Respect our pannists

THE EDITOR: Cheers to our pannists. In the calypso titled Outcast, these were some of the words the Mighty Sparrow used to describe how society regarded the panmen in the days of yore.

Indeed, however, the panman’s history is replete and synonymous with gang violence, riots and depravity. But his persistence and dogged determination has ensured that his art form along with the instrument has taken its place along with any other in the world today.

His tolls and travails accompanied by contests like Panorama and the Music Festivals, at which foreigners once adjudicated some of the most abstract pieces of music, has earned our instrument international acclaim and the title of National Instrument but what about the pannists? What about the people who produce all that beautiful music? Are they truly respected? Or are they taken for granted? I am of the opinion that, except for the few who have found international acclaim, like Robert Greenidge, Dane Gulston and Liam Teague etc, the majority of our pannists are taken for granted and discarded or ignored after Panorama.

In fact, I must commend and congratulate the dedication and devotion of pannists like Martin Cain, Dane Gulston and Cary Codrington and all the others who have ensured pan’s viability and continuity by involving their families in this unique art form all year round.

There is no pan without the pannists.

They are the only indispensable resource in the pan equation. You may have the best arranger, the best tuner and the best instruments but you must have the pannists.

Let’s examine their plight in the last two-three years. In 2016 pannists revolted and rebelled for two reasons:

1. Their promised stipends of $1,000 were delayed until sometime in December 2016, and

2. The rumours that the stipend would have been reduced to $500 in 2017.

At a meeting at City Hall on January 10, 2017, although a stipend of $1,000 was promised for Panorama, they only received $500.

In 2018, the rules governing Panorama made no mention of a stipend for the pannist. Let’s wait and see.

Nevertheless, in the face of what transpired over the last two to three years, pannists proceeded to Panorama 2018 and produced one of the best in recent years. In Panorama 2018 more than ever, we witnessed a priceless, indomitable spirit that no amount of money could pay for. A spirit demonstrated by the devotion, discipline and commitment of the pannist. A spirit which should be justly compensated not exploited or betrayed. I commend and congratulate all pannists who, against all odds, participated in Panorama 2018. Your contribution continues to soar while we hear of the negatives used to describe calypso and mas (costumes).

Left to me - I would declare 2018 the Year of the Pannist. Cheers!!!

GERARD MENDEZ

Diego Martin