Mash fever starts as National Chutney Monarch Finals set for January 5

Georgetown : Defending National monarch Haresh Sing, two time winner Fiona Singh, US based Guyanese Terry Gajraj among 13 others will be vying for the 2013 Chutney Monarch on January 5, 2012.

 This year’s winner of the competition will be sent to Trinidad for their leg of the competition.

 Co-ordinator Neaz Subhan said that it still is a good move. “The fact that we have our people who can compete with the Trinidadians is a good thing for this competition because they will learn and it only serves to improve what we already have,” he said.

Suhban spoke highly of the interest that the competition received this year from young talent, an important aspect to the longevity of the competition.

“This year we have quite a few young artistes competing, and that is a good sign because it shows that there is interest,” he said.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, with support from individuals dedicated to sustaining and preserving chutney in Guyana has boosted the level and quality of the competition over the years.

The quality and the nature of Guyanese music have been having an impact in Trinidad, Suhban said. The National Chutney Monarch competition is an annual feature of Mashramani.