Public disrespect of world-renowned tuner Bertram Kellman needs a public apology from Pan Trinbago’s executive.
By Aquil Arrindell
Only through recognizing and appreciating the great moments in your life do you truly live. Sometimes you have to create those great moments or sometimes they happen organically. It is so ironic that one of the lowest points of one of our national icons’ life was responsible for one such high point in mine. Who would have thought that Mr. Bertram ‘Birch’ Kellman would seek me out on the road Carnival Monday and say “I need you to write an article for me”. I was overwhelmed. However, it is the content of the story that changed my pride to regret and remorse. Mr. Kellman was used as a political tool, cast aside as an old toy and humiliated on stage at the National Panorama 2018 for the world to witness. Mr Kellman was understandably hurt and angered and has claimed that he will be taking legal redress seeking damages.
Mr. Kellman was an intimidating character to me as a youth. I remember going to his workshop with my father and I was always amazed at how serious his tone was and the lack of expression on his face during every conversation. However, after two decades of working with him, I have seen the rare smile and shared a few jokes here and there. The most defining act in my relationship with him was one that would stay with me for the rest of my life. About five years ago, I visited his yard and saw him sinking a drum. This was strange because he usually has workers doing that part of the job. I asked why he was doing this and he said ‘I am not satisfied with my final product, I know I can produce a higher quality sounding instrument and the only way to do so is to start over”. This, coming from one of the highest paid tuners in the world, with hair fully white and at an age where most people would be retiring. Still, he is determined to improve on his craft and willing to work hard towards perfection. I was so impressed that I went to my pan yard that evening and shared this story with my youths. With this backdrop that displays an important aspect of his character, one can see why the traitorous action by the executive would hurt him greatly.
In a follow-up meeting at his residence, he relived the humiliating night. Based on what he told me, he was invited by Mr Diaz to come and collect an award on the night of finals of the National Panorama competition this year. Tickets were sent to him and he was seated among the other twelve to be honoured that night in a specially reserved area for awardees. As the night progressed, Mr. Diaz had a brief chat with him and in that conversation, he told Mr. Kellman that ‘them fellas in the office’, who he interpreted to be other executive members, felt that he should not get an award. Now, to me, that would be shocking because there are three executive members from the south, two of whom Birch (being a south man himself) has been instrumental in advancing their bands development and they should know better than most the value of his contribution to the world. The maths easy; three southern executive members plus Mr. Diaz (who called Birch for the award) equals four votes from seven. This highlights how the fight among southern leaders hampers South’s development. Those southern central executive members could not even agree to honour a southern hero. On top of that, Mr. Diaz has no right to come out of an executive meeting or discussion to say who is for or against in any decision making process. Actions such as these are considered to be misconduct in office because all executive members have to maintain a level of confidentiality which prohibits such action whilst holding office. However, I digress.
The time came for the awards to be presented. Mr Kellman and the twelve other awardees were ushered on stage. Every one on stage collected their award and when it became Mr. Kellman’s turn, the audience was told by Mr. Diaz that he forgot it in the office. Now, for those who don’t know, Pan Trinbago’s office is a stone’s throw away from the Queens Park Savannah and I am sure there were enough of Pan Trinbago’s staff there, including drivers, for that not to be an issue. Mr. Kellman said ‘it was the most embarrassing walk of shame back to his seat he had ever experience in his life’.
Mr. Kellman was recently a recipient of an awarded in the US with success. Who would have ever thought an organisation could mess up giving someone an award. So then I must ask Trinidad and Tobago, how many more lawsuits can Pan Trinbago afford to undergo? How many more acts of incompetence must we experience? How many more embarrassments must we face as an organization? Who is really making these decisions? Who is taking the responsibility for these decisions? Are we to pay the executive to give the world more examples of how stupid pan people are? Are we paying the executive to show the world how we cannot run anything? Are we paying the executive to give the world the best example of incompetence? Well, I am a pan person and I know the majority of band leaders and we are far from incompetent and stupid. What amazes me is how we ended up with these people as our leaders.
Public humiliation deserves a public apology. Mr. president, please instruct our PRO to publish a public apology ASAP. If he is not competent enough to do so, and there are none in your dysfunctional executive has the capability, send me a message, I will do it for you. Until then, Mr. ‘Birch’ Kellman, I, Aquil Arrindell, am extremely sorry for the public embarrassment this executive has put you through and do hope there is something this organization could do or say that would compensate you for your experience. Again I am sorry.
Mr Kellman’s last words to me were ‘Aquil, tell Pan Trinbago executive members to leave me alone. I have work to do and I don’t think I want Diaz to be part of my life. Tell Mr Diaz leave me out of your politics.’
Aquil Arrindell
Mad man with and pen.
Replies
Mr. Claude, my first article that got over 1000 views. i am feeling like a journalist..... i think i better start charging money big now for this we..... especially as you said i need a need hobby....lol
god don't sleep
GIVE THE MAN THE RESPECT HE DESERVE......PANTRINBAGO OWES HIM AN APOLOGY!!!..PEACE!
Apology? THAT and a red, white and black donkey you would never.......er...nah, I take that back.
Aquil Arrindell: When are you setting up the PRESS CONFERENCE with the FORMAL APOLOGY from Keith Diaz? Ah look in meh CRYSTAL BALL and I can't see it anywhere on the screen. And for the first time in decades my CRYSTAL BALL has shown some DYSFUNCTION: I told it BRING UP GREGORY LINDSAY and let us see his future as a PAN TRINBAGO EXECUTIVE ... and ah only getting STATIC like when ah use to listen to the BBC on the radio as a little boy growing up in TRINIDAD.
Ah real worried boy, like something wrong with meh CRYSTAL BALL or maybe it is just showing me REALITY.
come to trinidad, in the bamboo have spare parts for that......lol
Mr. Claude the article getting a good number of views. 615 in two days, not bad at all.
True Dat!!! But Mr. Birch still eh get NO AWARD!!!
is a public apology he is after.
A public apology? From Keith Diaz? Boy, PANORAMA done gone and everything related to it is yesterday's news!!!
Yuh really think that the GREATEST POLITICIAN IN THE WORLD is going to APOLOGIZE after he knowingly and spitefully disrespect a MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR to the PAN WORLD?
Allyuh say allyuh don't want to make the issue POLITICAL so allyuh better take allyuh licks and move on. In the BOOK OF STEVE BANNON and KEITH DIAZ -- it says NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR NUTTEN!!!
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