The greatest show of bikinis and beads

THE EDITOR: Within recent weeks the coming Carnival season has upstaged the Christmas festivities. And top mas men have been launching their presentations for 2004 right, left and centre. But what is so depressing about this year’s presentations is the absence of originality. TT has always been proud of its acclaim that its Carnival was the greatest show on earth. Now however, we seem to be fighting Rio de Janeiro carnival for the title of the greatest show of bikini and beads.

How this country and mas lovers must long for the days of people like George Bailey, Cito Velasquez, Harold Saldenah, Ken Morris, Norris Eustace, Stephen Lee Heung and others. Does anybody remember spectacles like the Glory that was Greece, Ye Merrie England, Imperial Rome, Fruits and Flowers, Sign of the Pagan, Somewhere in New Guinea and a host of other productions? They were produced by former mas men who richly deserve to be recognised as those who made our Carnival the greatest show on earth. Gone are the days when preparation for the next year’s mas began six and eight months before. Today it takes merely a month or two for band leaders to sell the most expensive swimsuits in the world. A young woman buying a swimsuit for her August vacation by the beach would pay up to $200 for a full suit or a flashy bikini and bra top.

But for Carnival today, the same woman would pay $1,300 and more to get the same outfit with a few beads, feathers, and a staff added. Of course, there are a few more embellishments like boots which last for the two days and something to wave. And the result of this unwelcome trend is a rash of unwanted babies nine months after, not to mention the possible rise in HIV/Aids cases. Of course, no one can turn back the clock but can our present crop of band leaders forget the easy money and really make TT Carnival the greatest show on earth once again? To date all the mas productions launched for 2004 Carnival look the same. Just with different names.

FRANCIS RIVAS
Port-of-Spain