E’bo Chutney artistes all set for semi-finals tomorrow

Feb 10, 2018 News

Fancies his chances: Dennis Tatpaul

As Chutney fans get ready for the semi-finals of the Chutney competitions on Sunday, Essequibian artistes Dennis Tatpaul and Haresh Singh, are both getting in shape as they prepare to bring down the show.
Both of these Essequibian stars have repeatedly made it to the finals for more than five years. Haresh Singh was even crowned the Chutney King in five competitions. These two Essequibians share a similar passion for singing. Their stories, however, are very different.
Dennis Tatpaul is a born Essequibian, whose dream is to one day be the Chutney King.
Tatpaul said that he has been a part of the Chutney competitions, for about 12 years. When asked what his drive for singing was, Tatpaul replied, “I just love singing. I find that it is a great way for me to relieve my mind of life’s anxieties. At times I even sing English songs in karaoke English, but I just love singing.”
Though he was never crowned Chutney king in any of his previous competitions, Tatpaul said that he would put his best foot forward tomorrow night, with his song entitled, “Awo Mida Larki.”
Haresh Singh has a more sentimental story to tell. This 44-year old was crowned the national chutney king from 2001 to 2003. Then later in 2007 and 2012. In 2016 however, Haresh was involved in an accident on his birthnight, resulting in him breaking a leg in three places. As a result of the accident, Haresh was unable to participate in the 2017 competitions.
His song this year is entitled, “The Chutney King is back.”
“The song tells a story about my accident. The title is simply indicating that the chutney king is back and let us celebrate.”
Kaieteur News was eager to grasp the secret behind Haresh’s five-time chutney monarchy Haresh explained, “The judges love my melodies and voice control. I always compose my own songs instead of singing back other people’s song…

A fierce competitor: Haresh Singh

“One of the requirements is that you compose your own song and come up with your own melody and lyrics. Composing the melody is probably the hardest part and so I do a lot of humming.”
The man who had previously worked with the Government Information Agency [GINA], and other local companies, hopes that one day he can make singing a career.
Haresh even told this publication that singing comes from his foreparents.
Chutney competitions started in Guyana in 2001. Over the years it has evolved from merely a Guyanese entertainment, to a Guyanese culture.
With a mixture of both Caribbean and Indian instruments, chutney often stirs up a hype feeling amongst the audience. The word chutney in fact when translated from Hindi means hot and spicy.
The Chutney finals would be held on February 18, at the Leonora track and field centre, West Coast Demerara.