By SEETA PERSAD Sunday, February 28 2010

There are many rhythms and styles of Indian folk singing in this country. Among them is the popular “Chowtaal Singing.” This genre of music is synonymous with phagwa celebration worldwide.

Here in TT, there are thousands of singers in villages throughout the country involved in singing chowtaal for the upcoming Phagwa celebrations. This style of singing which originated in south India was brought to Trinidad by the indentured labourers 166 years ago. This art has grown tremendously within the recent years as it is promoted in 48 primary schools attached to the Maha Sabha.

Apart from this, the various religious bodies including Hindu Prachaar Kendra, Swaha, National Council for Indian Culture and TT’s Ramleela organisation, all have temple groups involved in singing Chowtaal.

In recent years, more than 1,200 singers from the Maha Sabha schools performed in the annual ‘Chowtaal Sammelan’ (singing competition for Phagwa). Here students dressed in their traditional wear of saris, garara, kurta and dhoti, demonstrate their singing and even dancing skills.

According to Princes Town Hindu activist, Nirmala Sesnarine, the art of singing ‘Chowtaal’ is simple: “It is done in four ‘taals’ (musical scales). The song is sung by one section of the group and another replies with the same verses or a new verse to challenge their opponents. Sesnarine says that in the taals the mnemonic syllables are an important part of Indian rhythm. “They are variously referred to as ‘bol,’ ‘solkatu,’ or ‘konnakkol.’ These are syllables which correlate to the various strokes of the musical instruments such as the tabla, mridanga, and pakhawaj, as well as other classical percussive instruments,” she said.

She noted that chowtaal comes from the fast paced music such as ‘Tumree’ and ‘Gazals’ that were sung by the Indian indentured labourers. Chowtaal singing has a flavour of its own and it widely enjoyed by people of all walks of life in TT. These songs that were composed by those versed in Hindi tells of the stories surrounding the Hindu Gods. Many compositions are associated with the story of Phagwa.

Nirmala along with her sister Satrupa Sesnarine and school teacher Chandrakala Ramsingh sing chowtaal together.

Well-known chowtal singer Nirmala Roodal says she won’t give up the traditional East Indian folk songs for the more popular chutney music.

“I want to project the authentic type of song and music. I cherish the original way that the songs are sung and for me this is beautiful,” she said, adding that while chutney has its own audience, chowtaals are also enjoyed by people from all walks of life.

Roodal, of Felicity, Chaguanas, said chowtaal music is increasing in popularity: “Five years ago chowtaals were sung only for Phagwa. Now there are people who are requesting these songs for any function.” Roodal and her groups of singers, the Shri Shankar Chowtaal Group, practice daily to meet the increased demand for their services. She said the group adds something special to the traditional music. “As Trinidadians, we are different from the folk singers of India. I believe our songs are more spicy than those that are composed in India,” Roodal said.

The Shri Krishen Chowtaal Group performed in Guyana and Suriname last year. This Felicity-based group started in 1975 and today has more than 20 active members.