Caption: Newly-appointed Prime Minister singing along with the Flaming Word choir
By Sue-Ann Wayow
MUSICAL artiste serenaded newly-appointed Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, with song on Thursday.
Chatelal was one of the artistes celebrating the appointment of Persad-Bissessar and Attorney General John Jeremie, SC. at the President’s House in St Ann’s.
Before he did a chant, he said he had a few words to say to Persad-Bissessar.
This is what he said:
“Today we sing with hearts full of light, for a daughter of the soil takes her rightful place. A leader with compassion’s might, guide our land with wisdom and grace. May Ganga’s purity flow through her deeds and the light of Christ shine on her way. May Allah’s mercy attend to her needs and the Orishas protect her every day.
“Let justice be her mantle, truth her shield. Let love be her language, spoken and real. May humility like rain nourish her field, and in her care, our nation heal. For she walks not for herself but for all. We pray for Trinidad and Tobago’s peace, for unity that never shall cease, for hands held across every race, for every soul to find its place.
“So may the words of our anthem live and rise above the noise, beyond the skies. Here every creed and race finds an equal place with dignity, kindness and God’s own grace and most of all with one voice, we say may God bless our nation this day and every day.”
Chatelal first rendition the popular Indian song Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki, sometimes jocularly referred to as the second national anthem for the Indian community, and his second was a melody of chants representing the three major faiths – Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.
The Flaming Word choir first performed for the evening with their rendition of Goodness of God. The song was considered a staple at United National Congress (UNC) campaign meetings, and upon winning the general election, Persad-Bissessar posted a video of the original song on her Facebook page as a thank-you gesture.
Thursday, Persad-Bissessar as singing along with the Flaming Word choir.
Giovanni Gibson, of Trinity College East, performed second with David Rudder’s Trini to the Bone and Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds on pan.
The event was hosted by President Christine Kangaloo and her husband Kerwyn Garcia, SC.
