Owen Hinds wins South band title

FOR the third successive year, veteran masman Owen C Hinds has copped the San Fernando Band-of-the-Year competition. Boasting some 650 members, his band “Ah feelin it” also copped the San Fernando Queen of the Bands title with the portrayal “Pride of the Nation: We Pan.”  In second place was another San Fernando veteran masman, Ivan Kalicharan, with the presentation, “Flash Back.” In third place was Lionel Jagessar’s “Los Indios.” Jagessar’s queen, Zanaru — Lady of the Plains,  portrayed by Rosemarie Kuru Jagessar, was adjudged South female Individual of the Year.

San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly made the announcement during a media briefing at the San Fernando City Council chambers yesterday. It was a solemn Hinds, flanked by two supporters, who described the hat-trick win as “nothing strange.” Hinds mas scored five successive victories during the 1980s.  “I think it’s very nice when people work very hard because our band is really a community band. It is not a band where we make money.” Hinds, a veteran mas band leader, also took the Monday Band of the Year title. He disputed claims that mas in the southern city was “dying.” Fifteen bands competed in this year’s competitions compared to 21 last year.

In the medium bands category, Fireworks Promotions “Dare to dream” placed first, followed by Mas Brothers International “Nations Pride.” Abzal Shaffie and Associates “Broken Arrow” copped third place. In the small bands category, “Pow-wow of the Tribes” presented by Gregory Nurse and Associates, placed first, with Pan Mas Tradition’s “Yesteryear Full Circle,” taking second place. Jouvert band of the Year went to “Mas Lovers and Dem” presentation — “Who Was.” Richard Montano’s, “A short season Carnival really on top of Christmas” was adjudged San Fernando Jouvert King. In the traditional category, D Blue Boys “Lord put ah hand” took first place with D Play Boyz taking second spot with “Dat is not your business.” Trinidad Valley Harps took the Jouvert Best playing steelband while Southern Marines earned first place in the Monday Night competition. Junior Band of the Year was won by a combined presentation by House of Jacqui and Ivan Kalicharan’s “Trini Talk.”