Dear Editor,
With regard to the Shanto competition held at the National Park, in 2005 I had stated that only about eighty per cent of the contestants sang Shanto, and this last contest on August 1 was almost the same. There is a singer who sings Miriam Makeba songs for Shanto. I don’t know why the organizers and judges allowed her to get away with it, yet the judges gave her second.
The judges should be told what is Shanto (Guyanese lyrics with a rhythmic Afro-West Indian beat). One contestant would have been more comfortable in an amateur contest, while another should try dub music. A third stopped three times before starting his song and was rightly disqualified.
The new monarch, Bright Colours, (D. Mangal/Nancy Story) must be congratulated. This fighter rallied at last. One of those who placed sang an old tune which was performed at this venue last year. According to the rules he should have been disqualified.
The fourth placed singer, Flyer (W.Gray/Slavery) was most unfortunate. Whilst rendering his song the sound system conked out, yet this guy continued (small speakers intact). Also the band made a terrible mistake at the end of his song.
Yours faithfully,
D. Greene
