Dave Martins joins campaign against domestic violence

Nov 21, 2012 News

Guyanese music legend Dave Martins has released a DVD of a new song, “If You’re A Man”. The song deals with the subject of domestic violence. It seeks to raise awareness of the issue among men.
The song was recorded at Krosskolor Studios, and local actors – Paul Budnah, Nurriyih Gerrard and Becky Low – were used in the video that was shot to widen the impact of the song.
The DVD was launched on Sunday at the Theatre Guild, as part of a programme celebrating International Men’s Day 2012, staged by the Men’s Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Human Services.
Said Martins, “In the face of all the violence on women in Guyana, the song essentially asks men to consider that we should work, in our personal lives, to rise above this behaviour of brutalizing women; it’s an appeal to our better nature. Initially I recorded the song as a CD using local musicians, but I felt it would have greater impact as a video, and videographer Ian Rajkumar, who worked for a very reduced fee, was paid by the Ministry of Human Services to create that.”
Prior to the viewing of the video, the International Men’s Day programme at the theatre, featured a variety of musical talent including songs from Circle of Love, the Messengers, Prisoners of Purpose, The Mighty Ballack, and the Police Steel Orchestra, together with comedy from Allendy Henry and a dance item from the Dominion Dancers. Nurriyih Gerrard also read two amusing Louise Bennett poems.
Speaking for the Ministry, Deputy Permanent Secretary Patrick Findlay, said that the involvement with the “If You’re A Man” video was seen as an important outreach by an artist speaking to his community. Said Rev. Findlay, “Mr Dave Martins has represented the sentiments of the Ministry of Human Services and particularly the Men’s Affairs Bureau with regards to the way men should treat their wives and the women in their lives.
“I hope that this DVD will become the possession of men, and that the message therein contained will be adhered to. Thanks to Dave for waiting on the Ministry and this occasion to launch this wonderful message in song.”
Martins said that the song was a long time in the making. “It’s a very sensitive subject. There are many sides to it, including of course aggravation to males, and it took a while to get the song right, but we need to address the depraved nature of this behaviour while still doing it in a way that doesn’t offend. Ian Rajkumar, who directed the video, and the cameraman Deonarine Chand, did a great job in getting the gritty look I wanted for the song. They’re very creative guys.”
DVDs are being distributed to local television stations and can also be viewed on YouTube. Copies will be available for purchase locally.

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