TRINIDAD EXPRESS - By Carolyn Kissoon South Bureau - A star-studded cast turned out to celebrate Rikki Jai's 20th anniversary as a recording artiste at Sting nightclub, La Romaine, on Saturday night.
Samraj Jaimungal (Rikki Jai), the first Indo-Trinidadian to make it to the Dimanche Gras calypso competition and a five-time Chutney Soca King, said he was honoured that the entertainers agreed to be part of the celebration, which was hosted by Trinidad and Tobago cricket captain Daren Ganga.
Among the guest artistes were Denise Belfon, Black Stalin, Alison Hinds and Nisha and Ravi Bissambhar. Hinds announced that she was entering the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch with her tune "Ah Want to Wine on an Indian man".
Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and cricketer Dave Mohammed also attended the party. Ramlogan presented Jaimungal with a plaque on behalf of the Red Carpet Sports Bar and Lounge.
Jaimungal mounted the stage around 3.15 a.m. and belted out tunes from the past, present and some of his songs for the 2011 chutney/soca season. He sang his hits "Sumintra", "Barman" and "Text Yuh", among others. The concert ended around 4.30 a.m.
Jaimungal began singing back in 1986, performing with several top Indian orchestras. Three years later, he entered the calypso arena and has been churning out hits year after year since.
Apart from being the five-time Chutney Soca King, Jaimungal copped the Young King of Calypso, South Calypso Monarch and National Unattached Calypso Monarch in 2001. That year, he placed seventh in the Dimanche Gras calypso competition. He has performed for audiences in North America, Europe and Asia.
Jaimungal, a radio announcer/programme director at 101.1FM, said he was thankful for an opportunity to showcase his talent.
