By By Michael Mondezie
Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) is set to make a colourful return to Skinner Park, San Fernando.
Event creator, Southex CEO George Singh, says his team will be bringing something new to the table at this year’s final, billed as ‘The Colours of Chutney’ and set for February 10 at the popular South cultural venue. The semi-finals will be held on the January 20 at a venue to be announced.
‘In 2024, as we celebrate the 29th year of the CSM, we want to bring something different to the table. CSM is definitely something different, a different kind of Carnival vibe, a different way for Trinis to fete and a different way to celebrate our culture and our music,’ Singh told the Kitcharee on Friday. Patrons are asked to wear all white to the final and can expect to leave covered in colour, Singh said.
‘In 2024, we bring to you ‘The Colours Of Chutney’-with a ‘white’ themed dress code and huge coloured powder shooting from cannons on the night of the event, we expect an explosion of colour and excitement as we go after rekindling and encouraging a younger, more vibrant market to come to the event,’ Singh explained.
Three decades of music
Since the early 1990s, Southex has innovated and expanded their Chutney Soca Monarch brand, Singh said. ‘Today the event has grown to become one of the signature events on the Carnival calendar and is heralded as the most important Indo-Caribbean event in the world.’ The 2024 edition will feature two parties in one, Singh continued. The competition is condensed into two parts, with six male artistes vying for the King and six female acts vying for the Queen of Chutney Soca. Southex has also added an International Wild Card entry to the competition. Three international acts will qualify as wild cards and will be allowed to compete in the final, for a guaranteed purse of $30,000.
CSM 24 will also honour three heroes of the local Indo Caribbean music industry: Karma lead singer Ravi B (Ravi Bissambhar), Rafi Mohammed and Rooplal G (Rooplal Girdharie), who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut in the competition.
The night will also feature performances by Ravi B and Karma, GT the Band, and special guest artistes Neval Chatelal, Nishard M (Nishard Mayrhoo) and others, Singh said.
He said the entire show will be broadcast live and will also be available via a livestream on several official platforms.
