– in move to upgrade standards
Local chutney singers and musicians are being encouraged to establish a formal association to promote their art and improve their standards significantly.
The call came following one of a set of consultations being held for those artistes by the Culture Ministry. The ministry has convened a rejuvenated central Mashramani management committee and these preparations are intended to ensure a gala festival of the usual and new events which will showcase vastly improved standards of performance, the ministry said in a press statement recently.
Minister Frank Anthony, Culture director Dr James Rose and Mash co-ordinator Lennox Canterbury met chutney singers and musicians and encouraged them to explain the challenges and problems they face. The forum also presented an opportunity for them to offer proposals for country-wide improvements.
According to the statement, the artistes expressed concern that there seems to be a lack of respect and discipline amongst certain artistes and the art form in general coupled with a lack of enthusiasm at the level of regional administrations with respect to the promotion of participation in the Mashramani chutney competitions.
Financial inability to produce early demonstration cassettes of their competition entries , alleged discrimination in advertising done by the state media and overall inadequate publicity for national chutney events are some of the issues plaguing the genre of music.
The artistes also outlined the issues of the reluctance of particular sponsors to get involved and the lack of originality along with paid favouritism by band members.
Following the discussion, the ministry offered to convene sessions where singers and musicians would be able to study existing criteria for chutney competitions and make recommendations for the review of same.
Meanwhile, in keeping with the thrust of making the Mash 2010 celebration one with a significant difference the ministry has also started consultations with calypsonians.
A recent meeting was held and an assessment of the state of calypso in Guyana was conducted. This included an examination of the reasons for its obvious decline, challenges and dilemmas.
It offered an opportunity too for suggestions for more collaborative endeavours with the culture ministry.
According to the ministry there was general agreement and acceptance among the calypsonians that the overall standards of authentic calypso singing and production had fallen away significantly over the past decade or two.
Further, they acknowledged that the deterioration of calypso standards had to do with competition from the reggae/ dancehall popularity and profusion of Jamaican / Hip hop artistes being brought to perform here thus feeding the younger fans with more preferences.
Also the forum observed that there seemed to be a reluctance by the radio station to promote and air local calypsos during pre and post Mashramani activities.
They expressed their uncertainty too with auditions , rehearsals and judging during the Mash season.
In light of the concerns, raised Minister Frank Anthony , the statement said, proposed an early workshop among calypsonians and Mash secretariat personnel and the secretariat to review and define the conditions and criteria for participation, auditions and judging and many other issues surrounding the development of calypso.
Anthony has also offered steelband players and calypsonians the free use of the National Cultural Centre for a show or two which the calypsonians may use for shared fundraising to finance their preparations.
The Mighty Rebel , Young Bill Rogers, Bright Colours , Pearl Lewis , Winfield James , Kaison Kid, King Solo, Ras Marcus and Mighty Exposer were among the calypsonians present. A liaison from the ministry is to be appointed to offer assistance necessary in the attempt to establish a new Calysponians’ Association. Anthony expressed his desire to see calypsonians manage their own competitions and year-round events and in this regard he pledged government’s practical and sustained support.
