Dressed in feathered costumes that Lionel Jagessar designed more than a decade ago, hundreds of masquerades took to the streets of San Fernando in the scorching heat for a final tribute to the iconic masmen who died last Saturday.
Traditional carnival characters, which Jagessar staunchly maintained when many other gang leaders opted for bikinis and beads, took part in the procession.
They traveled from Coffee Street, Mucurapo Street to Gransaul Street where his funeral rites were held.
Whip leaders led the procession, their whips cracking loudly. Children from Grant Memorial Elementary School were screaming.
![A police rider escorts the hearse carrying the King of the Indian Mass, Lionel Jagessar Sr, as a crowd of costumed masqueraders parade through the streets of San Fernando in a final farewell and tribute to the legendary and carnival icon. [Image by KRISTIAN DE SILVA]](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns='http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org/2000/svg' style='width:auto;height:auto'%2F%3E)
A police rider escorts the hearse carrying the King of the Indian Mass, Lionel Jagessar Sr, as a crowd of costumed masqueraders parade through the streets of San Fernando in a final farewell and tribute to the legendary and carnival icon. [Image by KRISTIAN DE SILVA]
Drums blared from music trucks and people lined the streets to wave at the passing carriage. Police stopped traffic, diverting drivers as needed to make way for the entourage.
Jagessar’s wife, Rosemarie Kuru-Jagessar, stood watching as mourners waved their feathered sticks and headdresses. People came out of shops and buildings to watch the special procession.
As the procession broke through the corner of Sutton and Gransaul streets, calypsos were replaced by Indian bhajans.
Jagessar’s favorite song, “Sona Sona Laghay”, was played over loudspeakers as relatives wept.
The casket was then taken for the last time inside the simple wooden house where Jagessar lived and worked for 72 years.
Guardian Media will bring you full coverage of the funeral on the CNC3 news edition tonight.
