Dear Editor,
Popular Trinidadian Chutney singer Anil Bheem died last Saturday, and his remains were cremated in Caroni, Central Trinidad. Bheem is enormously popular among Guyanese. He performed several times in Guyana and in New York, at concerts and clubs patronised by thousands of Guyanese. He performed in front of Guyanese politicians in Guyana and Trinidad.
I attended several of his concerts in Trinidad; he was a great entertainer. Guyanese promoters of chutney concerts and events in New York and Guyana mourn the loss. Everyone who knows the singer mourned his death, which took everyone by shock. They grieved, and many cried.
Indo-Guyanese have been in mourning ever since his death. Their hearts have been full of sorrow. In New York, almost everyone expressed sadness over his passing. He held a special place in their hearts for his wonderful singing. Since Saturday, fans have been taking to social media and mainstream papers to express grief and sadness over the death of the popular singer. They expressed how sad they have been over his death. Can’t believe he has left earth. How can one forget such an entertainer?
Wake was not only held at the singer’s home in Curepe, but also in New York and Florida.
He died at his home in Curepe in the wee hours of last Saturday. Thousands gathered at NCIC (Diwali Nagar) compound in Chaguanas, Central Trinidad, on Thursday morning to mourn, celebrate, and bid farewell to the iconic local singer known as “The Vocalist”. Thousands more in the diaspora tuned in to Facebook and Youtube to watch the tribute and eulogy that was beamed live. Fans from as far away as India and North America watched the proceedings. Many Guyanese turned to social media to watch the proceedings in the morning. Visiting some friends and families in the evening, they were still watching reruns of the tribute and the ritual proceedings on the bank of the Caroni River.
Great tributes were paid by colleagues, family members, a neighbour, friends, the Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar; his boss at 103FM, where he was a host and disc jockey for a programme; and many more. His was one of the largest funerals in recent times in Trinidad, and more particularly that of a departed artiste. The tributes went an hour longer than planned. The cremation had to be delayed to accommodate the huge throng of mourners.
Artiste after artiste, and pandits paid glowing tributes. Bhajans, Anil’s favourite hits, and Bollywood songs were belted out by a music band. Dubbed the national anthem in Trinidad, “Suhaani Raat” was sung in a group rendition by several artistes, who had earlier paid tribute to him. It was one of Bheem’s favourite hits, and he had also sung it in a recording that had over two million hits.
Anil Bheem was a very popular and likable musician and singer of varied genres (focused mostly on Indian entertainment). His voice transcended borders. As an artiste, he has left an indelible mark on Trini, Guyanese, and Caribbean Indian culture in the field of entertainment. So many listened to his singing for over three decades. He had ruled the Indian entertainment industry almost like a king over the last couple of decades. He entertained large crowds at chutney shows, concerts, clubs, and receptions not only in Trinidad, but wherever there were Indo-Caribbean people – New York, Florida, Toronto, etc. His voice and music have connected Indians in the Caribbean diaspora. Anyone who listens to, or follows, chutney and/or soca knows the name Anil Bheem. He has had several recordings that are enjoyed regionwide and in the diaspora.
His boss, the CEO of FM 103TT, at the tribute at NCIC on Thursday, said last Saturday the station featured 10 hours of uninterrupted Anil Bheem songs, which included some that have not been released as yet. All of the artistes who performed at the funeral tribute expressed what an honour it was to be part of the grand tribute of Anil-ji.
Besides being an outstanding entertainer, he was a humanitarian and kind person. He was a soft-spoken, simple person. He carried himself with grace and humility. He treated people with respect.
God took away his life to entertain souls in heaven. May the Lord give solace, strength, and comfort to his grief-stricken family: parents Preematie and Krishna Bheem; wife Cheryl, and children and the extended family, on the loss of a great artiste. Preematie herself has been an outstanding singer at Indian cultural events.
Anil Bheem will be sorely missed.
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram