Address the paucity of Indian-oriented programmes on NCN radio stations

Dear Editor,
Ravi Dev’s article, “Indian Guyanese boycotted CARIFESTA 1 after Burnham’s contemptuous dismissal of their leaders’ recommendations,” is a most timely essay. It is informative, detailed, instructive and facts can be corroborated. Ravi noted that “This boycott was successful even though in the end, Dr Jagan caved in…” and that “… most performances were filmed, his (Gora Singh’s) was not and Indians overall were peripheralised. My regret then was even though Trinidad’s Sundar Popo had come out with his genre-originating chutney song, “Nana and Nanie” in 1969, it was blanked. Unlike what he had done for “Pan” and “Tamboo Bamboo” Eric Williams and the PNC studiously ignored subaltern Indian cultural creations. From the discussions and planning sessions in Guyana, Taan, Biraha, Quaseedas and Qawalis singing, for instance, were not seen as “cultural”. Gora and troupe were encouraged to perform “fusion” forms. So, why do I invoke this excerpt from Mr Dev?
First, it is that nothing has really changed in terms of the Indian cultural norms within the musical landscape where Guyana is concerned. They are still being suppressed, at least within the Government media, and I speak to radio, specifically the three National Communications Network Incorporated channels, The Voice of Guyana, 98.1 Hot FM and 100.1 Vybz. I mean, in Guyana, these three channels have an abundance of time when no one mans the control. It is simply thoughtless and random music almost non-stop for hours, and never does the music reflect parity in terms of the population. It is a preponderance of rap, dancehall (with screaming deejays), and what is now deemed ‘culture’ music. This must change to reflect a ‘One Guyana’ reality. There is the urgent need to play, even if in a non-organised manner, far more Indian-related songs, that is film music and chutney. And even on this issue, I have some grievances.
For one, the presenters (when live), submerge the purity of the selections by utilising the remix/rap versions of them. Add to this, they seek to copy the fake Jamaican speaking style deejays who have succeeded in reducing radio from an elevated and professional art from into a virtual dancehall, characterised by the shouting of nonsensical phrases. It is time that this ‘mad house’ scenario change, and quickly too.
Then another thing is that when there happen to be Indian or chutney programmes, it is basically the sending of greetings. They lack format and content. The hosts come over as ‘school boys ‘funning’ themselves.’ The exception to this ‘lazy and unprofessional’ attitude and output is on “Sunday Melodies,” at least when Neaz Subhan, CEO, is the presenter, which is normally the case. Neaz situates his programme within a past time frame, and evokes rich memories of an era when cinema and Indian movies encircle the Indian populace. He is also very ‘teasing’ when he gives insight into the movies, the stars, songs and artistes. This is how ‘song’ programmes should be done. They must reflect some kind of preparation and an educational content.
In rounding off this missive, and since we know that “Nana and Nanie” in 1969, was blanked and that Eric Williams and the PNC studiously ignored subaltern Indian cultural creations, then the redress must start. The time is long gone for proper programmes, catering to the sensibilities of Indo Guyanese to be aired on the Government radio stations. It makes little sense to complain of this ‘gap’ later, when the ‘powers that be’ can fix it.

Yours truly,
Prescott Mann