Dear Editor,

Over the last few years I have observed an increased volume of Hindi music being continuously played on the NCN radio network. I am asking that questions be raised as to what is the motive behind this trend. Here in Guyana 100% of the population speaks English. I would hazard a guess and say that less than 10 % of the population understands Hindi to such a level that they can be deemed bi-lingual. While I know that a sizeable segment of the population enjoy Hindi music and Indian films, with the films, there are English subtitles, so that the mass of the population can get the gist of what the film is all about. This is not possible in relation to the music on the radio.

I would like to compare the Hindi music to “Oldies” or “Country & Western” or any other genre of music in which a segment of the population has an interest. However, to fill between (here I am guessing) 30 to 50 % of the music on the airwaves with Hindi music is an affront to all English speaking Guyanese – which is the nation.

Folk who love the Indian melody beat, should begin to be creative and write English songs using the Indian beat (as many in Trinidad are currently doing), so that the mass of the Guyanese population can benefit from this great art-form.

Mr. Editor, I would be much obliged if you can raise this issue with the management of the NCN radio network, which after-all is a national network and the last time I checked we are still the only English speaking nation on the South American continent. This issue has nothing to do with race (and it should not), it is purely a matter of the national radio network serving the nation.

Yours faithfully,

Desmond Saul

Editor’s note

We are sending a copy of this letter to the National Communications Network for any comments they may wish to make.