Introduction
[We are honoured to present today a short analysis of the life and work of Caribbean calypsonian, musician, playwright, dramatist, comedian, band leader and cultural administrator Dave Martins written by former President of Guyana Donald Ramotar. The value of this article is enhanced by its difference from others that extol the cultural genius. That comes over in a post-colonial critical perspective that places the artist in the context of the growth of nationalism and consciousness that accompanied the rise of the colony of British Guiana to nationhood.
Dave Martins can be seen as one growing up and learning against that background as well as contributing as an artist to that consciousness both at home, in the Caribbean, in the Cayman Islands and in Canada.