Dear Editor,
I read recently of the Swami’s views on the chutney culture and fully agree with what he said. Degrading songs, rum songs and any music that is gross, vulgar and crass is what sells most.
It is sad to note that standards and decency in communities are being eroded, or should I say, have been eroded. We are living now in a situation where explicit sexual overtones saturate the airwaves and the television programmes, and are found in advertisements, in songs and in the sitcoms, especially those from America.
I love catchy tunes with the chutney flavour; I felt happy to know that at least we can compete against Trinidad in their chutney melodies. And at least we the Guyanese compose clean and wholesome songs.
I was very disappointed with the lyrics of a song ‘Wood and Fireside‘ sung by Ramkellawan. Prior to that he became popular with ‘Dem a watch me.‘ Now I am sure that the rendition of ‘Wood and Fireside‘ will portray him as one of our gutter singers.
I often wonder why our artistes cannot use the same energy that they use to compose trash to compose something humorous, or enlightened, so that all and sundry can listen to it and hum?
Are some of our artistes so bankrupt for ideas that appealing to the baser instincts of people is the best that they can do?
I appeal to these composers to look around; themes abound. Social commentary through songs can be very appealing. Sing about the imbroglio that is our parliament, about our cricket situation in relation to the WICB, sing about the drug finds, etc. Decent people do not want to hear the trash that composers give to our singers. I would also advise our singers not to sing nonsense that is given to them by the composers/song-writers.
Many of our singers seem stuck with a few themes: husband/wife infidelity, and rum and sex.
Our artistes can do better, and must do better. However, they will be associated with the rubbish they sometimes sing, and that is not something they should be proud of.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)