Toolsie sings to 4 victories

THE talented Toolsie Ramdass Singh won the Pichkaree festive category for a fourth consecutive year with an outstanding performance of “Nache Rey”. He beat 16 competitors with his powerful and melodious voice. Still on a “high” over his victory he said: “(I) love to see people dance and have a good time and I was enjoying myself on stage.” The singer also plays the dholak, harmonium, guitar, tabla, keyboard and flute. He avoided competitions for years but performed at satsaangs (devotional meetings). It was his brother-in-law, Mohip Poon-wassie, reigning overall Pichkaree champion, who  encouraged him to enter the competition, which he did  because of its religious nature. Now he feels more should be done to encourage Pichkaree artistes.

 “Here we have singers who prefer to take their social and political commentaries on a ‘sober’ stage, in an atmosphere of spirituality. That is why the businessmen should support this venture, cause we have 75 per cent young artistes participating here, and it is well attended each year.” Toolsie, 32, got his inspiration from his father who sang religious songs. “It was in my blood to sing those songs and although I started playing the dholak at five, I always sang those songs to myself. At ten, my father took the time to teach me two songs and I was happy that I could actually sing an entire song by myself,” he said.

At 14, he was a key member of the religious group, Ram Siksha, led by his father, Ramdass Baboolalsingh. Toolsie is married to Krishendai and they have three children. His son Nishad,  eight, also plays the dholak and sings with him. As Toolsie  puts it, “It started with my father and I am giving it to my son who I hope will give to the next generation.” Toolsie rehearses at home so that he can be close to his family. “To me it is important for a man to be around his family. Children need their parents to spend time with them,” he said. He is lead singer of the Anjalie Savera Orchestra led by Mukesh Deonarine and has also provided drumming for performances by Sohan and Solo Girdharie, Suresh Yankaran, Rosie Siew and Nirmal Massive Gosine.