In defence of Pan Trinbago

THE EDITOR: May it please you to grant me space and opportunity to reply to some unfortunate statements contained in a piece entitled “Time for Pan Trinbago to pay its way” and which piece was positioned over the name of Rudy Chato Paul SR — D’Abadie. Dear Mr Paul, if your intention was to injure the image of Pan Trinbago, your attempt was at best awkward and at worst libellous. Pan Trinbago may I inform you, does not go to anyone in a hat in hand manner. This statement is at once seriously erroneous. You Mr Paul came over as a mischievous person, who had had some bad experience, well deserved I would imagine, if I were to judge by the erroneous contents of your public letter.

From where I sit, I am at a loss to understand why you would seek to bring opprobrium to this international body. If you are not happy with the pace of construction, why not seek answers, instead of drawing conclusions that are without substance. You see, the building is nearing completion, therefore your reference to an idle crane is belied by the fact that there is no longer a crane on site and this for several months now. Please be informed and I consider my information to be unnecessary, since you are in a position to know better, to know that your letter is replete with unfair comment. Pan Trinbago is an unique entity which has no parallel anywhere in the world. Therefore to seek to treat with the Steelband Association in a manner like that which obtains in respect of other cultural groups or associations would be folly.

The Steelpan is truly indigenous and by reason of its universal appeal and use, renders it suitable to be designated a national treasure. More than that the Steelpan has found its way into the hallowed halls of musical excellence. Pan Trinbago is the national custodian of this artform and the world has accepted that Trinidad is the knowledge centre for Pan. It is therefore a sensible move should the state recognise the great importance that Pan plays as a socio-economic vehicle in the society. To refer to funds subvented to Pan Trinbago as being unnecessary is to demonstrate a lack of understanding, a lack of knowledge of the steelband movement. For several years the Association and its members suffered the rigours of having to run an organisation and at the same time employ strategies to develop the instrument, market the instrument and empower the membership, without any funding.

Today the Association has grown both in stature and maturity and our vision is determined by the forces of modern dynamics and therefore our strategies for sustainable development encompass “Getting Organised for the New Millennium”, technology production and logistics, finance and economics, enabling environment, marketing and promotion, education and training, events and festivals. You would appreciate that Pan Trinbago is now in expansion mode and more than that the Association is seeking to capitalise on the opportunities for commerce that are now very present.
Do you expect that the Association could achieve the kind of self-sufficiency that it should while being bogged down by heavy real estate leases. It is because we understand the wisdom of building a firm asset base, that we have decided to invest in the construction of a head office complex, which would afford us much opportunity for economic activity, being ideally located so close to the international airport.

Mr Paul, letters of the kind that you have published, do no good to the cause of cultural development. Whilst you may be of the opinion that your mini discourse was well intentioned, it did no more than transmit misinformation and scandal. I am fully aware by now that you have pointedly neglected to look at the economic activity, which today surrounds the Steelpan and the Steelband Association. Our information is that the export market for Pan is growing and is today above the three million US dollar mark per annum. Pan Trinbago has opened up market opportunities in China, Japan, Nevis, St Vincent, Antigua, cities in Europe, Canada and the United States of America. When in 2000, Pan Trinbago held its International Conference on the Science and Technology of Pan, at the Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain, it was attended by pan scientists from Europe, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and the Caribbean. This signal event articulated positively and firmly that Trinidad and Tobago is “the knowledge centre for Pan.” While criticism is welcome, it would be so much better for us all if the level of discourse be taken to a higher and more constructive level.

MELVILLE  BRYAN
Pan Trinbago