Guyana Day 2008 Presentation Luncheon

Some of the happy artistes with their proclamations in hand with the committee members at back

On Saturday, June 21 at the Flavor of India restaurant in Floral Park, Queens, NY, the Guyana Day Committee headed by Harry Bissoon thanked the artistes, sponsors and the media for contributing to one of the most satisfying and successful presentations of Guyanese folk/art.

Mr. Bissoon, a recent honoree at City Hall, reminded the audience of around 50, mostly participants at the 8th annual Guyana Day Event to mark Guyana’s 42nd Independence anniversary held at York College, Jamaica on May 18th, of the need for harmony among the different peoples of Guyana. Flanked by Committee members - Chuck Mohan, Mel Carpen, Harald Surajnarine, Loncey Conyers, Aftab Karimullah, and Jeany Persaud in the audience – the artistes were presented with citations from the New York City Council. Councilman Kendall Stewart, in the aptly named Caribbean Month, embraced the vitality of Guyanese culture in New York and commended the artistes presented with awards.

While the overseas trio of Pauline Thomas (Aunty Comesee), Geofrey Phillips (the Mighty Rebel), and Rajesh Dubraj (Chutney Monarch) were cited in absentia, the performers Yashokamini Seunarine (who opened some eyes with her tabla virtuoso performance); Rick Ramdehal and Rudy Ramnarine (who along with Yogesh) were strong with their taan singing; Rose October with her nostalgic folk dance; Almira Brasse whose voice is now synonymous with the national anthems of Guyana and the USA at these events; and the ever popular Balladeer Sammy Baksh, among others, picked up their awards in person. Representatives accepted the Citations on behalf of the Verna Walcott’s Impressions Dance Theater, Sandra Primus New Revelations Dance Theater, Nritya Kala Kendra International Dance Academy, Natraj Cultural Center and the Maha Kali Devi group. The drummers too were singled out, with Akoya Rudder a staple of these events and the Tassa Explosion group receiving citations. Ashley Walters, Davina Singh and Sabrina Rhagunandan were individual young female dancers who demonstrated the well of good talent that needs to be recognized and appreciated.

Businessman Vibert "Cookie" Bernard of Sybil’s Bakery and Restaurant and Veggie Castle in Queens and Brooklyn came in for special mention as a tower of strength in being associated with the fledgling Performing Arts fraternity in the Diaspora. Other mentions went to Fernando Lopez of Vigo Money Transfer, Ramdeo Mahadeo of Cabinet and Countertop designs, Shanie Persaud of Crowne Plaza Hotel, Naida Singh of RNS Home Providers and Management and others who in one way or another helped defray expenses incurred in hosting this annual signature event in the spring. The local print media, radio and television programs were thanked for promoting the Guyana Day 2008 Event.

Along with the sumptuous lunch Sammy Baksh was one of those rare artistes performing who you never get tired of. His hit song "To be Lonely" remains a timeless tribute to this singer’s grip on Guyanese here and elsewhere. With a montage of some of the performances of May 18 as a backdrop, Guyanese in attendance enjoyed one of those gratifying moments at a time when the homeland continues to be racked with killings that are all too sickening to our remembrances. The Luncheon was a reminder of the goodwill and harmony the Guyanese citizenry is blessed with.

—Aftab Karimullah