Papers by PRIMNATH GOOPTAR
East Indians arrived in Trinidad between 1845 -1917 as Indian indentured immigrants and settled a... more East Indians arrived in Trinidad between 1845 -1917 as Indian indentured immigrants and settled as part of the cocoa and sugar plantation systems. They were ostracized, ridiculed and made to think that they did not belong in the society. However, they were able to re-create aspects of their motherland's society (India) based on cultural memory and the need for identity. By the 1930, their cultural patterns were facing calcification due to a lack of creativity and the inherent pressures associated with survival in an alien society. There were no new sources of Indian music and culture for them and there was a preoccupation with the preservation of culture rather than creativity in the culture. The arrival of Indian movies in 1935 served as a catalyst for the revival of many aspects of their religious and cultural traditions and the evolution of a new East Indian identity in Trinidad. Its impact was felt in many aspects of East Indian life in Trinidad, from the temples and mosques...
Collective Memory, Identity and the Legacies of Slavery and Indenture, Mar 28, 2022
Social Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Based on Hindu religious beliefs a... more Social Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Based on Hindu religious beliefs and myths, Divali (one of the largest festivals in the country, second only to Carnival and Christmas) has become one of the most important festivals in Trinidad. It was brought to the country by the East Indian indentured immigrants from India in 1845 who recreated it from their memories and celebrated the Festival of Lights on the plantations and settlement societies. This festival usually occurs during October/November each year and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals on the Hindu calendar.
This paper examines how Indian movies contributed to East Indian identity in Trinidad through mus... more This paper examines how Indian movies contributed to East Indian identity in Trinidad through music and songs
This paper examines the role of Indian movies on East Indian dress and dance in trinidad and how ... more This paper examines the role of Indian movies on East Indian dress and dance in trinidad and how it influenced the identity of East Indians in the country
This paper looks at different aspects of the role of Indian films in the evolution of the Identit... more This paper looks at different aspects of the role of Indian films in the evolution of the Identity of East Indians in Trinidad.
This paper gives a brief history of the National Council of Indian Culture in Trinidad and Tobago... more This paper gives a brief history of the National Council of Indian Culture in Trinidad and Tobago (1964-2014)
Mike systems as a major roving communication device have been used for decades by local rural bro... more Mike systems as a major roving communication device have been used for decades by local rural broadcast entrepreneurs who bought these ensembles and journeyed through the countryside playing music to entertain the masses. These mike systems consisted of two large funnel shaped horns, an amplifier, a turntable that played 78 RPM records and a microphone. The huge horns are attached to the roof of an automobile while the other attachments are placed inside the vehicle during "mike" operations. In addition, the mike systems are also used at weddings and public gatherings. These mike systems are some of the most powerful amplification sound systems and their sounds can be heard for miles around. The men who operate those systems are referred to as mike men.
Drafts by PRIMNATH GOOPTAR
Divali Nagar (City of Lights) is a yearly showcase of Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago. The ... more Divali Nagar (City of Lights) is a yearly showcase of Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago. The exhibition, which spans nine nights is presented by the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) at its headquarters, NCIC Nagar, located in the borough of Chaguanas. It is the only celebration of its type in any part of the world showcasing Indian culture for nine days in the celebration of a Hindu festival such as Divali. Even in India, such a festival does not exist. Divali Nagar has helped thousands of Trinidad East Indians to rediscover their roots, to add new meaning to their understanding of Indian culture and their roots. This is also true of non-East Indians and foreign visitors who attend Divali Nagar each year. Divali Nagar has touched the hearts and minds of thousands who had dismissed Indian culture as backward and not part of Trinidad and Tobago's culture. It has forced them to take a fresh look at Indian culture and to re-engineer a new dawn in their understanding of Indian culture and Hinduism in Trinidad and Tobago. Divali Nagar has opened new doors to East Indians culture, arts and artifacts and has propelled many local artists to national and international fame. Several artists who were now operating in the international scene had their beginnings in Divali Nagar. Divali Nagar has placed Indian culture on a new footing in Trinidad and Tobago; it has placed it on the national agenda giving it a higher profile which it had not enjoyed in earlier days. Besides, Divali Nagar has given East Indians in Trinidad a sense of patriotism, a sense of self-esteem and a psychological boost in placing Indian culture on par with other cultural strands in the country. It has given East Indians in Trinidad and Tobago a sense of nationalism and a sense of belongingness to their mother country, Trinidad and Tobago. The NCIC and Divali Nagar, more than any other organization or event, have placed Indian culture on par with other cultural strands in the country and have made it an integral part of the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. In doing so, it has helped to build and construct a new identity for East Indians in Trinidad and Tobago. Divali Nagar (and by extension the NCIC) has created an impact not only in Trinidad but in the Indian Diaspora and India as well. The NCIC is the largest organization of its type in the Western Hemisphere and many groups and individuals in the Indian Diaspora countries look to NCIC for leadership. Following the tremendous success of Divali Nagar and the international recognition it received from the Caribbean and other countries, the NCIC was approached by lovers of Indian culture in the Caribbean and North America to introduce Divali Nagar to revive and propagate Indian culture in those areas. The NCIC considered the proposal and decided to support the propagation of an expansion of Indian cultural traditions in countries such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, Grenada, St. Vincent and Lucia among other countries in the Caribbean. Also, this outreach effort has spread to the USA, Canada, Mauritius, Belize and Holland.
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Papers by PRIMNATH GOOPTAR
Drafts by PRIMNATH GOOPTAR