Later this evening participants from the young singers workshop will be featured in concert at the Young Singer Showcase from 7.30pm.

The young singers performed before a panel of vocal advisors in a workshop on July 1.

This year, the Picoplat Music Development Foundation continued its mission of creating an environment where locally-based singers can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to advance to international professional standards.

At the workshop, the performances of a selection of young debut singers were reviewed and guidance given on how professional singers can approach auditions for vocal performance roles.

It is with this training in mind that young singers will deliver their performances.

The TT Opera Festival along with other developmental outreach events, is presented with the support of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts. For more info: www.ttoperafest.com, email ttoperafest@gmail.com or 632-2548.

The midday series features three National Performing Arts Entities which will provide the public with free concerts for three weeks – the National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO), the National Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Theatre Arts Company.

NSSO which is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, opened the series with 21 players and conductor Akua Leith.

The musicians, all professionals performed to the delight of their audience which included the Minister of Culture Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly and several ministry officials, as well as pannist, arranger Mia Gormandy who was sitting in the front row taking in the action.

The NSSO played Sparrow’s Slave, Ray Holman’s Waltz for Iris, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s Baby Ashley, Zequinha de Abreu’s Tico Tico, the Eagles’ Hotel California, Olatunji’s Ola, Keegan Taylor and Kit Israel, MM and Bunji Garlin’s Buss Head and the Ultimate Rejects’ Full Extreme.

The pick of the set was “Boogsie’s” Baby Ashley which he composed for his daughter when she was born 14 years ago.

It was arranged for NSSO by Professor Liam Teague. Some onlookers could not help but dance to the sweet sounds of the national instrument.

NSSO continued the series last Thursday and the National Philharmonic Orchestra will take centre stage on July 11 and 13 while the National Theatre Arts Co will close off the series on July 18 and 20.

The concept of the series is geared towards exposing a new generation to the performing arts with a view of them taking an active role and making it a career. The three professional entities are constantly giving back to the community through music and theatre.

The 45-minutes concerts can also act as a stress relief for office workers in the downtown area and they are invited to bring their lunch and come to NALIS.

Hence the name Brown Bag Series.

His eye make-up and bright lipstick stood out as he danced as though he were in his 20s.

His powerful voice blended in with the tassa drums and dholak as he sang about King Dasharat from the Ramayan (text of Hindus), at a recent Indian Arrival event at the Divali Nagar in Chaguanas.

“I have a passion inside burning like an everlasting flame,” said Sadhu Boodram Ramgoolam as he spoke about the art form he has been performing for more than 60 years. He explained that some Ramayan stories are expressed in the ancient dance style of Biraha. He said the dance is highly spiritual and he knows that the gods are looking down at him and helping him through his routine.

“Long ago, our forefathers would sing a verse and then act it out in dance so that people will better understand the significance behind the story that was being told,” he said.

Ramgoolam said he learnt to sing in rhythmic style from listening to his forefathers sing chowtal songs. “When you understand the Hindi language, then this art becomes easy.” He encourages the youths and those into Bollywood- type music to learn the language so that they can better express themselves when it comes to the music and songs.

The septuagenarian from Hermitage Village, San Fernando, is actively involved in Ramleela and other dramas that are staged in temples across TT .

Ramgoolam who is a vegetarian and lives a simple life in the countryside sat in his hammock at his home as he spoke to Newsday about his life. He is an ex-Caroni worker who spent all his spare time reading and explaining the Ramayan in villages across the country. He is known for doing the Biraha dance at local functions and in the US.

“I have a passion for this Bira ha dance because it really is a powerful means in which to enlighten people about the scriptures that originated more than 5,000 years ago in India.” His life’s work is based on reciting and enacting stories from the Ramayan and other Hindu texts.

“Ramleela comes just before Divali and it is done in ten days’ time, but with the Biraha dance an audience can get any excerpt from the Ramayan or the Bhagavad Gita at any point in time,” he said.

