It was a hot night Calypso-wise but VJ’s song, a humorous and imaginative rendition of what an Amerindian President could do for Guyana if given a chance, moved the capacity crowd to an ecstasy of boisterous appreciation and left the Judges with little or no choice but to declare him winner. He won from a field of ten, one of whom was the 2001 Mash Calypso Monarch the “Mighty Rebel”.

The crowd’s enthusiastic response to Jordan’s offering, “Vote VJ for President” contrasted starkly with their subdued reaction to the first runner-up Camille Golliah, `Lady Tempest’ whose rendition “You Have a Right to Protect Yourself” was a chilling reminder of the dangers of HIV/AIDS.

Horrific stage images, including a seriously ill looking man on a stretcher, were however, mitigated by the throbbing and pervasive tempo of calypso and for some revellers added to the variety and fun of the evening’s entertainment.

Milton Inniss `The Mighty Zinger’ of Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) pleaded for better wages and salaries for the nation’s workers, and Geoffrey Phillips `The Mighty Rebel’ who sang about “A Great Controversy”, tied for the third spot.

Junior Calypsonians who participated in the calypso finals for the first time also gave notable accounts of themselves. In this category, Wilburg Levans of Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) whipped the field to become the Junior Calypso King with a tune entitled “Live Entertainment”.

He was followed by Princess Rae (Raelene Phillips) who sang “Let us Support our Children” and the Mighty Prince (Raule Nelson) “What Race” in second and third spots respectively.

Vivian Jordan, who was hoisted shoulder high by ecstatic fans after being declared the winner, will receive a monetary prize of $500,000; `Lady Tempest’ $300,000 and `The Mighty Zinger’ and `The Mighty Rebel’ will share the third prize of $125,000 for their efforts.

For the Juniors, Levans will receive a first prize of a Gold Cup from Omai Gold Mines, one Computer and a scholarship for a Diploma in Computer Studies from Computer World.

Raelene Phillips and Raule Nelson will also receive Gold Cups from Omai and scholarships from Computer World with a Keyboard and a Guitar respectively for their achievements.

The competition not only started on time, but also proceeded smoothly with the Mingles Sound Machine providing top quality background music and popular stereo filling in the gaps.

Some 21 calypsonians vied for the Championships. There were ten Juniors aged between 16 and 25, and 11 seniors. Calypsos with lyrics laced with commentary on social issues and political satire dominated the finals, which included for the first time the Junior Calypso competition.

The large crowd included Minister of Culture Youth and Sports Ms Gail Teixeira and Regional Chairman of Region Five, Mr Harrynarine Baldeo both of whom were among those who were visibly moved and entertained by the keen rivalry.

Mash Co-ordinator and Convenor of the Calypso Competition, Mr Lennox Canterbury, disclosed that he was extremely pleased with the organisation and outcome of the competition particularly the crowd’s disciplined response to the decision of the Judges.

In an invited comment, Minister Teixeira told the Chronicle that the large turnout by Berbicians had vindicated her decision to stage the finals in West Berbice.

“It was an extraordinary turnout. We got maximum support from both East and West Berbicians. It was a nice crowd, a disciplined crowd and the standard of calypso was higher than last year,” she said.

Stressing her belief that Guyana is not only Georgetown, the Minister added that she intends to stage Mash Finals in other parts of the country, and to bring the shows to the outlying areas as often as practicable.

The Junior finalists included: Melissa Williams, “Young People”; Denise Cosbert, “GT is Mashramani”; Shibana Gariba, “A warning to youths”; Ian Harris, “Caribbean People”; Kleon Lindey, “Read a Book”; Murphy DeSouza, “Where the Teachers Gone”; Mark Batson, “Nine Lives”; and Felisha Adams “Proverbs”.

They will all be given trophies provided by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports for their contribution to the finals.

For the Seniors, Compton Hodges `Singing Coocoo’ was fifth; Rudolph Kendall, `Sweet Kendingo’ sixth; Gregory London, `Blazing Fyah’ seventh; Llewellyn Atwell `Black Hat’ eighth; Joseph Thomas `Lil Joe’ ninth; and Lenny Lancaster (tenth).

Gordon Holder of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation served as the Master of Ceremonies. The Regional Democratic Council of Region Five helped with the Stage and other related work, while GUYSUCO made the facilities at the Community Centre Ground available and also provided free transportation for persons who attended.

There were two panels of judges headed by television broadcaster Mr Enrico Woolford for the Senior Category, and Mrs Rosamunde Addo for the Juniors.

Woolford was assisted by Dr Deryck Bernard, Mr Al Creighton, Mr Harry Baptiste, Mr Malcolm Corrica; Mr Dempsey Jervis, Mr Charles Holmes, Ms Lorraine Barker-King; Ms Gertrude James and Ms Desiree Wyles-Ogle.

The first prize of $500,000 and the Dennis Heywood (Mighty Intruder) trophy was donated by Banks DIH; the second prize of $300, 000 by DEMTOCO and the third prize of $125, 000 is expected to be paid by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.