Culture Ministry gives $300,000 to Ramleela

The various Ramleela groups have been given $300,000 to carry on this year’s programme. This according to the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Pennelope Beckles as she addressed the prize giving function of the Tassa Association of TT (TATT)  held at the Central Indoor Sports Arena, Saith Park, Chaguanas, Tuesday evening. Beckles also promised financial support to TATT for the 2004 competition. She apologised on behalf of her ministry for not offering financial support this year, saying that she was not aware of this year’s competition. She also made the announcement that her ministry will be hosting a grand Divali presentation at Brian Lara Promenade on October 22.

“We are going to light up the whole of the promenade. I believe that this venture will be a treat for the people from the north,” she said. She also noted that there would be a wide variety of vegetarian foods available from as early as 8 am, at the Divali celebration. “People can come in and have their doubles, saheeena and other delicacies on this day,” she told the audience. She then invited all the tassa enthusiasts to come out in their large numbers and assist in having this programme on the promenade. In talking about the tassa drums, she said that the drums speak a language of its own. “It casts a spell on the listener. The rhythms get to their hearts and soul and then they let loose to dance to the beat,” she said.
She also said that she acknowledged the fact that tassa was created in TT since 1850 and has grown tremendously not only in this country but it has been exported to many foreign countries. On TATT’s request for tassa to become the second national instrument, she promised to look into the matter.
 
Among the tassa groups collecting trophies and cheques at this function are: First place winner, Carib Asphalt’s St John’s Tassa Group who received $5,000. They also received a cheque for $2,500 for winning the Best Dressed Group. Members of the Tristar Tassa Group placed second winning $3,000. The Princes Town-based Caribel Fun Lovers placed third winning $2,000. Chairman of TATT, Vijai Rai, thanked the sponsored for supporting the tassa groups on the country. Sponsors of this year’s competition include. Newsday, NLCB, TIDCO, T&TEC, National Petroleum, Shanti’s Bar, Tracmac Engineering, National Flour Mills and Vicki’s Electronics. The National Tassa Champion, St John’s Tassa group provided entertainment for the audience.