Welcome change in officials for Mash calypso competitions

Dear Editor

KUDOS to the Ministry of Culture for bringing about a change of officials of the Mashramani Calypso Competitions, though in my opinion it is just an exchange. It was a bad choice to put people who were a part of the old system, based on the alleged corruption that was taking place both in the Adult, and especially the Junior competitions.
It will be interesting to watch and see if the bare-faced manipulation of the art form, that gave Judges the right for their decisions to be final, and their disregard for rules set by awarding familiar and repetitive lyrics’ year fuh, year come’, continue.

When I heard the possibility exists that the competition could be shifted from Bartica to Lethem, I was somewhat disappointed because this will be the first time I will not be able to attend due to the distance, but I will be listening keenly and watching with a ‘hawk’s eye’ at the behaviour of those now in charge.

Calypso is not a one-night stand; calypso is not about voice; calypso is not about presentation and how energetic the contestant is on the stage, though it enhances the competition. Calypso should not be judged on favouritism and friendship. Calypso is about good, strong creative lyrics; songs that can stand the test of time for years to come. A good song is a good song when it is performed or not and should be saved and awarded at all times.

It is time the rules be adhered to and all familiar lyrics be thrown out the door . It is the only way to force our Calypsonians to stretch their imaginations and stop depending on the news for lyrics. It is time for them to prove their professionalism.

I already’ smell a rat’, although this is the first time this Facebook and people’s choice thing is being introduced in the Calypso competition. I am a bit uneasy for some of those calypsonians. People don’t vote fairly; they vote for the people they support, whether that person has a good song or not. I now wish to ask how many of those Calypsonians have a Facebook page and followers, and those who have, would already have many followers.

So this is where the judges will have to be responsible with regards to the lyrics submitted. By now we should have been hearing the playing of Calypsos more often, leading up to the first leg of the competition [since] we have enough radio stations. I love calypso; it is a wonderful art that must be saved and uplifted.

Regards
D. Browne

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