Thank you Trinidad and Tobago, for Steelpan.
Real ones know that the Story and Legacy of Pan is one full of twists and turns. To be sure, that eventful story is at odds with the instrument itself because Pan music is obviously sweet. Why should such an obviously sweet, uplifting and joy-spreading instrument, have such an unstraightforward legacy?
The truth is, the answer to that question is almost certainly complicated. Answering that question would require outlining several causal elements (reasons). Some of which would be cultural, historical etc, etc.
Rather than get tied up with explaining the long story behind Pan’s legacy. We’d simply like to outline and share different aspects and examples of SteelPan’s greatness.
However, before moving on to do so. Readers should know, that the story of Steelpan is best told, by Calypso (that rhymed). Calypso Legend, Winston Bailey, better known as The Mighty Shadow, did a song called Pimpilumpilum. In this Calypso song, Shadow expertly breaks down how Pan was born out of another Trinbagonian blessing, oil!!! (You see why Trinis say God is a Trini?) Nevertheless, for all interested in Steelpan’s history, simply click the Shadow Calypso song linked above.
Pan Love.
For all Pan Lovers, the question of why do they love Pan seems like a silly one. On par with, why do you love doubles, or why do you love to have a good time? This is because the answer to the question seems ever so obvious. So obvious, that the reason for the question seems like the real question.
If Soca Music is happy music, the Steelpan, is the Happy Instrument. Thinking about it, Olatunji, son of the Trinbagonian soil said it best:
Pan is significant, on a personal level (as a joy-spreading happy instrument), historically and culturally, because of its relevance to the Trinbagonian’s identity as an inventor. Which is specifically important, given how much loss Trinbagonian’s have endured historically. Pan provides the Trinbagonian with a recent historical landmark with which a Trini can point to as an example of Trinbagonian creativity. Pan is the instance in which the Trinbagonian can speak of ownership, instead of loss. Which speaks to liberty. I am, because I own and I own, because I am free.
To be sure, many will miss this significance of Steelpan. It is true that Trinis unfortunately (to some extent) have let race once again seep into something that should have nothing to do with it. If SteelPan’s roots are Afro-Trini, that arguably has nothing to do with Pan presently, because Pan is presently defined by its current practitioners. To put it a different way, there was a time (pre Panday) where it may have seemed impossible for an Indo-Trini to be Prime Minister. Fast forward to today and Trinidad is obviously led by an Indo-Trini. In other words, us human beings would do well to remember to only learn from history and never to be confined or defined by it. What has been, by no means needs to define what will be. Defining what will be is the job of human beings (as opposed to history). Therefore, if somebody loves Pan, they should play and/or listen to Pan. Race should be irrelevant and people should be free to engage with Pan if they love it. Point, blank, period.
The Steelpan and Caribbean Identity.
The simplicity of the beauty of Steelpan is probably its greatest strength. You listen to it and fall in love. There is no Rocket Science necessary to explain why people love Pan.
Despite, Steelpan’s storied history. It is an highly important part of Trinidad and Tobago’s legacy as the Mecca. Soca Music, Calypso Music, Carnival and Steelpan are the most relevant parts of Trinidad and Tobago’s credentials as the Mecca. To be sure, there are more credentials than this, like for example Rapso. However, this article is about Pan, so for all intents and purposes, we going to keep it about Pan.
When you hear pan play, you immediately think of the Caribbean (where pan was born). Part of that is because pan is played throughout the Caribbean. Notably there is Panorama within Trinbago but there are also Steelpan competitions between Caribbean Islands, various national Panoramas can be found worldwide and there are even competitions like PanoGrama. Which is an open Steelpan competition that takes place on Instagram.
Importantly, Steelpan is of immense value to the identity of the region (Caribbean) too. Through Steelpan, Caribbean people get to express themselves with a Caribbean sound, using a Caribbean instrument that again speaks to their liberty, their freedom to be able to do this.
For some, all of this is non news and something they are totally unaware of. However, to those Steelpan players from outside Trinbago it is everything because Steelpan is a part of their very identity. Steelpan is an expression of love, of happiness, of joy. Steelpan is directly linked with an ability to have a good time and again, to be free.
Pan Liberty
To be free from negativity, to be from thinking, to be free from loneliness. The social aspect of pan, can never be overestimated. Through pan, one can cease to be what one normally is. Through pan, a child or an adult, can do what we often overlook, play. One of the most mind-boggling things about Trinidad and Tobago is why so many Trinbagonians leave their profoundly rich culture aside.
Presumably in attempts to be what they see online.
Meanwhile, through Steelpan, one is free to connect with countless real people in the real world. The relevance of Steelpan now, is undeniable. With some of the biggest hits in the World (via Hip Hop) having Steelpan in it.
For example 50 Cent’s P.I.M.P. or Souljah Boy’s Crank Dat. Arguably, there are way more Global Hits to be made from Steelpan but are Trinis doing enough to ensure that this happens? Probably not, however, hopefully this is changing.
An Instrument Of Creativity
The Steelpan has always been an instrument of creativity and Joshua Regrello has recently created history by setting the world record for playing Steelpan for 31 Hours straight.
Joshua (aka The Panman) Regrello is one of, if not Trinbago’s premier Steelpan players. Yet, it is possible that even he, is unaware of just how far Steelpan can or will take him. After all, Joshua’s grandmother has already confessed that they never thought Steelpan would ever take Joshua this far, (Pimpilumpilum indeed).
Once again, where Steelpan goes in the future, is determined less by past precedents than current action. Pan can and will go as far as people presently decide via action, right here and now.
There is no limit to how far pan can go. The only limitation that exists are the ones set by what is happening right now, presently.
Every single pan player in Trinidad and Tobago right now, is making a contribution, that will ultimately decide the results that pan produces.
The Steelpan is a remarkable, priceless instrument, of infinite value. Pan deserves to be celebrated and receive fanfare across the globe, not to mention regionally or nationally.
Pan has never changed. It still is an instrument that has the power to bring liberty, joy, happiness and prosperity to both its listeners and practitioners. The only catch is the extent to which people know and remember this.
If you enjoyed this article and would like to read another about Soca and Friendship, click here.
