Trinidad - The Steel band has spoken, is speaking and will always speak, especially on matters relating to Steel band affairs. Pan doesn't need patronage, especially the kind coming from the culture vultures on some of those call-in programs over the electronic media.

To hear them express their love and concern for the Steelband around carnival time is enough to make any stranger believe that pan is a desolate child whose mother has died.  They keep searching for a place in the carnival to put Steelband.  Give them Sunday - Carnival Sunday that is- all to themselves.  That would be just right for them.  Now tell me who ask them to patronise PAN?

Since I born, I know that Carnival is Calypso, Steelband and Mas. Calypso is also under attack. They start questioning its relevance in the carnival today.  What is going on?  Do they know the history of the Steelband? I am not speaking about who first played Mary had a little lamb, I am speaking about the struggle to get here, the resistance, the acts of defiance, the sacrifice to stake its claim in this here Carnival.  They should ask Calypso, Calypso could tell them.  What do they believe the Camboulay riots were all about?  It was about letting Mardi Gras know that the Camboulay Carnival is here, like it or not.  And people, men and women put their lives on the road for this right to participate.  Camboulay Carnival consists of three ingredients, Calypso, Steelband and Mas (Traditional Mas).

So please Mr. and Mrs. Culture vultures,  you could use Sunday for your own design if you so desire, but leave Pan out of your plans.  Pan already earn its position through blood, sweat and tears, so all hell could break loose if ever Mardi Gras attempt to push Camboulay out of the National festival.  If Mardi Gras free to make Mas Sunday, Pan will play. Monday Pan will play, Tuesday Pan will play, and if only they remiss, Pan playing for las lap on Ash Wednesday.

So you see. Pan has a right of expression.  Pan is the National instrument. Nuff said.

 

From The News Desk of

Michael Leroi Joseph

Public Relations Officer

Pan Trinbago