Lord Relator to sing in front of Sunil Gavaskar at QPCC 125 years function

Lord-Relator
Lord Relator at the famous Trini Posse stands in Queens Park Oval on Friday. Image Source: Xtra Time

Debasis Sen, Port of Spain: Remember Lord Relator the calypsonian who penned that famous number on Sunil Gavaskar in 1971. Both Gavaskar and Lord Relator will meet each other again, when the latter introduces the little master for the 125 years celebration of Queens Park Cricket Club here in Port of Spain. Mr Gavaskar will be giving a lecture in the function along with Brian Charles Lara in a city hotel. The function will also be attended by legendary Sir Gary Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes and Sir Viv Richards.

Lord Relator sang the famous song as a tribute to Gavaskar and the Indian team who went to win their second series after the win against New Zealand. It was a nostalgic moment as Lord Relator sang the famous number again at the Trini Posse stands on Friday at the Queens Park Oval. Claded in a colourful Caribbean shirt and a marine cap, it brought back memories of the 70’s when the Trini Posse stands were buzzing all over with the steel band and packed crowds.

“In those days test cricket was very lively and this stand where we are standing now used to be packed. People used to come prepared to swing in to the tunes of the steel band. Those were the golden days in the Caribbean. You had great players like Gary Sobers, Wes Hall, Rohan Kanhai, Michael Holding and many others.”

Lord Relator has also sung a song on Sir Curtly Ambrose when he picked 6 wickets for 1 run here at the Oval. He is still active these days with his new releases and is currently working on a song which would be a tribute to the victorious West Indies team that recently won the World T20 and U’19 World Cup. According to Lord Relator, “I am working on a song that will be a tribute to the West Indies team winning the three World Cups – ICC World T20’s for both men and women and also the U’19 team winning the world cup in Dhaka.”

The Calypsonian is disappointed to see the decline of calypso music nowadays. With a large mix of Indian and African population in these parts a fusion called Chutney Music has become more popular with the youths.

“You know, just like T20 cricket test cricket has led to the popularity of test cricket, so the traditional calypso music has made way for Chutney music they call it.”

Sunil-Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar at the Queens Park Oval on Friday. Image Source: Xtra Time

Gavaskar, aged 21 and on Test debut, enjoyed a phenomenal series in which he compiled 774 runs, including four centuries at the incredible average of 154.80. In five series’ against the West Indies, Gavaskar had to contend with Roberts, Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, Wayne Daniel, Sylvester Clarke and that lot. Several good players were made to look ordinary against them, but Gavaskar was always a thorn in their side. No one before or after him has had as many hundreds against the world champions of the late ’70s and ’80s.

Even after 45 years of that epic series win, the calypso is still remembered. “Those days were obviously special. I’ve always enjoyed playing against the West Indies,” he said. “They played their cricket hard and aggressive, but they also played in a gentlemanly manner – with none of the kind of abuse that goes on in cricket today,” said Lord Relator.

Perhaps the only disappointment for Lord Relator was that he never got an invitation to go to India to perform live in front of the cricket loving people. But he did have the opportunity to sing in front of Gavaskar – once in University of West Indies and the other occasion was in Cincinati in the USA. So, come Saturday when the calypso artist will have another opportunity to sing in front of the little master.