Ivan Kalicharan’s 2015 presentation, Bazodee, copped the large Band of the Year title in San Fernando.
And the focus on one of their celebrity masqueraders, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, wining with a young woman, has proved to be strong marketing tool for next year’s competition.
This is the ninth consecutive win for the family band Kalicharan Carnival of Harris Street and 22nd title overall in the large band category.
San Fernando Mayor Kazim Hosein announced Kalicharan’s victory at a news conference called at City Hall to reveal the big winners yesterday.
Second place was awarded to Wayne Hanooman’s My Trinidad from Fireworks promotion, while Lionel Jagessar and Associates placed third with its presentation of Along the Mohawak.
The news conference almost ended in an uproar as members of council, representatives from the carnival committee and other band leaders reacted in loud tones as the media asked questions about Rowley’s wining in the San Fernando band.
The Mayor came with a prepared text which he read, but pressed further by a television cameraman about the appropriateness of his political leader, in spite of the festive season, “to behave in such a way.” Deputy mayor Junia Regrello interjected, “In what way, in what way.”
This opened the floodgates for the audience who created quite an uproar as they turned attention on the media in loud, inaudible tones as they all tried to talk together.
Councilor Laverne Smith who was among the audience responded, “yes, on Carnival day,” while committee member Ann Marie Sealey in defence of Rowley stated, “everybody is entitled to take a wine it is a normal practice that people wine on people in a band.”
The Mayor had to intervene to bring calm.
Hosein who noted the decline of traditional mas on the two Carnival days but the increase in J’Ouvert and night mas, said over the years he has continuously encouraged citizens and visitors to play mas in San Fernando and experience the southern hospitality.
He said he and members of his council had invited Rowley who accepted the offer. He thanked Rowley for choosing to participate in San Fernando Carnival.
Regrello said the comments on social media were mischievous and unwarranted especially at this time of the year, as the country prepares for a general election in which Rowley is the main contender for prime minister.
Regrello said he saw nothing inappropriate about Rowley dancing with Ravina Rampersad, who is said to be 17 years old, in the band on Carnival Tuesday.
Good marketing tool
Aaron Kalicharan, son of the husband and wife team Ivan and Wendy Kalicharan, said in the Port-of-Spain bands on Carnival days it was not unusual to see celebrities, members of parliament, miss universe delegates or athletes playing and questioned why the focus on a south band on this occasion.
He said Rowley’s presence in his family’s band has uplifted mas in San Fernando. His mother, Wendy, agreed, saying the photograph of Rowley and Rampersad dancing together has garnered interest from many masqueraders outside of San Fernando who have made verbal commitments to play with her band next year.