My neighbour's keeper

PAROSIN

by Ariti Jankie

Her paternal grandfather (Aja) escaped from India wearing women’s clothing. Her maternal grandfather made the “Sumarie” dance popular and her great grandfather was at the root of one of the oldest Ram Leela at Cedar Hill in Princes Town.

Drama is in her blood.

SEETA PERSAD

She takes the lead in this year’s drama “Parosin” (next door neighbour) in which she plays an older, successful business woman looking for love.

Last year, Seeta placed fourth in the Prime Minister's Best Village competition and is hoping to stay ahead of the game with topical issues.

When she got married by arrangement at the tender age of 17, she was ready to take with her years of play acting at the mandir. In Cedar Hill, her new marital village, the mandir doors were locked. Seeta opened it. Soon the village children had a place to go on Sunday mornings. The temple became an extension of religious and cultural activities with Seeta at the helm. Her first public drama, “A New Beginning” rehearsed at the mandir, premiered at Rienzi Complex to a packed house in the 1980s and since then there has been no turning back.

Year after year, she wrote, choreographed, acted, produced and directed in addition to holding down a full time job as a journalist with Newsday.

“I wish I could spend all my time doing local drama”, she said as she steered her vehicle out of Zion Boulevard, off Knolly’s Recreation Ground, Princes Town minutes after a hectic rehearsal of PAROSIN.

Relaxed and contented, she spoke of her love and commitment for the theatre.

“I am inspired to take an idea and make it into a story, to take the youths on a journey that will give them greater confidence and most of all I yearn to provide and be a part of any type of wholesome entertainment.”

Among those who join the cast each year are beginners with no comprehension of the demands of live theatre. Seeta enjoys working with new blood that brings to her Princes Town Theatre Workshop young people struggling with career goals and students deep in studies.

“They make time to practise with no incentive except the love of theatre.”

During the preliminaries of the competition, Seeta hired a young lady to take the lead role in Parosin. However, due to heavy traffic on the road, she could not make it on time to appear before the judges.

Seeta stepped in. The role was made for her yet her attitude remained apologetic.

“I am too fat, too old.”

Scene from Parosin... Seeta at right

On stage, she sizzled. 

The subject is tricky. Yet she allowed herself to be persuaded and will do better when she wraps her head around the fact that older women should indeed look for love if that is what is missing in their lives.

Asked about her actors who keep changing from year to year, she said it did not faze her.

“Getting people out of their shells to go on stage is a formidable task but for me also fortifying. Anybody can do anything they set their minds to and I hate to see people, especially young people, struggle with issues that keep them from living the best lives they can.”

As she waits on the judges to deliver the results of this year’s finals in the drama category of the Prime Minister's Best Village Competition, Seeta prepares another stage for entertainment. Gaston Court, Chaguanas on October 1^st will once again be the judge as “PAROSIN” goes into its second life performance.

Balraj Harry has grown into directing over the past 12 years with the Princes Town Theatre Workshop set up by Seeta. He is the only constant member of the production team as actors come and go, finding new opportunities.

Seeta plays the lead role of an older woman with a thriving business. Carol Singh, a radio journalist plays her daughter.

She sets her sights on a twenty-two-year-old played by Varma Persad. Varma is police officer in the southwest region but he steps comfortably into the role, bringing energy to the production. 

The village youths at Realize Junction Road pitched in to build props under the direction of Setrohan Jankie and did a great job.

Seeta Persad, a tireless worker, shows through her perennial efforts that theatre is alive and well in Trinidad and Tobago. She deserves applause for being persistent and recognition for her ability to change the direction of the lives of a lot of youths who pass through her hand, as in a finishing school, to be able to walk, dance, talk and act before an audience.

She began her career 30 years ago with A New Beginning at Rienzi Complex. Her portfolio includes Tulsi, Crossing the Line, Dekh Tamasha, Kamoshi, Radha and Raja, Curse of Kakeihi and Paisa.