-top three soca chutney monarch finalists to compete in Trinidad monarch finals
THERE has been a remarkable transformation in the quality of music and lyrics of contestants in the Soca Chutney Monarch Competition, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said Monday as he met with the top three winners and the producer of Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Chutney Monarch Competition, George Singh, in the conference room at his ministry. The Soca Chutney finals, held Sunday  evening at the National Cultural Centre, saw the following emerging as top winners: Haresh Singh in first place, awarded $550,000 and a trophy; Terry Gajraj in second position, awarded $350,000 and a trophy; and Fiona Singh coming in third, awarded $200,000 and a trophy.
These artistes automatically qualified as finalists in Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Chutney Competition, scheduled to be held shortly.
Minister Anthony said this collaboration between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago forms part of government’s wider objective of exposing its local artistes, enhancing their skills and placing them on the international scene.
The minister believes that the collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, to have the top three winners from Guyana’s Soca Chutney Monarch Competition compete as finalists in Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Chutney Monarch finals, is rich with opportunities for Guyana, as such similar partnerships will be sought for other artistes in calypso and other genres.
Convenor of the chutney competition, Neaz Subhan, congratulated the winners of the competition which was lauded for its high standard.
George Singh, producer of the Trinidad competition, recognized the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and National Communications Network (NCN), as they both play integral roles for Guyana in this competition.
“GTT has been identified as the text provider for Guyana, so that Guyanese can vote via text for their favourite artiste…NCN has been identified as the official station for live broadcast in Guyana,” Singh said.
Singh also said that the event, which will be broadcast live across the Caribbean by CMC, and will see international voting from countries like the United States and Canada, will open a host of opportunities for Guyanese, and also, regional and international scouts will be at the competition to recruit new talent.
“All three Guyanese would receive no less than $1M for their participation in the event…Guyanese should not only vote for their own, but for the most talented artistes…each phone will be restricted to a maximum of 15 votes…those casting votes online will be restricted to one vote,” Singh said.
Trinidad’s Soca Chutney Monarch Competition is being held this year under the theme “One Caribbean, one people, one music”.