Hemlata Dindial takes top awards at the 103FM’s Hall of Fame ceremony

Dindial’s top recording, “Khaan Pe Na Dotiya” also brought awards for Best Chutney Artiste and Best Musical Arrangement. An overjoyed Dindial was accompanied by Ravi Mohammed, together with whom she celebrated the birth of their second child, born just one month ago. Dindial’s other tunes include: “Sasou Hamaree”, “Binay Dekhey”, “Kaat Aur Jara” and “Kya Bole”.

The award ceremony, which was held at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s, was attended by a host of top artistes. The reigning Chutney Soca Monarch, Ravi Bissembhar took five awards, including Best Produced CD by a Local band, Best Chutney Collaboration, Courts Trini Hit, bmobile Trini Hit and Album of the Year that was 50 percent original.

Bissembhar was accompanied by his brother Anil who is a music composer and director and his sister Nisha Bissembhar. Their band Karma has been traveling extensively around the world this year.

“I am ready for the party season of Christmas and Carnival,” Ravi said, adding that he is now in the recording studio doing his new songs for Chutney Soca Monarch 2011.

Top rated chutney star Kenneth Salick took two awards for his song “Radica” including Best Lyricist and Best Chutney Soca Song.

Raymond Ramnarine who was absent from this year’s event, also took two awards including Best Cover Version and Best Male Artiste. The First Citizen Bank Best New Recording Artiste went to youngster Pranava Maharaj for his song, “Chand Mere Dil”.

South-based singing star, Satnarine Ragoo received the first award for the evening, Best Bhajan (Koi Roie Koi Gaye) sponsored by Newsday.

Best Bhajan Album was won by Pundit Krishna Seeram Maharaj, and Best Qaseeda was won by Indar Kanhai. The award for Best Engineered Song went to Rishi Mahato for “Dil Tera Ashiq”. Best CD by a local producer went to Veerendra Persad and Mohan Jaikaran.

Best Music Video went to Peter C Lewis and Southern Sales and Services Best Female Cover Version went to Arti Butkoon for “Dekta Dai To Kya”. Best Male Chutney Artiste went to Rakesh Yankaran for “Panya Barana”.

Apart from the award ceremony eight persons were inducted in the Hall of Fame. They include veteran classical singer Sam Boodram, dance choreographer extrodinaire Sandra Sookdeo, folk artiste Emanuel Doon, flutist Doon Ramsundar, orchestration Naya Tarana, The Boodoosingh Tassa Group and Cedar Hill Village Ramleela Group.

A special family recognition award went to the Jeewan Singh Family. 103 FM gave special recognition to Justice Ralph Narine, Promoter George Singh and Vishnu Balroop. The inductees were selected by a panel headed by retired Justice Ralph Narine, and included Surujdeo Mangaroo, Rajkumar Krishna Persad, Richard Ramlakansingh, Ameena Ramsaran and Lily John.

The event was attended by His Excellency the President George Maxwell Richards and his wife Dr Jean Ramjohn Richards. Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, Winston Gypsy Peters represented the Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at this function.