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Classical
Vocalists:
Benny
Seenath
Benny
Seenath was a singer of the old days when classical
singing was the form in the 1930's. This was his peak
period when he won singing competitions in Sangre
Grande in 1931, in San Juan in 1932 and in Penal 1934.
Benny and Jhagroo clashed in a singing night in Debe
after which Benny challenged Jhagroo to a duel of
20 songs. This was held at the Philmore Hall in George
Street, Port of Spain. Jhagroo won the fifty dollars
bet which both singers staked. It was a severe blow
to his reputation. Benny sang in the classical style
and was regarded to be the best drupath singer in
Trinidad.
Bijou
Lal
Bijou
Lal popularly known as Bijou Qawal was born Boissiere
Village. He was tall and robust. He had a strong baritone
voice that echoed to his audience when he sang. He
was an all round singer of classical songs as well
as the Modem Film songs. He was a member of Jit Seesahai's
music band and together with Sayeed Mohammed presented
excellent singing to audiences. Whenever they sang
at the Island-wide Singing Competition at the Ritz
Theatre in Barataria he came first wining the Gold
Medal. He died unexpectedly while still young and
Trinidad lost a great and gifted baritone singer.
Roy
Cooper
Roy
Cooper was drawn to Ramayan Satsangs from early childhood.
That's where this talented singer emerged. Later he
dedicated himself to the classical style. Roy Cooper
was devoted to Indian Culture and received abundant
appreciation from and praises wherever he performed.
Film
Songs / Recorded Songs:
Sayeed
Mohammed
Sayeed
Mohammed was one of the popular singers in the early
days of film music. He lived in Curepe and sang with
Jit Seesahai's Band. He made a great impact with his
soft mellow voice as he crooned some of the latest
movie songs. In 1940 he was among the first batch
of singers whose voices were put on record. That same
year he made a tour of British Guiana (now Guyana)
with Nazeer Mohammed's group. His beautiful renditions
and his darling personality endeared him to audiences.
He later migrated to England where he settled with
his family.
Irene
"Noor Jehan" Montrichard
She
was born Irene Chandee, one of a talented musical
family. She sang in the mode of that Indian actress
and singer "Noor Jehan" and soon acquired
the sobriquet. With Champa Devi, the Gulshan Bahar
group of singers and musicians including Narsalloo
Ramaya, Nazeer Mohammed, Jit Seesahai, S.M. Aziz and
others.
Noor
Jehan sang and danced for some of the biggest charity
shows, in order to raise funds for the alleviation
of hunger, poverty and misery, following a famine
in India. With Champa, she demonstrated that women
were coming out their shells by participating in public
performances. In 1950 she added acrobatics to her
repertoire. She was a beautiful woman and took much
pride in her physical condition and dress. If she
was not the first, she certainly was among the first
women to sing over Radio Trinidad.
Irene
was awarded the shawl of achievement by the High Comm-issioner
of India. Irene passed on, on 14 th August, just gone,
at age 81.
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Orchestra:
Modern
Indian Orchestra
The
Modern Indian Orchestra was formed in 1938 by Ahmad
Khan (Chookcham) as it's leader. It's members were
N. Ramaya, Salim Ullah, Samad Ali, John Mohan as instrumentalists,
and Jhagroo and Bahadoor and young Soogram as vocalists.
John Mohan and Samad Ali soon dropped out even before
the band (was launched) had its first public engagement.
In 1940 Chookcham joined up with S.M. Aziz giving
a number of stage performances mainly in the South.
He continued to function with his band for some years
in the 1940's.
Instrumentalist:
Bob
Lookhai
Bob
Lookhai lived at Laltoo Trace, Debe and worked at
Tesoro as a water plant operator. A Dholak player
of the highest level. He also played the tabla for
the sursati Ramayan Goal, Penal. He died at age 74.
Most of the good singers sought him out. He was really
clever and played all the hands. The toughest of songs
posed no problems for him, be they Dropath, Tilaana,
Thumri, Hori or Desh. Almost in every competition
he played for Ramdhanie Shama and there were many
in those years. Bob Lookhai was a member of the team
representing Trinidad and Tobago against Guyana in
the 1960's.
Joseph
Sehai
Afflicted
by arthritis yet as cheerful as he always was. He
began playing the Dholak at age 13 or so. He was a
soft, clear drummer, and a strict timer with a keen
ear for melody. After joining the S.M. Aziz Orchestra
he began playing western drums the "traps".
