UNTIL now, it has been impossible to fit a country full of culture into an island full of diversity …

But on December 3, 2005 through the power and grace of CL Financial and Radio 90.5 FM, Port of Spain Trinidad will welcome the true essence of Indian culture … one night, on one stage, 10 of India’s world renowned “cultural ambassadors” … The 2005 Bollywood Music Awards!

With more than 270 million viewers worldwide in over 90 countries the 8th Annual Bollywood Music Awards will be aired from 8 p.m. at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The Bollywood Music Awards pays tribute to the artistes of the Indian music arena with special emphasis on the film songs genre. The music of the movies is what boosted its appeal and made the movies.

It is what Indian emigrants use as a link, as their bond to their land of origin. Indian music, especially that of the films, is the glue that holds the Indian communities, local and international, together.

CL Financial recognised this and through its establishment of Radio 90.5 FM, came to appreciate it as well.

So, as the parent company forms other alliances with India -- including the establishment of a distribution company for Angostura, the involvement in the formation of another steel company coming out of India and the development of Trinidad as a film production location for Indian motion pictures -- they were thrilled at the prospect of offering this to the people of Trinidad and the region.

It is the beginning of a bridge they are building to forge the booming economies of Trinidad and India.

It is also part of CL Financial’s commitment to cultural development in Trinidad and Tobago and it follows closely the Tobago Jazz Festival they single-handedly put together with artistes such as Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole and India Arie; and plan to do again come April 2006.

Radio 90.5 FM has been supporting Indian culture since its inception in 1997 and has successfully extended its activities to include even non-Indians.

The annual Kite Flying Competition has become a national event, anticipated by all.

The Family Day and Annual Cookout are patronised by a mix of citizens.

The Divali Mangalam that Radio 90.5 hosts is the largest gathering for a prayer service put on by a corporate entity.

Radio 90.5 FM has become a respected company through its ties with its audience.

Year round, there are charity drives, individual fund raising projects, fun competitions for the children, sponsorship of many Indian concerts and events and other activities that make the station a “people’s station”, one committed to helping the listenership; devoted to the development of Indian culture and the advancement of the people.

The 2005 Bollywood Music Awards will offer local performers an invaluable opportunity to interact on stage with the Indian artistes that they model themselves and their music after.

For some acts the full band of musicians coming out of India will be accompanied by local orchestras.

The CLICO Shiv Shakti dancers will dance side by side with the most popular and famed Indian dance groups.

The locals will be exposed to the international media, a move long-awaited and desperately needed for their growth.