tidings
Sean Douglas
RANDALL MITCHELL, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, said that Trinidad and Tobago could derive real benefits from a bill to recognize the steel bowl as the national musical instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.
He was speaking July 5 in the Senate, where he piloted the National Musical Instrument Bill of 2024, which passed July 3 in the House of Representatives.
Mitchell urged Trinidad and Tobago to “unapologetically harness the power, allure and mystique” of the steel pan in order to promote the instrument, local culture and country.
This was critical given the pan’s versatility, global recognition and huge commercial potential as a desirable instrument for musical performance and education, he said.
“The adoption of the steel pan as the national instrument of the TT through legislation will also serve to market the brotherhood of steel, the Carnival and, by extension, the culture of the TT.”
The designation can attract strategic investment and help penetrate the highly competitive global cultural and creative market.
“Furthermore, this designation has the potential to act as a catalyst for increased production, promotion, distribution and commercialization of our national instrument, which will benefit our citizens.” The bill will remove any doubt that TT is truly the home of the pan and raise the country’s profile, he said.
“Studies have shown that the mastery of indigenous instruments promotes tourism development, economic growth and distinctive global recognition of nations.”
Mitchell cited a 2020 study, The Role of Traditional Music in the Development of Tourism Destinations.
He stated, “Traditional music is an endless resource that can be used to develop event and experience tourism and, in particular, heritage tourism.”
The minister mentioned the countries where tourism derives from traditional music, namely Ireland (Irish music), Austria (Alpine music) and Canada’s Cape Breton Island (Celtic music).
“While traditional music forms an integral part of the identity of local residents, it offers tourists new experiences and opportunities to immerse themselves in the traditional values of the destination they are exploring.”
National instruments support the unique selling proposition of a country to have “a unique, distinctive and authentic culture,” he said.
The Minister welcomed the bill’s mandate to update Parliament with biennial reports on key steps in steel development, such as its recognition, status, promotion, developments and impact at national, regional and international levels.
“This statutory reporting mechanism will ensure accountability, transparency and enable parliamentary scrutiny on all steel-related issues globally for our citizens, while enabling legislative oversight of the progress and developments ensured for our national instrument.”
He said that the draft law will preserve the development and the socio-cultural and historical importance of the pan.
“We have heard and responded to the repeated pleas of our steelmakers and tuners, our lawyers and legal writers, our historians, other interested parties, and most importantly, our citizens, by heeding the call for the legislative declaration of tin as national instrument. of our two-island republic.
“This bill will legally codify the universally accepted fact that the steel pan is a product of our people’s innovation and an important element of our cultural heritage. Mr. President, please move.”
Earlier, Mitchell said the steel pan was “an important thread in our cultural tapestry that weaves together our diverse identities and experiences,” reflecting tangible and intangible heritage.
“Culture is not simply a collection of artistic practices, but a system of shared values, imaginations, and ideologies derived from those artistic expressions. This system of shared values creates social cohesion and fosters a sense of community.”
He recalled attending the recent launch of a book on the history of the All Stars Steel Orchestra, entitled Mettle and Metal, by Bukka Rennie, during which former Tunapuna MP Eddie Hart gave an inspiring account of the experience of him as a youngster joining the All Stars.
“His story was one of a young man who found community and mentorship that helped him transition into adulthood and become a group leader and mentor himself. This story is a common story repeated in many areas around country.
“Mr. President, the preservation and promotion of a nation’s culture is the collective duty of all its citizens, led by the government, which creates a favorable environment for culture to flourish.
While hailing the global spread of pan, Mitchell saluted its local pioneers, naming Winston “Spree” Simon, Ellie Mannette, Anthony Williams, Neville Jules and Bertie Marshall, and contemporary leaders such as Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Duvone Stuart, Leon Smooth Mohammed , Ains. and Kersh Ramsey. He said the instrument had emerged from the working class, whose members had toiled without financial reward or any guarantee of recognition.
He recalled President Christine Kangaloo calling for the steel pan to be recognized and Senator Sunity Maharaj moving a motion to that effect, both last year. He thanked Pan Trinbago chief Beverley Ramsey-Moore, Henry Harper and Martin Daly, SC, for their advocacy of steel recognition.
