Ellie Mannette
Dear Friends,
We recently forwarded to you an e-mail we received about Ellie Manette. We believe that it's beneficial to all pan lovers and Trinbagonians to know, understand and appreciate the great efforts and sacrifices Mr. Manette made to pursue his singular contribution to the evolution of our wonderful instrument , the pan.
Based on some of the comments we received, there seems to be a silent conflict developing between the T&T attitude to pan and the "Foreign" attitude to pan. Presently, such a conflict, if it truly is developing may appear silly. If however it is not stifled now, it can grow into a destructive force endangering all the years of devotion and tireless struggle by so many tuners , arrangers, players, sponsors, promoters, fans and innovators who've payed with their blood, sweat and tears to bring the pan to where it is now.
Mr Mannette's creativity, devotion and contribution to the development of pan must never be denigrated. Like any great artist he will experience and express emotional excesses. Vincent cut off his ear and sent it to the woman he loved because she left him. Maybe Mr Mannette's bitterness to our beloved T&T stems from that same feeling of being misunderstood and eventually forsaken by a community he cares deeply for. (I believe that his bitterness stems from the fact that he still cares).
We Trinis are a people who carry a quiet but deeply abiding love for our heritage. We don't brag too much or try to convince others of our love for our birthplace. But our love is strong and because of that we're crushed if we're made to feel like outcasts by our own (like Mr Mannette), or if our beautiful country is criticized at the pleasure of foreign ears (like all who feel betrayed by Mr Mannette's comments).
No one must deny the work that so many pan people including Mr Mannette have been doing over the years to educate the world about the pan. One must be blind to not see the great strides pan has made in the outside world because of the efforts of these devoted individuals. Pan is everywhere. There are tuners and players and arrangers springing up all over the world.
But Trinis should never fear that the pan will ever cease being a Trinidad & Tobago instrument. This unique instrument couldn't have been born anywhere else. There's a spirit that evolved among our people that gave rise to a need to marry metal, rhythm and melody. This spirit permeates our entire being. It's reflected in our attitude, our movement, our speech, our taste. It comes from our combinations of races and religions and cultures and a history that stimulated interplay and yet allowed us to retain much of the original values of our forefathers.
A number of unique innovations were born from this spiritual pelau, the most significant being pan. This unique spirit can never be duplicated. It can be transported but never duplicated. This is apparent in the proliferation of our carnivals, our music, our food, our love for life and our devotion to duty. Mr Mannette, like so many of us who live outside of T&T has transported the spirit. In trying to duplicate, the world will learn many lessons and benefit greatly.
Finally, we didn't write that article nor the comments that preceded it. All we did was forward the email we received. We believe in openness and that it's important to share and discuss these bits of news and opinions. Our duty is to confront any semblances of conflict that may disrupt the progress of this instrument we love.
Personally I have the greatest love and admiration for Mr Mannette and the brilliant work he continues to do. I'm saddened by his attitude towards our homeland. If others are propagating this continued bitterness, they're doing him a grave injustice. He is truly a great Trini and we're proud of him!! COME HOME FOR A VISIT ELLIE!! YOUR COUNTRY LOVES YOU!!!
Kamalo Deen
News & Opinions will be updated on the 1st. of each month.