Dear Editor,
“Life in a body with deep pain is useless” Rooplall Monar, one of Guyana’s most prolific writers told me a few days ago.
“We are all just passing through,” my fellow ‘Annandalian’, friend reminded me as he rested on the bed of a medical facility in Queens, New York.
On Monday March 4, Monar passed away after a short illness, according to his wife Maureen.
As a poet, short story writer and novelist from Annandale on the East Coast of Demerara, Rooplall Monar tickled us with his diction and knowledge of the cultural life of plantation people. He grew up in ‘loggie” on the Lusignan Plantation and was therefore familiar with plantation life.
With publications such as “Backdam People”, (1985) “Janghat” (1989) and “Tormented Wives” (1999), he explored the struggles and plight of Indo-Caribbean workers using a unique style of creolese blended with Standard English.
But New York did not provide the kind of environment for Monar to continue his literary journey. In fact, living overseas had stultified his thinking, he once revealed. No wonder he was planning to remigrate next year.
Those who knew him well will say he was fun to be with. Roop, as we mourn your passing we will seek comfort by thinking of what a jolly guy you were. I recall our past conversation about things Guyana and your favorite phrase “ting and ting” which I am sure will stay with me.
My friend, your space on Guyana’s literary map has been etched a long time ago.
Yours faithfully,
Dhanraj Bhagwandin (NY)
