Latest update March 21st, 2025 7:03 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Quite an uplifting experience

Feb 25, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
Last Saturday (21-02-09) night’s “Mashramani Panorama” at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall was for me an unforgettable, uplifting experience.
I felt the positive power and recognised the potential national benefit of healthy competition among the young and not so young alongside senior citizens; the pride in performance akin to stuff that move nations from “good to great”.
The competition included school bands, church bands, quintets and 7- a-side combinations; spiced with the sweet soothing effect of pan soloists which triggered a surrendering of the spirit while embracing an offering of tranquility for the human soul, as enthusiastic participants attempted to woo the audience and convince a competent panel of judges they deserved to be first.
I was entertained by a religious band led by a white-haired conductor who reminded me of the Chen Sing and Silver Fox martial arts screen era whenever he adjusted his stance and  leaped to signal a crescendo; another conductor decked out in locks or braids was cool, compelling and precise; yet another who seriously buckled down to his task almost immediately after apparently throwing a tantrum at the competition organisers; oh, the school bands were stirring, in particular, the conductor “Sir” in the red jersey.
How exhilarating it was to observe his baton deliver musical magic that would have sent Harry Potter back to Hogwarths to reprogramme his wand.
I observed: –    Church bands sounding “Great in God’s faithfulness” eagerly edged on by their respective cheering section (who said religion wasn’t fun?)- Supportive parents, relatives, lovers of pan.
Five black jersey judges who remained “pleasantly somber” while their patience was tested by having to change direction from north to south and south to north several times,  along with the  meticulous tabulator  scores and her assistant, often producing  images of musical chairs.
The result would subsequently be passed on to the programme’s “hat and hatless”, talented master of ceremony who did an excellent job.
–  A young solo performer who started nervously but eventually buckled down to her task to take the second spot;  A  “little man” so full of confidence that he contemptuously threw his “sticks” over his shoulder satisfied he had secured first place. I wondered about the absence of amplification for solo performers who had to compete with the sound of a generator on the eastern side of the venue. Maybe it had to do with the rules of the competition
– A seemingly satisfied Minister of Government and senior representatives of the event sponsors exchanging pleasantries in the northern balcony.
Nestling among hundreds of spectators in the Eastern benches was a VIP booth which accommodated a Permanent Secretary and about five other gentlemen whose military-like posture as they concentrated on the proceedings seemed to transform the enclosure into a reviewing stand.
Mashramani Panorama 2009 revealed the free spirited, resourceful and resolute Guyanese/West Indian fabric that keep our society together in the face of numerous challenges.
The event sent a resounding “yes we can” to those who sometimes ponder as to whether Guyanese can still be creatively one people as well as one nation. I think we can reflect on the Mash steel pan competition from two perspectives: Great entertainment including innovative theatricals ; or on the other hand, the boundless possibility of applying a potentially successful formula of public/ private/ faith-based partnerships to our Nation’s development process.
Whichever is chosen, I hope we wouldn’t have to wait ‘til Mash 10 to similarly benefit from steel drums that bend.
Derrick Cummings

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

NSC, Office of the DPP to host Criminal Law and Sexual Offences Act meeting tomorrow

NSC, Office of the DPP to host Criminal Law and Sexual Offences Act...

Mar 21, 2025

Kaieteur Sports– In a proactive move to foster a safer and more responsible sporting environment, the National Sports Commission (NSC), in collaboration with the Office of the Director of...
Read More
Lucas Chung maintains strong standing at 2nd Qualifier

Lucas Chung maintains strong standing at 2nd...

Mar 21, 2025

Farm Supplies Ltd. supports Bartica Regatta 2025

Farm Supplies Ltd. supports Bartica Regatta 2025

Mar 21, 2025

Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil, Guyana finds new lifeline

Legislation and Investment: Trinidad to Brazil,...

Mar 21, 2025

Three more matches billed for this weekend

Three more matches billed for this weekend

Mar 21, 2025

CM Khan rules at 2025 National Blitz Chess Championships

CM Khan rules at 2025 National Blitz Chess...

Mar 21, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]