ISSUE 1/MAY 2014 19
daysha tewari & AYANA GARCIA
This year holds significance to The University of Trinidad and Tobago, having achieved ten years since its inception. To celebrate this anniversary, UTT is hosting events throughout the year at various campuses.
One of the events the University has undertaken in this celebration is “The Anthropology of Sparrow: An Anthology of the works of Slinger Francisco (1956 -1962) In the Age of Independence.” This was a concert held at The Lord Kitchener Auditorium at The National Academy for the Performing Arts. The show began with an introduction by Dr. Hollis Liverpool (Chalkdust), the Programme Professor of The Academy for Arts, Letters, Culture and Public Affairs. In his words, “The Mighty Sparrow’s songs were largely informed by events which occurred during an era when we sought to forge an identity of our own as a nation.” He spoke of Sparrow’s music as songs that not only spoke to national/political developments but also dealt with the manner in which male-female relationships were pursued. Additionally, he mentioned the critical role played by prostitutes and barrack-yard settlements toward the development of the calypso art form.
The students of the Masters in Carnival Studies put this program together. They were required to research and prepare a short synopsis and an academic analysis of the anthropological effect of a calypso assigned to them. This research was used to introduce each calypsonian/calypso featured in the show.
In addition to the professional calypsonians who came to support the venture the concert also featured quite a bit of APA personnel. Among the masters students to present were APA lecturers Martin Raymond, Paulette Alfred and Prashant Patasar. Additionally students of The Academy for the Performing Arts worked alongside lecturers to put on performances. Dean Williams (guitarist), Raven Urqhuart (percussionist), Patrick Mc Cain (doublebass) and Anthony Woodroffe(woodwind lecturer) performed with Programme Coordinator Krisson Joseph, their rendition of Sparrow’s Rose. From the department of steelpan we had a “small side” consisting of Roseford Coutain, Renaldo De Pieza and Aaron Clarke playing “Jean and Dinah”. Year two acting students were charged with the job of dramatizing Sparrow’s classic “Benwood Dick”. Jovon Browne(Benwood), Zariyah Pegus (Midred) as well as Joshua Phillips and Levee Rodriguez (Mildred’s brothers) had the audiencein stiches. Roundingup the APA cast was Master of Ceremonies our very own acting lecturer, Mr. Michael Cherrie.
I applaud the intention of this concert and as an audient I truly enjoyed it. It was not only informative, it was entertaining and it is my opinion that the university should have more events like this one. It is integral that The UTT, as the national university, continue to highlight our cultural icons and showcase our own talent, this is key to preserving our heritage.
The Anthropology of Sparrow: In Age of Independence