TRINIDAD EXPRESS - By Carolyn Kissoon South Bureau - A statue of local chutney icon, Sundar Popo, was unveiled during Indian Arrival Day celebrations on Sunday night.
The statue was erected in Popo's hometown of Debe, near the famous Indian delicacy food stalls, where hundreds visit each week.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the unveiling of the statue was long overdue and thanked Oropouche East Member of Parliament Dr Roodal Moonilal, for his intervention.
Popo's wife, Keyso Popo, was present during the ceremony, held at Debe Junction, Debe.
Tents were placed along the main road as hundreds gathered to be part of the unveiling ceremony. Justice Minister Herbert Volney was also among the guests. Persad-Bissessar sang one of Popo's hit songs, "A Mother's Love", before unveiling the statue.
Moonilal said the statue was supposed to be unveiled last year as part of Popo's tenth death memorial.
"I don't want to get political at this function. Members of Sundar Popo's family have been trying to get this for the longest time. They have approached the previous administration on numerous occasions, but it never materialised," he said.
Since 2008 the Sundar Popo Monument Committee had been making attempts to have the $50,000 statue on display.
Moonilal said Debe was a "tourist attraction" and there was a heavy traffic flow along Debe Junction.
Born Sunilal Popo Bahora, the singer died on May 2, 2000, after popularising local chutney music. His fame started with his 1970 hit "Nana and Nani". Keyso Popo said she was thankful that her husband was being remembered for his contribution to East Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago.
She cried as Persad-Bissessar placed a garland over the statue.
