GUYANESE singing sensation Vanita Willie may not have won the ‘Queen of Chutney Soca Monarch’ title at last week’s competition in Trinidad, but just being able to step on stage in the presence of many seasoned male artistes made her feel proud and empowered.
Vanita, who joined the music industry in 2013 with her song ‘Guyana Chutney’, does her music on the side as she juggles the other major responsibilities of a wife and mother, and even works fulltime at the Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services Limited in Ogle.
When she first entered the industry, Vanita took part in the Guyana Chutney Monarch and copped the best newcomer award after which she started freelancing for a local music band.

Speaking in the context of last week’s competition, she said: “I have always been a humble person accepting what comes my way, and I believe in myself. I gained more courage than I had before and I feel more women power. I feel I made a difference in women’s lives. To know that a woman can go on stage with all those guys made me feel powerful, in a good way.”
Willie further said, “You cannot have everything that you want so I take it as a learning experience.” This was her first time participating in the Trinidad competition, along with fellow Guyanese musicians Vicadi Singh, Tony Cuttz, and Prince JP.
She did however gain the first runner-up to the ‘CSM Queen’ title. It was the first time in the competition’s history that this title was given to the female contestant with the highest score. Willie, who is continuing to work on her new song for the Guyana Chutney Monarch, offered that since there is a judging criterion for this competition, she feels that the results were fair.

CSM prides itself in being the most important and largest Indo Caribbean event, presenting a unique and exciting celebration of the fine arts of Chutney Soca music, a gathering of music enthusiasts and industry professionals.
Through the staging of this event, pathways have been created for the development of culture and opportunities for artistes to expose their talent internationally, for the likes of audiences all over Europe, USA and Canada.
“It remains one of the most colourful productions on the annual Carnival Calendar in Trinidad and Tobago and ranks itself amongst the four prestigious events, the International Soca Monarch, the Dimanche Gras and the Panorama Finals,” CSM has said.
“Chutney Soca Monarch has become an integral part of the culture and an important tool in the promotion of our Trinidad and Tobago and it will continue to hold its place for many years to come,” it added.
Meanwhile, Vicadi Singh came in fifth and Tony Cuttz tied with Adesh Samaroo of Trinidad in seventh place.