Story # 5: Uncle Deokinanan vocalizing and drum rythms.

I was about seven years old when I first start noticing the individual characteristics of my Dad’s friends. Back in those days, most breadwinners of Canal # 2 earned their income from working in the fields of Wales’s sugar factory and plantation. Dad was a Sugar Cane Harvester (Cane-Cutter) until he suffered a spine injury. His position was reduced to that of a Shovel man.

"The best gift you receive is the one you give. Share your talent today, it may ignite inspiration in others."

George Nandan

Dad’s lifestyle is anything but normal. For someone who never went to school he had many unconventional ideas and wisdom concerning anything agricultural. He was a smoker and a drinker among what was considered normal at the time. One of his friends stood out to me. His name was Deokinanan. Uncle Deokinanan and my parents were linked by commonalities as both our families came from a former village of Jagoo Backdam. A village locate somewhere in West Coast Demerara.

Uncle Deokinanan has a wonderful family and one of his daughters was in my class at Kawall Primary School. I remembered her as Ramdai. She was an avid supporter of my talents. Her dad had one unique characteristic that sets himself apart from my dad’s friends. His love of Bollywood songs.

I remember one particular evening when he came over to our house. I was nine yrs old at the time. He had a few drinks and was in a very good mood. Dad was not home but we invited him to stay until dad came home. I believe he needed dad’s advice on sugar cane farming or something along those lines.

Back then we were privileged to have an electric radio as we had a brother (Paulo that went to study in Montreal, Canada). I am talking early to mid seventies. Very few families in Canal # 2 had relatives overseas. Everyone in the village was proud and supportive whenever someone would immigrate overseas.   So back to my story. Uncle Deokinanan also love to tell stories.

This night was a Monday night and the Old is Gold program of Bollywood programs was on. He sang along with all the songs on the program plus something more unique that inspired me. After the program was finished, as customary we would offer him as our guest food. He was fond of little kids anyway so he felt comfortable with us gathering around him enjoying his entertaining skills.

Uncle Deokinanan was very good at playing various drum rhythms on our table. This was the beginning of my desire to do the same along with the inspiration of the Sukhoo family. But that’s another story for another day.  By the time dad came home we all had fun with Uncle Deokinanan but then it was time for bed and a long day of chores and school ahead the next day.

To make a long story short…to this day I can match almost any Bollywood song not only vocalizing them but also playing rhythmic drum sounds on any surface……. It’s the little things that inspire and impress a young mind to reach for the stars…who knows there is still hope in me yet… Take the time to encourage a little and/or grown up little artistic mind to develop what has been planted in them.

Many, many more true stories and stops of my artistic journey are yet to come. Remember I am not a professional writer at least not yet. I will write as my time and memories allow… To be con’t…..Thanks for reading. Please feel free to share my blog...........