Rikki Jai serving up hot chutney every time
Saturday, February 19 2011

TRINIDAD NEWSDAY - By SEETA PERSAD - Ever since he started his career in the chutney and calypso arena, Rikki Jai has not failed to deliver top class entertainment for his fans here in TT and in the many countries in which he performs throughout the year.

This year is no different, and his songs ‘White Oak and Water’ and ‘Text Yuh Tonight’ are popular with his fans and the general public alike.

All eyes will be trained on him as the former Chutney Soca monarch challenges defending monarch Ravi B for the crown tonight. This is his 13th time in the competition, which he has won five times.

Think Rikki Jai and among the songs that immediately come to mind are hits like “Mor Tor” with Machel Montano and last year’s “Barman,” songs which are still very much in demand wherever he performs.

Asked about this year’s competition, Rikki Jai assured, “I am confident. I think I have what it takes to reach the people and I feel I have a good chance of regaining this title.”

However, the veteran artiste one of those who is not in favour of the text voting judging system. “This judging system is destroying the artform,” he stated, pointing to the fact that the voting starts at 7 pm while the competition starts at 9 pm.

This, he says, shows how the system cannot really bring out the best chutney soca artistes as people can just vote for anyone at anytime without even looking at their presentation. He went on to say that the five times he won Chutney Soca Monarch, it was based on the true merit of a performer judged by people who followed the criteria and marked the artistes accordingly.

So why then did he enter this year? “I have to be in the arena and out up a peaceful fight in order to bring change,” he answered, adding that if he stays away from the chutney arena he will not be able to make an impact.

Raised in the Hindu faith by a mother who spoke Hindi, Jai discovered a love of music and began performing with local Indian bands Triveni and Naya Andaz. He began his career in 1989 on the Spektakula Forum stage with a song by Gregory Ballantyne titled “Sumintra,” a song about an East Indian woman who told her boyfriend about her preference for soca over the music of Indian artist Lata Mangeshkar. The song became an instant hit.

Many other hits would follow including, “Show Me Your Motion” (1990) and “Wine On a Bumsee” (1993). After 1993 Jai began performing and recording primarily in the Chutney Soca arena and hits such as “Doolahin,” “Rosie Bilna” and “Jarah Lagehla,” propelling him into the International arena.

He has been able to make his mark on the crossover stage which has increased his fan-base. Born Samraj Jaimungal in Friendship Village, San Fernando, Rikki has his name written in the history of chutney as one of the longest serving entertainer.

As a calypsonian he made it to the big stage on Dimanche Gras night in 2001 with “A Good Father” and “Identity,” placing seventh.

He has also taken the south Calypso Monarch title and the National Unattached Calypso Monarch in 2001. He has performed for audiences in North America, Europe and Asia.

Apart from performing he is a radio announcer at Masala 101.1FM.