There has been a remarkable transformation to the quality of music and lyrics of contestants in the Soca Chutney monarch competition, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony said this afternoon as he met with the top three winners and, the producer of Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Chutney Monarch Competition, George Singh, in the conference room of his Ministry.

The Soca Chutney finals which were held last evening at the National Cultural Centre saw the following emerging as top winners; Haresh Singh in first place (awarded $550,000 and a trophy); Terry Gajraj in second position ( awarded $350,000 and a trophy) and Fiona Singh coming in third and was awarded with $200,000 and a trophy.
            These artistes automatically qualified as finalists in Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Chutney Competition, scheduled to be held shortly.
            Minister Anthony said this collaboration between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago forms part of government’s wider objective of exposing its local artistes which will enhance their skills and place them on the international scene.
            “This is seen as exposing our artistes to a larger crowd of competitors which all adds up to providing opportunities for our local artistes…this will also help to improve their skills by increased exposure at a different level…I am confident it will do Guyana proud,” Minister Anthony said.

The Minister believes that the collaboration between Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana, to have the top three winners from Guyana’s Soca Chutney monarch competition, compete as finalists in Trinidad and Tobago’s Soca Chutney monarch finals, is rich with opportunities for Guyana, as such similar partnerships will be sought for other artistes in calypso and other genres, so they can get similar exposure and opportunities.
            Convenor of the Chutney competition, Neaz Subhan congratulated the winners of the competition which was lauded for its high standard.
            George Singh, Producer of Trinidad’s Soca Chutney monarch competition recognized the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and National Communications Network (NCN), as they both play integral roles for Guyana in this competition.
            “GTT has been identified as the text provider for Guyana so that Guyanese can vote via text for their favourite artiste…NCN has been identified as the official station for live broadcast in Guyana,” Singh said.

Singh also said that the event which will be broadcast live across the Caribbean by CMC and will see international voting from countries like