THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has announced that the Premala Dance Academy, along with top rated chutney singers, Rakesh Yankeran and Hemlata Dindyal from Trinidad and Tobago, will be the star attractions for its main activities to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Indian Arrival in Guyana.

It is the first time that Trinidadian artistes will be performing at an IAC event, a press release stated.
The annual melas (fair) to mark this momentous occasion will be held on Sunday, May 05, at the Anna Regina car park, Damon Square, and on Monday, May 06, a National holiday, at the Albion Community Centre Ground. Admission to both events is free.
The melas are as a result of the collaborative efforts of Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana and would serve to further strengthen existing cultural bonds between the two countries.
The Premala Dance Academy is one of the leading Indian dance troupes in Trinidad while Yankeran and Dindyal are considered legends in original chutney and Taan singing.
These melas will provide another opportunity for Guyanese to experience a unique flair of entertainment from Trinidad and authentic chutney music following the performance of Chris Ramkellawan last year in Berbice.
Performing alongside Trinidadian artistes will be a number of locals, including the Shakti Strings Orchestra and their lead singers the Ishara, Shelita, Abhinaya and Farishtay Dance troupes and others.
The IAC, in keeping with its tradition, will use the opportunity of the melas to recognise the contributions of outstanding Indo-Guyanese who would have dedicated much of their lives for the development of Guyana.
In addition to these two mega events, the IAC will be hosting a “Choka” fest on Sunday, May 12, 2013, at the Guyana International Conference Centre from 11:00 hrs. The “Choka” fest is a unique food festival, where for the first time Guyanese would be afforded the opportunity to savour various “chokas” with “sada” and “paratha” roti being among the numerous side dishes.
“Chokas” include aloo (potato), coconut, baigan (egg plant or boulanger), tomato and those made from various fishes. The IAC is also inviting suggestions from the general public on what, if any, other “chokas” can be made available, the release concluded.