Culture Minister pledges support for Yankarran family

Yankarran ‘s sister, Surekha Yankarran said the Minister extended condolences on behalf of the Government and has promised to keep in con tact with the family in this time of grief.

On Monday night, several of the big names in classical singing held a vigil, singing religious songs in remembrance of Yankarran who passed away on Monday due to heart failure.

Well-known singers James Ramdass, Lily Ramcharan, Moonilal Gildhrie and Dubraj Persad were present at the home of Yankarran, at 55 Anand Yankarran Drive, Exchange Village, Couva.

Surekha and her sister Devika were at the home of their mother Moonimah Yankaran, 83, of Brickfield Village, Carapichaima yesterday.

Moonimah, who was extremely close to her youngest son (Anand), was too overcome with grief to speak to the media.

However, Surekha spoke on behalf of her mother saying that after losing husband (Isaac Yankaran — father of seven) at a very young age, her mother remained close to her children.

“My eldest brother Sham died five years ago and now Anand has left us,” Surekha said.

Rakesh Yankarran who is the elder brother of Anand, was in Canada performing when he learnt of his brother’s passing.

“Nothing can prepare you for news like this,” Rakesh said, adding that although he knew his brother was ailing, he did not know he would have left the world at such a young age. Rakesh described his brother as full of life and always ready to perform at short notice.

“He loved singing and composing and he spent his entire life doing one or the other,” Rakesh said.

The songs and music will continue on a nightly basis at the home of the deceased.

The funeral service will be held at 9.30 am tomorrow at Anand Yankarran Drive and the final service will be at the Waterloo Cremation Site.

The Yankarran family will host a cultural programme at the Waterloo cremation site