Recognizing that chutney is an important element in the country’s history and its absence from Mashramani activities, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport from 2007 to present has tirelessly worked in collaboration with members of the chutney committee and other stakeholders to sustain and revive it locally. Convenor of Chutney, Neaz Subhan said that much has been done over the years to revive, develop and sustain chutney in Guyana.
“Minister Anthony has been very instrumental in ensuring that chutney remains an integral part of Mashramani celebrations…since 2007 significant efforts to improve, sustain and revive it were made,” Subhan said.
As part of efforts to improve the quality of chutney locally, dialogue ensued between local stakeholders and producer/coordinator for Trinidad and Tobago’s Chutney Soca Monarch competition, George Singh with the intention of having collaboration between Guyana and Trinidad.
“The intention of the collaboration is to improve the quality of local chutney as this level of exposure for our artistes would directly affect the level of local competition as Trinidad is considered the Mecca of Chutney around the world…other efforts for improvements were also explored by Minister Anthony,” Subhan said.
Towards this end it was decided that the top three finalists for the local chutney competition would automatically qualify to participate in Trinidad’s Chutney Soca Monarch competition.
“This was done as part of efforts to have a long-term relationship which will benefit Chutney in Guyana…this is an additional incentive for them as they qualify to earn the minimum fee Trinidad pays for its finalists,” Subhan said.
The Chutney Soca Monarch finals which took place on February 11 at the Queen’s Park oval cricket ground in Port of Spain saw Guyana’s artistes copping top 10 positions out of 18 contestants. Terry Gajraj placed sixth; Fiona Singh, seventh and Haresh Singh placed tenth.
“From the competition we believe and are convinced that our chutney singers have reached a good place as they were competitive in their performance in Trinidad…this is complimentary as the artistes hadn’t much time to rehearse either locally or internationally,” Subhan said.
He added that apart from the places Guyana copped in the position, local artistes Mahendra Ramkhellawan along with dancers who appeared as guest performers showcased the significant strides made in chutney for Guyana.
“The fact that we had participants and guest performers who performed exceptionally according to Trinidad’s standards testifies to their growth moreso places Guyana on the Chutney map as international chutney promoters are present at the event scouting out talented artistes,” Subhan said.
He believes that this augurs well for the future of Chutney as those that performed would return to the stage bringing their experience to local competition.
Meanwhile, whilst there, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony and team comprising Mohammed Sattaur and Martin Goolsarran of National Communications Network and local chutney committee members Looknauth Persaud and Jaidoo Doodnauth met and interacted with Trinidad’s Prime Minister Kamla Bissessar who graced the occasion.
Trinidad’s Chutney Soca Monarch competition this year was an important event for Trinidad as chutney has grown considerably in the country as it now has become a part of their carnival celebrations coupled with the fact that the activity not only saw Guyanese participants but was broadcast live in Guyana and Suriname.
Subhan expressed gratitude to Minister Anthony for his relentlessness in working to ensure that not only chutney but all the other art forms are currently improved and sustained.
He also thanked Southex for the hospitality meted out to the Guyanese .
This event is historic as it is the first occasion Guyanese automatically qualified to participate in Trinidad’s Chutney finals, moreso the competitive competition saw them being placed in top 10 positions out of eighteen participants.
