by SANDRA L BLOOD
Michael M, manager of Renegades Steel Orchestra and Michael J, chairman of the southern region of Pan Trinbago and manager of Southern Marine Steel Orchestra, entice your Sunday luncheon palette from 9a.m. to midday, tuning in international listening audiences to sumptuous culinary pan segments – meat and macaroni pie, crab and callaloo, provision and potato salad, and red beans and rice – on their three-hour, radio talk show, "For the Love of Pan", where pan is boss.
With diverse strains of music filling the air, what better appetizer than pan music!
I recall with calypso, at the turn of the century, a particular radio station introduced and tried to maintain a calypso-only format but evidently, to recognize the artform as an expression of cultural significance is still up in the air.
Every Sunday, “For the Love of Pan” begins with devotion as Marcano says, “in recognition of the existence of the Creator what/whoever you perceive him to be…”
As a continuation from “The Original Magic of Pan” hosted back then by the late Eddie Yearwood, this renewed version, brings a rejuvenated and uplifting twist that encompasses pan on all levels with spot-on interviews; guests and trivia, while engaging calling audience.
This particular urban radio station, 91.9FM, caters to youth and so, aspects of the programme touch on youth in pan…whether as guests or pan activities.
As time progressed, the format evolved.
When we speak love of pan, marginalizing the music cannot be considered thus, capturing the music from all extremities is the mandate…keeping it current and creative – blending the old with the new.
Loving speaks to a high level of sincerity, having a passion, unwavering interest, clear understanding and undying commitment hence, loving pan requires the same.
To hear a first-time visitor to our shores – a pannist who arrived the Saturday before panorama semi-final to specifically experience playing for panorama, and departed TnT three hours after performing final night in a prominent band – lament that “Trinidad is not spreading pan; foreigners are…” is far from music to the ears. It speaks using pan.
The love of pan for many means, what he/she can benefit from the artform for personal gain and, for many ‘Trinbagonians’, the not knowing why there must be a love for pan means to not respect and cherish it.
While foreigners treat pan as if it’s a violin or harp, we tend to be stuck in the stone-
aged days of the where-the-pan-came from syndrome seemingly unable to emancipate ourselves from cultural slavery.
A foreign smile, a ‘lime’, two drinks of liquor, a little hug, and all our pan secrets and indiscipline are revealed…to whose benefit?
It is for co-executive producer, Pan Trinbago and the wider Trinidad and Tobago to feel proud to know that this programme is diffusing pan music apart from the carnival season.
To dilute it in any form should be disallowed at all cost.
The final leg of the show from 11:00a.m., is hosted solely by co-host, the other Michael – Joseph, who brings another dimension of the love.
Can this programme be extended to six hours to include desert – wine, cake and ice-cream segments?
Cooking up a storm with pan is indeed a worthy investment all for the love of pan.
Comments
Thanks Sandra Blood