Drupatee Ramgoonai (; born 2 March 1958) is an Trinidadian and Tobagonian

chutney A chutney is a spread in the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. Chutneys are made in a wide variety of forms, such as a tomato relish, a ground peanut garnish, yogurt or curd, cucumber, spicy coconut, spicy onion or mint dipping sauce ...

and chutney soca musician. She was responsible for coining the term "chutney soca" in 1987 with her first album, entitled ''Chutney Soca'', which included both

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

and Hindustani versions of the songs. She had her biggest hit the following year when her "(Roll Up the

Tassa In Trinidad and Tobago, and other parts of the Caribbean, the term ''tassa'' refers to a drumming ensemble drawn from an amalgamation of various North Indian folk drumming traditions, most importantly dhol-tasha, a style that remains popular today ...

) Mr. Bissessar" was a

Road March The Carnival Road March is the musical composition played most often at the "judging points" along the parade route during a Caribbean Carnival. Originating as part of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, the term has been applied to other Caribbean ...

contender. She was instrumental in

tassa In Trinidad and Tobago, and other parts of the Caribbean, the term ''tassa'' refers to a drumming ensemble drawn from an amalgamation of various North Indian folk drumming traditions, most importantly dhol-tasha, a style that remains popular today ...

and chutney soca finding its place in

Carnival Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival t ...

and her efforts later led to competitions such as Chutney Soca Monarch.

Biography

Drupatee Ramgoonai was born on Sunrees Road in Charlo Village,

Penal Penal is a town in south Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. It lies south of San Fernando, Princes Town, and Debe, and north of Moruga, Morne Diablo and Siparia. It was originally a rice- and cocoa-producing area but is now a rapidly expanding and ...

Saint Patrick County Saint Patrick was a county in Trinidad and Tobago that occupied an area of . It occupied the southwestern peninsula of the island of Trinidad, bounded by the Columbus Channel to the south, the Gulf of Paria to the west, and Victoria to the north. ...

, (present-day region of Penal-Debe) ,

Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...

, on 2 March 1958 into a

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

Indian Indian or Indians may refer to: Peoples South Asia * Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor ** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country * South Asia ...

family. She started singing alongside her mother in the

mandir A Hindu temple, or ''mandir'' or ''koil'' in Indian languages, is a house, seat and body of divinity for Hindus. It is a structure designed to bring human beings and gods together through worship, sacrifice, and devotion.; Quote: "The Hin ...

at a young age, then went on to learn Indian classical singing from her trainer Ustad James Ramsewak, a veteran in the field.Tejaswini Niranjana, ''Mobilizing India: Women, Music, and Migration between India and Trinidad'', Durham, North Carolina: Duke University, 2000.
p. 98
She also gained exposure on Mastana Bahar, the Indian Cultural Pageant, winning the local song category in 1983 and 1984. Ramgoonai recorded her first crossover tune in 1987, entitled "Chutney Soca", and gained moderate success in the calypso tents. The term chutney soca was first coined by Drupatee Ramgoonai with that crossover tune "Chutney Soca" in 1987 and Ramgoonai is considered the mother of chutney soca.Niranjana
p. 100
The following year, she released "Mr Bissessar (Roll Up de Tassa)". She has also released songs such as "Pepper", "Hotter Than a Chulha", "Careless Driver", "Motilal", "Tassawalley", and "Manzalina" and "Wuk Up D Ladki" with

Machel Montano Machel Jesus Montano (born 24 November 1974)Thompson, Dave (2002), ''Reggae & Soca Music'', Backbeat Books, , pp. 300–301. is a Trinidadian soca singer, actor, record producer and songwriter. Known for his high energy, fast-paced, and often un ...

. She created history as being the first woman of Indian descent to sing calypso and soca and has been one of the main targets of those who are scandalised by women and Indians singing

, chutney soca, calypso, and soca. In 2016 Drupatee signed an exclusive digital distribution agreement with Fox Fuse, making her entire music catalog available digitally worldwide for the first time."CARIBBEAT: Chutney queen Drupatee branches out with exclusive digital deal"
''New York Daily News'', 22 May 2016.

Collaborations

*"Indian Gyal" – Drupatee and

*"Real Unity" – Drupatee and

*"Nani Wine Remix" – Drupatee and

Crazy Insanity, madness, lunacy, and craziness are behaviors performed by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity can be manifest as violations of societal norms, including a person or persons becoming a danger to themselves or to ...

*"Curry Tabanca" – Drupatee and Mighty Trini *"Roll Up De Tassa" – Drupatee, ft.

Alison Hinds Alison Amanda Hinds (born 1 June 1970) is a British-born Bajan soca artist based in Barbados. She is one of the most popular soca singers in the world. Biography Alison Hinds was born in London on 1 June 1970 and grew up in Plaistow.Batey, A ...

*"Be Mines Tonight" – Drupatee and Blazer *"Jep Sting Naina" – Drupatee, ft. Hunter (Lalchan Babwa), D'Hitman (Neeshan Prabhoo), Ravi Bissambhar, Anil Bheem, and Andy Singh * "Nazron Se Kehdo" - Drupatee and Satnarine Ragoo * "Mujko Thand" -Drupatee and D'Hitman (Neeshan Prabhoo)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramgoonai, Drupatee 20th-century Trinidad and Tobago women singers 1945 births Chutney musicians Living people People from Penal–Debe Trinidad and Tobago Hindus