The Diaspora Writes Home: I Love Trinidad Tobago [Song]

 
I LOVE TRINIDAD TOBAGO By Babla and Kanchan(1950-2004) Rest in Peace.     
 Uploaded by trinigyal15

We know you did Kanchan, we know you did! I imagine you sharing Y/Our joyful music wherever you are travelling now and I see all doors and hearts opening to you. 

Although I have been thinking about the Trinbagonian Diaspora, Trinbago itself is also a node of another Diaspora and that is the East Indian Diaspora. Mainly we think of the diaspora looking back towards its source but interesting things happen when the source follows the trails forged by the outward movement of its people. 

Babla and Kanchan followed us to the Caribbean and beyond and in a sense reported back to India through the musical souvenirs which they took back with them. For me it was always strange to think of Babla and Kanchan as anything but Trinbagonians. I may be wrong, but I think that they were the first East Indian musicians/performers to adopt and adapt Trinbagonian soca and chutney music to produce their own versions, some of which became hits back in India. 

One of the things that I always welcomed was the joy which Kanchan could convey with her voice and performances. It was a perfect complement to the exuberance of our music. Here was no barking, no roughness, none of the jarring...just undiluted sweetness. I loved their music and the way in which they embraced our music and carried it back to their homeland. 

Although at that time I didn't know a word of Hindi or Bhojpuri, I knew enough to sing Kuchi Gadbad Hai when their version of Arrow's "Hot, Hot Hot" - Kuch Gadbad Hai played. And who doesn't love their version of Justin "Hero's "Tiny Winey" and of Sundar Popo's "Kaise Bani"...  "de onliest ting ah missin' is meh bottle ah rum.... Kaise bani, kaise bani, kaise bani, kaise bani, phulari bina chatani kaise bani, phulari bina chatani kaise bani!!"
If anyone can supply the lyrics for the song "I love Trinidad Tobago" I'd be grateful to receive them. 
"I love Trinidad Tobago, I love Trinidad Tobago..."

Kumari Kanchan Dinkerao Mail, thank you for the music!

"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.

Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.

Mweh ka allay!
Guanaguanare

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