He praised the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) for hosting several workshops in Hindi and in the art of Biraha for the younger people who were interested in learning. “I believe this art should be shown in schools and through the community outreach programmes as it contains valuable life lessons to benefit people.” President of the NCIC Dr Deokienanan Sharma described Ramgoolam as an unsung hero who should be given a national award for his work in keeping this ancient culture alive. He agrees with Ramgoolam that this art should be taught in schools and through community-based programmes. Sharma commended Ramgoolam whom he said, is one of a kind in the Caribbean.

Ramgoolam’s command of the Hindi language led him to play various roles in Ramleela at Tarouba in 1964.

“I had to prepare my own elaborate costuming and I was excited to present the ancient characters for the viewing public back then,” he said. Through the years he developed footworks by practising folk dances. His dance wardrobe is worth thousands of dollars. “I use brightly-coloured clothing for all my performances,” he said, adding that this helps in bringing out the art in a fashionable way.

For the future, Ramgoolam says he takes one day at a time enjoying nature, singing and dancing everyday.

“You do not need an audience to perform.

You have to dance and sing for the lord. Make your art a prayer and then everyone else will appreciate it.” He believes that Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman will give him the strength to continue dancing and singing all through his life. He also believes he will be dancing until he is 100 years.

AB De Villiers, one of the top batsmen in the world, was also tremendously impressed with the young man at last year’s CPL tournament in which Pooran was outstanding. He predicted a bright future for Pooran in West indies cricket. The T20 team to play India was selected recently but Pooran’s name was nowhere to be found.

Instead we have retreads like Chris Gayle and for the umpteenth time Marlon Samuels still being selected. And how many opportunities does Chad Walton and Evin Lewis deserve? Things continue to go from bad to worse in our cricket.

Meanwhile Darren Bravo continues to be punished for a seemingly harmless tweet. His batting is desperately needed in the team at the moment.

The worst part in all of this is how complacent the WI media seem to be. Exactly where is our cricket heading?

TONY BOODHOO Canada

The tournament, which runs until Friday, will feature matches in the Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, Under-18 and Under-21 categories. Over 90 juniors have entered the tournament including 10 from Tobago.

T4here will be singles, doubles and mixed doubles for boys and girls.

Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph and Kale Dalla Costa won the girls Under-10 and boys Under-10 categories respectively at the Lease tournament, which was held from June 15 to 19 for the Under-14, Under-12 and Under- 10 players. Daniel-Joseph and Dalla Costa will aim to win titles again at the Sagicor tournament.

Charlotte Ready (girls Under- 12), Nicholas Ready (boys Under-12) and Kyle Kerry (boys Under-14) will all hope to repeat their achievements after winning titles at the Lease tournament.

Some of the other favourites at the tournament are Isabelle Abraham (girls Under-14), Yin Lee Assang (girls Under-16), Kyle Lee Young (boys Under- 16), Adam Escalante (boys Under-18) and Keshan Moonasar (boys Under-21).

There will also be a Red Star (beginners Under-10) tournament tomorrow from 9 am to 12 noon. An opening ceremony at 8.30 am today will start the tournament’s proceedings.

All Stars XI posted a score of 61 runs for five wickets in 12 overs, with Ram Lalchan hitting 20 and Sarran Sookdeo 13.

Jodi Mungroo got two wickets for seven runs for All Stars XI.

In reply, Ah Cricket Side were skittled out for 32 in their allotted 12 overs with Keshore Boodoo taking remarkable figures of 3/0 while Brian Gangoo had 3/9.

Café Dial Tigers United registered a seven-wicket win over D’Alliance in the second game of a triple-header on the day.

Vikash Mearns hit 28 while Isaiah Jagram and Sanjay Lahorie chipped in with 10 apiece as D’Alliance were bowled out for 53. Siva Lewis took 2/15 for Tigers United, while Mikey Razack had 2/16 and Amar Veerasammy 2/19.

