Anthony Williams (seated) with plaque presented by NCC
chairman Patrick Arnold
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Six cultural icons have
been honored by the National Carnival Commission (NCC)
for their outstanding contribution to the Carnival art
form spanning more than a century.
The tribute took place
during Dimanche Gras at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port
of Spain, on Carnival Sunday night at a show titled
“Bring Back De Ole Time Days.”
Those honored were calypso veterans, Robert Nelson aka
Lord Nelson, Andrew Marcano aka Lord Superior,
masqueraders Geraldo Viera Sr., Gilbert Maynard and ace
steelband arranger
Dr. Jit Samaroo and pioneer and
innovator
Anthony “Tony” Williams.
Recipients were each presented with commemorative
plaques and TT $30,000 by Patrick Arnold, Chairman of the
National Carnival Commission and Lutalo Masimba,
Commissioner and President of Trinbago Unified
Calypsonians’ Organization (TUCO).
Robert Nelson aka Lord Nelson (left) with Lutalo
Masimba (right)
“The production” says Director Norvan Fullerton, “is a
comparison between the mas of today and the mas of the
60’s and 70’s. We are looking at the Baileys, Harold
Saldenahs and Lee Heungs. It is a comparison between the
music from people like David Rudder and Lord Nelson.
Today, we have the Machels, Benjais and the Keeses. Even
the dance style is different. Long ago, we had the
bounce. Today, we have the freestyle. The wining has
always been around.”
This year’s Dimanche Gras saw 12 calypsonians compete
for the National Calypso Monarch title which was won by
Duane O’Connor and 10 Kings and a similar number of
Queens seeking to be crowned as Carnival’s supreme title
holders. Winners in these categories were Roland St.
George as “Ralliez-vous Mon Panache Blanch” and Chariss
Bovell as “Mother of Humanity – The Weeping Madonna”
respectively.