Story # 7:
Strange but True! The Origins of “Chutney” from Canal No 2!
Certain rites must be performed by the “Dullaha-to-be,” (Bridegroom-to-be), and “Dullahin-to-be”, (Bride-to-be). If I am lucky to be on the “Dullahin-to-be” side, then that’s where this story mostly takes place. In one of my other stories I briefly wrote about this. This event had my attention and peaked my curiosity, “Curious George.” Hence my reputation to be later named “George” by my eldest sister Sharon Naraine formerly “Gowrie Chandra Raghunandan.”
In my ancient Boyhood days Canal No 2 used to be graced by the likes of Sohani Combo with my cousin Indira from Wales, De-Originals from Georgetown along with The Merrytones among numerous others. I have had reports of the Naya Fasana Band that formed and performed after I left Canal.. But
in my boyhood days there were certain talents such as the In addition to my cousin singing with Sohani Combo, my parents in music at the time, my elder brother (Paulo) playing Drupattie, Sundar Popo and Ramdeo Chaitoo songs on our Cassette Player not to mention Ishri Singh, Sunny Mohammed and Pradeep Kumar who in my opinion laid the foundation for our modern DJs to express their artistic interests.The Sookoo brothers (Bobs, Pranko and Son),
Maticor nights, singing all the Patriotic songs at Kawall Primary School,
vocalizing Bollywood songs at GTI, etc, that influenced my poetry and songs and
ultimately fueled my ambitions in the arts. Did I mention singing on my favortie Jamoon tree while the cows graze? So, now that we got through those
out of the way lets ease our way into the story.
Before we proceed any further, let me ask you a
question. How did this “Chutney” thing ever got started anyway? Test your knowledge?
If you have not learned the true origins of “Chutney?” It’s OK Mon! I was there,
so I can tell you from experience. In the early seventies, Maticor nights in
Guyana and probably Suriname and Trinidad, took on a whole new meaning. In
Canal No 2, the senior ladies of the village were well respected and cherished
for their experiences in life. Auntie Gangadai was like a ‘Mai,” Mother, “Nannie”
Maternal Grandmother and “Aji”, Paternal Grandmother. She will
captivate her audience.
Well! Did you figure out how I was able to observe and
benefit from this special event on Maticor night yet? One, I knew most Hindi,
so I understand the lyrics. Two, I was my mom’s privileged dolak carrier, so I
have exclusive backstage pass. Three, the senior ladies had the guts to defy
the religious establishment.
Strange but True! The Origins of “Chutney” from Canal No 2!
What? You may say, what has Canal No 2 has to do
with Chutney music? OK! Let me re-introduce myself to you. I am George Nandan.
My birth name is “Nankissure Raghunandan” AKA “Sunny.” The youngest of the ‘Raghunandan”
boys. I was born at Lot 23 South Section, Canal No 2 Polder. Currently Christ Ambassador Church under my brother Pastor Harry Raghunandan (Paulo) from Holloywood, Florida is the Senior Pastor. (This church does not represent the interests my family but is on its own). A Dutch designed
village in the county of Demerara. Located in the small English speaking
country of Guyana, North of Brazil and East of Venezuela. The Canal itself was dug by African Slaves.
"Creativity is the essence of life"
George Nandan
One of our young ones asked me for a true story,
from my boyhood days to write for her school assignment. It got me thinking! What
can I tell her so that it sounds bizarre but true? The origins of “Chutney”
from Canal No 2! Oh yes, Canal No 2 has it’s played a vital role in “Origins of
Chutney” too. You are not going to “Read all about it or hear/watch all about
it” from the media. What in the world! How can this be? What are you saying George?
Yes and yes and a more resounding yes. So now that I got your attention, let me
go back in time to prove my point.