Tigers United reached 56/3 in their reply, with Visham Maraj unbeaten on 11, while Kester Mangroo grabbed 2/8 for D’Alliance.

Home Boys recorded a 10-run win over Kings in a low-scoring affair.
Home Boys were restricted to 55 with Allan Baboolal taking 4/10 and Shevon Singh 3/11. Suraj Sanasie led the scoring for Home Boys with 15.

Kings were unable to get the better of the Home Boys’ bowling attack, as they stumbled to 45 in their response.
Temul Ramkhelawan had 3/6 and Duran Ramnath 3/15 for Home Boys, while Rohan Dalip (13) and Brian Daniel (10) were the only batsmen for Kings to reach double figures.

Other Results: June 6 – ASII 34 (10.5 overs) – Rakesh Jagat 6/4, Sudarshan Hosein 2/8 vs ALM RAMPAGE 35/7 (11 overs) – Ronald Ramcharan 3/8, Joel Mohammed 2/6. Rampage won by three wickets.

AMIGOS 62/6 (12 overs) – Adrian Ramcharitar 24, Chevorn Griffith 16; Leon DeSilva 2/9 vs LEGENDS 61/9 (12 overs) – Vickram Bhagwadi 14; Rishi Sookwah 3/16, Dexter Welch 3/17, Steffan Ramkissoon 2/9.

Amigos won by one run.

June 7 – TOOL TIME WIN, LOSE OR DRAW 57/8 (12 overs) – Ameer Ali 14; Avinash Mangal 3/8, Jovaughn Whint 2/13, Teron Jadoo 2/20 vs EL DORADO GOLDEN KNIGHTS 51/9 (12 overs) – Tevon Jadoo 26; Rishi Mannah 3/5, Ravindra Naidoo 3/12. Win, Lose or Draw won by six runs.

OUTKAST 40 (10.1 overs) – Dylon Rajkumar 12; Siva Lewis 3/6, Amar Veerasammy 2/4, Junior Griffith 2/4, Mikey Razack 2/12 vs CAFE DIAL TIGERS UNITED 41/1 (8 overs) – Everad Smith 25, Rod Badall 12 not out. Tigers United won by nine wickets.

June 8 – D’ BOSS TEAM 94/8 (12 overs) – Raoul Sammy 26, Dale Jagesar 19 not out; Ryan Harricharan 3/25, Mitra Durbal 2/29 vs AH CRICKET SIDE 54/8 (12 overs) – Jodi Mungroo 15, Ravin Persaud 12; Imtiaz Mohammed 2/6, Kris Samlal 2/10. D’ Boss Team won by 40 runs.

BRING DRINKS KREW 36 (11.1 Overs) – Nishan Rahim 3/4, Amir Sammy 3/14, Amrit Sammy 2/7 vs MIX-UP BOYS 37/3 (9.3 overs) – Keshore Boodram 10. Mix-Up Boys won by seven wickets.

June 9 – SHERRY’S BAR RAMPANT RECRUITS 74/5 (12 overs) – Charad Ganessingh 16, Zephon Richards 11; Ravi Ragbir 3/26 vs MT HOPE MASTERS 45/5 (12 overs) – Rick Cassie 3/3, Christopher Bahal 2/12, Christopher Gaitan 2/12. Rampant Recruits won by 29 runs.

BLOOD BROTHERS 9 (8 overs) – Daniel Mahabir 3/3, Shakeem Prince 3/3, Darren Chaitra 2/2 vs AUTORAMA GUNNERS 10/0 (1 over). Gunners won by 10 wickets.

POISON SPORTS 40/6 (12 overs) – Anderson Phillip 2/9 vs CHARLIEVILLE SUPER KINGS 41/5 (11.1 overs) – Kadesh Samlalsingh 11 not out; Renon Nanan 2/12. Charlieville Super Kings won by five wickets.

