Twelve finalists will compete at this year’s Pichakaree song contest to be held this Sunday (March 19) in Enterprise, Chaguanas, hosted by the Hindu Prachar Kendra temple as part of its Phagwa festival activities.
All Kendra Phagwa festival activities will take place at the Kendra Grounds, Raghunanan Road East, off the Southern Main Road, Enterprise.
Pichakaree songs are generally social commentary, and are sung using a mixture of Hindi, English and Bhojpuri words.
The musical form was devised by Ravi-Ji, spiritual leader of the Hindu Prachar Kendra, as an Indo-Trinidadian counterpoint to calypso, according to Wikipedia.
Pichakaree is an Indo-TT form of music named after the long syringe-like tubes used to spray abir dye during Phagwa celebrations.
The recent Pichakaree qualifying round was keenly contested by several youthful first-timers competing alongside the veterans.
This year’s theme is Home First, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the end of indentureship, but the lyrical content of Pichakaree songs can be wide-ranging, including the given theme, various social issues, and Phagwa joys and traditions.
According to the organisers, Pichakaree contestants will be judged in the following categories: (1) Pichakaree Championship; (2) Best Theme; (3) Best Social Commentary; (4) Best Festive; (5) Most imaginative use of Hindi; and (6) Costuming, props and stage presentations.
Geeta Ramsingh, president of the Hindu Prachar Kendra, spoke of her temple’s activities for Phagwa this year.
She said: “We always have two big events for the Phagwa weekend. This year’s Holika Dahan will be today (March 17) at 6.30 pm, and Pichakaree and Ranga Barase will be on Sunday at 2.30 pm.”
“For Holika Dahan night, the Phagwa Katha is retold annually in a dramatic presentation which ritually re-presents the original story, before Phagwa festivities begin.
“For the past decade, the Kendra Phagwa Festival has introduced a kshepak/interpolated episode which gives an opportunity for a conflation of time, space, histories, languages and narratives, bringing T&T footprints into the Phagwa story. However, there will be an abridged version of the Phagwa Leela this year to facilitate a Phagwa Musical entitled the Hori Experience, dedicated to the 100th anniversary.
“Different genres of Phagwa music will be presented. The feature artiste, Smt Purwa Joshi of Mumbai, will perform Hori and Chaiti, and she will be accompanied by Pt Rana Mohip and Shri Prashant Patasar.
“There will also be the traditional burning of the Holika effigy.”
Ramsingh shared that local ethno-music scholar and sitarist Dr Sharda Patasar will deliver an address on Hori—Words, Sounds and Songs.
Ramsingh explained the meaning of Phagwa (also called Holi) as “the coming of spring” in March or April.
Phagwa is a Hindu festival of colourful renewal when “all enmities are forgotten and all come together in unity to celebrate the rejuvenation of nature,” she said, adding that the colours of Phagwa traditionally symbolise the shades of happiness of the community as they find release with the coming of spring.
Music is an essential part of the spring festival. Ramsingh said:
“In Trinidad, the most commonly known music of Phagwa since 1845 is the chowtaal. However, in India, common song types of the season include the chaithi and hori. While chaithis in the Hindustani semi-classical tradition speak more about the mood of the season of chaith and the feelings of the beloved pining for her lover, the hori focuses on the romantic love between the God Krishna and Radha, and also glorifies Shri Rama.
“In some folk versions coming from Benares, one can also find references to Shiva and Parvati. Horis can also be secular in nature, with content similar to the chaithi.
”Both types of season songs can be found in the folk and classical traditions of Indian music. Many of the folk versions are sung in Uttar Pradesh, in villages surrounding Benares, Mirzapur and Allahabad and in the Bhojpur region of Bihar and therefore will not be altogether strange to the Trinidadian ear.
“In Trinidad, popular genres are hori, chaithi, jhoomar, dhamaar, ulaaraa, chowtaal and the home-grown genre, pichakaaree.”
Ramsingh said while the Pichakaree contest is the highlight of the Sunday’s festivities at the Hindu Prachar Kendra temple, other fun activities will include Bachon ka Khel (children’s games) and Maakhan Chor (the human pyramid team sport). In the spirit of safe, family-oriented Phagwa activities, no alcohol will be allowed at any Phagwa festival events hosted by the Hindu Prachar Kendra temple.
Ramsingh extends greetings and best wishes to all Phagwa participants for a safe, auspicious and inspirational festival.
Pichakaree finalists
1. Mukesh Babooram
2. Savitri Beharry
3. Akshaye Khandoo
4. Rikki Khandoo
5. Mohip Poonwassie
6. Pooja Ramoutar
7. Surendra Ramoutar
8. Nirmala Ramdass Singh
9. Toolsie Ramdass Singh
10. Kamaldai Ramkissoon
11. Shanta Ramnath
12. Reena Teelucksingh
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