Exotic costumes, talented contestants at Miss India/Guyana
By Neil Marks
Guyana Chronicle
October 13, 2002
IT HAD all the makings of an Asif Nawaz production - teasing music, well-choreographed dances and exotic costumes.
Held under the Music Fantasia banner, the second Miss India/Guyana, came off at the Starlite Drive-In cinema, two Saturdays ago.
In the end, charming Rameena Mohamed, of Albouystown, Georgetown, walked away with the crown.
Though it did not attract as huge a crowd as last year, those who ventured out in spite of the crime situation were surely satisfied with the glittering show and so stayed on until it ended at 02:30 hrs, Sunday.
The event was scheduled to start at 19:00 hrs, but got under way two hours later. However, patrons amused themselves by playing various games and being otherwise entertained.
Before the show started, Joanne Rankin and Anand Persaud of the Dax New Generation band performed a few Filmi duets. By the time Chutney ace, Mahendra Ramkellawan, took to the stage, the right atmosphere had finally set in.
The International Dance Troupe started off the show, with accomplished dancers Bryan Singh and Padmini Lalbachan performing an Indian invocational dance.
The eight contestants then made their way on stage to the Indian pop song `Made in India’.
They sported one hairstyle - wrapped to the top and decorated with flowers. Their blouses were white and they wore black pants with slits at the bottom and sequinned detail. Scarves were tied to the back of the pants and the contestants held the gossamer pieces of cloth gracefully as they glided across the stage.
On the judges table were reigning Miss Guyana Universe, Mia Rahaman, Miss Guyana World third runner-up Candida Telles, Miss Guyana World Assistant Coordinator Andrea McAdam, Miss Guyana World 2002 Advisor Salef Ali, and Guyanese culture promoter Mrs. Ghani.
Following the introduction segment, the delegates were required to perform a talent piece of their choice.
Most of the delegates danced.
After they performed their talent pieces, it became obvious that crowd favourites Nafiza Persaud and Sabina Salim would not be among the finalists.
Nazia Mohamed, a dance instructor, walked away with the prize for best talent. With a black and gold goblet resting on her hand, she performed an interpretive classical dance to the music of `Beats of India’. Her gadgets included two dholaks (drums) and a keyboard.
Performing her way to the top, Rameena pleased the audience with her poem entitled `The path that brightens our future’. She wrote it herself and after reciting, she took to the stage to perform a classical dance from the movie `Thakshak’.
After the talent segment, it was time for the highlight of the evening.
As a requirement for the pageant, each delegate was required to represent a state in India and model its traditional costume.
Each delegate was escorted by a male model dressed in traditional Indian wear.
Rameena ably represented the Western state of Gujarat.
She told of its fascinating and distinctive architecture, especially its magnificent temples. She also drew attention to the recent incident whereby two Muslim men opened fire at a Hindu temple and left 28 people dead.
For her costume, she chose a purple blouse and skirt. It featured the traditional Gujrati `Shisa’ (mirror work) embroidery. She also imitated the Gujrati women in wearing elaborate silver jewellery.
Rameena, an Agriculture and Integrated Science teacher at the Charlestown Government Secondary School, chose racism as her platform for the pageant.
Questioned by the judges, Rameena said that racism occurs because one race feels superior to the other and that if Guyanese understand each other's culture, then racism would be a thing of the past.
She was chosen among four finalists, and when it came down to the final question, Rameena outdid the other delegates.
Asked how beauty pageants benefit Guyana, she said that pageants like the Miss India/Guyana pageant allow visitors to appreciate the diverse cultures of Guyana. She said beauty pageants also empower Guyanese women, in that they are not afraid to showcase their beauty, talent and intelligence.
She was crowned by last year's queen, Berbician Sindamani Ramsammy.
Narissa Deokarran was the first runner-up, Savitri Ramsaroop was second runner-up and Nazia Mohamed, third runner-up.
Among the artistes performing on stage were Genevieve Gouveia, Devika Ramnarine and Indira Balgobin. The night's guest artiste was Trinidadian dancer Pretty Pretty Priya, who radiated with joy and charm, to please the audience.
Rameena said she is a proud Indian woman and that its a real "honour" to be wearing the crown and title of Miss India/Guyana.