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| Me in 1983 when I left Canal No. 2
|
This true story is and was before the days of “Christ
Ambassadors Church,” before Morocco’s Variety Store,” most weddings and
probably still now, were that of the traditional Hindu faith. As I recall
invited or not, the whole village was in a joyous mood. The neighbors were
simple and very resourceful sharing everything they possibly can. When the suitors
doing the “Agya-wok” boy and girl decided that they “liked each other” is settled. This
sets off certain chain of events, that only a Hindu wedding can feature in a typical
Guyanese village atmosphere. Next came the influence of the “Pandit” that according
to the Hindu calendar will guide the parents to an appropriate wedding date. As
the wedding date approaches, arrangements are made to start gathering all the
necessary ingredients and/or materials. Such festive occasion calls for
everyone around to be assigned different duties to perform.
As a little Canal Dude, I remember going on many such adventures with the elder Dudes to locate and find “Bamboo that is used exclusively for making the “Maro,” especially for the ceremonial big and tall one is raised as a token of the marriage union for all to witness. These also included the “Puri” leaf. I probably still got the marks on my skin from the scratches from my puri-leaf adventures. Bear in mind that I have not visited Canal No 2 since 1990 and do not know if such traditional practices have endured to this day or some version of it.
The best part/s of such an auspicious occasion depends on the individual. I was asked for mine so I will tell you my favorite part. But if you paid any attention to my amateur style of poetry, songs and writing, you would know that I will have to pre-condition you and explain before I transition you. You may say ah! What’s the point in all this? But read on! My friend read on! It’s the “Maticor” singing session.
As a little Canal Dude, I remember going on many such adventures with the elder Dudes to locate and find “Bamboo that is used exclusively for making the “Maro,” especially for the ceremonial big and tall one is raised as a token of the marriage union for all to witness. These also included the “Puri” leaf. I probably still got the marks on my skin from the scratches from my puri-leaf adventures. Bear in mind that I have not visited Canal No 2 since 1990 and do not know if such traditional practices have endured to this day or some version of it.
The best part/s of such an auspicious occasion depends on the individual. I was asked for mine so I will tell you my favorite part. But if you paid any attention to my amateur style of poetry, songs and writing, you would know that I will have to pre-condition you and explain before I transition you. You may say ah! What’s the point in all this? But read on! My friend read on! It’s the “Maticor” singing session.
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| Me...Artist of the Year for "Original Works" in 2000 |
Certain rites must be performed by the “Dullaha-to-be,” (Bridegroom-to-be), and “Dullahin-to-be”, (Bride-to-be). If I am lucky to be on the “Dullahin-to-be” side, then that’s where this story mostly takes place. In one of my other stories I briefly wrote about this. This event had my attention and peaked my curiosity, “Curious George.” Hence my reputation to be later named “George” by my eldest sister Sharon Naraine formerly “Gowrie Chandra Raghunandan.”
My father was one of the top “Ramayan Dolak”
players at the time in Canal No 2. My mother took no back seat and developed
into one of the best “Maticor Dolak,” players also. Dad taught mom “Hindi,”
which brings me to the point, when they would disagree and argue, they would do it in
Hindi to this day. I was the only one that knows some Hindi so they would stop and wait for
me to leave before they resume. Of course I would hide close by and listen in.
I was curious Mon! Here in America they call it 'being nosey."
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| Receiving Original Artist of the Year Award from the Big Man himself back in the day! |
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| Me in 2004. The year I retired from singing. |
How many of you remember “Auntie Gangadai”? Heads
and David’s mother? Some of you that were around would if not find out who she
was. She is part of our “Canal No 2 Artistic History.” If Canal No 2 had an Artistic Hall
of Fame, she would be the first inductee. Now Auntie Gangadai was the unofficial “Real Maticor Chutney Queen”
of Canal No 2. Not Queen Yasmin. The Canal Gyal song was sung by many Aunties since the fifties and sixties outside of Canal No 2 whenever a Dullahin got married and taken outside of Canal. It was a song intended in the begining to mock and tease the Canal Dullahin that she does not know anything else but "Chunkay Plaintain". At the time Canal was known as a farming community with "Paggase) fertile soil.
