BAVINA SOOKDEO
“I want my people from around the world to visit (Trinidad and Tobago) and support their culture during Carnival time. We should be taking money into our country. Do not stay away.”
This is the message masman Dexter Kahn has for TT citizens across the world.
At 81, Kahn is finally stepping away from mas after a vibrant and influential career spanning over four decades. His band, Cocoyea London, has been a staple at the Notting Hill carnival in London for over 28 years, representing TT's culture.
Born in Belmont, Kahn grew up on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain, with his grandmother. He attended the Progressive Primary School which was on Henry Street, and then Rosary Boys’ on Charlotte Street.
In an interview done via WhatsApp, he fondly recalled his early days in Trinidad where he spent his youth following Starland, a steelband from St Vincent Street, Port of Spain, where he met some other boys his age. There he developed a deep love for both pan and mas.
“That was life…in the panyard liming around there when I was 14 and 15 years old. In those days we had historical mas – from a book. Those designers used pen and paper and created from their minds – they didn’t have modelling etcetera.
[caption id="attachment_1112074" align="alignnone" width="689"] Wayne Berkeley Band of All Seasons 1988 for Cocoyea Mas Band London. Berkeley designed Dexter Khan's Cocoyea mas band for 15 years. -[/caption]
"Fortunately, I grew up with good guys – one of them just passed and may he rest in peace – Roy Cape – at 15 years old he came from the orphanage to lime with us.”
At 19, Kahn left Trinidad and made his way to London in 1961, reuniting with his father who was living there.
“Leaving Trinidad to come to London was an experience – a very big experience. It was an opportunity for me to learn something new and go to college.”
He studied motor mechanics at the London Polytechnic Institution but later moved on to become a proprietor of two gas stations, leaving behind the “greasy” world of motor mechanics.
Despite his professional ventures, it was Carnival and mas that continued to call him.
“I came here to get back something small from what they were taking out of my country in the colonial days.”
Kahn’s journey into Carnival started in the 1980s, first as a supporter of Metronomes Steelband, but his life changed dramatically when he crossed paths with renowned mas designer Peter Minshall, who was seeking to introduce a band to the Notting Hill Carnival.
“Minshall inspired me,” Kahn recalled.
He travelled to Trinidad when Minshall left London, and through him, Kahn met theatrical designer Nikki Lyons.
[caption id="attachment_1112073" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Super Nova worn by Ian Kahn makes a guest appearance at Dimanche Gras 1986. Dexter Kahn it was the first time a costume from outside of TT had ever been invited to take part in the Dimanche Gras Show. -[/caption]
“I met Nikki, an Englishwoman who was doing a lot of props for Peter's band," Kahn said. "I told her what I h
