Chutney and soca singer Terry Gajraj yesterday stated that President Irfaan Ali has said that he should get in touch with him directly over any concerns.
On his Facebook page, Gajraj thanked Ali for calling him a few days ago.
“We had an effusive conversation and he showed why he’s the people’s President. He empathized with me and invited me to reach out to him directly with any concerns.
He was understanding and agreed that the issues mentioned need to be addressed”, Gajraj said.
He said that he reiterated with the president that he was not looking for any award or trophy etc. Gajraj also said that he stood by his original post.
“To help our future generations we must understand our past. If we don’t know our history, we are doomed to repeat it”, the singer added.
On Thursday, Gajraj lamented being overlooked by the government and authorities here despite his years of cultural contributions.
In a post on his Facebook page which was later used as the basis for a story in Stabroek News, Gajraj thanked George Singh (CSM & Southex) and the people of Trinidad for honouring him with the Global Icon award. He said that he was elated, grateful and humbled to be the first Guyanese inducted into such an elite group of Chutney Soca Legends.
“I have spent my entire life promoting Guyana around the world and it is ironic that other countries are giving me awards and accolades for promoting my Guyanese culture but the government of Guyana has never even offered me an award, a recognition or even a simple ‘lie lie’ thank you for my unsurpassed service to Guyanese culture and giving Guyana a good name internationally over the past few decades”, Gajraj said.
The ‘Guyana Baboo’ singer said he is immensely thankful for the love fans have shown him steadfastly over the decades. He said that singing has always been his passion and saviour.
“2024 will be 30 years since Guyana Baboo became a sensational hit in many countries around the world. However, I have been performing internationally for 35 years plus and I have been singing extensively for over 50 years now and I am very thankful for the endless love and support I have received over the years.
“I am almost always excluded from most official Guyanese events in Guyana and honestly it’s embarrassing to tell concerned folks the truth that they simply ignore me, despite my stellar contributions to the music and culture of Guyana”, he said.
Noting that Mashramani was recently celebrated here, Gajraj said that no one invited him for one event despite the fact that he was the first Chutney-Soca singer to even record a song about Mashramani.
“I even won 1st prize for my original composition at the Mashramani creole singing competition back in Feb 16, 1985 at Leonora. In preceding years, I won runner up prizes. I am the only singer who has promoted Guyana every single week, every single month, every single year internationally for over 35 years nonstop and what do I get? Deafening disrespect”, he lamented.
