The versatile due, Nishard Mayrhoo, popularly known as “Nishard M” and Neval Chatelal were on Saturday evening crowned International Chutney/Soca Monarch (CSM) when the competition was held at Skinner Park, San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago.
The debutante turned up the heat enough to outshine several other contenders for 
the coveted crown. Coming in second was Omadath Maharaj and copping the third position spot was Nermal Massive Gosein.
Mayrhoo and Chatelal delivered a hyped performance of their song, “Masala” which began with a fusion of chutney and calypso and eventually exploded into a combination of soca brass, chutney drums and crafty lyrics.
Both artistes said their determination paid off since they would have placed in the competition before but never copped the title. The duo will share the $300,000 which was a drastic drop in prize money when compared to previous years.
Earlier in January, CSM was cancelled after the National Lotteries Control Board withdrew sponsorship. Within a few hours after the announcement of the cancellation, trinidad’s Finance Minister Colm Imbert intervened and committed TT$1 million to the show.
