Southex launches Chutney competition for Carnival 2011 Friday, December 31 2010
TRINIDAD NEWSDAY -By SEETA PERSAD - Scores of chutney artistes have released new tunes in the lead up to the National Chutney Monarch preliminary competition which will come off on January 30 at the Samar Entertainment Centre, Penal.
Produced by the Southex International of La Romaine, the show promises to be bigger and better than the previous years. The Chutney monarch competition will be launched at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on January 5. Chief coordinator of this event, George Singh has outlined several new shows for the long Carnival season this year. The semi-finals will take place on February 5, at Rienzi Complex, Couva. The finals will be staged at Skinner’s park on February 19.
The added attraction this year will include a theatrical performance at NAPA of all the winners of the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch on March 3 at 8 pm.
Earlier this year Singh said that a record number of artistes registered for the last competition sponsored by the NLCB. “There is increased interest in chutney soca music among young people and there will be a lot more represention for the upcoming Carnival,” Singh said. Last year a text voting system was introduced and the youngest performer, Ravi Bissembhar emerged winner.
This year will see an increase in prize money. Last year's first prize was $200,000, while the second prize was $100,000 and the third placed and fourth placed contestants received $60,000 and $40,000 respectively. The other six finalists will each received $30,000.
Singh said eligible songs should have some Hindi wording to a chutney beat. The issue of the artistes who borrow melodies from Bollywood films will be addressed at the launch.
Ravi B’s winning tune “Ah Drinka” brought him a total of 9,575 votes. Five-time winner Rikki Jai settled for second place with his song “Bar Man”, while Moses Charles, placed in third with “Indrani”. Kris Persad in fourth place with “Catch meh Lover”, Omardath Maharaj placed fifth with: The General's Daughter”, while Lalchan “Hunter” Babwah was sixth with his song “Puncheon”.
Kenneth Salick, accompanied by his dancers, started the competition last year singing a Chutney love song “How long I will wait”, which earned him seventh place. Other finalists included three-time winner Heeralal Rampartap singing “Reviver”, ‘Soca Elvis’ “Rum Doh bother Me”, Neeshan “Hitman” Prabhu “Spanna”, Andy Singh “Gyul from India” and Derrick Seales “Chutney Lover”.
