Pandit Sunil Basdeo

The young and talented Pandit Sunil Basdeo continues to be a dominant force in the cultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. His proud parents, Pandit Sharma Basdeo and Savitri Basdeo of Rousillac have always been very loving and supportive of his musical ambitions and accomplishments.  His musical career began at the very young age of four, under the esteemed guidance and tutorship of the late Pandit Mahase Maharaj of Avocat, where he remained as his student until the passing of Panditji. Being musically inclined, he naturally gravitated towards musical instruments of all kinds and he excelled in all styles of the art form. At the age of 13, he became the lead Musician/Arranger for the Internationally Acclaimed singer Budram Holass, accompanying him throughout the country for over a decade. He has also been blessed to accompany many great Pandits and legendary artiste of this land including his Guru Pt. Rampersad Parasram, Vidya Guru, Pt. Mahase Maharaj, as well as Pt. Sharma Basdeo, Pt. Ramdath Vyas, Ustad Haniff Mohammed, the renowned Sookdeo Jagdeo, Vidoor, Yusuff Khan, Budram Holass and many more. He is also a very versatile vocalist performing various styles of singing, such as bhajans, geets, ghazals, baithak gana (local classical singing), lok geet, qawali, rendering all at a great level of proficiency, thus becoming a dominant force in the cultural landscape.  As a student attending Point Fortin College he entered competitions by the Sankriti Sangam, winning every competition in the Instrumental Category over the period 1986-1992. Sunil also performed alongside many great artiste, such as Dev Bansraj Ramkissoon, Balliram Bala, Solo Girdharrie and many more at NCIC Competitions. He is presently the Spiritual Head at the Salickram Mandir in Duncan Village, San Fernando, conducting a very vibrant Sunday Morning Devotional Service. His dear friend and Musical Director, Bisram (Tatsil) Moonilal is the lead guitarist of his group and a constant source of inspiration and guidance to them. Sunil teaches the art form to his many dedicated students. His very beautiful wife Geeta, is constantly supporting and encouraging her very talented husband along the path which he so loves. Following in the traditions of his great grandfather, the late Pandit Rambaran Tiwari, who came from Uttar Pradesh, India, Pt. Sunil Basdeo is a well respected Pandit, and following in the traditions of his ancestral heritage, he continues to excel in the field of music and culture. (Copyright Nisha Sharma 2023)