Taking just a 10-minute break for every two to three hours on an average, Vizag Sisters – N.C. Sai Prasanthi and N.C. Sai Santoshi – presented an impressive carnatic vocal concert in their mellifluous voice for 32 hours non-stop.

As per the parameters and guidelines set by the officials of the Limca Book of Records, the marathon began on Friday 10.30 a.m. at Sri Krishna Mandir Auditorium, Seethammadhara North Extension here.

As their tireless rendition came to an end at 6:43 p.m. on Saturday with ‘mangalam’, they received a standing ovation for their tremendous effort and for surpassing the existing world record of the non-stop 25-hour carnatic vocal concert accomplished by city-based singers Indira Bharadwaj and Sandhya Sundar. The Vizag sisters sang 351 compositions of various carnatic maestros, including Panchratna Kritis of Tyagraja, Muthuswamy Dikshitar and Syama Sastry, Annamacharya and Purandaradasa kritis, among others.

S. Vijay Kumar of Vijay Nirman congratulating Vizag Sisters N. C. Sai Prashanthi and N.C. Sai Santoshi on their marathon carnatic music rendition at a function in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam

The event, organised by SARI Foundation, came alive with a number of music lovers enjoying the recital at the auditorium. Though the duo has so far given 157 concerts, their longest rendition was held in Tirupati last year where they sang108 Annamayya Sankirtanas for 12 hours. "It took us four months to practise for the present event. With encouragement and support from our parents, teachers and well-wishers, we are confident of gaining an entry in the Limca Book of Records,” Ms. Sai Santoshi said.

Studying B.Tech in Gayatri Vidya Parishad Engineering College, Vizag Sisters have been practising carnatic music since they were nine-years old. "Both of them were passionate about singing right from childhood. And they never missed their music classes, even during examinations. As parents, all we had to do is to guide them to pursue their interest further,” their mother M.M.S.S. Devi said.

Prabhakar Nanduri of SARI Foundation said: "Both the sisters are immensely talented. It is an opportunity for them to create their own identity where the entire world recognises their love for the art.”

Vizag Sisters were conferred with a certificate of Book of State Records for their longest musical journey. After the due verification by the authorities, the longest carnatic music rendition is likely to enter the Limca Book of Records.