| – One-off competition set for Rose Hall, CanjeThe National Chutney Singing Competition is without a sponsor because the Mashramani Secretariat has refused to allow the competition to be watered down into a “rum drinking” event.This is according to the minister managing the country’s 39th Republic celebrations, Dr Frank Anthony. It is the latest sign that Dr Anthony has this year failed to drum up large scale corporate support for what is supposed to be the country’s largest national celebration.Dr Anthony said this week that he rejected the lone entity that came forward to sponsor the event because he felt that the art form should not be sacrificed or diluted to an event “where people come to have a drink.” He did not name the sponsor that was rejected.He said that a decision was taken for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to handle all the expenses associated with the event. This is despite the fact the overall budget for managing the entire Mash festivities amounts to some $40M.However,Nike NFL Jerseys China, the Chutney Competition has been scaled down. Fifteen participants will take part in a one-off competition scheduled for the Rose Hall, Canje Estate Ground on February 21.Coordinator Neaz Subhan told Kaieteur News that the scaling down of the competition was due to several factors, including time constraints.In addition, the coordinator has not yet heard from the reigning Chutney Monarch,Wholesale Jerseys, Sandradai “Girlie” Persaud. Subhan said that, as the monarch,Throwback Jerseys, she is free to defend her title, and she would be accepted to compete if she comes forward before the event.The Chutney Completion has not enjoyed popular support, raising questions about its relevance to the Mashramani celebrations,Jerseys From China, which have traditionally weighed heavily on calypso and soca music. But Dr Anthony indicated he is bent on promoting chutney music as part of Mashramani.And so his ministry is putting up the prize money for the event. The winner will take home $550,000, while the second prize winner will receive $350,000. The third prize winner will receive $200,000. There will be a cash prize of $50,000 for the most promising newcomer.Subhan said the aim of the national coordinating committee is to improve the standard of chutney music in Guyana to what is acceptable in the Caribbean and elsewhere.Chutney music here has bordered on social commentary, much the same as calypso,Atlanta Falcons Jersey, but with upbeat Indian music and the creole language of rural communities.However, it is thought that Chutney music sprang from Hindu religious songs, as exemplified by the hit number “Nanda Babu” made popular by Trinidad’s Anand Yankarran.Today, the realm of solid Chutney music in Guyana is characterized by tantalizing musical compositions and teasing East Indian creole or Hindi lyrics playing on the humour and tragedies of East Indian countryside life.Girlie Persaud won last year with “Rum is meh husband tea.”Surprisingly, Mahase Narine, who shared third prize and was the popular contestant to win last year,Jerseys NFL China, is not competing this year. The other contestant with whom he shared his prize, Aaron Dasraj, is also not competing.But in the line-up is Levi Nedd, who last year seemed an unlikely competitor but finished in second place. An Afro-Guyanese, he dressed as an Indian bridegroom, and whipped up the support of the crowd and the judges with his booming voice to “Rama Gunaah Gaawey”.This year, Haresh Singh, a three-time winner, will be looking to reclaim the crown, and he is likely to face the always fierce competitor Rajesh Dubraj.Popular belly dancer Sandella Craig will be looking to prove her worth in Chutney singing, having last year won the Newcomer Trophy.Others in competition this year are Kamla Rampersaud, Dhanasar Danny, James Hing, Dennis Damar Singh, Dennis Tatpaul, Beesham Jairam, Carlos Williams, Mahendra Harripaul, Takoorday Paul, Odranie Ramdial and Pooran Seeraj. |
