Story # 3: Moved to Tears at the Matya in Canal #2, Guyana!
When I was six years old, my father taught me my fist Hindi devotional song. Sometimes I wish my parents would have pictures of me around
that time. I heard many stories that I was a head turner, and could vividly
remember specific events as if it was yesterday. This is just one of many I
will share with you.
“Life can get in the way of your dreams, just find ways to make them happen anyway!”
George Nandan
Somehow he had this grand idea that I would be singing at the Hindu Mandir (Hindu House of Worship) in no time. That is great and everything but he forgot to tell me that I would be singing one morning, so I was totally unprepared. When the head of the Ramayan Group announced that I (Patrick son “Sunny” will sing for you (Ram racko Prabhu tuhee mere nath). I was shocked at first but quickly got over it. The attendees were mostly conservative Hindus from the bottom half of the village. I had an admiration for those type of worshipers. No one had any agenda of impressing their neighbors at that time. It came from their heart.
Now I remember I had a few classmates in attendance, so I
thought I could get it over with and gain the admiration of the girls so what do I
have to lose? So time came for me to start. Another member was on the dolak, if
you have asked me, I would have rather my Dad to be playing the dolak because he
knows my style, after all he was the one who taught me the song. There was also a regular Kirtan Group but I
belong to my Dad’s Ramayan Group. So
here we go Ram rackho Prabhu tuhee mere nath….Awo aba mujhe keeja sath….So I thought
good chorus done but the Dude said again….then again…then again…then again...I was thinking what’s
wrong with this uncle? He's gone crazy…I wanted to move on so bad to the first
verse but I was stuck with this Dude on the chorus…
So in my own little world I could not believe what was
happening. I could not get past the chorus with him. Dad could not get
involved and the Kirtan uncle on the harmonium is saying nothing. So in protest my
brains did something I could not believe to this day. I stopped singing and begin to cry…more so in
protest that they did not let my dad handle the situation. I could not get
past the first two lines of the song. I
could hear the aunties started sighing awwwww. That day I got a few extra
pinches on my cheeks, and if you look closely they may still be there.
Unfortunately at the age of six that’s when I started at Kawall School in Prep A. My celebrity status
came to a screeching halt, when one of the boys that were in attendance at the Mandir
took it upon himself to spread the word that I was a crybaby. Anyway, he meant well and I lost conatct with him these days. I can only immagine the fun we will have laughing about it.
To make a long story short even at that young age of six, I
never stopped singing and although life can get in the way. I am always the
simple and silly “Canal Bai.”
Thank you for your support!
To be con't.....
