Dear Editor,
Calypso has been a part of our culture ever since its creation, and it is sad today to see this art form disappearing with no help for its revival in sight. Many questions linger in my mind as to why calypso is being allowed to die a slow death. Is it because the young generation is not interested in it? Is it because calypso is not taught to our young people? Or is it because some people are afraid of the satirical gibes that sometimes expose serious lapses in our society? Whatever the reason calypso must not be allowed to die; we must all put in our efforts to save it.
The history of calypso in Guyana and the Caribbean would show that it has been used for entertaining while at the same time helping to pass on messages to the populace about matters that affect the society whether it be politics, sport, education or culture. Today calypsos are hardly played on the radio; try singing a calypso to a youngster and he will look at you as if you are mad. Call the name Lord Canary or King Fighter, and they would ask, “Who are they?”
Killing calypso would be like killing a part of our culture, and any nation that allows the death of its culture is not worth its existence.
Is there a Calypsonian Association in place? If not it is time that our calypsonians organized themselves and formed a vibrant association to promote calypso in Guyana. The calypsonians cannot wait for this government to assist in the revival of calypso; if they do they would wait in vain. Our present government sees calypso as they see our independent newspapers – as a threat to their very existence.
There must be at least three seasons for calypsos: at Mashramani time, in August and at Christmas. The Calypsonian Association must be able to promote calypso shows on their own with the help of corporate sponsors.
Government must not be afraid of calypso; they must embrace it and support the art form. Calypsoes must be encouraged in schools and our calypsonians must be responsible in the way they put over their lyrics; blatantly calling people names is not the way to go; calypsoes must be sung to tickle the brains of the audience.
Politicians today are thin skinned and so they see calypso as their enemy. A few decades ago calypsonians were very critical of Forbes Burnham, but he danced to their music and encouraged them to sing calypso, even though the Mighty Rebel won five second places, his music was never banned from the airwaves of the National Radio Station. I call on the calypsonians to organise and galvanise themselves to promote calypso and so return it to its glory days, and we can have some rib-tickling calypso.
Yours faithfully,
Clive Fredericks
