Raymond Mark and Priya Nagassar, two masqueraders, are the Senior King and Queen of Carnival. During Sunday’s Dimanche Gras competition finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah, they were proclaimed winners.
The Feathered Serpent Creature Ku Kul Kan from the band Mythical Creatures was the character that Mark played. He was introduced on stage before beginning his talk by a Mayan warrior. As it moved around the stage, Mark’s serpent head exhaled vapor.
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Ku Kul Kan was regarded as a powerful god in Mayan mythology who could command the wind and the air. He was shown on stage as a fantastical creature with feathers, wings, and regal decorations.
Mark wore a feathered hat and had feathered trim around his peacock-like feathers. The additional faces of the deity were seen in the costume’s skirt. After spending the previous eight years in the competition’s finals, Mark claimed it felt amazing to win the championship.
“To actually be crowned King of Carnival, words cannot begin to explain, it is a fantastic experience.” He claimed that the mythology and religion of the Maya served as the inspiration for his representation.
“We took a fantasy spin on it and entered it into the fantasy category. By doing so, we were able to do the Mayan mas but to add the little glitz, the technical things with the lighting, etc., to have the traditional aspect of the mas evolve into something different.”
The outfit’s creator, Mark, praised his bandmates for cooperating to make the costume a success.
“When I started doing the Kings and Queens competition, it was Ernesto Jardine who got me into it and he has been my biggest influence in this mas and the King of Carnival, so I have to thank him and all of my team.”
As her name was called and she accepted her reward, Nagassar was obviously upset. According to her, this is just her second year competing in the senior queen’s competition.
“I’ve been playing mas since I was four. I’ve done Junior Queens before; this year is my second in senior queens and by far the best year of my life.
“I thought I was dreaming when I came up on stage. I had to ask someone to pinch me. I’m really, really overwhelmed and I’m really happy and so thankful to the judges for this experience I’m facing right now.”
The Mother of All Carnival Celebrations, by the band Celebration of the People, was performed by Nagassar, 22. She was welcomed onto the stage by young dancers who had performed before her entrance. According to the description of the outfit, the residents of TT were looking forward to the coming of the mother of all carnivals.
The Queen shared, “As the saying goes, Carnival is color. This is the most colorful, energetic, vibrant, dazzling, and music-filled celebration. Multi-colored satin fabrics, gold braid, gold lace, netting, spangles, and gemstones were used to construct the costume on a structure made of steel, fiberglass, aluminum rods, PVC pipes, and wire.”
Nagassar complimented her parents, grandparents, and the Hott Stuff Promotion in Curepe’s Franklyn Jagdeo and Rickie Sooknanan for creating the costumes that attracted the band.
Both the deposed kings, Joseph Lewis, and Shynel Brizan, finished third this time.
Lewis represented the band member of Wonders of This World, A Tribute to TT, Udeveli Oluhlaza – The Haunted Jab of Canboulay. Brizan played Aimee, A Dancer Of Freedom’s Cousinship to Epitaphs of Fate, a member of the Carnival band.
Ted Eustace, a seasoned mas performer, came in second with his performance of El Conquistador by the band Breakaway Beats. The Grandstand was crowded with spectators as the tournament took place there.
Even though the stage had to be cleaned and dried many times to protect the safety of the performers—some of whom were on stilts—the chilly precipitation that started to pour at about 1 am on Monday did not deter the contestants or the spectators.
THE KINGS RESULTS:
1. Raymond Mark, The Feathered Serpent Creature Ku Kul Kan
2. Ted Eustace, El Conquistador
3. Joseph Lewis, Udeveli Oluhlaza – The Haunted Jab of Canboulay
4. Kyle Anthony Matas, Creatio Ex Nihlo – The Eternal Source Of Light Divine
5. Ravi Lakhan, Tribute – Jesters of the Tainted Past
6. Joel Lewis, Waterfall Oracle
7. Russell Grant, The Resurrection Mule
8. Ronald Barney Blaize, Legacy of the Mighty Spartans
9. Marlon Rampersad, Hades King of the Underworld
10. Tekel Sylvan, Believe It Or Not They Are Here
QUEENS RESULTS
1. Priya Nagassar, The Mother of All Carnivals – Celebrations
2. Marie Eligon, Cleansing Fire
3. Shynel Brizan, Aimee, A Dancer Of Freedom’s Cousinship to Epitaphs of Fate
4. Dana Rampersad, For The Love of TT – A Tribute
5. Savitri Holassie, Masquerade – The Hidden Beauty
6. Laura Rampersad, Athena Goddess of War and Wisdom
7. Nisa Nathu Hari, Khione: Winter’s Enchantress
7. Krystal Thomas, Sa Sa Yea
9. Tekeyah Fletcher Marshall, The Spirit of Carnival – Tribute to Roland St George
10. Ruth Adams Mendez, The Emergence Of The Maraval Lily
