Indians in Trinidad and Tobago

From Bihar to Trinidad and Tobago: How the Indian diaspora created Chutney music

by Charu Thakur | Jul 11, 2025

(July 11, 2025) In a village in central Trinidad, the night comes alive with the beat of the dholak drum and the sharp ring of the dhantal. The crowd moves and cheers as Rakesh Yankaran – known as “The Raja” – begins a lively chutney song. Bhojpuri lyrics blend...

Reshma Rajeev: Bridging cultures through Bharatanatyam in Trinidad and Tobago

by Charu Thakur | Oct 7, 2024

(October 7, 2024) Reshma Rajeev’s story is one of dedication and cultural preservation, a tale that began in the lush landscapes of Kerala in India, and found its way to the Caribbean shores of Trinidad and Tobago. A Bharatanatyam dancer, teacher, and cultural...