Cultural Artistes

Neval • Akash • Nishard • Kamini • Teddy

The D.Rampersad Indi-Art Orchestra (formerly Indian Art Orchestra) was formed by Mr. Sewak Gyan (now deceased) in the year 1955 at Guaico, Sangre Grande, Trinidad, West Indies.

This historic event occurred when East Indians began to display renewed enthusiasm towards their cultural heritage in Trinidad and Tobago.In the year 1975 the mantle of leadership was taken over by the youthful and dynamic virtuoso , Teddy Krishna Bissambhar. Thereafter, the band gained immense popularity which has already spanned over three (3) decades.

During that same year (1975) the band became sponsored by D.Rampersad and Co. Ltd., a well-established automotive firm in Trinidad and Tobago, and with their moral and financial support , the band was able to acquire some modern equipment, which helped them skyrocket to the greater heights in the sphere of Indian Culture in Trinidad and Tobago.

The name Teddy Bissambhar became a household name, not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but also at a global level. His magical fingers coupled with his limitless knowledge in the art form have ensured the band’s No. 1 position in the country for a very long time.

The D.Rampersad Indi-Art Orchestra is now led by the versatile Akash Bissambhar (the elder son of Teddy Bissambhar), and has a membership of five (5) competent musicians and four popular vocalists and presently has its own recording studio with some of the most modern Hi-Tech equipments available on the world market today. It is notable that the band’s musical repertoire is not limited to only Indian music, but includes all other types of music as well.

To date, this very popular band has celebrated its 50th Anniversary and is rapidly growing from strength to strength, providing professional entertainment throughout the length and breadth of Trinidad and Tobago and internationally, capturing the hearts of thousands with its thrilling performances.

1988 to 1989: The band defeated twenty-one (21) top orchestras at the National Orchestration Competition “Saaj Sameelaan” organized by the National Council of Indian Culture, and remains champions to present.

1989: The band performed at the Carnival Expo ’89 and Soca Village alongside top soca bands. The band also performed with India’s ace singer “Charanjit Singh”

1990: The test-piece (Rainbow) for the National Pan/Chutney Competition was composed by Teddy Bissambhar, leader of the band. This competition was organized by the Hindi Nidi Foundation and Pan Trinbago.

1991 to 2000: The band provided music for the very popular television series “Mastana Bahar” and “Indian Cultural Pageant”.

1992:
(a) The band thrilled audiences at the Palais Hindu Celebrations in Curacao.
(b) The band also extensively toured Canada and North America with “Bright Star Promotions” of Canada, capturing the hearts of thousands with their unique performances.
(c) Provided backup music for India’s popular Ghazal singer, “Pamela Singh”

1993: Performed alongside India’s popular cabaret singer “Usha Urtup” and performed with “Anoop Jalota”.

1994: The band provided backup music for India’s famous play-back singer, “Kumar Sanu”, at the National Stadium, Port-of-Spain, before a massive audience of 23,000.

1996: the leader of the band “Teddy Bissambahr” composed two (2) orchestration test pieces “Chutney Fantasy” and “Taaj Mahal” for Pan Trinbago.

1997- Provided backup music for the first ever “National Chutney/Soca Mornach Competition” organized by Southex promotions.

1998: Provided backup music for India’s popular playback singer “Nitin Mukesh” .

2000: Performed alongside India’s famous movie star “Shah Rukh Khan” at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.

1993-2002: Performed at 103 fm’s Annual Anniversary Mela.

1995-2005: Performed for N.C.I.C. at the Divali Nagar Annual Celebrations.

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The band has seven (7) popular C.D’s accredited to its name :-

MUSIC TO MAKE YOU DANCE (1999)
Y2K CHUTNEY VIRUS (2000)
YEAR 2000 HIGH ENERGY (2000)
UNDER WILDNESS (2001)
BORN TO MUSIC (2002)
FRAGILE (2003)
HIGHER LEVEL (2005)