Friends and shoppers of Praimsingh’s were presented with a treat of tassa, chowtaal singing, chai and pepper roti at its Chaguanas branch on Good Friday (March 29) morning.
In addition to chowtaal singing by the Sri Krishen Chowtaal Group of Felicity, there was tassa drumming by Central Strikers Tassa Group of Mc Bean led by Sunil Jagassar and accompanied by Jaden Jagassar and Riche Ramesar. All present were welcomed by Savi Praimsingh and staff with the pasting of gulal on their faces, chai and pepper roti.
The Sri Krishen Chowtaal Group, led by Ganesh Ragoonanan, is a premiere chowtaal group and has become synonymous with Phagwa and chowtaal singing. Only last Sunday the Sri Krishen Chowtaal Group participated in a Chowtaal Sammelan sponsored by the Bamboo No 1 Mandir and on Holy Thursday they were at the home Councilor Taxi Seepersad in Couva.
Savi Praimsingh said that Phagwa is alive and the sale of gulal and abir has been good. She revealed that Mere Desh is planning a massive function next year to boost Phagwa in Chaguanas. “The response this morning is very encouraging,” she concluded.
Praimsingh’s Pooja Bhavan Ltd started in the 1930s by Babu Praimsingh, a trader from India. In addition to pooja materials and religious books and murtis, Praimsingh’s was the first business to import records from India. In 1979 Ajeet Praimsingh took charge of the business and expanded it to producing recordings of local classical and chutney singers, and hosting concerts with artistes from Suriname, Guyana and India. Praimsingh, working with a musicologist and researcher from the USA, took a troupe of local artistes to India that included Rasika Dindial and Rakesh Yankaran.
In 1991 Ajeet Praimsingh founded Mere Desh (My Country) to honor unsung heroes on Indian Arrival Day (May 30) who have contributed in the social, cultural and political fields. After his passing, Ajeet’s daughters led by Savi has taken upon their shoulder the responsibility to continue the legacy of their late father.
Praimsingh’s Pooja Bhavan is an example of how much can be achieved by a few sincere minds and that you don’t have to be a rocket scientist and a billionaire to serve your community but only a welcoming smile that has become the trademark of Ajeet Praimsingh and now Savi, her sisters and their staff.
