Arrival
by Rana Mohip

In celebration of the 175th Anniversary of Indian arrival to Trinidad and Tobago, Arshad Khan of India and myself thought we should do a innovative collaboration that reflects the merging of the cultures of Trinidad and India. The musicians and their respected instruments used were: Rana Mohip on the harmonium, Arshad Khan on tabla, Narendra Maharaj on flute, Shivannand Maharaj on violin, Hanif Goodridge on steel pan, Ajnish Mohip on drumkit and Taradath Sawh on tassa. For the first time a composition such as this, Indian Classical dance was also featured, by Susan Mohip. This piece is composed in Raag Desh set to Teentaal, myself doing the melodic composition and Arshad Khan doing the percussive arrangement. The recording was done at Sargam Studios Trinidad and all the musicians and dancer were elated at the end product because this is a time when most artistes are on lockdown and are not getting the opportunity to express their talent and skill. The piece entitled, ‘Arrival’ was endorsed by His Excellency the High Commissioner of India to Trinidad & Tobago Mr. Arun Kumar Sahu and was launched at the opening of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Corporation in Mt. Hope.