Modern mas takes over Sando J’Ouvert

From as early as 4 am, scores of bands transformed the streets of San Fernando were transformed into into a sea of colour, powder, paint and gyrating bodies clad mostly in shorts, t-shirts and body suits.

Of the approximately 32 bands registered to parade across the main judging point at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA), yesterday, only two were traditional bands while others were registered as modern bands. There was only one individual ole mas competitor registered.

San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello acknowledged the decline in ole mas characters and bands. He said this was one of the reasons for shifting the ole mas judging point from Harris Promenade to SAPA.

“What we had done in the past, we left the steel bands and traditional mas for Harris Promenade but as you can see it is a dwindling and dying art form,” Regrello said.

“Young people are not interested in that anymore and we have to change with the times and go with the flow,” he added.

Regrello admitted that mas on the Promenade has been dying for sometime as the number of spectators have dimished over the years.

Leader of “D Blue Boys” ole mas band Val Ramsingh begged spectators not to allow the artform to die.

He said J’Ouvert was not about “short pants and jersey” but about commentary on social and political issues.

The band kicked off its presentation, just after 7 am, with a placard which read- “No prize money for last year…But we playing still.” “D Blue Boys” band, which won the 2016 traditional band of the year title, is yet to receive its prize money.

The band, which was noticeably smaller than previous years, took aim at local politicians including the National Security Minister as one masquerade, with the name tag “Dyllon” affixed to his t-shirt, shot a bow and arrow at spectators under the placard “Dyllon with a new crime plan.” The J’Ouvert celebrations, which was declared open by Carnival convenor Niagum Joseph at just after 4am, witnessed the furious crossing of bands.

Masqueraders pranced across the parade route to the sounds of the Ultimate Rejects’ mega hit “Full Extreme.” Water guns and hoses also seemed to be another feature of the modern J’Ouvert band as masqueraders were doused with clear and coloured water.

Regrello observed that 2017 Carnival celebrations “started off with a bang’ with the passage of the modern bands.

He said the southern city was “alive and J’Ouvert is alive”.

He also congratulated steel band Pan Elders Steel Orchestra which copped the medium band title at the National Panorama Finals., saying they continued to make San Fernando proud with their four consecutive wins.

And as if the underscore their dominance, Pan Elders treated the large crowd of spectators with a stirring rendition of their winning composition “Roti and Talkarie” as they crossed the judging point.

Up to midday yesterday, the winners of the King and Queen competition were yet to be announced.