Digicel takes four top Mash prizes
Guyana Chronicle
March 9, 2007
THE efforts of Digicel and Cellink, among others, at recapturing and showcasing the dazzling glitter and glamour that once characterised Mashramani, yielded tremendous success at the just concluded celebrations held under the theme “A Cultural Invasion in 2007”.
And for this, they were justly rewarded.
At a prize giving ceremony specially held Wednesday afternoon to honour the scores of individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions to making Mashramani 2007 a success, Digicel emerged a lead contributor.
Amidst tumultuous applause, the firm walked away with four of the coveted prizes -- Band of the Year; Male Individual costume; Full Costume (large) and Commercial Floats.
Cellink (GT&T) won in two categories -- Individual Queen Costume and second prize for the Full Costume (large) Band.
Designer of the Year was “Facts and Roses” (Trevor Rose and Michelle Cole), designing most of the winning pieces for Digicel.
Best Designer was Derek Moore on the GT&T team, for his originality, the most creative and high-level craftsmanship.
This year’s Calypso Monarch, the Mighty Rebel, is now more than half a million dollars richer. Struggling under the weight of cash and trophies, the Monarch, who dethroned the Mighty Canary (Malcolm Corrica), proudly walked away with prizes for his winning Calypso entry “Is We Put yuh deh”, and another in the newly introduced HIV segment done in collaboration with the National AIDS Programme Secretariat.
Mighty Rebel won in this category for his novel, innovative and convincing entry, “Protect Yourself”, asserting that we need to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Also featuring prominently was outgoing Mighty Canary who, still managing to retain his sting after decades of basking in the Calypso arena, swept away a trophy and cash prize for his song in the HIV/AIDS competition, and took a third prize in the Adult Calypso competition.
Scores of trophies were handed out in various categories, notable winners being young Ernesta Nelson for her road safety warning “Stop de road craze”; Mermlissa Roberts winning the Road March; and Joel Gonsalves “We can Win de Fight”, among others.
The organisers commended the high level of performance in the art forms, noting that the quality was generally good.
They however, advised that the stakeholders need to find more innovative ways of attracting more participation, reviewing aspects such as methodology and judging.
Noting that Guyanese have a lot of talent and could hold their own in any cultural environment, Convener of the chutney competition, Neaz Subhan, urged that they should be given full support.
Categories for which prizes were awarded included Calypso Competition; Chutney Competition; Children’s competition; Masquerade Competition; Illuminated Buildings; and Costume and Float Parade Competitions. (SHIRLEY THOMAS)