Ricky’s on a roll

The talented Ricky Khandoo, 30, of Eastern Main Road, Sangre Grande follows a busy schedule, singing in five shows per week at many venues throughout the country. Ever since he reached the grand finals in the 2000 Mastana Bahar programme, Ricky has been called upon by both religious and non-religious organisations to perform. He remains one of the most sought after singers from the Sangre Grande area. Ricky, who is a “Response Driver” with Securicor, has just completed a recording of religious songs for the upcoming Divali season. Surrounded by a mountain of cassettes and CDs, Ricky spoke to People from his rehearsal room in Sangre Grande. “I believe an artiste should be well prepared for any stage performance. Maybe a singer might be well known or even well qualified but it is still completely necessary to do several rehearsals before attempting any performance,” he said. When an artiste goes on stage, he/she becomes the property of the audience and whatever he/she does, impacts on the audience, he added.

Even though he knows a tune and has been singing it for many years, he still goes through rehearsals before taking it before an audience. He has been going through hundreds of recordings both from yesteryear and the ones that are being released in India now. Responding to the question about him doing only the songs created in India, he noted that from time to time he does attempt the local chutney but there is a demand for the songs that are recorded in India. “In many instances the local audience craves to hear the local artiste perform an item that was made in India. For example, we have two of the most popular singers in the country who are involved in delivering these tunes.  Both Indar Kanhai and Raymond Ramnarine are well known for taking the tunes from India and remixing them for the local stage,” he explained. Among the highly religious tunes that he will be releasing for the upcoming Divali celebrations include Tuma Vinti Suno, Ma Jai Ambay Ma, Jagadam Bikay, Mata Rani, Kahe Sootal Baho, Oh Rama Ho, Mat Kar Tu Abhimaan and Sukha Kay Sab Saathi. Most of these tunes were released in India over 60 years ago. “The songs carry deep religious messages. The music that accompany these songs are so spiritual that even a 100 years will go by and the songs will remain popular.”
He noted that while he is into religious songs, he himself is not a religious person. “I should be doing more devotion. But for many reasons we try to put off the things that are important to do the things that bring momentary pleasures,” he said with a smile.

Remembering the days when he started singing religious songs, he said that he, being an executive member of the Biche Temple, wanted to complete each service with songs. And he decided to sing bhajans (religious hymns), but he could also comfortably try film songs, calyposos and chutney. “This goes to show that when you are appreciated for your attempt as a child you can never lose the love for the art when you grow up. I actually yearn to go to the temple to sing. It brings great peace of mind and fulfillment as a practising Hindu,” he said. In the world of the performing arts Ricky acknowledges that fact one must be versatility and be contemporary, in order to reach the younger audience. “I guess as an artiste I don’t want to be typecast as a religious singer or a calypsonian. I want to be able to sing any kind of song which is in demand.” He is at present a front line singer with the band Rhythms International, of Cunupia. The band travels to many of the villages in the country for fund-raisers, weddings and entertainment events. He noted that the voice of India’s singer, Manna Dey really inspires. “I love to listen to the voice of Manna Dey. The songs are so soulful and heavenly that I just meditate on the tune to get a little peace of mind,” he said. Incidentally it was two of Manna Dey’s songs that brought great success in Mastana Bahar. He sang the songs Laga Chunaree Mai Daag and Man Tad Pata through the competition series. Ricky is also preparing for the Carapo Hindu Sabha’s Divali programme which is carded for October 11.