Pitchkaree champ Ramkissoon to defend her title Tuesday, March 15 2011
TRINIDAD NEWSDAY - The stage is set and the plans are in place for the 2011 Picthkaree finals at the Hindu Prachaar Kendra, Raghunanan Road, Enterprise. This as the Kendra marks 20 years of producing pitchkaree in TT.
The finals will take place on Sunday from 2.30 pm at the Kendra. The 12 finalists are: Lynn Khan-Mohammed, Mohip Poonwassie, Reena Teelucksingh, Beesram Sewdat, Kamaldai Nisha Ramkissoon, Priya Poorai, Savitri Jagdeo, Daykaliya Ramnanan, Toolsie Ramdass Singh, Ernest Emmanuel, Prem Dudoon, and Mukesh Babooram.
These finalists as well as composers will vie for prizes in the following categories: The Championship, Best Social Commentary, Best Traditional Festive, Best Theme and Most creative use of Hindi or Bhojpuri words and phrases. Singers and composers are working with the theme for 2011, “Multiculturalism in TT”.
The Pichakaaree defending champion, Kamaldai Nisha Ramkissoon of Caparo has been singing for many years having started off in the village temple. “I am very happy that the Kendra continues to work hard to provide such a stage for singers as myself,” she said. She added that while there are many singers and composers who gravitate towards the Chutney stage, there is a vacuum for singers who have strong and serious social and political commentaries from the East Indian settings. She will be doing a bit of social commentary and festive folk rhythms for this year’s presentation.
The Kendra Phagwa Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The Festival weekend will begin with Holika Dahan on March 18 at 6.30pm. The organisers have put in extra efforts this year for Holikaa Dahan and apart from the traditional features and burning of the Holikaa effigy a play entitled “Aaj Ki Prahalaad – A Day for Prahlad” will be put on by the youth arm, Yuva Kendra. The play is written and directed by the spiritual head, Raviji. Dance performances by a visiting Indian dance troupe, courtesy the Indian High Commission will also form part of the stage presentations.
