CALYPSONIANS went through a lot of struggles during the early years.

They struggled for recognition, they struggled for more money and they struggled for respect.

And what we now as calypso tents took long in coming.

Patrons now have the luxury of air-conditioned settings but in the early years the artistes sang under a bamboo tent they erected themselves.

PINK PANTHER

“Someone gave you permission to put up the bamboo tent and that is where calypsonians sang,” explained Eric Taylor, The Pink Panther.

“It was hot but it was a place where calypsonians could gather to express themselves in song freely.”

“However if it got out that they were singing anything against the government, the tent would have been broken down,” he said, adding that they also faced charges, as songs used to be carefully monitored by government agents.

“Even when we moved from bamboo to buildings, our songs were still monitored.

“There was a fella name Albert who helped in the fight to give us more freedom in our lyrics.”

Today, calypsonians sing without fear.

“As long as it is not defamatory, we get away with singing on the government, which is one of the vast improvements for calypsonians.”

Even though it was a continuous struggle for recognition and respect, calypso was always an integral part of Carnival according to Pink Panther.

“Calypsonians were the ones who used to provide music for Carnival bands because there were no ‘big trucks’ at that time,” said Pink Panther. “This was called the chantewell. Calypsonians’ voices were heard during Carnival time.

“They always had a presence in Carnival.”

And one-on-one lyrical stand-offs, even on busy streets, were the order of the day.

“One would see a large crowd and think that a big fight was taking place but it was calysonians battling out in spontaneous song and it was called extempore war.

“The Best Village queen used to get a car, Scouting for Talent, Mastana Bahar were all getting good money while calypsonians were under pressure,” said Panther.

This issue was articulated perfectly by Explainer who sang Not Me and De Monarchy.

Ownership and partnerships brought not only better salaries but bigger prize monies.

“When I joined in 1981, the prize money was $25,000.”

The prize money at the National Calypso Monarch is now $250,000.

Yet, there are still some deficiencies and disadvantages.

“The young artistes do not have respect for the senior artistes as compared to long ago.

“Back in the day as a young boy, when I walk into the tent, I would acknowledge Kitchener and other senior Calypsonians and say ‘good night’ with a smile because I was honoured to be in their presence,” explained Panther.

“It was a disrespect to pass a senior calypsonian without acknowledging him,” added Panther.

“These youngsters, who feel that they are calypsonians because their teacher gave them a calypso to sing, have no respect at all!

“They feel they better than large.

“They walk into the tent or even on the streets and watch you like dog.

“They feel that you are an old-stager and should step to the side for them.

“Some of them have even expressed openly that we should stay out of competitions because they think they are better than us and we are no longer needed.

“That is blatant disrespect,” said Panther.

“They do not realise that they could learn a lot from us.”

“The problem is that they lack an appreciation of the artform because they do not know how senior claypsonians struggled to make a smooth pavement for them to sing calypso comfortably now with comfortable fees.

“The young artiste needs to be educated.”

Panther also recalled that Gypsy was not the first calypsonian to go into politics, as Raymond El Cavado, also called Atilla The Hun, was a member of the former legislative City Council.

“Young people do not even know that.

“They feel they know everything but they know nothing.

“Calypso has come a long way but the respect for senior calypsonians was better long ago.

“Respect is definitely lacking today.”

Another deficiency is in the area of judging.

“Long ago when there were only about three or four tents the judges used to come to the tent twice for the season.

“Now they could barely make it once.

“The judges have so many tents to cover now that when they come to a tent after visiting about five or six for the night, they’re sleepy.

“Sometimes you belting out your song giving everything you have for the judges and they sleeping because they’re overworked.

“So as much as we have advanced -- and we are grateful that calypso has developed so much to have several tents -- there are disadvantages.

Crowd attendance has also dwindled.

“People used to line up in the road trying to get into the tents, now they’re hardly coming. What is the cause for this, I do not know.”

Thanks to Trinidad Unified Calypsonians Association (TUCO), Panther said, calypsonians are taking care of their own business now, including welfare matters.

TUCO, he said, is organising workshops to teach artistes the business aspect of calypso.