This statue located in Debe was unveiled by then Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on the 29th of May 2011 honouring the memory and legacy of Sundar Popo.

Sundar Popo Bahora was born on 4th November 1943 in Barrackpore, Trinidad. He is credited as being the father of chutney music. When Sundar Popo was only 15 years of age, he began singing bhajans at mandirs and weddings in his hometown.

In 1969, he met Moean Mohammed who listened to “Nani and Nana”, a song describing the affairs of an Indian maternal grandmother (Nani) and maternal grandfather (Nana). Mohammed recorded the song at Television House. The song transformed Indo-Trinidadian music.

After the success of “Nani and Nana”, Sundar Popo followed with more than 15 albums combining lyrics in both Trinidadian Hindustani and Trinidadian English. He is best known for his song “Scorpion Gyul”, which spoke about love, death, and happiness.

Popo won many awards during his career such as the National Award for Excellence, Top Indian vocalist in 1988, and the King of Chutney in South Florida, United States in 1993. In the same year he was awarded the National Hummingbird Medal (silver).

While Popo recorded and performed prolifically there came a time when, due to failing health and eyesight, he was forced slow down. On 2nd May 2000, he died at his home in Lal Beharry Trace in Monkey Town.

Source:

Sangeeta D’Songstar – Sundar Popo Biography – Chutneymusic.com 2020Chutney Music, Chutney Soca, Baithak Gana and Bollywood

Other Known Name: Sundar Popo Statue

Address: Corner Debe Trace and SS Erin Road

Town/City: Debe

Region: Penal – Debe

Site Type: Cultural Heritage

Ownership:

Public Accessibility:

Cultural Community: East Indian

Site Features: Memorials & Statues