation from the audience and was given a certificate for his record-breaking achievement or when he delivered his short, grateful speech.

Thomas Vijayan on Thursday became the world record holder for having sung continuously for 72 hours straight. The diminutive man from Kanyakumari district broke the previous record held by a German, Marcus Tim, who had sung for 59 hours 12 minutes.

Singing is not something new to Mr. Vijayan, who is an evangelist. By the time he was through, he had run through 1,000 different songs.

Mr. Vijayan's vocal chords started working from February 5 right through to 5 p.m. on February 8.

At the end of 72 hours, he was eligible for his place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

In his understandably hoarse speech, he made no grandiose statements and simply thanked God for inspiring him, and his wife and two children for supporting him.

On his accomplishment, he said, "I am very happy. But I have not slept for three days and I am very tired." Scott Christie, Records Manager, Guinness World Records, was witness to the last few hours of Mr. Vijayan's feat and vigorously congratulated him.

He also honoured Mr. Vijayan with a certificate from the Guinness World Records.

Speaking to presspersons later, Mr. Christie confirmed that all guidelines laid down by Guinness had been adhered to.

The rules had specified that there could be no more than a 30 second pause between songs, the rest breaks could not be more than 15 minutes for every four hours, the songs had to be recognisable ones and for not less than two minutes and no song or piece of music could be repeated within four hours.

"There were at least 16 witnesses, independent persons with good standing in the local community, who have sat through the whole attempt at various points and seen to it that guidelines have been followed," said Mr. Christie.