October 22nd : Lalchan Rafi Singh coming to Toronto for Tribute

Lalchan Rafi Singh

Lalchan “Rafi” Singh has achieved National and International recognition as the Mohd. Rafi of the Caribbean.

He was born on May 22, 1948 to Girwar and Sumaria at Pasea Village Tunapuna the northern part of Trinidad & Tobago in the West Indies.

He started singing at the age of ten, whilst attending satsangs and religious functions with his father. Narsaloo Ramaya who was the leader of the Naya Zamana Orchestra, heard the sweet and captivating voice of young Lalchand, and without any hesitation invited him to join the Naya Zamana.

He remained a member of the Naya Zamana for approx. 20 years. In 1968 he entered the Mohd. Rafi Singing Competition which was held at the Himalaya Club. He undoubtedly went on to win the first prize with his brilliantly moving performance of “Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Re.”

Mr. Kamaluddin Mohammed observed that for this competition Lalchan dressed and sang like Mohd. Rafi thereby dubbing him “Rafi.” Consequently he has since been called Lalchand “Rafi” Singh. In 1971 he entered and won the first prize in the Mastana Bahar Competition, with his incredibly melodious and unforgettable rendition of the song “Lapak Jhapak” from the movie “Boot Polish.”

Lalchan has toured extensively throughout Guyana, USA, Canada and India. He was indeed very fortunate to have been able to sing at Prasanthi Nilayam, for Sri Sathya Sai Baba in South India. In 1996 he migrated to the USA where he performs as a freelance singer with many bands. Over the years he has done a number of recordings including a CD in Memory of Mohd. Rafi. Lalchan continues to stand apart from his contemporaries with his consistently brilliant and exciting performances.

His tribute will be on Saturday October 22 at The Centre in Mississauga as part of the Divali Nagar.

No green light for Mavado show; promoter cries

Jamaican dancehall artiste Mavado does not have permission to perform in Trinidad, at least not from National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy.

Responding to a question from a reporter about how the singer, with a known reputation for promoting violence in his songs, could gain permission to perform here, Sandy said, “Only if you have given it to him, I have not.”

Mavado, whose real name is David Constantine Brooks, is scheduled to perform alongside two other Jamaican dancehall acts, Konshens and Aidonna, on July 30, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, despite being banned from this country since 2006 for having violent lyrics.

Mavado’s last performance in Trinidad was on March 29 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, and permission had been granted for that to the promoters by the Ministry.

Noel Smith, one of the promoters for the concert, said they had applied since April 1, for a waiver from the Ministry to allow the July 30 performance, but had received no word. He added that if they do not receive the requisite approval, “We will refund people their money... they’ll have to go back to the ticket seller and they will get a refund.”

Smith also said that it was unfair that his organisation should not be given permission when another promoter, whom he says is a member of the Congress of the People, was granted a similar waiver from the Ministry.