June 10 – ALL STARS XI 81/7 (12 overs) – Nicholas Dathardeen 17, Ram Lalchan 15, Brian Gangoo 13 not out; Shawn Joseph 2/17 vs JUST FOR KICKS 39/7 (8 overs) – Shazad Rahimullah 17 not out; Clint Dookie 3/16, Brian Gangoo 2/6. All Stars XI won by 42 runs.

RAM’S DEPOT BAMBOO UNITED 62/7 (12 overs) – Timmy Singh 13, Kevin Ramsharran 12; Andel Ruiz 2/20 vs VALLEY BOYZ 63/4 (11.3 overs) – Russell Rampersad 16. Valley Boys won by six wickets.

STABLE BOYS 52/8 (12 overs) – Miguel Homer 3/15, Jerome Duberry 2/11 vs KNOCK SQUAD 53/4 (11.1 overs) – Jerry Thomas 11. Knock Squad won by six wickets.

June 12 – D’ BOSS TEAM 65/3 (12 overs) – Kris Samlal 21 not out, Christopher Jagmohan 18 vs KITCHEN KREW 32 (12 overs) – Ameade Ramroop 13; Kadeem Williams 3/2, Dylan Ravello 2/4.

D’Boss Team won by 33 runs.

INVADERS UNITED 57/9 (12 overs) – Chris Ramsaroop 22, Nicholas Jaikaran 10; Jazbor Findlay 3/8, Avian Mejias 2/9, Terrance Hinds 2/13, Miguel Gregorio 2/20 vs WINNERS 60/2 (9.1 overs) – Terrance Hinds 26 not out, Shane Sookdeo 16.

Winners won by eight wickets.

June 13 – NEW RECRUITS 68 (10.3 overs) – Jarred Phillip 24, Antonio Aziz 11; Ashmeed Khan 5/10, Roshan Goorahoo 2/13 vs OUTKAST 44/7 (12 overs) – Roshan Goorahoo 16; Vijay Ramsaran 3/13. New Recruits won by 24 runs.

ASII 88/4 (12 overs) – Isaac Kennedy 28, Roshan Sinanan 19; Denesh Ramsaran 3/5 vs SILVER STARS 68 (11.3 overs) – Ryan Persad 3/6, Dillon Mahadeo 2/14, Jesse James 2/17.

ASII won by 20 runs.

June 14 – ALM RAMPAGE 49/9 (12 overs) – Rajin Kanhai 12, Dillon Jaglal 11; Kevin Ramsharran 4/6 vs BAMBOO UNITED 51/7 (10.3 overs) – Kevin Ramsharran 15, Prakash Dookram 11; David Balkaran 3/18, Rajin Kanhai 2/7.

Bamboo United won by three wickets.

CHARLIEVILLE SUPER KINGS 98 (11.5 overs) – Salim Hosein 32, Kadesh Samlalsingh 16, Anderson Phillip 14, Jordan Mohammed 13; Kris Persaud 3/14, Suresh Bangat 2/3, Satesh Dass 2/13 vs ROAD RUNNERS 38/9 (12 overs) – Anderson Phillip 2/4, Salim Hosein 2/5. Charlieville Super Kings won by 60 runs.

June 16 – DRUNKEN’ MASTERS 28 (12 overs) – Dexter Welch 3/6, Rishi Sookwah 3/8, Terrance Tinto 2/3 vs AMIGOS 29/2 (5 overs) – Stefan Ramkissoon 10.

Amigos won by eight wickets.

BLOOD BROTHERS 46/7 (12 overs) – Ravi Ramcharran- 12; Joshua Ramrattan 3/2, Simboonath Ramrattan 2/4 vs HUNTERS 40 (9 overs) – Avinash Mohammed 5/12, Sanjay Rampersad 4/3. Blood Brothers won by six runs.

