In a bit of post-Summit controversy, the Indo-Trinbago Equality Council has called on Indo-Trinidadians to boycott Brian MacFarlane’s carnival production for 2010 claiming that the masman failed to include Indian culture in his elaborate opening show for the Summit of the Americas. ITEC chairman Devant Maharaj said that “the East Indian population was disgusted by the cultural presentation that gave pre-eminence to French and English cultures over East Indian culture that has become a part of the mainstream culture of Trinidad and Tobago.” He added that, in the opening program, Indian dance artistes were featured for 45 seconds in the 45-minute show. MacFarlane’s camp has countered that “the show represented all the elements and culture of Trinidad and Tobago. The discussion about the timing of the show is totally incorrect.” They have explained that the show had six distinct elements that identified with East Indian culture, including depictions of Phagwa, East Indian dance and tassa drummers.
MacFarlane won acclaim-and prizes-for his 2007 carnival mas “India: The Story of Boyie.”
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