Some food for thought by Anslem Douglas on preserving the Calypso legacy.

I have been observing a phenomenon occurring for some time now in this beautiful land
called Trinidad and Tobago. This land is dubbed, the “land of steelpan, calypso and
limbo”. I am hoping that as I share my personal view on this particular subject I don’t
come across as one who is attempting to cast blame or one who is “finger-pointing.”

We all know the saying, “when you point a finger there are three more pointing back at you.”
How sad it is though, that in the land of calypso, calypso is rarely played on the radio, its
history never taught in schools, maybe except on a tertiary level, and its role in the
carnival seems to be dwindling with each passing year.

During the period when our country is visited by the world to celebrate our carnival/culture, the thing that we are best known for is pushed to the back.  Yet, we feel comfortable walking the streets,
beating our chest, and proudly belching out “I am Trini to the bone.”
 
Go ahead, line up any ten high school children and ask them who is Kelvin Pope (The Mighty Duke) and what contributions he has made to the calypso art form. See how many can give you an
answer; mind you, he is just one name I pulled randomly out of the proverbial hat. We
won’t even go into greats like Rafael de Leon (The Roaring Lion) and Sylvester Anthony
(Zandolie).   

Many have said it in many different ways, but I feel compelled to quote the opening lines of the second verse of the song Culture. This was performed by yet
another great, Chris “Tambu” Herbert. I quote “I say a nation without a culture is a people without a soul,’ end of quote. Remember, the further we drift from our culture the more lost we become as a people.  

 There are people in this country who have never seen a limbo dance or even know what
it is; you can do your survey on that.

Let’s not talk about the treatment of our national instrument and the musicians, who not
only play it but dedicate their time and money to keep our flag flying and to remain the
best in the world.

We have an obligation as “Trinbagonians” to do everything in our
power to push back against anyone who may try to stifle, suffocate or even kill anything
cultural. Mainly because, when culture is dead a people is dead also

We should collectively feel ashamed of ourselves and how we treat this music that has
placed us on the map. Before most people knew where Trinidad and Tobago was, they
knew of calypso; it is because of calypso, mas, and pan we became known to the world.
when most of the world had no idea of where we were even located they knew the
music, calypso. 

Our music was on the Billboard charts and performed by greats such as
Barry White, Dean Martin, and Harry Belafonte, to name a few; could someone please
explain to me why we have become ashamed of it? 

There was a time when foreigners came to our country during the Carnival season, and
the calypso tent was a place they visited and enjoyed.  It was right up there with the
Coral Reef and the Nylon Pool; it was a tourist attraction. 

Sadly, we all stood by and watched this beautiful art form dwindle, to where it is almost non-existent in our daily lives, much less Carnival. Anyone remembers when the steel band had its rightful place
in the fetes, and folks would party to it and have a great time? even that we hardly see
anymore 

I remember as a youngster, begging the police officers at the back gate at Skinner Park
San Fernando to give me a ‘Bligh’ to get in.  I was just a teenager, but I wanted to see
and hear the calypso greats in action when there was a ‘clash.’ The venue would be
filled to capacity, and the same could be said for Arima, and Point Fortin. 

In fact, anywhere there was a calypso show, there was sure to be a massive crowd.
We can find a million reasons why such a beautiful art form for which our country is
known, is now in the musical ICU. 

I can also guarantee that there is someone out there who would read this and find political, financial, and even artistic reasons, why it is onthe verge of dying. Truth is, all the reasons may very well be legitimate but still no reason to justify.

 
Some will stick their heads in the sand and say with all assurance that calypso is not dying; but just remember, one of the first signs of grief is denial. Some will say “look,
there is a show here, and a show there, and the government gives this, and that to
calypso” and on and on we can go. However, this is not a government thing or an artist
thing, this is a “we” thing.
   
We can turn this around. It’s all about the willingness to do so. We can fix this and revive calypso.  Sadly, some of us have do not for anything national or cultural for long as our
bank account looks good.  As we like to say “who dead, dead, I good.”

In closing let me say this, Just as you can tell someone’s personality by the way they
drive, similarly you can tell a person by the way they respect and treat their
culture. Sometimes I think we are too talented and blessed a people, so we take it all for
granted.  

Remember to whom much is given much is required. However, if you believe
calypso and by extension culture is in a good place, then you have nothing to worry
about.  For those who think there is work to be done to restore, improve, and preserve
our culture, let’s put our shoulders to the wheel and once again get this wagon moving.