Jagessar: Indian mas in good hands

“The future of Indian mas is in good hands with this programme,” Jagessar said. “I am so glad the Government could give us this opportunity to keep the mas alive. The programme was great and it was a pleasure to do it.

Jagessar, band leader of San Fernando-based Lionel Jagessar and Associates, was one of five “masters” for the programme, a project of the National Registry of the Artists and Cultural Workers. The initiative was developed five years ago, under the Community Development Culture and Arts Ministry, in commemoration of this country’s 50 years of Independence.

Apart from the field of fancy Indian mas, for this year, masters mentored participants in children’s mas, aspects of music production and the business of music, Orisha traditions and professional development in broadcasting.

Yesterday, the ministry hosted the fancy mas exhibition at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts at San Fernando. Jagessar reiterated that Indian mas was not just a traditional- type mas but one capable of winning prestigious titles such as Band of the Year, and King and Queen of the Bands.

During the programme, Jagessar taught the participants bead-working techniques, arrangements of features and other techniques.

His son Lionel Jagessar Junior was also one of the participants.

In delivering remarks at the exhibition, Permanent Secretary Angela Edwards told the gathering that it was of utmost importance for the ministry to thank and show tangible appreciations to this country’s cultural icons.

Edwards publicly thanked the Jagessar family, more so the “illustrious icon” and his wife Rosemary Jagessar, for their contributions to Carnival. Rosemary and her son, Junior, are the reigning South King and Queen of Carnival.