Story # 1: Humble Beginnings from my Native Village Canal No.2 Polder,Guyana!
Revised # 3- 06/10/14

"Please be advised that these posts are just reflections of my past, present and future aspirations of "My Artistic Journey," and may not accurately present the events in order that they occurred. Updates will be made periodically.Thank you for  supporting local talent"

George Nandan

 

Hi welcome to my Blog. My name is George Nandan. I was originally born in the Dutch designed village of Canal No 2 Polder, West Bank Demerara in Guyana. It is a small country, north end of Brazil bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the North East, Suriname to the North East and of course Venezuela to the West.

 The language on most streets is a "Patwa/broken" form of English (Hinglish) mixture of English/Hindi, but read and write the Queen's English. I live in Florida and want to share my artistic journey with you.

I am by no way shape or form I am a Guyanese born legend. There are many who are mostly unheard of. I had to the pleasure of meeting and performing with quite a few. Perhaps I am still researching if I am the only one from Canal # 2 with over eighteen original poems that I add melodies to; and had music added to make into songs. there are a few singers from Canal # 2 who does vocalizing of Bollywood Film songs that I know.

However, there you may never heard of me or many other singers from Guyana. Permit me to offer this explanation. From 1999 to 2004, I recorded over eighteen originals songs by the then teenager, Avinash Singh (Avi). He is a Superstar in the Chutney Shows these days. But it took him years of trial and error. I know I was with him in those days of struggle. My songs were primarily featured mainly on the "Local Talent Show" with Bhawanie Singh and the "Farouk Juman Radio Program." Both on WPAT AM Stereo 930 NY/NJ/CT. I also helped with the engineering of the Local Talent Show. These two gentlemen , in my opinion are some of the unsung heroes of local talent in New York to this day.

 Long story short, 
"True love comes by giving it first. The rewards are awesome!"
George Nandan

George Nandan 2013

 

Back to my explanation, we did not had any social media. As a former member of the now popular Supertones Band with Avi, we had Flyers and word of mouth. Now Social Media has taken over. In my childhood days, I grew tired of vocalizing Bollywood tunes. I also represented Canal # 2 while attending GTI from 1979/80 to 1983, in all the cultural shows. Funny thing is they could get my birth name  "Nankissure Raghunandan" right so they would just call me "Canal Bai".

Back then there were no FACEBOOK, TWITTER, GOOGLE+, ORKUT, TUMBLR, BLOGGER, MYSPACE, REDDIT, LINKED IN, PINTEREST and of course YOUTUBE plus others.....

I am encouraged to see vocalists, singers and other Indo Caribbean artists using social media to further their exposure of their gifts. There are many avenues and choices for artists to develop. Some may choose to just do vocals on Bollywood songs, some other artists works, others still a mixture of anything goes. One word of caution. Many Indo Caribbean artists that I observe are not rich, if an artist should use another works and get paid its downright wrong. Permission should be obtained from and a some sort of revenue sharing, no matter how small should be arrange and executed. I know it may seem innocent but I had works stolen from me without compensation and it does not reflect professionalism on their part. I will not tolerate any piracy this time around and I monitor my works closely.  I hope Folks get it, it costs time, and money to develop a concept, have music made, record the vocals, copyright, etc. Besides I was told I am not so chutney hence my channel on YouTube.

And now having gotten that out of the way. As a child growing up there were cultural Hindu form of music that I got accustomed to. My dad was also a "Ramayan" singer and 'Dolak/drums" player and singer. This form a of melodious poems in rhythmic musical  accolades in the worship of Lord Rama in Hinduism. Growing up in this environment, I took full advantage of the situation and learn the skills of both my parents. Bollywood Hindi songs played a significant role in my boyhood and teenage years. I have represented my village while attending technical school in Georgetown (GTI) singing Bollywood songs.

Later on as a teenager we somehow became Christians and this brought new opportunities in music.Needless to say I became more familiar with all form of Christian contemporary, Islamic and Bollywood forms of music.

Growing up in Guyana has many advantages in the arts. I got lots of  practice in soca, reggae, steel drum, along with the other genres of music of the rest of the world, especially Techno.

Chutney form of music is the norm for most Indian artists of the Caribbean. Folks who are familiar with me knows I am creative so of course I can do Chutney but will mix in different styles. I was among the first Chutney artists to venture into Techno and other variations in the nineties and 2000's. I took the time to express myself in words of poetry. I still wonder why I wrote most so expressly romantic and downright erotic. I remember the senior ladies of Richmond Hill returning my cassette tapes and cds back to the stores and complaining about one song in particular. That song is "SomeGyal Something Sweeter Than SomeGyal Something". I cannot blame them because I wrote about a girl's personality which the sweeter it is the more a Dude is attracted to her from the inside out instead of the outside in as in the case of physical beauty. Take it from me ladies, if you want to be a keeper be your Dude's best friend and lover.

"Love is patient. Love is never blind, No matter what, Love is true and Love is kind".

George Nandan

All my stories will be updated from time to time...each time I will post on Facebook, so please keep checking..........They will all continue to evolve until its officially published in electronic book form. MY ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO BECOME A HOLLYWOOD SCREENWRITER. I am already in college working on the Professional skills and along with my socioeconomic status of both a Bachelors Degree in Nursing and in Performing Arts simultaneously.

To be con't..... Please share and/or subscribe....Thank you....

The contents of this Blog and all future Blog are the sole intellectual property of owner George Nandan. All Rights reserved according to applicable copyright laws.Library of Congress, USA.