Tuesday, August 5 2003

The National Chutney Foundation of TT (NCFTT) champion, Heeralal Rampartap, took the title of Best Traditional Chutney and Best National Chutney at the competition held last Saturday at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

Scores of other artistes including drummers, dhantalists and dancers also received awards for their contribution to the show. There was the overall competition for the Chutney Monarch as well as several other categories in which participants competed. The following are the results of all the competitions. The Chutney Monarch title was won by Heeralal Rampartap (515 points); second place went to Rakesh Yankaran (466 points) and third place was copped by Mohip Poonwassie (461 points).

For the categories in which prizes were given, the results are as follows:

Traditional Chutney: Rampartap — first place; Rakesh Yankaran — second place and Drupatee Ramgoonai — third place.
Chutney Soca Calypso Monarch: Rampartap — first place; Mohip Poonwassie — second place and Budram Holass — third place.
Chutney Monarch Drummer: Sunil Ramsundar — first place; Jagdeo Dabiedeen — second place and Rishi Ragbir — third place.
Chutney Monarch Harmonium Player: Krishendath Singh — first place; Rakesh Yankaran — second place and Heeralal Rampartap — third place.

Chutney Monarch Dhantalist: Thakur Jeevan — first place; Kishore Rattan — second place and Vijay Sookraj — third place.
Chutney Monarch Dancer: Asha Debiram — first place; Vidia Ramdass — second place and Joann Singh — third place.
Prizes for the National Chutney Dancers went to Shiv Shakti Dancers — first place, Vikash Dancers — second place and Durga Shakti Group — third place. There were also prizes for individuals
Special prizes were given to Adesh Samaroo for the Sundar Popo People’s Choice; Sarah Ramcallie for the Most Promising Artiste; Drupatie Ramgoonai for Best Dressed Female Artiste; Budram Holass for the Best Dressed Male Artiste and Vedesh Sookoo for the Best Dressed Group.