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Some complaints about the Adult Calypso Competition

Feb 22, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
The just concluded Adult Calypso Competition which was held at Thirst Park at Banks DIH was one of excellence. I truly enjoyed the high standard with which it was executed. Kindly give me the opportunity however, to air my view and concern with the way this and previous competitions were/are being run by one set of people over and over again which always result in flawed decisions, favoritism, friendship and bias this also includes especially the judging system.
If one would only take a few seconds to look keenly he/she would observe a pattern that is biased in favour to a few of those contestants and would without a shadow of a doubt conclude that these competitions are not beyond reproach.
First I wish to applaud and commend an excellent piece of creative writing by that female contestant, Precious Pearl. We simply don’t get that level of excellence in creativity anymore. Coupled with her presentation, she won that crown without a doubt, her presentation was unique. I marveled at the way that idea was executed to have a plane on stage, along with a banner displaying an amusing name for the Aircraft “Ole Age Airways” and an exceptionally beautiful voice announcing the departure of the aircraft to another destination.
It was so unique, the flavor and humorous act of that woman displaying the different illnesses in the background was unbeatable. These people should be honored and rewarded by the Minister of Culture and the business sector for their effort and as some form of encouragement. We simply have to encourage this high level of excellence or we will either lose it entirely or continue to have only good songs with flat writings as was the case of some of the contestants in the forefront.
To Precious Pearl, I wish to say keep on keeping all your songs you have brought to the competitions; they are unbeatable. They can’t keep a good man, in this case, a good woman down. You were the winner by far just let them ask any Trinidadian calypsonian but delayed is not denied.
It is known that some producers of recording studios are in league with some officials and judges hence those decisions we often get at these competitions. Some judges should be investigated and no way, their decisions should be final. To the Minister of Culture, it is my suggestion to change all those people who have been managing this competition for way too long. The time has come for a fresh set of people to be placed at the helm and an entire fresh panel of judges for the next five years and watch Calypso climb to its highest peak.
People who don’t deserve to go to the final no matter how professional they are should be thrown out if they don’t bring something acceptable to the table. It is only then the other unfortunate contestants will get an opportunity to showcase what they have and the Calypso Art Form elevated.
I close by saying that even though young people are needed to carry on the legacy of calypso, it must not be at the expense of seniority and wisdom. And no good piece of choreography and voice should be given the edge over an excellent piece of creative writing as was the case in this competition. The archive needs these qualities of calypsos that Precious Pearl brings. A Happy Mashramani to all! Looking forward to a better program and a complete change of officials and judges.
E. George.

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