By Sue-Ann Wayow
SOUTH cultural icon Torrance Mohammed contributed his very best to humankind but was lost to the very worst of human nature.
He passed away at the San Fernando General Hospital around 9 pm on Tuesday following a robbery attack around 2.30pm on Monday in San Fernando
AZPNews.com was told that Mohammed, 89, was walking along Terrace Street, Mon Repos, to deliver items to a family’s home when the robbery occurred.
One assailant made the attack and escaped with a gold chain Mohammed was wearing and a cellphone. The extent of his injuries is still yet to be determined.
Mohammed was described as a master of dance and a walking encyclopedia who did his best to serve mankind.
Treasured son of San Fernando
Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts and former Member of Parliament for San Fernando East Randall Mitchell wrote on Facebook, “Last night, Trinidad and Tobago lost another stalwart of the Arts. I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Torrance Mohammed, one of our country’s foremost dance pioneers. He was a well-known choreographer and a founding member of the Arawak dance group, San Fernando Arts Council and the National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
“His work spanned beyond the Arts industry with his 16-year tenure as a PNM Councilor and his four-year term as deputy mayor of the San Fernando City Corporation.
“In recognition of his contribution to shaping our cultural landscape, Torrance Mohammed was awarded the Public Service Medal of Merit Silver for Arts and Dance in 1976.”
Heartbroken
Member of Parliament for San Fernando East Brian Manning posted condolences on social media.
He said, “It is with a heavy heart that we must now say goodbye to yet another cultural icon of South Trinidad. Mr Torrance Mohammed, a master of dance who was loved and respected by all, has passed away under rather tragic circumstances. We are all heartbroken by this but we have with us many memories of his unmatched talent, his love for culture and the arts, his love for south Trinidad, his wisdom, his generousity and kindness to all.”
Concert was being planned in his honour
Public Relations Officer of the National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago Camille Lynch-Griffith told AZPNews.com Mohammed was a founding member of the association.
“It is unbelievable to us that a robbery would have resulted in death.”
Lynch-Griffith is hoping that anyone who witnessed the incident will provide the police with solid information that will lead to the arrest of Mohammed’s attacker.
She said a concert was being planned in his honour for June 19 at Naparima Bowl in San Fernando.
A human history book
Alette Williams, a former executive member of the San Fernando Arts Council, said, “Torrance Mohammed was a gem of the southland. There was no one that didn’t know him or of him. To me, he was a living encyclopedia, a human history book. He was always full of life, passion, energy. Every time we met, Torrance had a relatable story. That was his gift, storytelling. So witty. He always had impactful advice to give also, about life, finances, human interaction, but mostly about the arts.
She said, “His bio says a lot but he spoke volumes with the things, memories, and influence he’s had on the evolution of the performing arts. He will be missed, he will always be loved. My heart aches for his family and loved ones. I pray for their strength and comfort. His immeasurable contribution to the art of dance and the pain this dance fraternity feels right now is near unbearable. This is not the way we wished our icon to transition. I trust that justice will prevail.”
Following is an excerpt of Torrance Mohammed’s biography from the National Gas Company SanFest 2017:
Torrance was born to indentured immigrants who came from Bengal, India and settled at Iere Village, Princes Town. His astute entrepreneurial skills led him to become one of the leading agents with Maritime Life Insurance Company in T&T and earned him several prestigious awards culminating with his induction in 1994 into the Hall of Fame of the Life Underwriters Association of Trinidad and Tobago Company Limited’s (LUATT).
His success in the insurance industry is matched by his unwavering flair for and expertise in the arts with his area of specialty being of course, dance. He is a founding member of the Arawak Dance Group, the San Fernando Arts Council, the National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Sando Cultural Ambassadors.
For many years, he served as Chairman of the San Fernando Arts Council, as well as on numerous civil, regional and national committees, including the National Cultural Council, National Carnival Committee, the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition and the San Fernando Carnival Committee.
He was a City Councillor for 16 years and served as Deputy Mayor of San Fernando (1999-2003). Torrance has been a Cultural Ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago during many regional and international cultural exchanges as both actor and dancer. He has performed for dignitaries such as Emperor Haile Selassie; former Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi; former Canadian Prime Minister, Roland Michener; and South African singer, Miriam Makeba.
