Jesse Ramdeo
For decades, Professor Emeritus at the University of the West Indies St Augustine campus, Gordon Rohlehr played a leading role in advancing Caribbean literature, calypso and culture.
On Sunday, however, the Guyanese-born scholar passed away at the age of 80 and immediately opened a vortex of grief and disbelief.
Among the most rattled, Professor Kenneth Ramchand, who once shared a think tank with the intellect for over 50 years, during an interview with Guardian Media on Monday, saluted his colleague for his contributions.
He stated, “When I think about him I think of him as a huge man, he was generous, witty and serious. He would say the most profound and disturbing things but say it in a light way that it didn’t frighten you.He left an unimpeachable scholarly legacy. He was a walking library on calypso and calypso law, he was also a very literary person.
According to Ramchand, among his fondest memories were their pioneering works aimed at transforming the English Literature syllabus at the University as well as their corridor conversations.
He said, “We used to stand there sometimes for a whole hour carrying on really epic conversations, conversations about life, literature, calypso, cricket, politics, students. We just talked about everything.”
In recognising his ground breaking works, President Paula-Mae Weekes noted that the Professor was instrumental in the narrative of the Caribbean man.
In a statement issued she said, “His publications demonstrate insight, critical awareness and consciousness of the integration of the many social, historical, linguistic and political currents under-girding Caribbean reality.”
Last year, Weekes pinned the Chaconia medal silver unto the Professor’s jacket for his contributions to academia and culture.
Back in 1964, Rohlehr obtained a first class honours degree in English Literature from the University College of the West Indies, Jamaica.
According to the Integrationist Caribbean Rohlehr was also a visiting Professor to Harvard (Sept-Dec 1981); the Johns Hopkins University (Sept-Dec 1985); Tulane University (Jan-May 1997); Stephen F. Austin State University (Jan-May 2000); Miami University Writers’ Workshop (June-July 1995); York University Toronto (January-Feb 1996) and Dartmouth College, New Hampshire (June-August, 2004).
Rohlehr spent nearly 40 years at the University of the west Indies St Augustine campus where he served in the department of English, piloting and teaching the first course in West Indian Literature.”
Veteran journalist Tony Fraser dialled in on Rohlehr’s contribution to calypso and culture.
According to a Facebook post, “Prof. Gordon Rohlehr was one of those West Indian intellectuals...one of the finest....whose study and articulation focused sharply on the works of our creative literature.....calypso and other forms of fiction based in the cultural forms of west Indian peoples. It was he who placed calypso on stage as one of the highest expressions of our performing arts.”
Former UWI Principal Dr Bhoe Tewari also took to social media and praised the professor for his role in sculpting the minds of future generations.
He said, “He gave a lot to his students, to teaching and research, to the University of the West Indies, to Trinidad and Tobago and to Caribbean society and thought during the course of a distinguished career and a life of passionate work and service.”
Over the years, Rohlehr authored several highly acclaimed books on Caribbean culture, calypso and West Indian history.
According to a statement from the University of the West Indies St Augustine Rohlehr’s years at the institution were transformative as he became part of an international movement that reflected on the traumatic nature of New World history and who saw the literature that emerged as rich in contradictions and promise.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine said, “His legacy is carried in the students he nurtured at St Augustine Campus through conversation and intense enquiry. His former students and those who thronged his lecture rooms, as well as the many scholars and intellectuals who have benefited from his pioneering and intense and thorough research, share a deep sense of loss and gratitude.”