In fact he was the first to play "traps"
in Indian Music. He also played Bongo drums and the
Kalinda drums for stick fighting. He accompanied some
of the better singers in Trinidad, Tulum Dindial,
Naseem Mohammed, Sonny Matthews and Ramdhanie Shama
to name a few. After the death of S.M. Aziz in 1963
the mantle of leadership fell first to Carl Gokool,
then to Seehai after a year or two. Since then he
led the band well into the 1980's. He was a member
of the team representing Trinidad and Tobago against
Guyana in the 1960's.
Sonny
Chandi
He
was the most popular tabla player during the 1940's
and 1950's. He first played in the GuIshan Bahar and
Naya Zamana stage shows. He was with the Nazeer Mohammed
music group Naya Zamama. He left and joined Paul Ali
to form the Hum Hindustani Orchestra based in Tacarigua
and played the clarionet.
Salim
Ullah
Salim
Ullah was a popular dholak (drum) player who played
for some of the renowned singers of his time. He demonstrated
intricate drumbeats while accompanying the singers.
Like Ali Jan, Bel Bagai and Fakeer Moharnmed. His
popularity grew in the 1940's during the period he
played with the Naya Zamana Orchestra. He made and
fashioned his own drum always keeping it in good shape
and appearance.
Promoter:
Man
Mohansingh
Councillor
Man Mohansingh, for 23 years was a representative
of Cedros. A lifetime in the promotion of Indian Culture
and popular as a classical singer. He was also deeply
involved in Ram Leela, Divali and other public expressions
of our cultural heritage.
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Special
Recognition:
Ramdahin
Ram - Sitar Maker
He
was an unheralded genius who wits born in April 1906
to Sakarjee and Balkissoon Singh, indentured labourers
who arrived here in 1876. Ramdahin was a Jack of all
trades Master of many. He was a Mahant who became
the first non Brahmin pundit to be registered by an
act of Parliament in 1946.
Ramdahin
a carpenter by trade built several houses with all
the fancy paraphernalia that was in vogue at the time.
He built bull carts, horse saddles, sapats, kitchen
utensils both from iron and wood. He was in demand
as a dancer and led at least six groups simultaneously.
He performed all over the country. He was also a member
of the Philharmonic orchestra in which he played the
Sitar and the Saragee.
Picture
these artistes dresses in their costumes riding in
a touring hood car while distributing their pamphlets
throughout their villages. In spite of all his achievements
in the various fields Ramdahin is best known for his
ability to make Indian musical instruments. In a time
when the world was at war Ramdahin used whatever materials
were available locally to fashion Sitars, Sarangees,
Tambouras, Ektaras, Dholaks, Tassas, Khanjeeras, Kartals
and other lesser-known instruments.
Today
one can still view his work at the museums in Port
of Spain and in New York. His son Mahabal Ram still
has a few of his father's pieces and his notes written
in Hindi. He has a hundred stringed Sarangees, a Sitar,
Khanjaree and Kartals all intact. This great son of
Trinidad and Tobago passed away in January 1994.
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Pundit
Mahase - Composer & Lyricist
Pundit
Mahase of St. John's Village, Avocat is a prolific
composer and lyricist whose songs have been rendered
by popular singers like Hanif Mohammed and Kunj Behari
Singh. Pundit Mahase is the founder of several Chowtaal
and Ramayan groups and has trained many pundits. At
77 he still is very active and is currently conducting
a Yagna in Miami.
Justice
Ralph Narine - Music & Legal
Born
in San Fernando and attended Naparima College. In
1941 while still at college he made his first public
appearance with S.M. Aziz Orchestra as a mandolin
player. In or about 1944 he began playing the violin
with S.M. Aziz and for Ramdhanie Shama. Between the
years 1942 and 1947 the Government employed him as
a Magistrates' Clerk.
In
1947 he left for England to continue his legal studies.
On his return as a Barrister at Law he did not play
either instrument for several years. In 1963 he was
persuaded by S.M. Aziz and Ramdhanie Shama to resume
playing and that he did until he became a judge of
the Supreme Court in 1968. He was a foundation member
of the N.C.I.C. and later appointed an honorary member.
Ram
Rattan -Master Dholak
We
have always proudly acknowledged the makers of musical
instruments from India. Yet right here in Santa Cruz
there was a master Dholak Maker. In his active years
Ram Rattan made Dholaks for the leading Classical
musicians.
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