Press Release

Saving the Calypso Series -
A Tribute to the Struggles of East Indians in Trinidad and Tobago

The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) under the auspices of its Academy for Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs, hosted another installment of its "Saving the Calypso Series". The lecture-presentation titled "A Tribute to the Struggles of East Indians in Trinidad and Tobago" was held on Tuesday 19th July, 2016 at the Sundarlal Popo Bahora, at the UTT Campus @ SAPA.

The event showcased top Calypsonians such as Pink Panther, Crazy, Stinger, Lord Relator, Abbi Blackman, Mighty Trini, Versatile and Devon Seale, who performed selected calypsos, which demonstrated the response of the East Indian Community in Trinidad and Tobago, to the domestic and constitutional challenges, struggles and adjustment to political changes in their lives. The chosen pieces were also a way of showing the concern of the Afro-Trinidadian Community toward the Indian struggle. Some of the selections were considered to be of sentimental value to not only the East Indian Community, but by extension, the wider nation. To that end, the programme included favourites such as “Suhani Raat” – performed by UTT’s own Rana Mohip, and Jo Vaada Kiya Who.

The event also featured UTT’s very talented faculty and students; this included the likes of Krisson Joseph, Makesi Joseph and Professor Hollis Liverpool -"The Mighty Chalkdust" - who donned two hats on the night as both Programme Professor of the Academy of Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs, and world-renowned calypsonian. The performances were accompanied by the UTT Band led by Mr. Errol Ince, who successfully mastered the art of a “musical fusion of cultures” through the incorporation of traditional East Indian musical instruments and rhythms, with that of the musical instruments used to create our vibrant calypso beat.

The "Saving the Calypso Series" forms part of the vision and mission of the Academy for Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs. Its mandate in its entirety, seeks to highlight the various genres of music, and other cultural and artistic manifestations of our rich and diverse culture, as it reminds the citizenry of our rich legacy. This showcase then presents the opportunity for stakeholders of the art form to pay tribute to its genesis and evolution, and make observations and recommendations for improvement in terms of the quality of composition, music and delivery, while exposing all generations to this indigenous cultural expression.