Avinash Roopchand to spearhead registration of Guyanese contestants

As the Caribbean region prepares for the 27th annual Chutney Soca Monarch Competition, various “international representatives” have been appointed to spearhead sign-up efforts across various territories.

Local keyboard maestro, Avinash Roopchand of the Shakti Strings Band has been selected to ensure the smooth registration of the Guyanese artistes who wish to compete this time around.

Organisers say that the competition will once again be hosted between January and February 2022, during the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Last year, after an almost 10-year hiatus, Roopchand was instrumental in convincing several local artistes to enter the competition, and to his satisfaction, Vanita Willie, Tony Cuttz, Vicadi Singh, and overseas-based Guyanese, Joel ‘Prince JP’ Pharous all obliged and managed to racked up brilliant reviews.

The ‘Poowah’ song by Willie; ‘Johnny Walker’ by Tony Cuttz; and ‘Never Gonna Leave’ by Singh were all produced by the exceptionally versatile Shakti Strings Band, and the young Roopchand himself.

The competition saw the Guyanese contingent being among the last to perform at the Southex-sponsored virtual activity, but once they were finally on stage, their colourful and pulsating performances created quite a stir in the comments section of the LIVE feeds on social media. However, none of the Guyanese who participated won the competition as many had hoped.

In the Queen aspect of the competition, Vanita ‘Poowah’ Willie “swing she waist” to the first runner up position, while Vicadi Singh dished out a serving of his ‘silky smooth’ vocals to be awarded fifth position; Tony Cuttz also mesmerised and energised the virtual audiences and was tied in seventh place with Trinidad’s Adesh Samaroo.

Many were also hopeful that overseas-based Guyanese, Joel ‘Prince JP’ Pharous would have placed, having executed a wonderful performance of his latest song, “It’s Over”, but this did not happen.

Following the competition, the artistes all took to their Facebook Pages to express gratitude to their producers, sponsors, and WR Reaz, last year’s Coordinator of the Guyana leg of the competition.

Reaz told the Buzz that Guyana was well-represented on the big stage, and that the artistes have all made their sponsors and Team 592 quite proud. He reminded too that competition often attract high emotions, particularly as it relates to those who may disagree with the results. “I understand people may share different opinions but, in the end, [we have to] let the music do the talking,” Reaz said.

The 2021 competition was seen as a major stepping stone to propel the genre of Chutney/Soca music in Guyana, and this year, many are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Guyanese contestants. As usual, we wish them the best of luck!

Those who wish to make contact with Avinash Roopchan can do so on telephone number – +5926488247, or via email – avinash.roopchan@yahoo.com or shaktistringsmanagement@gmail.com.