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Kitchrie 2014: Festival of Indo-Caribbean Heritage Arts

Denyse Baboolal
Denyse Baboolal

FT. LAUDERALE – Denyse Baboolal is the Founder, Executive & Artistic Director of Jayadevi Arts Inc (JAI).  Jaya Devi Arts Inc. (JAI) was founded in 2008 and became a non-profit organization in 2010. JAI  preserves, promotes, unites, educates and presents the arts and culture of Indo-Caribbean communities from Guyana, Trinidad, Jamaica, Suriname, and other parts of the Caribbean.

JAI stimulates original and artistic creativity especially among the younger generation of Indo-Caribbean youths born in the United States.

Denyse spent twelve years with Rajkumari Center for Indo-Caribbean Arts and Culture in New York where she continued her Kathak training with Gora Singh and was taught the dying art form of Rajdhar.  At Rajkumari, Denyse was trained in Drama, stage management, technical lighting, producing, directing and other areas of theater.

Jayadevi Arts Inc in collaboration with Rajkumari Center of New York is proud to present “Kitchrie Festival—‘Chakay-Mekin Match’ (Match Making)  Kitchrie is a simple dish of rice and peas with spices, it conjures the ceremonial meal offered at an Indian wedding to the groom by the bride’s family after the nuptial vows are exchanged. It also signifies a potpourri of music, song and dance. This presentation is the first of its kind in South Florida – a potpourri of Indo-Caribbean Music, Songs, Dance, Drama, Spoken Word, Visual Art, and Drums willl come alive at Hollywood Performing Arts Center on July 19th and at the Royal Palm Cutltural Center on July 20th.

This event is designed to promote awareness of Indo-Caribbean Arts and Culture amongst the people of South Florida.

The program begins opens with a dynamic dance by Jayadevi dancers, followed by a fantastic monologue by Pritha Singh from New York and a hilarious musical dance drama by the Rajkumari Center, directed by Radha Singh. There would be a display of Indo-Caribbean music and dance by musicians from Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica Suriname.   The grand finale will be a thunderous drum demonstration featuring top National Indo-Caribbean Artistes.

Representing Trinidad and Tobago are Pundit Neil Persad and International Chutney Singer Hemlatha Dindial.  Representing Guyana are Djaan Pari and Vasudev Goolkarran on the drums.  Representing Jamaica are Danesh B Maragh, Terry Maragh, Richard Balleysingh Dammar on the drums and the Ghanesh Maragh Nachaniya Dancers.

Direct from Suriname are Rayen Kalpoe, Jaswankumar Parmessar, Yashvant Oepasion, Andre Jagdieshpersad Sital on the drums and Lounda Ki Nach Dancer Redjinderpersad Ghiraw joined by Jayadevi Dancers and master drummer Narendra Budhai of South Florida.

The drama cast from New York features playwright and actress Pritha Singh, Director and actress Radha Singh, Co-Producer Linda Rogado, Ramona Singh-Maharaj, Anand Maharaj, Shaila Singh-Sownarain, Nadira Beepat, Denae Pacheo, Rita Baboolal, Pooran Rambaran Chitra Singh, and Alana Resaul from South Florida.

Denyse feels that everyone should attend this entertaining event “Kitchrie 2014”, she said that “although the play is comical, it carries a philosophical message to it”. She goes on to explain, “It will have both the young and the old crying with laughter, yet the mature audience will still appreciate the traditional and cultural message , music and dance”.  “This is an event not to be missed. It was produced with great love and respect by our people and it is about our people. We encourage the community to come and celebrate our culture with us”.

KITCHRIE 2014 WILL BE THE SHOW OF SHOWS. IT IS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND”. Said Denyse.  “Is bout we!”

South Florida Caribbean News

The SFLCN.com Team provides news and information for the Caribbean-American community in South Florida and beyond.

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