Chutney singer Brian Mohan met iconic singer and late "father of chutney" Sundar Popo once and but that fateful meeting inspired a career in music. And 25 years later, Mohan released a tribute video to Popo that has racked up hundreds of thousands of views on social media.
Newsday interviewed Mohan and Popo's widow, Keyso, at the late singer's home at Lalbeharry Trace, Monkey Town, Barrackpore.
Mohan described himself as a son of the soil from Barrackpore.
[caption id="attachment_914468" align="alignnone" width="170"] Late chutney singer Sundarlal Popo[/caption]
"As a young person interfering with Sundar Popo's music, you have to ensure you do a good job."
When he was 14, he visited an event at Kanhai Road, Barrackpore, where Popo and the BWIA National Indian Orchestra were performing.
"And I walked up to him and (asked) him, 'Uncle, can I get to sing a song with you?' He said 'sure.' And after the intermission, he put me on stage with him."
They sang Popo's 1970 hit Nana and Nani.
"That was a very heart-touching experience because knowing Sundar was the person that represented the culture at that time. And he ignited this fire in me to pursue my career in being an entertainer. And there is where it all started."
[caption id="attachment_914471" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Wearing the jacket of the late Barrackpore chutney hitmaker, Sundar Popo, chutney singer Brian Mohan performs Tribute To Sundar Popo a medley dedicated to the chutney icon., at Popo's home in Monkey Town, Barrackpore. Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
Mohan sings chutney, chutney soca, Bollywood songs, political songs and also performs on the UNC platform. In 2005 he won the Prime Minster Best Village Chutney Competition. He is also an alderman and pineapple farmer.
Behind where Mohan was seated was a display with the many awards Popo won during his life. Born Sundarlal Popo Bahora in Monkey Town, Barrackpore, the singer had a prolific career that helped popularise East Indian music and saw him performing throughout the country and the world. On May 2, 2000, Popo died at home from heart and kidney ailments relating to diabetes. He was 56. His funeral was attended by then prime minister Basdeo Panday.
[caption id="attachment_914472" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Widow of Sundar Popo, Keyso Popo, reflects on the work her late husband and chutney hitmaker at her Monkey Town, Barrackpore home. Photo by Marvin Hamilton[/caption]
A year after his death Mohan visited Popo's home for a one-year memorial satsang (Hindu prayers) and met his wife and granddaughter, Natasha, for the first time. He developed a relationship with the family and would visit for prayers and religious functions. He also performed with Natasha on the long-running Indian talent show Mastana Bahar.
Paying tribute
This year Mohan decided to do something to pay tribute to Popo and came up with the idea of doing a "mini-movie" out of his
