Jahajee, the play, will today kick-start the four-day programme to mark the 167th Indian Arrival Day celebration organised by the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC). According to Deoroop Teemal, co-ordinator of the event, Jahajee mirrors the frustration of the East Indian indentured labourers as a result of the treatment meted out to them at the hands of the 'driver'. It highlights the band of friendship forged during the journey and it emphasises the hopes and ambitions of the East Indian elders with regards to the acquisition of land, thrift, backyard gardening and education of their children. Tomorrow at 7 pm, there will be an enlightened and educational evening with selected readings, storytelling and local songs of arrival, all expressing the jahajee experience from exploitation and adversity to success and progress, using their rich traditions as tools to overcome their challenges in a strange, distant country.
There will be performances by Kala Mandir, Lily Ramcharan, Seeromani Maharaj, Mukesh Babooram, Mohip Poonwassie, Sumeri Dance and Willi Chen. On Tuesday, an East Indian cultural programme takes centre stage. It will feature the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Cooperation, Shastriya Sangeet, Ravi Jagroop and group, Rukminee Beepath, Radha Krishna Dance Group, Indira Mahatoo Dance Group, Nirmala Sesnarayan Group, Aykeel Ali and Ravi Jagroop. The show starts at 7 pm. The grand finale will take place on Wednesday, with Kries Ramkhelewan, Susan Mohip Dance Group, Dil-E-Nadan, tassa drumming, chowtal, biraha, bhajans, quaseedas and hymns. Teemal said there would also be an exhibition on religious and medicinal plants and a photographic display on the early arrival period. At the Sevaashram Sangha of Santa Phillipa Road, Caparo there will be a programme where several citizens to be honoured, as well as a parade. Among those who will be honoured will be Bhagoo Rajpaulsingh, 90-year-old, and a founding member of the Alcoholic Anonymous.
Ajeet Praimsingh, co-ordinator of the Mere Desh which has been in existence for 22 years, said several persons who have made meaningful contributions to the socio-economic development of T&T will be honoured. Over the years 150 persons have received accolades from the Mere Desh Committee. Praimsingh said that entertainment will be provided by Princess Priya Dance Group, Desh Premee Dance Group, Shiv Shankar Dance Group among several others.
Theme of this year's programme is "Sing Alike. Dress Alike-Dress Alike" and contestants are being asked to dress and perform like East Indian entertainers Sonny Mann, Haniff Mohammed, Sundar Popo, Lily Ramcharan-James, Jameer Hosein, Ramesh Basdeo and others. Venue is Mid-Centre Mall, Chagauanas from 4 pm, under the patronage of the Mayor of Chaguanas Orlando Nagessar.