By Indrawattie Natram

YOUNG, vibrant and passionate contender, Stephen Ramphal has emerged winner of the Banks Chutney Monarch held on Sunday night at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground in Region Two. He gained 355 points for his performance – a narrow win by just 11 points from the second-place winner, Bunty Singh.

Having heard of his success, tears flowed from his eyes as he entered the stage and dropped on his knees. It was indeed a proud moment for the father of one, that even as the crowd was cheering him, he could not stop crying.

Ramphal won himself $1M in cash and two airfare tickets to any Caribbean Airlines destination. His performance amazed the judges when he sang, “Rang Ke Bhare Main Bhool Jao – Forget about your colour and let’s live in love”. During his performance, creativity was displayed as his team showcased props that sent the message of diversity.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle immediately after his win, Ramphal said that Guyana is beautiful but citizens need to end racism. He therefore called on Guyanese to live in love and unity in moving Guyana forward. Ramphal is the second place winner for the 2019 Soca Monarch and also third place winner in 2018 Chutney competition.

Bunty Singh, 2016 Chutney winner, sought to defend his 2018 title by putting on an energetic performance on stage when he sang “Polourie – Light up the Chuha”. He copped second place gaining 344 points, with a cash prize of $600,000. Singh is a seasoned singer, songwriter and producer. With much experience he owns his own recording studio in Berbice. He has been singing for a number of years and has assisted a lot of budding artists to produce their songs locally.

Third Place winner, Pooran Seeraj, of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, said that this year’s competition was very challenging and commented that he has seen that the standard is rising when it comes to Chutney music in Guyana. Seeraj was the Chutney Monarch of Guyana in 2014 and second place winner in 2016. His song was entitled “GT Larki”, and is about his real-life experience in New Delhi India.

Putting out a very talented performance was fourth place winner, Arijit Singh, who gained 228 points in the competition. He outshone nine other contestants with his song entitled “Ring on the Lucknee”. Singh is a young devoted singer who started signing at his mandir. He is very versed in the art form and has ventured into chutney since he wants to make his listeners happy with his music. He won himself $200,000 Guyana dollars.

Other contestants included Hamesh Rhyna called ‘Entertainer V Star’ with his song – “My dreams”; Christopher Ramphal with his song – “Sundar Larki”; Sasnaayan Hitnarayan also called “Prince HTN” with his song – “Love and Unity”; Chandarpaul Nathoo with his song – “Mash 49”; Deonarine Balkissoon also called “Nishal B” with his song – “I Proud to be a Guyanese”, Goonwattie Harrynarine and also called “Amrita” with her song – “Dulaha Dulahin”.

The competition was judged based on rendition, intonation, musical arrangements, presentation, attire, showmanship, crowd appeal, melody (originality), and construction. The competition was judged by Ganesh Mahipaul, Uma Bux, Ravi D Mohan, Aubrey Adolphus, with the chief judge being Sean Bhola.

Convenor, Miss Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud, said in her view all the contestants were winners

and admired their efforts throughout the competition. She made mention especially on the point of creativity and initiative displayed by the contestants in the props and back up dancers. The Chutney show was emceed by Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud and comedian, Ravin Tiwari. The singers were backed by the Shakti Strings Band. The show was made possible through the Ministry of Presidency, Department of Culture and Sport, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the private sector as part of Mashramani activities.