MUMBAI: A 41 year old guitarist from Thrissur in Kerala has entered the select club of Guinness world record holders for his marathon guitar performance lasting for 55.30 hours, according to a PTI report.

The certificate received by Sebastian Joseph this week from the Guinness authorities, says, "The longest guitar marathon by an individual, lasted for 55 hours and 30 minutes, was achieved by Sebastian Joseph (individual) at Diana Tower, Vadakkamcherry, Palakkad district, Kerala state, India from 3 to 5 October 2008." Sebastian, who has played the guitar for several film songs and stage shows in India and abroad, told PTI that he considered this a great recognition and an encouragement to strive for further heights in his musical career.

He started his record setting performance at 6.30 am on 3 October 2008 in the presence of music legend K J Yesudas.

During his performance, he took 10-minutes break and played 700 film songs on the guitar, 500 of them Malayalam, 100 each of Hindi and Tamil and the rest western and eastern classical scores.

Now running a music academy in Thrissur, Sebastian believes that music is the greatest divine gift to human beings and the best means to achieve peace and solitude.

Besides teaching youngsters and performing on stage, he also finds time to play for aged people, many of whom are neglected by their sons and daughters, adds the report.