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Mar 31, 2014 News
By Kiana Wilburg
In some families there is an “Ole’ Man Pappie.” This person is born from the land of Drama and Folklore. He is one that celebrates the child within himself and glorifies the splendor and beauty of the Creole tongue. In the family which resides in Lot E’ Klien Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara, there is an “Ole’ Man Pappie.” He is none other than Mr. Michael Khan.
At 57 years old, this proud grandfather loves nothing more than to captivate his audience with a session of Guyanese folklore through storytelling. It’s a wondrous sight to see him bring to life the well-preserved child within himself.
Born March 1, 1957, Khan has always been inspired by the beauty and mystery of folklore. It remains the magical medication that extends the life of his childlike qualities. This youthful spirited father and husband is known in many circles. He is a well respected dramatist and a Lecturer at the University of Guyana. He holds a Diploma in Art Education (E.R Burrowes School of Art) a Degree in Art (University of Guyana) and a Masters in International Education from Framingham State College.
“I grew up with loving parents. Sometimes I was happy, sometimes sad. I had caring siblings, but I was a bit mischievous,” Khan reminisced in a recent interview.
“I had happy school days and I remember as a child I always liked to build and create things. I liked to investigate, so I would break up my brother’s toys just to see how they worked.”
“I have five siblings. One is a caregiver, one is an agronomist, one is a doctor, the other is a lawyer, and the last one is a chemist and I am ‘De Clown’, Khan expressed in a burst of laughter.
However, Khan’s first contact with drama was when his second grade teacher asked him to sing a song by Johnny Braff in front of the class.
“I remember that night, when you said that we will never part…” I sang it with such ease, and all the elements and antics just came to me. It was entertaining. The creativity however, came about when I broke up toys with an aim to find out how they operate. In Secondary school, a ceramics teacher Ms. Marks played an integral part in my artistic development. So my skills developed at a young age and it was consistent throughout.”
In describing his love for art and drama, Khan says, “My love for art and drama began in primary school and it developed in secondary school. The Burrowes School of Art was the moulding factor in my artistic development. As for drama, the Theatre Guild and the Pouderoyen Drama Group of which Richard Narine was a part, influenced me in storytelling.”
“As for storytelling, a man called ‘Law & Order’ who plied the Georgetown/ Vreed-En-Hoop ferry and a man referred to as Ole’ Man Pappie (a beggar) inspired me with his stories and antics. ‘Law & Order’ would have these dummies on show while telling his stories.”
“He would use the dummies to try matters within the magistrate courts, and according to a man from Linden, on several occasions he somewhat predicted the outcome of specific trials, and to everyone’s surprise they came to pass in reality. Ole’ man Pappie on the other hand would rumble proverbs and verses and tell stories about Brer Anansi and Brer Dog.”
But the reality is that drama and art is not considered the most lucrative career choice in Guyana, but this did not deter Khan. He was greatly inspired by his siblings to follow his dreams, not forgetting his contemporaries like George Simon, Philbert Gajadhar, Winslow Craig and Maylene Duncan.
Khan is currently an art lecturer in the field of Art Education, Textile and Graphic at the University of Guyana, School of Education and Humanities, Department of Language and Cultural Studies. “I am totally satisfied with my job and very happy to be part of the University of Guyana and to serve my fellow citizens who are enrolled there.”
He also holds several accolades and these include; Best designer (Comrade Mash finals in the 1980s), Designer of the Children’s Millennium Monument, National Park, Child Art stimulator for the ‘UNITYVILLE’ mural at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and The Guyana Cultural Association of New York (GCA) award for his work in preserving Guyana’s Cultural Heritage through storytelling.
He has also performed as a storyteller in Jamaica, Venezuela, Suriname (CARIFESTA XI & Inter-Guiana Cultural Festival), Folk Festival in New York and GIMISTORY in the Cayman Islands. He has also been performing professionally as a dramatist, entertainer, puppeteer, and a party clown for the past 28 years; and as a storyteller for the past ten years.
“There are lots talents in these areas. However, the sponsorship is not enough for the young artists. I guess as the country grows so will sponsorship. I must commend the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for their commitment and dedication in safeguarding Guyana’s Cultural heritage and promoting young artistes and artists.”
He added, “One major impediment to arts and drama in Guyana is the lack of finance from sponsors and investment in the Arts industry. Public and private sectors are hesitant in investing their monies in Guyanese talents but would proudly support international artistes and artists. Many persons are foreign minded with little respect for homegrown talent.”
“The young people who have visions and dreams are left to sometimes only dream or migrate to another country or island where their work may be appreciated more.”
When asked if he believes that folklore is dying in Guyana he said, “The culture of a people never dies, sometimes it’s dormant. I must say that folklore was dormant however; Mashramani 2014 ignited a greater interest in Guyanese folklore. My contribution to the restoration and preservation of Guyanese folklore is performing as Ole’ Man Pappie.”
“I attend schools on invitation and tell traditional Guyanese folk tales, display and use “lang time thing”. For example, I would tell the story of how the Cassava came to the Amerindians and would use a Matapee, some farine even cassava bread for demonstration.
“In addition, I have a family of folklore puppets which is also used when I’m telling the story of De Baccoo, Moongazer, Ole’ Higue in she ball-a-flame and the Dutch Man Killum. The Ministry of Education can help further in the preservation process. I must make mention of the Allied Arts Unit’s dedicated work towards the sustainability and preservation of cultural art forms. The Guyana Learning Channel can broaden its programme content by promoting more folklore based programmes as well.”
Nonetheless, when it comes to balancing family and his work, Ole’ Man Pappie asserts: “My family life is part of my work. What creates the balance is not neglecting my responsibilities to my family. As an artist I do lots of works at home in my studio and in the presence of my family.”
Apart from his hectic schedules and doing what he loves most, the man from the land of drama and folklore says that he loves collecting Guyanese folklore artifacts, e.g; Coal Pot, Coal Iron, Milk Can, Ghir-Ghir, etc. and working with the elderly in the homes.
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