Stakeholders reflect on Carnival 2005

THE CARNIVAL Institute of Trinidad and Tobago of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) hosted a two-day seminar this weekend at the National Museum, with the hopes of enlightening the public about the trials, tribulations and wonders that make-up TT Carnival. “Reflections on Carnival 2005” was a platform for major contributors to the festival to voice their concerns and correct myths of Carnival 2005. The seminar, geared at mas makers, artistes, performers and masqueraders, focused on the challenges facing those who play important roles for the season. Guest speakers included Geraldo Vieira Sr, Jacqui Koon How, Michael Salickram, Lennox Toussaint, Paula Atherley, Dr Louis Regis, Joanne Tull of the Centre of Creative Arts (UWI)  and 3 Canal’s Wendell Manwarren.

Manwarren, who spoke about the end of the season, did not see this in a negative way, describing it as the annual ritual of renewal — from all out to nothingness. He described it as a period to rest and rejuvenate. He noted, however, that Carnival might be over in a societal context, with the creative engine becoming outdated. According to Manwarren, Carnival has become “big business” and it is time to consider whether Carnival may indeed be over. “Is it the tradition, the form, the substance, a type of expression, a generation, respect, pride, imagination?” he asked. Guest speaker Rudolph Ottley gave an insight into the role of women in calypso who are met with a large degree of institutional discrimination. He referred to women like Singing Sandra and Calypso Rose who sing traditional kaiso, as opposed to the “soca divas” who get more public support.

Ottley was critical of calypso tents where auditions are mere formalities and exercises in futility. “Traditionally, two women were selected because of what they represent, that is, the novelty of who they are and their ability to peak the public’s interest, for  example, Drupatee and Denise Plummer.” He said although female calypsonians may have songs about  positive social values and nation building, tent managers refuse to increase their quota of female singers. Ottley said this prompted the introduction of the Divas Tent Calypso Cabaret, an all-female calypso tent, where the first audition yielded 60 budding calypsonians. Ottley pointed out too that most judging panels are male dominated, so if women do go on to the semi-finals, they never make it to the finals.

On a more positive note, he said women in calypso are singing from their hearts because they are writing their own material. Another speaker, Dr Louis Regis, lamented that “traditional calypso (kaiso) is nearly off the charts.” Why, he asked, do we have to rely on memory rather than radio stations for old time calypso? Regis said a “fete mafia” controls air time for calypsos and this causes popular calypsos to be played more frequently than others.  He also asked: “Why is it that on Ash Wednesday the soca switch flips (off) ?” NCC commissioner Sigler Jack outlined the challenges which face the organisation every year, including budgetary constraints. He expressed the hope that the NCC would have sufficient funding to solve problems with large mas bands in time for next Carnival.