The stage is set for the upcoming inaugural Senior Intellectual Chutney Monarch and the Traditional Chutney Monarch competitions. Winners are set to walk away with $2 million in prize money.
On Monday, the contestants drew for the spots in which they would be performing their song of choice for the judges. The event took place at the Passage to Asia Restaurant, Chaguanas.
However, the event was not without controversy.
Dr Vijay Ramlal-Rai, the head of the National Chutney Foundation of T&T (NCFTT), said other similar competitions are funded by the state and offer nothing when it comes to national development and inspiration to young people. He said the decision by the state to sponsor competitions that promote Chutney songs that propagate the consumption of alcohol was a waste of tax dollars and a travesty.
“Nobody should ever get $2 million for singing rum and water in a national competition. None,” Ramlal-Rai said. “Ever since we were objecting to that… that’s taxpayers’ money… You can’t represent Trinidad with that. You can’t represent Trinidad by going and saying your neighbour ‘do this with he cat and dog’. Come on! It's time these things have to change.”
“We are not saying don’t sing it in an all-inclusive fete, but you can't sing that in a national competition where Government is pumping money for you to do that nonsense,” he stated.
Ramlal-Rai said he has been getting complaints from all sectors about the state rum-chutney has degenerated into. He said the NCFTT was not getting any sponsorship from the government for the upcoming contests but from the private sector, while the competing promoter was getting state sponsorship even though the NCFTT was incorporated through an act of Parliament.
The NCFTT head also noted that Anthony Batson would be the only contestant that would be allowed to participate in both competitions, since Batson was the first winner of the Schools Intellectual Chutney when that competition was inaugurated years ago.
Wendell Eversley, the Vice President of the NCFTT, is asking how much money the Government was giving to cultural organisations in T&T.
“I am going to file under the Freedom of Information Act, asking the Ministry of Culture and the Government to outline all monies given to organisations where Carnival is concerned,” he said. “The time has come when the playing field must be level and if we’re talking about culture, it must be culture across T&T.”
Eversley said for far too long, a “certain sector was being treated like an outside child.” He called on Government to list the tax-payers money it gives to organizations. He also stated that no politicians should have to decide which sector gets assistance.
Aaron Duncan and Katelyn Sultan would be singing a duo in the competition.
“We’re coming to give it our best shot,” Duncan said, noting that they would be singing a song titled, “Love Another”.
“I know I was booted out of another competition, but I am glad to have another opportunity with my favourite singer, calypso singer, soca singer, Aaron,” Sultan said, adding that the song was about unity and spreading a positive message in T&T.
The two Chutney shows would take place back-to-back on February 10 at the Mid Centre Mall in Chaguanas. The competition begins with the Senior Intellectual Chutney Monarch, followed by the Traditional Chutney Monarch.
One competitor, Ramdeen Falco Maharaj, indicated to the NCFTT late on Monday night that he would not be able to appear, thus pushing the list of finalists forward by one place.
Intellectual Chutney finalists in order of appearance, are:
1. Anthony Batson
2. Edwin Ayoung
3. Greg Jaimungal
4. Johnny Ramnarine
5. Aaron Duncan and Katelyn Sultan
6. Paris Coutain
7. Nailah Blackman
8. Mohip Poonwassie
9. Vishal Rambhrose
10. Bethany Lightbourne
Traditional Chutney finalists in the order of appearance, are:
1. Dubraj Persad
2. Lochan Ragoobir
3. Naresh Prabhoo
4. Devanand Gatoo
5. Rakesh Yankaran
6. Ramesh Basdeo
7. Prince Navin Prabhoo
8. Amarnath Jadoo Maharaj
9. Anthony Batson
10. Sunil Ramsundar