Basdeo’s death leaves void in TT classical singing

The late Basdeo “Lappo” Dindial was one of the few singers who dedicated his time towards composing classical with soca music for the stage. He was condemned by many for this effort. He eventually left out the fast-paced tunes turning to religious and patriotic songs. Known also for his powerful and melodious voice, the popular classical singer of Dydraulic Road, Kelly Village, Caroni, died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on Tuesday August 8. His body was cremated on August 12 at the Caroni Cremation Site. Scores of classical singers as well as show promoters and musicians crowded the site to bid their final farewell to Dindial.

“He was the father of recording artistes Rasika Dindial and Hem Lata Dindial. His son Jairam Dindial is also a prominent radio DJ in Canada. Basdeo’s wife of 42 years, Dhanrajie Dindial, has been inconsolable following her husband’s death.

Chief coordinator of the Mere Desh Committee of Chaguanas, Ajeet Praimsingh said that Basdeo’s passing has left a void in classical singing in TT. “Lappo is of the older generation of singers who maintained a high standard in delivering these type of songs.

“He was a dedicated individual who stood up for dharma (religious way of life in Hinduism),” he said. Dindial was one of the talented singers who readily volunteered to sing at fund-raising ventures and their charitable events, Praimsingh added.

Praimsingh also noted that Rasika’s success in chutney singing came from the association with her father. Rasika remains the top chutney singer having taken several awards at the 103 Fm Hall of Fame. She has the number one chutney song, ‘‘Matikhor Night’’ in the charts at the local frequencies in TT.

Rasika has followed in her father’s footsteps and is composing her own lyrics and melodies for her songs. She is one of the most travelled chutney singers in the country. She spends a lot of time in the US and Canada performing at many of the big venues with several ‘‘big- named’’ Caribbean performers.

During his last days he was heavily involved in doing discourses from the Ramayan at many Hindu homes in central and south Trinidad. Praimsingh said that he had a passion for religious songs and he would spend long hours singing and reciting verses from the holy scriptures.

In 1999, Basdeo was given a special award by the Mere Desh for his contribution to development of classics in Trinidad and Tobago. He recorded a long playing record entitled, ‘‘Tent Singing,’’ this being the only recording during his life time.

The LP contains several of his top songs which include: ‘‘Jewam Jago Ko,’’ ‘‘Chalee Jaatee Ray,’’ ‘‘Zabaa Say,’’ ‘‘Dekha Acharya,’’ ‘‘Chaytaray,’’ ‘‘Aaj Sanath,’’ ‘‘Sat Guru,’’ ‘‘Mohobat May,’’ ‘‘Ramie Gaye Hai,’’ and ‘‘Bam Bhola Shiva.’’

Basdeo was a founding member of the Indian Classical Singers and Drummers Association (ICSADA).

Among the singers who sang at his funeral were Jameer Hosein, Sookraj Indar, Arjun Samlal, Ramesh Basdeo, Sohan Girdharie, Ramraj Yankatasu, Dubraj Persad, and Lutchman Persad (president of the ICSADA).