SHERRY’S BAR RAMPANT RECRUITS 38/7 (12 overs) – Reno Nanan 2/7 vs POISON SPORTS 36 (11.1 overs) – Reno Nanan 15; Dylan Babwah 5/7, Rick Cassie 2/4, Vikash Harrynanan 2/13. Rampant Recruits won by two runs.

The players retained ahead of the draft were: Kyle Hope, Isaiah Rajah, Yannic Cariah, Roshon Primus, Imran Khan, Amir Jangoo, Tion Webster, Marlon Richards, Sheldon Cottrell and Bryan Charles Selected in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Player Draft were: Kissoondath Magram, Khary Pierre, Steven Katwaroo, Ewart Nicholson and Akeil Cooper. Merryboys wicketkeeper/batsman Jangoo is one of five players earning their first Red Force professional contract.

“I am really delighted to be awarded a contract by the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. Last season I got a look in for the final two matches and I made the best of my opportunity.

Honestly I am really happy the selectors showed faith in me and awarded me a professional contract,” said the 19 year old Jangoo.

He continued, “The last year has been a rollercoaster for me.

I missed out on selection for the West Indies Under-19 team and I had to come through the Combined Campuses and Colleges route. Being awarded a Red Force contract is vindication for all the hard work I have invested and being mentally resilient through adversity.

The easy decision is to give up when things are not going your way but I continued to work hard and now I am a professionally contracted player.” Red Force: Kyle Hope (Overseas), Isaiah Rajah, Yannic Cariah, Roshon Primus (Overseas), Imran Khan, Amir Jangoo, Tion Webster, Marlon Richards, Sheldon Cottrell (Overseas), Bryan Charles, Kissoondath Magram (Round 1 Draft), Khary Pierre (Round 2 – Draft), Steven Katwaroo (Round 3 – Draft), Ewart Nicholson (Round 4 – Draft), Akeil Cooper (Round 5 – Draft).

Team TTO also marked individual wins with Sachin Kumar awarded the James Moss-Solomon Trophy as the Boys Under- 18 champion, alongside Yiji Lee who lifted the Kenneth N.

Francis Trophy as the Girls Under- 15 champion.

Receiving the TTGA subvention of $286,000 from Sports Minister Darryl Smith, TTGA Director of Golf Chris Harries, said, “The timing of the presentation is welcome as the Association continues its work on development and introducing the game to new players. We are pleased at the progress of our junior players on the regional circuit and with continued support from the Ministry and Sports Company, we can achieve even more in the future.” Two-time Under-18 champion Kumar now qualifies for the Duke of York Young Champions Trophy to be held from September 12-14 at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

A leader, whether man or woman, can be of a level of integrity attracting vigorous allies, but with a sense of judgment that works through very low community standards.

In such a case the modes of civic assessment would not be based on the worthiest denominators.

Indeed, they would tend to postpone improvement if not devolve more and more to the lowest common denominators.

These would show in the signs of the things that occupy political correctness and in the types of laws and debates being sought and sustained.

The compliant could accept to operate to that level of conscience and progress, because it works for them and it can be profitable. Gaining ground, constraints become stronger, eventually in the long term gripping the society in ethical malaise, dulled consciences, conformisms and resignation; later turning downright evil.

Are there aspects of this in our nation? The smart gets richer. Gangs are cultivated and then suffer with death. Abortion — malice aforethought — is protected quietly. The most ridiculous things are discussed and actually happen. The international position is left totally disparate. The leadership subsists within and without various types of accountableness.

And the rest of the people and the environment pay for it.

E GALY via email

Those in charge of selecting the WI team will have to go back to the drawing board for the team is certainly not making the cut.

It is clear our players lack consistency.

Good today and bad tomorrow is not what is required to get to the top. We need to continue searching for players until we find a group of men that can take us to a new level. We cannot afford to quit; we must persist as a region.

Well, we have the T20 tomorrow, which is our strength and the best chance of showing what we are capable of. I hope the boys go out there with that killer instinct and finish strong. A win will do us some good.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH via email