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ARRAH, Bihar : A local folk music with
its origin in Bihar about two centuries ago has become a huge
rage in the Caribbean , particularly in places like Trinidad
and Tobago , a product of unique cultural cocktail between
people linked by a common language.
Chutney is a Hindi term used to describe a peppery sauce,
perhaps an apt description for the up-tempo, rhythmic songs
that are accompanied by folk acoustic instruments like the
harmonium, dholak (Indian drum) and the traditional island
instrument dhantal.
"Chutney is our connection to the traditions," said
35-year-old Trinidad resident George Malhotra, whose grandparents
went to the 5,128 sq km Caribbean island as indentured labourers
for the British in the early 1900.
"Without this music, I might have otherwise never known
my own culture," Malhotra said on e-mail from Port of
Spain , the Trinidad capital.
Chutney music, now a major force in the Caribbean , was born
of the mingling of Indian and Caribbean culture. Basically
Bhojpuri folk music in Caribbean style, chutney is considered
much closer to Indian music than many of the African-European-inspired
musical forms found in the Caribbean.
It uses Indian folk music and even movie tunes and religious
songs, over a fast calypso.
And most Indians in Trinidad and Tobago are lapping it up,
even though some of them don't understand it. "I love
these songs," said Geeta George, a Trinidad-born of Indian
origin who now lives in New York.
"Even after I left home, I am still addicted to them."
About 40 percent of the island's 1.3 million people are descendants
of Indian workers who were brought as contracted labour on
British sugar plantations.
Chutney is now making inroads in India . For the last two
years, Trinidad chutney music group "Ram Khilawan and
Troupe" have performed in Delhi . This year, another
Caribbean chutney group led by singer Rikki Jai sang in the
capital.
From a forgotten art, chutney music has now become an international
money-spinner. Trinidadian performers Sundar Popahas, Rakesh
Yankaran, Babla and Kanchan have used their unique songs not
only to reflect upon their immediate world but also draw inspiration
from a faraway culture.
Some in Bihar too have caught on to it. "One of my friends
got me a CD from Trinidad of chutney music," said Rajni
Goswami, 20, a student in Patna. "I love it."
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