How do I know? Well ask the senior folks from in and out of Canal. I was curious wasn't I? Remember I was a “Sybala” and pretty good looking one at that, so the elder girls and senior ladies don’t mind having me around accompanying my mom as the dolak carrier. I even accompanied my dad and learned to play both styles of dolak, Maticor and Ramayan to this day. See my other stories on those. Getting back to Auntie Gangadai and my mom. My mom was her Dolak player of choice.Auntie Gangadai was my favorite singer. She was unstoppable at the time. When it comes to singing my mom was no slacker. She would help the other senior ladies back up Auntie Gangadai, while playing the dolak and singing too.
How do I know? Well ask the senior folks from in and out of Canal. I was curious wasn't I? Remember I was a “Sybala” and pretty good looking one at that, so the elder girls and senior ladies don’t mind having me around accompanying my mom as the dolak carrier. I even accompanied my dad and learned to play both styles of dolak, Maticor and Ramayan to this day. See my other stories on those. Getting back to Auntie Gangadai and my mom. My mom was her Dolak player of choice.Auntie Gangadai was my favorite singer. She was unstoppable at the time. When it comes to singing my mom was no slacker. She would help the other senior ladies back up Auntie Gangadai, while playing the dolak and singing too.
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| Me and Avi-Supertones Band 1999 |
Now these groups of senior ladies was the early
unsung and unnoticed “Pioneers of Chutney.” Now OK! George or Sunny or whatever
you choose to call me, you may say, that’s your opinion? Of course I have one too but read on!
What were they singing? That is the question? Isn’t it?
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| Avi and me 2013. After recording 'Girl from GT" song. |
I admired those Seniors Aunties and how they
defied the odds. They came up with ‘Romantic and Erotic lyrics in Hindi” and made
unofficial songs about the anticipated sexual experiences between the (Dullahin (Bride) and
her Dullaha (new Husband).” Case on point, can anyone remember the singers “Drupattie” and
“Ramdeo Chaitoo?” They were among the first recorded artists among others of
early chutney, along religious aspects. How about “Sundar Popo?” Well they are
credited for starting modern day chutney.
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| Yep! Me in 2014 |
Well! I would beg to differ! It was these brave and
unconventional Senior Aunties such as Auntie Gangadai from Canal No 2 and her
counter parts all over Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad that really defied the
odds and did anger the religious status-quo. Yes once again, I was there so I
know. At the time of this writing my mom is still alive and can confirm my silly claims.
Which brings me to this point? Do you think Chutney
Singers these days are as creative and bold as those precious Aunties of that
bygone era were? What would you write? If you have to do a school paper? How would
the Senior Aunties feel that the unintended “Music Genre” they solely created, is
being watered down ? Out of respect for their efforts and a tribute to their
memory, I chose to remain an original, true to the romantic and erotic nature
of the lyrics they intended.
I recorded over 18 original songs and counting with Avinash Singh Leader of the former Band I was a member back in the day. My latest song "Girl from GT" remains unmatched for melody and lyrics and has earned the respect to be made into a movie. Yes filming will also be done in Canal No.2 as well.
Any song can be arranged in any music form. Now that you know the true origins of “Chutney.” You can do your part of spreading the word so that no one can, especially from India can mock us that we do not use our brains to create our own music. These Aunties paved the way by standing up to their “Domineering husbands” and the “Religious Status-Quo” of their day. I did my part that also went unnoticed just like their efforts. Remember “All that glitters is not gold.” This is just a Dude’s opinion that remains true. An Original Talent
Any song can be arranged in any music form. Now that you know the true origins of “Chutney.” You can do your part of spreading the word so that no one can, especially from India can mock us that we do not use our brains to create our own music. These Aunties paved the way by standing up to their “Domineering husbands” and the “Religious Status-Quo” of their day. I did my part that also went unnoticed just like their efforts. Remember “All that glitters is not gold.” This is just a Dude’s opinion that remains true. An Original Talent
Many thanks for your kind words and support. Please take the time to learn our Heritage and pass it on to our Young Ones. If not they will seek other avenues to fill that void...My personal observations of course.......I am around them a lot these days in college so I get a first hand view of their missing cultural identity!
