In a proud display of East Indian culture, devotees of the Divya Jeewan Hindu Mandir engaged in a motorcade and procession through the streets of Penal and Barrackpore yesterday.
Spiritual leader Pundit Rajendra Maharaj said the celebrations were funded by the business community.
Classical Indian dancers as well as tassa drummers from the Three Legends Tassa group, danced through the streets oblivious to the rain. Sumaree Biraha, dancers with effigies of horses, also pranced in the rain.
Ramrajee Ramsawak, a market vendor who is 104 years old, rode on a boat in honour of her ancestors as the procession entered Clarke Road, Penal.
Speaking to Guardian Media, Ramsawak said she was privileged to be part of the function for the second year.
“We don’t know if I will be here next year, but I am happy that I can still participate,” she said with a smile.
Ramsawak expressed her wish for youths to learn the lessons of their ancestors and make sacrifices to educate and care for their children. “Young people do not know how hard the old people worked. Nowadays, young people don’t want to work. They want everything too easy,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pundit Maharaj emphasised the need for more support to preserve Indian culture.
He warned that traditional art forms could die if they were not passed down to future generations.
“The Jhal Ramayan and the Chowtal singing are some aspects of our culture that we want to promote among youths. We want to see a resurgence of this,” Maharaj said.
He also noted that some of the traditional classical singing and dances were indigenous and unique to T&T.
He called on corporate T&T and the Government to assist in preserving East Indian culture and identity.
Indian Arrival Day celebrations also took place at Parvatie Girls’ Hindu College and Gulf City Mall yesterday.
