Global - Seen that, done that, heard that... Indeed the name ‘Raffique Shah’ resonates loudly within and around all, aspects of Trinidad and Tobago life, culture and history... Mr. Shah brings a special knowledge-base to the subject of the steelpan instrument in Trinidad and Tobago both from a local and worldly perspective. Never afraid to speak to truth, meet Raffique Shah in a When Steel Talks exclusive interview.
WST - “Let’s talk about the North Stand. Can you take us through its changes, let’s say, every decade, to its current version with its “Greens connection”?”
Raffique Shah - “Regretfully, I cannot give you a precise history of the North Stand, or, indeed, Panorama. My first Carnival in Port-of-Spain was in 1964!! Country bookie! I knew the names and sounds of many big bands then--North Stars, Invaders, Cavaliers, Highlanders and so on. But I hadn’t seen or heard them play live. I will have first attended Panorama in 1967/68, and I think I was in the Grand Stand. I don’t even remember when the North Stand came into existence, but I recall being part of that experience from around 1973.
“It was the stand for mostly younger people who wanted to enjoy pan on our feet, not on seats (as per the Grand Stand). We loved pan music and wanted to enjoy it fully...and we did. So alive was that stand, one year (must have been late 1980s), when it was poorly constructed, the whole stand was ‘wining’ as the bands played and we danced. Dangerous, but true.
“The North Stand livened up Panorama...until part-time pan lovers, or the ‘one-dayers’ increased in numbers. These are people who knew little about pan and cared less. They made noise even as the bands played, which was a no-no for us. These were people who never visited a panyard or patronised other pan events during the year, who wanted nothing to do with pan--except that one day, semi-finals, on which they ‘come out to party’.
“Sometime around 2000, my lime decided we could no longer cope with that. But we still could not enjoy Panorama sitting down. So we migrated to The Drag where we would be band-side as they made their final ‘runs’ before hitting the stage. When we wanted to listen to a band perform, we would get as close to the stage as we could. Eventually, I sometimes went into the Grand Stand.
“I should add that while I made a few trips to the Savannah for the finals, I have long had a personal routine for the big night. Radio tuned to perfection to capture the sound, TV for visual, and relaxed at home or with a lime, I’d listen from first note to the last. Sheer joy.
“One final note. The Greens is a vulgar extension of the North Stand at its worst. You know, in designing a Carnival City for the Savannah some years ago, architect Colin Laird came up with an enhanced Grand Stand....and a huge elevated berm on the opposite side (where the North Stand is). Perfect! No temporary structure every year. Freedom the break down the berm (try nah!). But, and this is where I part company with Pan Trinbago, no DJs or instruments. Pan must be the ONLY focus at Panorama.”
Replies
Great interview Raffique. You are right there is nothing like playing pan on the road and interacting with the people at ground level.
bugs
Bugs, the float will sink the steelband
Ah hear you...
Have you seen Claude? He made some big statements before panorama. He can't hide for ever the year just start. lmao
bugs
Ah think he still depressed about the Andeeee thing. lol
Cecil, He is depress because Renegades lost
Oscar, there was a time when the people in the north stand though noisey still wanted to hear the steelband, these are the ones that bring energy to the grand stands now. The people that go to the north stand now don't give a shit about the steelbands.
Cecil, The North Stand used to belongs to Desperadoes, whenever despers on the stage you would know, the whole of the North Stand was People from the hill.( the days of Melda and Mamas dis is mas)
Recently i asked a brethren of mine if he could recall when the faces in the North Stand change. Initially in North Stand was the hoipolloi and Grand Stand the bourgeois. Our band usually set up facing West until a decision was taken to face North and South. I wanted to play on the North that's where the energy was, our skipper wanted me on the South. In those days, from the reaction of the North Stand you would know how good or bad your performance was, while the Grand Stand was just there hardly making a sound or shaking a leg as they say. I think those in the Grand Stand looked across at the North Stand and said to themselves , they seem to be having a lot of fun. Over time i have seen the faces in the North Stand change. The Grand Stand has also change,now you get some energy from the Grand Stand minus the excessive noise.
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