CHUTNEY SOCA MONARCH 2021 FINALS

 CSM - YOU HAVE TO OWN THE STAGE.

AN ANALYSIS OF CSM26 by Harry Bissoon 

My weekend column, 2/20/2021

See all my blogs at letstalkwithharrybissoon.blogspot.com 


I am going out on a limb, risking a lot of flak, arising out of my comments below, on the recently concluded CHUTNEY SOCA MONARCH COMPETITION which was held virtually in Trinidad and Tobago. But I hope they will be taken in good faith.


The fact that CSM is held during Carnival is not an accident, but a deliberate gesture to have it as an integral part of the celebrations that are embedded in the cultural psyche of the nation. That being said, let us look at CSM 26.


Showmanship is of paramount importance, when, as a performer, you are on stage. It captivates your audience, and if there are any minor mishaps.When you are in a competition, you  have to make the stage an extension of your act. You have to own the stage!


This is what the winners did. GI, Master Saleem, Daddy Chinee, and Reshma did this. Their props were amazing. And, GI and his brother, Master Saleem, pulled out the rabbit from their hats, as it were, when they introduced a colorful, schematic flair of Carnival. 


The artists who lost, especially from Guyana, lacked eye-catching props, and with the exception, to a certain extent, of Vanita, their presentation seemed cheap and without fanfare.


A lot has been said about vocals and popularity, as regards the songs by Vicadi and Vanita. These two songs have taken the airwaves and social media by storm, and have amassed huge viewership, and have also become very popular at social events.  However,the competition happens on stage, during Carnival, and that is where your performance is judged.


Originality is another important factor that racks up points in this game of thrones. Master Saleem would have emerged the winner had it not been his adaptation of a bollywood tune. His vocals, energy, and stage presentation were much superior to GI, who lacked vocal melody, and seemed tired, just trying to finish his performance. Nonetheless, both of them, brothers by relationship, had great, Carnival style backdrops, to clinch the first and second spots.


It is surprising, though, that Vanita placed way down, at #8. She had a fantastic song, good props, but didn't project the energy that the song demanded. But she should have been in the top five, way ahead of Vicadi. The Carnival style performance, and energy of Nisha kept her in front of Vanita to win the Chutney Soca Queen title, which is surprising, since I think Vanita deserved it with her lively and rhythmic tune.


The other favorite, Vicadi, lacked eye-catching props, originality, and displayed a lack lustre stage performance, even though his song is a blockbuster.


Daddy Chinee did well in his rendition of a song that sought to bring the true essence of Chutney Soca, but I think his spot should have been earned by Vanita. 


These are my views, and they have only covered some of the competitors. You are free to share yours, in a civil and impartial manner.

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