Priceless and elated! This is how Chutney artiste Kris “KI” Persad feels about being crowned Chutney Soca Monarch and capturing the million dollar first prize at Saturday’s show at Skinner Park, San Fernando.
Performing last before hundreds of spectators, KI closed the show with an entertaining performance of Same Gyal Twice, which saw him dressed like a super hero and taking a shower on stage.
Cupping first place in the traditional category was chutney artiste Rooplal Girdharie with 479 points, taking home the $150,000 prize.
In an interview yesterday, 29-year-old Persad, who attained 499 points, said he was happy that hard work by his team and himself paid off. Admitting that the competition this year was stronger, he said he kept positive and gave it his all.
Persad who also won the competition in 2012 and 2014 said he was impressed by the performances this year and expects the art form to continue to grow stronger.
Nishard Mayrhoo’s performance was also a strong contender for the crown but he was beaten into second place by nine points, taking home a prize of $750,000 for his rendition of Therapy.
Defending champions Ravi B (Ravi Bissambhar) and Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal) who teamed up last year, came into third and fourth places respectively.
Coming on stage in gold chariot, mimicking the Cinderella story, Ravi B went into the crowd with a beautiful shoe looking for Cinderella in her performance of his rendition Personal. In a Whats App message, Rikki Jai who won the title seven times said when one enters a competition, one has to abide with the results of the judges.
Jai who sang Leh We Fete, added: “My team did our best, will have to look back at the results to really comment on results. Congrats to all finalists and winners.”
Southex director George Singh, in a release, said patrons took advantage of the free entry before 9 pm, offer which saw thousands of patrons lined up at the gates as early as 6 pm to witness the 21st show.
“The Chutney Soca Monarch staged a magnificent comeback last night not only with the largest crowd in more than five years, but it made a comeback musically and lyrically with some of the strongest and best songs ever in the competition. Performances were also very grand, with some artistes coming on stage were accompanied by more than 50 dancers and performers.”
Chutney Soca Monarch, he said, has always been the biggest stage and production for Indo-Caribbean culture in the world, and last night was no different.
RESULTS
Chutney Soca results:
1-KI Persad
2-Nishard Mayrhoo
3-Ravi B
4-Rikki Jai
Traditional results:
1-Rooplal Girdharie
2-Shiva Lakhan
3-Heeralal “Hero” Rampartap
4-Asha Kamachee