THE cultural community is mourning founder of the Malick Folk Performing Company, Norvan Fullerton, who died on Thursday at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope.
In a statement, the Malick Folk Performing Company said “Fuller,” as he was known, brought the power of his presence, his conviction, and his leadership that transcended race, class, and ethos to further the development of the cultural landscape.
“Fuller’s legacy is an inspiration to generations of young people around the world; which will be shared in future posts. We are hurting, but the celebration of Fuller’s life will be monumental; he is our pearl and treasure.”
The company extended its condolences to his family, who it said had suffered a colossal loss.
Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell said he was saddened by the passing of the cultural ambassador and stalwart.
In a release, Mitchell said, “Mr Fullerton was a cultural legend with immense passion and commitment to the creative arts and cultural development. His valiant contributions to our local cultural and creative sectors, along with his regional and international impact, are unprecedented. He will certainly be missed.”
THE MAN & HIS ART
Fullerton was a performer, producer, director, stage manager, playwright and more.
He began performing in 1960 with the Company of Players, to which he was invited by Peter “Thabiti” Smart. He then moved on Ronald Amoroso’s Barataria Community Council, before leaving to form the Malick Folk Performing Company in 1979.
The company has won the Prime Minister’s Best Village Trophy Competition a record 13 times, and has toured extensively representing Trinidad and Tobago at various cultural festivals abroad.
Dr Efebo Wilkinson, who was working with Mausica Folk Theatre when the company was formed, said the two companies were very close. He said they would meet every Christmas and parang together.
“For the Best Village Folk Fair, we would be on one side of the compound, and Malick would be on the other side. At a particular time of day, Mausica would leave their booth with their guitars and drums and parade through the fair to the Malick booth, and then Malick would leave and come across to Mausica’s booth with their instruments also. It was a nice, fun thing.”
Wilkinson said Fullerton was a playwright who loved folk dancing and theatre, and brought people together.
“He was a phenomenal organiser and a great person. He was supportive of everybody, supporting of any kind of work, and the proof of what he has done can be seen with Malick. They’ve performed outside the country in various places at various times throughout the year. They now have a spin-off group of juniors, and all of that is Norvan’s dream of making Malick the premier folk group in the country.”
SALICKRAM MOURNS
Shiv Shakti Dance Company founder Michael Salickram said meeting Fullerton was a pivotal moment in the history of the company, which was only a few years old at the time, as he invited them to perform for a different typ
