Newcomers Wing-O-Rama take Couva Band of the Year 2025

Wing-O-Rama, competing in Couva Carnival for the first time, beat out more seasoned competitors to capture the coveted Band of the Year title at the Parade of the Bands at the Couva Car Park on Carnival Tuesday, March 4.

Led by Mano Bridgelal who also designed the mas, Wing-O-Rama’s presentation captivated the massive crowd at the Couva Carnival centre with its creative and dazzling portrayal of Wings of Nature.

The band’s King, which encountered mobility problems with overhead utility lines at the Monday Nite Mas parade, was able to move freely as T&TEC rectified the situation. Veteran masquerader Mahindra Hardeosingh danced his 28-feet-wide costume with ease delighting spectators with its creativity.

Wing-O-Rama’s debut appearance at Couva was a tribute to the late Danzo Ballroop, the longstanding bandleader who broke many records at Couva Carnival, including five straight Band of the Year triumphs and several king and queen of the bands accolades.

Placing second in the Band of the Year competition was Madness Crew, led by Jenna Dass, with Enchanted Garden. Third position went to last year’s champions, the John Robert-led Central Elite with Passion.

Jason Ramnath, portraying The Yellow Cornbird from Wing-O-Rama, was Best Male Individual.

The title of Best Female Individual went to Donna Rodney, representing Joy from Central Elite.

First Citizens’ The Original Jab Jab, led by whip master Ronald Alfred, earned lusty applause with their whip-fighting which climaxed with the male jab jabs stripping to their waist as they went toe-to-toe with their whips.

With the six days of events ending with a rousing finale, Ramchand Rajbal Maraj, chairman of the Couva Carnival Committee, said the committee was very pleased with the entire Couva Carnival 2025.

“From beginning to end, we had wonderful shows with great performances and record attendance by the public. We had several innovations this year to enhance our product, including international live streaming of two events, Kiddies Carnival and Tuesday Parade of the Bands,” Rajbal Maraj pointed out.

The CCC chairman was full of praise for ICE Media Group, headed by Stefan Jones, for making the streaming possible through generous sponsorship by bmobile.

Hosts for the live streaming for Kiddies Carnival were local actress Cecilia Salazar and designer Richard Young, with Errol Fabian doing the honours on Carnival Tuesday.

He also thanked the Couva fire service and the Couva police for their diligence in ensuring a safe and secure carnival.

Full results of Couva

Parade of the Bands:

Band of the Year

1. Wing-O-Rama - Wings of Nature

2. Madness Crew - The Enchanted Garden

3. Central Elite - Passion

4. Kalifa Williams & Associates- If Sailors Could Fly

5. Couva/Gran Couva/Waterloo/Chickland Police Youth Clubs - Fancy Indians

Male Individual of the Year

1. Jason Ramnath (The Yellow Cornbird) - Wing-O-Rama

2. Nadir Bateau (Kite Season) - Kalifa Williams & Associates

3. Selwyn Francis (The Golden Eagle) - Wing-O-Rama

Female Individual of the Year

1. Donna Rodney (Joy) - Central Elite

2. Sarah Chinidasa (The Blue & Yellow Macaw) - Wing-O-Rama

3. Miriam Johnson (Spix Macau) - Kalifa Williams & Associates.