Grup Latanier
Encyclopedia
Grup Latanier is a popular musical group in Mauritius
. It was founded in 1979 and well known throughout the island for their committed songs (Santé engagé
). Nearly 30 years after its creation, the group is still very influential. Its authors are inspired by political unfairness, poverty, war, loathing, banes, culture, etc. They denounce through their songs these human made wrongdoings.
(MMM) was created, mostly composed of students. This newly created political party quickly became the principal opposition party to the then-governmental majority, the Mauritius Labour Party of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
. Highly repressive measures were taken against the MMM during the early 1970s.
In 1973, the MMM was split with Dev Verahsawmy creating a new party, the (MMMSP). He was accompanied by some committed young friends-artists, among others: Bam Cuttayen, Micheline Virahsawmy, Rosemay Nelson, Nitish Joganah, Ram Joganah and Lélou Ménwar, all of them committed singers and song writers. They soon created a new music band, the "Grup Kiltirel Soley Ruz" (or "Soley Ruz").
The band, representative of the Mauritian youth protesting movement, quickly became very popular all round the island, especially among the working-class. Their committed songs sounded as a hope signal message to the struggling population.
After several years of active militancy, Soley Ruz was finally dissolved in 1979 with most of its members starting solo careers.
On 19 November 1979, Ram and brother Nitish decided to create a new committed song band. They named it "Grup Latanier". They worked together with other artists to write and compose committed songs. Grup Latanier finally released their first album Krapo Kriyé
in 1981.
Grup Latanier has also released various compilations of its best songs. In 2007 they released Kalkilé, a compilation of their most memorable songs. Nitish Joganah said about that album that it was "time to forget the past and start a new chapter. To start with another fight, a new form of resistance." Their next album is expected to reflect that change.
Award Winners 2007 For Contribution in Music.
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
. It was founded in 1979 and well known throughout the island for their committed songs (Santé engagé
Santé engagé
Santé engagé is a genre of Mauritian music which consists of singing protest songs. It is a way to protest against political/social oppression and repression through music...
). Nearly 30 years after its creation, the group is still very influential. Its authors are inspired by political unfairness, poverty, war, loathing, banes, culture, etc. They denounce through their songs these human made wrongdoings.
Soley Ruz
Mauritius attained its independence from the United Kingdom in March 1968. But in the early 1970s, the young nation was faced with social difficulties including a high level of unemployment. In 1969, the Mauritian Militant MovementMauritian Militant Movement
The Mouvement Militant Mauricien is a socialist political party in Mauritius. The party was formed by a group of students in the late 1960s. The MMM is currently led by Paul Bérenger....
(MMM) was created, mostly composed of students. This newly created political party quickly became the principal opposition party to the then-governmental majority, the Mauritius Labour Party of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
Seewoosagur Ramgoolam
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam KT,GCMG,KCMG,LRCP, MRCS is the first Chief Minister, Prime Minister and sixth Governor General of Mauritius....
. Highly repressive measures were taken against the MMM during the early 1970s.
In 1973, the MMM was split with Dev Verahsawmy creating a new party, the (MMMSP). He was accompanied by some committed young friends-artists, among others: Bam Cuttayen, Micheline Virahsawmy, Rosemay Nelson, Nitish Joganah, Ram Joganah and Lélou Ménwar, all of them committed singers and song writers. They soon created a new music band, the "Grup Kiltirel Soley Ruz" (or "Soley Ruz").
The band, representative of the Mauritian youth protesting movement, quickly became very popular all round the island, especially among the working-class. Their committed songs sounded as a hope signal message to the struggling population.
Creation of Grup Latanier
After the dissolution of Soley Ruz, some of its members continued to militate. Ram Joganah and his brother Nitish Joganah decided to continue their fight against political and social injustice through music. By that time committed songs against political injustice as well as social and cultural banes had become a noteworthy means to raise people's consciousness.On 19 November 1979, Ram and brother Nitish decided to create a new committed song band. They named it "Grup Latanier". They worked together with other artists to write and compose committed songs. Grup Latanier finally released their first album Krapo Kriyé
Krapo Kriyé
Krapo Kriyé is the first studio album by Mauritian committed song band Grup Latanier, released in 1981. The title song of this album - Krapo Kriyé - is commonly believed to be the most popular song of santé engazé in Mauritius....
in 1981.
Discography
Since their first album in 1981, the Grup has never had a spell of more than three years without releasing an album.- Krapo KriyéKrapo KriyéKrapo Kriyé is the first studio album by Mauritian committed song band Grup Latanier, released in 1981. The title song of this album - Krapo Kriyé - is commonly believed to be the most popular song of santé engazé in Mauritius....
(1981) - Nuvo Simé (1982)
- Lapel lorizonLapel lorizonLapel Lorizon is the second studio album by Mauritian committed song band Grup Latanier, released in 1985.It was originally released in 1985 on compact audio cassette...
(1985) - Rapor Lepep (1987)
- Soley Ruz (1990)
- Yer,zordi,dimé (1993)
- Realité (1995)
- Ki Pozition? (1996)
- FrikFrikFrik was an Armenian poet of the 13th century and 14th century. He lived in the time of Mongolian occupation of Armenian land.His verses are written in the spirit of religious Fatalism; at the same time, he criticized clergy for hypocrisy.-External links:...
(1999) - Louk Louké (2002)
- Lavwa Lepep (2002)
- Souvenir enn lot sezon (2003)
- Kitpunu (2004)
- Lapo tanbour (2006)
- Lavwa Lepep (2009)is a reedition of Rapor Lepep (1987), released to celebrate the Group's 29th anniversary.
- AsséAsseAsse is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Asse proper, Bekkerzeel, Kobbegem, Mollem, Relegem and Zellik. On January 1, 2006 Asse had a total population of 29,191...
(2009)
Grup Latanier has also released various compilations of its best songs. In 2007 they released Kalkilé, a compilation of their most memorable songs. Nitish Joganah said about that album that it was "time to forget the past and start a new chapter. To start with another fight, a new form of resistance." Their next album is expected to reflect that change.
Honors
In 2007, Grup Latanier was awarded the MASAMasa
Masa is Spanish for dough. In the Americas it is often short for masa de maíz, a maize dough made from freshly prepared hominy. It is used for making corn tortillas, tamales, pupusas, arepas and many other Latin American dishes. The dried and powdered form is called masa harina, masa de harina,...
Award Winners 2007 For Contribution in Music.