Classical and chutney show

The reigning Classical Singing Monarch Lily Ramcharan will perform and so too will Jameer Hosein, Haniff Mohammed, Luthman Persad, Basdeo ‘Lappo’ Dindial, Ram Maraj, Balliram Bhala and Arjune Sampat.

Sohan Girdharie, father of Chutney Soca Monarch Rooplal Girdharie as well as Rooplal’s brother, Munilal, will also be showing their skills at the shows.

The shows take place at the Samaan Tree Bar, Aranjuez on April 1 and at Xtra Foods Supermarket, Elenore Street, Chaguanas on April 2, at 6 pm.

The established artistes will challenge the younger singers. Dubraj Persad is one of the new voices emerging out of the classical genre. Persad who is presently in Miami for several private and public appearances will be the highlight of this event. Other names included in the ‘‘Younger Singers’’ category are, Ramesh Basdeo, Ramnath Singh, Munilal Girdharie, Manmohan Gosine, and Ramnarine Tiwari Sadhu.

Speaking at a recent meeting at the group’s headquarters, Kandice Gosine, president of the organisation, said that the art of singing classical songs is a unique and different style from the traditional chutney.

“There is no electronic musical instrument to accompany these songs. The songs are done with the accompaniment of the harmonium (organ), dholak (drum) and the dhantal,” she said.

The songs which were introduced by the indentured labourers who came to TT from India 159 years ago are classified in the following styles: Druphad, Thumree, Tilanna, Lawnee, Chaitee, Horee, Ghazal, Gajall, Qawali and Kimta.

Kandice quoted Ajeet Praimsingh who is the recipient of The Humming Bird Medal (Silver) for culture, as saying that classical singing has attracted both male and female singers, “Though not as popular or experiencing the rapid growth or big money as chutney music, classical singing draws the crowds at weddings, birthdays and classical song shows.”

The editorial given out by the organisation says that the development of classical singing in TT was pioneered in the early days of recorded music by such singers as the late Bel Bagai, Firemta Ali, Jang Bahadoor, Ramcharitar, Samsir, Tulsiram, Seebalack, Gaura Das, KB Singh, Henry ‘‘Toolum’’ Dindial, Charlie Babwah and Benny Seenath.

Many of these popular recordings are still in the possession of collectors. Isaac Yankaran father of popular chutney singers Anand Yankaran and Rakesh Yankaran recorded more than 25 songs on two LPS and 45 individual record tracks.