St John’s United — new National Tassa Champs

THE South-based tassa group, St John’s United of St John’s Village, Avocat, are the new tassa champions in TT. The group captured the first prize of $5,000 at the Tassa Association of Trinidad and Tobago’s (TATT) third annual competition which took place at Saith Park, Chaguanas, last Saturday evening. The tassa drummers led by Vishnu Ramnarine looked smashing in their long Kurtas (East Indian traditional wear). Their appearance earned them the prize for the Best Dressed group as well. St John’s United scored 254 points, while members of the Tristar Tassa Drummers of Felicity, Chaguanas, scored a total of 249 points to take second place. The Princes Town-based group Caribel Fun Lovers led by Devanand Mandeo took the prize for third place, while there was a tie between the Azam Ali Sylvan Bharat Tassa Group and Country Boys Tassa Group for fourth place. These two groups scored 234 points each. The Chaguanas-based group, Naipaul Extra Foods Power Star Tassa Drummers, took the fifth prize with 228 points.

The 2002 champ, the Rising Tide Tassa Drummers, captured the National Flour Mills prize for People’s Choice. They place sixth in the competition. Twenty-four groups from all over TT entered this competition which was sponsored by Newsday, NLCB, bpTT, Angostura, CCN TV6, Stag, Sangeet 106 FM, National Flour Mills, National Petroleum, Tidco, Vicky’s Electronics, and Tracmac Engineering. Approximately 5,000 patrons enjoyed the performances of the reigning Chutney Monarch, Heeralal Rampartap, and members of the Manoranjan Orchestra at Saith Park. Chairman of TATT, Dr Vijay Ramlal, told the gathering that tassa drumming was indigenous to TT and that it should be considered the second national instrument to the steelpan. “As we celebrate the 41st anniversary of Independence, we must acknowledge the cultural art forms that have helped to shape the cultural landscape to this country,” he said.

He noted that TATT has already made a proposal to Prime Minister Patrick Manning and was told that the government will appoint a special committee to look into this matter. His Worship the Mayor of Chaguanas, Dr Surujrattan Ram-bachan, declared the competition open saying that tassa drumming has its own characteristics which have served to lift the dignity of the culture in TT. He noted that tassa drumming in India was not as powerful as the drumming of Trinidad and Tobago. The TATT’s prize giving ceremony will be announced at a later date.