Two of the youngest chutney stars scored big this year Wednesday, December 29 2010
TRINIDAD NEWSDAY - By SEETA PERSAD - Sangre Grande-based Ravi Bissembhar from the band Karma, and Synergy Chutney star, Rajin Dhanraj both copped national titles this year. In February Ravi B took the National Chutney Soca Monarch title with the tune, “Ah Drinka”. Rajin then took the Political Chutney Monarch title in May with “Patrick Leave and Go Nah”. Rajin’s “Go Nah” received huge air play in the lead up to the general election. “I put everything in my performance; when the lights go on I am ready to deliver my song.” Rajin said, adding that he altered some words of the song for the People’s Partnership platform in the lead up to general election in May of this year.
The lone chutney supporter of the People’s National Movement (PNM) was Ramdeen “Falco” Maharaj who was accompanied by Indian and African dancers for his “Baptist Call.” The song started off with a Baptist chant: “We following our leader Manning.”
Mohip Poonwassie, who placed second, had as a prop a coffin with a PNM sign as he sang in traditional chutney style, “Pack Yuh Bag and Go.” Nisha Ramkissoon came in third position with “It is Now Time for Woman Power.”
In sixth place was Lynn Khan, with Jairam Dindial taking the seventh position and Kenneth Supersad placing eighth. Keron Tyron Williams placed ninth with Edward Ramdass placing tenth.
Apart from these two major competitions, there was also 103FM’s Hall of Fame and Award Ceremony, at which chutney stars were honoured for their work in 2009. The big winner was Hemlata Dindial who took the title, Chutney Song of the Year for “Kaan Pay Na Dotiya.” The song also earned Dindial awards for Best Musical Arrangement and Best Female Chutney Artiste, leaving Kenneth Salick with the award for Best Lyricist for the popular “Radica Why Yuh Leave and Go.” Best Produced CD by a Local Producer – Chutney World Hits went to producer KI/executive producer Veerendra Persad and Mohan Jaikeran. Best Produced CD by a Local Band went to Karmageddon (Karma). Best Male Chutney Artiste went to Rakesh Yankarran
Other chutney artistes who continued to score throughout 2010 include Raymond Ramnarine who kept his momentum with several chutney and soca tunes. Rikki Jai’s “Guinness and Puncheon” was one of the big hits at parties taking place here in TT and many other countries. Moses Charles’ “Indrani” took him to New York, Canada and many other shows in Europe, while Kris Persad from the band JMC 3Veni was also a hit with his tune “Ketch Meh Lover.” “The General’s Daughter” sung by Omadath Maharaj from Spread Pal Crew was one of the most requested tunes by promoters in TT and overseas,
Other singing who dominated the chutney scenes were Lalchan Babwah (Hunter) with “Bring d Puncheon,” Soca Elvis, Andy Singh, Neeshan “Hitman” Prabhoo, and Heeralal Rampartap.
In recent times several new faces have emerged on the entertainment scene in Trinidad and Tobago. While many of the veterans are spending a lot of time performing abroad, the youngsters have been making bold steps forward.
Notably performances came form Satnarine Ragoo, Rishi Ramkissoon, Akshaye Khandoo, Pranava Maharaj. Pranava was one of the main acts in the final rally of the People’s Partnership in Aranjuez during this year’s election campaign.
In the world of classical singing, Rakesh Yankaran and his brother Anand Yankaran together with Lily Ramcharan, have also taken to the international scene, leaving Ravi Jagroop, Sasha Bachan and Veejay Ramkissoon in the spotlight. Ravi remains an extremely talented drummer and singer, who is reaping the blessing of his grand father, the late singer Vidoor Gangadhar.
