Chutney king retains his crown

Chutney king Harresh Singh has his friend to thank for his recent win at the Mashramani Chutney final held at the Anna Regina community centre ground on Saturday night last.

Singh told Stabroek News that originality played a big part in the competition. His winning song, titled “Next Door Neighbour” was drawn from a friend’s experience. “I was lying in my bed one night and remembered my friend’s embarrassing experience with his neighbour and decided to put his story into lyrics.”

Singh’s song is about a man who has an affair with his neighbour, but when his wife finds out he turns the tables by confronting the neighbour in the presence of his wife and telling her to stop interfering with him. He said he believed he won because of his original lyrics.

But Singh, the four-time chutney champion has also won 13 other competitions including medley king and regional competitions.

Accompanying Singh on stage was a dance troupe from the Essequibo Coast led by Booma Devi Singh.

Singh is now looking forward to finishing a CD he is recording with Celia Samaroo and the Shakti Strings Orchestra. He expressed thanks to Thakechand Ramnauth for helping him with the Hindi lines; his wife, mother, brothers and the people of Essequibo for their support during the competition.

Among those attending the event was Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir, who distributed the prizes. The other finalists were Kamilawttie Rampersaud, Lilawattie Boodram, Harry Gobin, Ajoda Singh Chandradai Persaud, Joyce Ormelia Harris, Suechitra Singh, Donald Morgan and Andy Jagmohan.

Suechitra Singh and Donald Morgan tied for second place while the most promising competitor was Andy Jagmohan.