No one can and should underestimate the role of judges in the Calypso art form, to be treated with such little importance as seems to be the case by the lack of training and workshops for judges organised by the DCA.
This initial comment seems to pass under the radar as, to the credit of these very same judges, they normally get the Monarch right and we go home satisfied. But too many times it’s about popular appeal guiding the judgement rather than intellectual competence.
The above statement is supported by the fact that after the eliminations when the most blatant travesty was not placing one of the best compositions, melodies and renditions in the competition, that of Nasheal. Three judges sat down an committed a grave injustice of allowing 15 calypsonians and only God knows how many others to be a judged better that this former Junior Monarch.
While I want to applaud the three for reconsidering and admitting as such claiming that some error of omission occurred or the collation of points was the problem. Whether it was public pressure led by DBS’ manager, himself a competent analyst, the fact is they did not feel that they were above reproach or criticism and did include an obvious semi- final composition. They have indeed by so doing set an example for us, be it politicians or anyone in authority, to learn to exercise humility and correction.
Nonetheless, I take issue with the above reasons and this is borne out from a prior conversation I had with one of the judges when the travesty was committed. This veteran judge of Calypso stated the following in justification for not having the said calypsonian as part of the initial 12 or even the three reserves: They could not hear/understand what she was saying; the song lacked cohesiveness; she was screaming.
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