Pan and the TT national anthem

THE EDITOR: Whenever the descriptive word “national” precedes the words “musical instrument” in TT, reference is made to pan, the only definite-pitch acoustic percussion musical instrument invented in the 20th century.

The word national fosters a historical sense of ownership, pride, patriotism, community, respect and identity. Pan was invented and mastered here and has made its way on to the international stage. It is often described as being our gift to the world of music.

Unlike national anthems, national flags and national coats of arms, Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, states that “governments do not generally officially recognise national instruments; some exceptions being the Paraguayan harp, the Japanese koto and the Trinidadian steel pan.”

Unfortunately, pan – our national treasure – has not yet been officially recognised via an act of Parliament as being our national musical instrument.

Had pan been in receipt of parliamentary blessings, a more appropriate collection of musical instruments could have been found with which to play the national anthem at Friday’s ceremonial reopening and return of the Parliament to the Red House. In this regard, colonialism reigned supreme.

It is no consolation that on Friday a friend who lives in New York sent me a video of the Diversity Steelband playing the US national anthem at the start of a Chicago Bulls basketball game.

HENRY HARPER

Petit Valley