On The Pan Ministry
Questions:
- We already have a Ministry of Culture, why would we need a Ministry of Pan?
- There is already too much politics in pan, why do we need more?
- What is the role of Pan Trinbago in a Ministry of Pan?
Responses:
- (a) Pan will always be culture to Trinidad and Tobago. However pan has gone beyond culture. A parallel example is the saxophone, which was once considered a cultural instrument. Today the saxophone is a mainstream instrument and no longer considered a cultural instrument (perhaps in its area of inception). Pan is heading in the same direction with its world wide appeal.
(b) Pan has grown up after 70 plus years and could stand on its own. Its acceptance as a bona-fide musical instrument continues to attract enthusiasts from all walks of life.
(c) There was once a Ministry of Sports and Culture combined, with time and evolution, there is now a separate Ministry of Sports and likewise and independent Ministry of Culture. This is an evolution and a direction for the pan.
(d) Pan is now in many institutions of learning in the complete academia setting all over the world (elementary, secondary, college and university). None of the other cultures of Trinidad and Tobago is anywhere near this, neither are they expected to be in the near future, including (mas’, calypso, soca, chutney, parang, better village, mastana bahar etc.)
(e) A pan ministry is probably the best vehicle to take the pan forward, it is not a “magic bullet” as someone alluded to, nor is it the end point, it is however a means to move ahead, a vehicle.
(f) Economics – the driving force, what can be done and has to be done for pan, (for instance establishing a complete pan industry) a ministry of pan will be able to deliver because a pan ministry will have its own annual budget, notwithstanding a stronger national and international appeal and focus. (The business community will not invest at this level, it is too costly and too risky for them)
(g) In addition, removing pan from the ministry of culture, will benefit the rest of culture. It will give more leverage and funding to the rest of culture in other words the ministry of culture will no longer have that economic responsibility to look out for the pan, instead it will have more to offer to the other cultures.
- There has always been some relationship with pan and politics. The two have been entwined from the inception of the pan. Albeit in the beginning they were bitter enemies on the opposite sides. Today pan and politics are no longer enemies but rather allies. The trajectory of the relationship shows that while they were poles apart on the onset of pan, today they already are almost as one entity, with the incorporation of Pan Trinbago by an Act of Parliament in 1986, this literally renders the pan as an arm of the government. In addition 100% funding comes from the government to Pan Trinbago annually. So to say keep pan out of politics, this is not a reality. It should become rather fully entrenched in the government as a complete ministry, where it could have its own annual budget and the “weight” and ability to exercise more leverage in whatever venture and journey it has to undergo. Addressing the concerns of many, I remind all that there is a ministry of sports but it does not hinder or curtails any sports body, club, organization or individuals.
The same for the pan, there will be no hindrance to steelpan groups, organizations or individuals.
- Pan Trinbago will find that not only will there be a more direct connection with the pan ministry but easier access to resources. Pan Trinbago will continue doing what they have been doing for decades. There may be more enhanced responsibilities in working with the pan ministry. They can expect more funding as the pan ministry will have its own annual budget, but along with these enhanced responsibilities there will be more accountability also.
All of these questions and answers are in the preliminary stages of research with a lot more information to follow. Responses are important and needed ....for , against, or indifferent...all are welcomed please keep it civil ...this is research ...best regards............
Salah Wilson
Replies
ODW put up an article on the NAPA DISASTER (which I had read independently before) under the PAN SONG DISCUSSION.
Now, can you imagine the PNM GOVERMENT setting up a MINISTRY OF STEELBAND and trying to run a STEELBAND INDUSTRY?
EXPONENTIAL DISASTER AND MORE BILLIONS DOWN THE DRAIN!!!
Granted ..there is corruption in practically every government the world over ...Trinidad is no exception....but it does not limit a country from having a government nor a ministry. Neither should it limit us with a corrupt ministry. Corruption will be uncovered...They will be found out and will be held accountable. We cannot be afraid of Government ...government is supposed to be ...of the people ....from the people....for the people.
we have to ensure good governance...not an easy task ...but an essential one.
I really enjoyed this commentary on Pan Ministry - very informative.
From Pan in carnival, to the use of Pan in the music composed for Pan, to a Pan Ministry, do we really know what to do with the PAN?
(f) Economics – the driving force, what can be done and has to be done for pan, (for instance establishing a complete pan industry) a ministry of pan will be able to deliver because a pan ministry will have its own annual budget, notwithstanding a stronger national and international appeal and focus. (The business community will not invest at this level, it is too costly and too risky for them.)
So, Salah: If the business community (of T&T) considers an investment (the pan industry) too costly and too risky, how do you see the GOVERNMENT OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO stepping up to the plate and making this venture a success?
On a lighter note, You want a Ministry of Pan, Cecil wants Pan on the road for Carnival, and I want some Pan Musicians to make music good enough to grab a share of that FIFTEEN BILLION DOLLAR a year global music industry ... but some clocks are running out!!!!
Greetings Claude,
The Business Community in Trinidad has had what, ... some 7 decades to invest in pan.... but practically zero,..... apart from Michael Cooper and his company Pan Land in the last decade and a half,..... there has been no real attempt to establish any meaningful business of pan in Trinidad.....so that rules out the business sector accordingly ..... so to answer the question why would the T&T Government invest in pan ....well with the present status quo ..a ministry of culture and Pan Trinbago ....its not going to happen ....... It can and will only happen if THERE IS AN EXCLUSIVE PAN MINISTRY ..... because that will be their raison d'etre ..that's French for their reason to be, to exist.... they will have an annual budget...here is how it works ...what does any ministry get for its annual budget .........here we are talking billions of dollars....... Economics.....there is no other possible way at the moment ... it is why I am suggesting that a ministry of pan is indeed the best possible vehicle to accomplish anything today ...the challenge to this concept is to produce an alternative vehicle........
On a lighter side ...we should be a part of that FIFTEEN BILLION DOLLAR industry ...how do we get there without this push from an exclusive ministry.....money will bring money (if utilized the right way). Pan belongs to Trinidad ...It is therefore our pride and right to establish a Ministry for Pan if we so choose ...granted it is possibly a new thought ...but we are talking about doing something for pan
Claude let me leave with an interesting thought ....Going back to the late Maurice Bishop (R.I.P.) ...I recall when he came to Trinidad and literally challenged Trinidad to do more for pan or he would...... Perhaps he might have done a pan ministry in Grenada.... Here is another thought .... Historically in 1951 for the Festival of Britain where TASPO did their thing ....It was a group from Antigua who was going to this Festival until the word came to Trinidad that this was taking place resulting in a mad scramble to be the first band to make a tour to Britain.
I find it to be interesting if another island in the Caribbean would move forward with establishing a Pan Ministry.
Yes you heard that right here on When Steel Talks ... LOL ...