Members of the Anjali School of Dance performing at last year's awards banquet at Mona Visitors' Lodge, University of the West Indies, Mona campus. - File

The National Council for Indian Culture in Jamaica on Friday celebrated the 162nd anniversary of the arrival of Indians to Jamaican shores with its annual banquet.

A few dignitaries praised the Indian community for their contribution to the Jamaican society. Patron of the council, Sir Howard Cooke, himself of Indian heritage (and always the poet), said it best when he opined that the "creative genius of God has expressed itself through you."

Whenever members of the council get together to celebrate this landmark occasion, they always have great music and dance. This year, Val and Lily John from Trinidad and Tobago performed. The group performed some folk songs as well as some of their own original material. They were ably assisted by local stalwarts, Dr. Winston Tolan and Suren Chutkan.

It wasn't long before hand-clapping, foot-stomping and hip-swivelling guests rose from their seats as they enjoyed the music and the fare at the same time. And speaking of the fare, guests were treated to some mouth-watering butter chicken, curried mutton, dum aloo, plenty of roti and fish masala. For the sweet toothed among the gathering, there was gulab jamun and fruits. Guests were also entertained by the Anjali School of Dance as well as other young dancers.

Rewarding sterling work

The banquet also provides the council with an opportunity to reward persons in the Indian community and other individuals and groups for their work in spreading and keeping the rich culture alive.

This year, musician Albert Byrow, Indian folk music master Ernest Thompson, Dr. Sangita Kiswani who has aided the culture's development, and Hal Holness collecting on behalf of Wisynco, were presented with awards.

The Chairman'sAward, which goes to a council member who has done sterling work during the previous year, was shared between Sunetra Ramsingh and Ken Williams-Singh.

Guests included Indian High Commissioner Shri Agrawal and wife Kiran, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade minister Anthony Hylton, tourism minister Aloun Assamba, Lachu Ramchandani, opposition member of parliament Derrick Smith and wife Carlene, Kiran Banhan, Justice Mahadev Dukharan and wife Ann-Marie, Dr. Ruth and David Potopsingh, Seragh Lakasingh, Sylvia Bagaloo, Dr. D.K. Garg and wife Merceline, Vishu Tolan, Beryl Williams-Singh, her son Nari Williams-Singh and Wilbert Sirjue.