Thirty-one-year-old Pooran Seeraj was born under the zodiac sign of Scorpio in the village of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice. He is presently employed at GuySuCo’s Uitvlugt Estate as an agronomist. Seeraj graduated from the University of Guyana in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. He is married to Sonia Seeraj and has fathered two children.
He started his singing career in 2008, motivated by his Indian ancestry and a love for Indian culture. He has since recorded six hit songs, including “Everyday Ah Drinkin’ Meh Rum”; “Chutney Daggering” and “Sonia Gyal”.
In this year’s chutney competition, staged by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground, Seeraj will be performing his self-composed “Sonia Gyal”, which is dedicated to his wife, Sonia. This is the fourth time that Seeraj will be participating in the competition, but he has never placed; he hopes to be awarded a place this year.
He believes there is too much hypocrisy in the chutney-singing fraternity in Guyana. He said that each is trying to “fight” the other with the aim of becoming the best singer, instead of everyone uniting and helping each other to develop the music industry in Guyana. He also noted that there is a need for the government to help promote the art form in a more vibrant manner. “It is only around Mashramani time when the government does do something for chutney artistes,” he added.
Seeraj urged upcoming artistes to sing for the love of music, “and if you are not comfortable doing something, don’t do it. “Follow your heart and realise your dreams; enjoy yourselves in the competition. Just remember we are all winners, regardless of the results after the competition”. He wished his fellow competitors all the best of luck, and anticipates a fair and transparent competition.
