TRINIDAD NEWSDAY - By SEETA PERSAD - Members of the Williamsville Festivals Committee (WFC) will mark Indian Arrival this year with a concert in tribute to the late great classical singer Yusuf Khan who was a resident of that area.
According to Hanooman Singh, the villagers and the neighbouring communities were happy with the decision to honour this singer who gained national popularity for his melodious voice. “This concert is long overdue as they are many fans of Yusuff Khan in this country who are yearning to listen to his songs,” Singh said.
Titled Songs of Yusuff this concert will feature classical singer Devanand Sookram, who was trained by Khan. This event will be held on Indian Arrival Day (Monday) at Brother’s Ground, Williamsville starting 4 pm.
Born in 1943 at Ben Lomond, Khan’s father provide the early influence that shaped his participation in Indian cultural activities. Also playing a significant role in Khan’s career as a singer was the late Pandit Ramnarine Maharaj. Khan, along with Fyzool Bally (Dilip), Frankie Sooklal and others, formed the Dil-e-Nadan Orchestra.
At age 22, Yusuff made his first appearance on Radio Trinidad on the programme Sunday Morning Indian Hour with host Moen Mohammed. In 1962, he won the State-sponsored Local Independence Singing Competition with the song, “Sab Koi Trinidadian and Tobagonian”. Khan won many trophies, prizes and awards for his singing. For many years he was a regular contestant in the local song category of the Mastana Bahar Indian Cultural Pageant, making it to the grand final in 1972. In this competition he was known as the Mighty Crepsole, and some of the popular songs he performed included “Mor man Laga,” “Mastana Bahar,” “Trinidad aur Tobago Ki Jai Jai” and “Indian Singing.”
Khan’s versatility extended to other genres of music. His LP records include Haunting Melodies of Yusuff Khan, Yusuff Khan Sings Again, Garam Massala, Battle of the Giants — Yusuff Khan vs KB Singh and Tent Singing by our Classical Masters. Khan’s singing can also be heard on several other LPs with other masters of classical singing.
Some of his popular songs include “Rahareeya Kee Patiya,” “Ayodha aisee dhaam,” “Brindaban Basi gayo Mathura Ki Chor,” “Dukh Haro Dwarika Nath,” and “Ab dhobeeya jalabi say marta piyasa.”
Khan went on musical tours to Guyana, Surinam, Holland, Canada and the USA. Musicians who regularly accompanied Khan were the late Zoon Ramcharan (father of Lily Ramcharan-Moon), Robert Sahadeo, Frankie Sooklal, Teeka Boodram, Ramsumair and Keso.
Singers trained by Yusuff Khan include Rawle Ramjitsingh, Heeralal Rampartap, Ravi Jagroop, Devanand Sookram, Sputnik and Lily Ramcharan-Moon.
Khan received awards from National Chutney Foundation of Trinidad and Tobago and 103FM Hall of Fame.
