Chutney rumblings

Southex is responsible for producing the Annual Chutney Soca Monarch competition, indicating that the NCFTT cannot and has no control over any privately run competition.

He also added that the government can be accused of aiding and abetting the infringement of the copyright laws by funding a competition which is allegedly violating such IP laws.

Last week there was a protest with chutney singer Ramrajee Prabhoo lamenting that it was hard for them as composers of original material getting overlooked while other artistes with plagiarised music were getting better placings. She also went as far as to call on the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter.

When contacted yesterday, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts said: “The government’s traditional support of Chutney Soca Monarch is based on its value to Chutney Soca practitioners and enthusiasts specifically and the Carnival landscape in general.

We are certain that the organisers of this competition have heard and understand the grievances of the artistes who have spoken out and one expects that they will continue to take all necessary steps to maintain the quality and indigenous nature of this competition in accordance with its rules.”