Home
6 Cultural icons honored
- Details
- Published on Monday, 05 March 2012 12:45
Six (6) cultural icons have been honored by the National Carnival Commission (NCC) for their
outstanding contribution to the Carnival art form spanning more than a century.
The tribute took place during Dimanche Gras at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Carnival Sunday night at a show titled “Bring Back De Ole Time Days.”
Those honored were calypso veterans, Robert Nelson aka Lord Nelson, Andrew Marcano aka Lord Superior, masqueraders Geraldo Viera Snr, Gilbert Maynard and ace steelband arranger Dr. Jit Samaroo and pioneer and innovator Anthony ”Tony” Williams.
Recipients were each presented with commemorative plaques and $30,000. by Patrick Arnold, Chairman of the National Carnival Commission and Lutalo Masimba, Commissioner and President of Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organization (TUCO).
“The production” says Director Norvan Fullerton,” is a comparison between the mas of today and the mas of the 60’s and 70’s. We are looking at the Baileys, Harold Saldenahs and Lee Heungs. It is a comparison between the music from people like David Rudder and Lord Nelson. Today, we have the
Machels, Benjais and the Kees. Even the dance style is different. Long ago, we had the bounce. Today, we have the freestyle. The wining has always been around.”
This year’s Dimanche Gras saw 12 calypsonians compete for the National Calypso Monarch title which
was won by Duane O’Connor and 10 Kings and a similar number of Queens seeking to be crowned as Carnival’s supreme title holders. Winners in these categories were Roland St. George as “Ralliez-vous Mon Panache Blanch” and Chariss Bovell as “Mother of Humanity – The Weeping Madonna” respectively.
Get more on NCC WEBSITE