(Trinidad Guardian) The National Chutney Foundation of T&T (NCFTT) believes that a National Award should be given to legendary local Indian singer Budram Holass, who was laid to rest yesterday.
This statement was made by Dr Vijay Ramlal-Rai, the head of the NCFTT, when he spoke with Guardian Media yesterday at the funeral service for Holass at his Granville, Cedros home.
Holass died on Friday morning.
Ramlal-Rai said Holass had done a lot for the development of local Indian culture since he was a composer, musician and singer who performed various genres of Indian music and also sang with the Chutney Calypso Touring Tent.
Ramlal-Rai said Holass was also a community oriented man who performed for free and also taught others music.
“The disadvantage to him is that he did not have a radio station to propagate the songs that he created and he developed and was original. He was not one of those persons who use Bollywood melodies and do adaptations to it and then become a star. He was never that kind of a person. So on the grounds of balancing local artistes, he stands out way ahead of the rest,” Ramlal-Rai said.
He added that the NCFTT had bestowed four awards on Holass when he was alive. Ramlal-Rai said the NCFTT plans to work with the Siparia Borough Corporation to install a bust or a statue of Holass at Manmohansingh Park at Bonasse Village, Cedros.
Yesterday, the funeral service for Holass began just after 8 am at his home. Relatives and other mourners from the Cedros community and other areas of the country were keen to say farewell to someone they described as celebrated, but humble.
Among those saying farewell was Holass’ sister Rukminee Holass-Beepath, the 2023 Chaconia Gold Medal awardee for culture. Holass-Beepath broke down in tears as she sang happy birthday to Holass who would have turned 69 on December 29.
Holass-Beepath praised her brother for his support and noted that the national award she received would not have been possible without his input.
Also paying tribute to Holass was Naresh Teemal, the Biraha Raja, who also sang a devotional song and Edward Ramdass, his longtime friend.
Delivering the eulogy was Holass’ nephew Bheemal Ramlogan. He said Holass was one who never gave up despite his failing health.
“Uncle Budram never seeked pity, what made him incredible is that he never let his adversities keep him down. Losing a hand never stopped him from beating dholak, losing half his hearing never reduced his melody. Lung issues never stopped him from singing right down to the very end,” he said.
