National Council of Indian Culture

The National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) is a non-governmental cultural organisation based in Trinidad and Tobago, dedicated to the preservation, development and promotion of East Indian and Indo-Trinidadian culture. It was founded in 1964, originally under the name National Council for Indian Music and Drama (NCIMD), by Bisram Gopie, Narsaloo Ramaya, Moean Mohammed, Farzan Ali and Baldeo Maharaj, who came together out of concern for the welfare of a fellow Indian cultural artiste and to create a body that could serve East Indian cultural artists and promote East Indian culture in the country. Bisram Gopie was elected its first president. The organisation's mandate broadened over time. In 1970 Hans Hanoomansingh was elected president, and under his leadership the body was renamed the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) and a new constitution was drafted and implemented. The NCIC is recognised by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago as a leading East Indian cultural organisation in the country, and it has been in existence for more than five decades. The NCIC's flagship event is Divali Nagar, which it has hosted since 1986. Held in the lead-up to Divali each year, Divali Nagar is described by the organisation as the largest celebration of Divali outside of India. The event provides a platform for local and international artists to showcase their talent and has become a major fixture in Trinidad and Tobago's cultural calendar. Beyond Divali Nagar, the NCIC facilitates cultural and educational events, supports competitions and cultural activities, and has built regional and international linkages with individuals and organisations that collaborate to promote East Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago and around the world. Its activities have historically been associated with venues such as the Naparima Bowl, Skinner Park and the Himalaya Club, and with competitions including the annual Indian High Commission Challenge Trophy for Classical Singing and the Prime Minister's Trophy for Orchestration. As a non-governmental organisation, the NCIC continues to promote and support culture in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region, with a stated aim of promoting diversity and understanding.

The National Council of Indian Culture traces its origins to 1964, when a group of cultural advocates and educators came together out of concern for the welfare and care of a fellow Indian cultural artiste. Founders Bisram Gopie and Narsaloo Ramaya met with educators and activist Moean Mohammed, Farzan Ali and Baldeo Maharaj to conceptualise an organisation that could serve East Indian cultural artists and promote East Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago. Following a meeting held on July 19th 1964, the National Council for Indian Music and Drama (NCIMD) was established, and Shri Bisram Gopie was elected its first president. The NCIMD became an architect of the development of Indian culture and supported many competitions and cultural activities. The Naparima Bowl, Skinner Park and the Himalaya Club became popular venues for its activities. Among the events it supported were the annual Indian High Commission Challenge Trophy for Classical Singing and the Prime Minister's Trophy for Orchestration. As the organisation's mandate evolved, there was a perceived need for a more holistic and all-embracing vision. In 1970, after an election, a new president was inaugurated: Mr. Hans Hanoomansingh. Under his leadership the organisation was renamed the National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC), and a new constitution was drafted and implemented; according to the organisation, that constitution still holds today. The NCIC has been in existence for over 54 years and is recognised by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago as a leading East Indian cultural organisation in the country. As a non-governmental organisation, it continues to promote and support culture in Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the region by facilitating cultural and educational events. The organisation's flagship event, Divali Nagar, was established in 1986. According to the NCIC's account of its history, in February 1986 — one week after the annual grand celebration of the national festival of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago — a meeting was carded to take place at the Barataria office of the travel agency Amral's Travel Service, owned by the then President of the NCIC, Mr. Hans Hanoomansingh. For several years this office had served as a meeting place for council members carrying out its mandate to propagate and promote Indian culture with reference to the Indian diaspora in Trinidad and Tobago. The agenda of that meeting focused on developing strategies for the promotion of Indian culture and implementing plans for execution. On that particular day, however, there was an air of extreme anticipation, as members of the council, under the advice of the president, had invited prominent individuals who for many years had been at the forefront of the promotion of Indian culture. These individuals were hand-selected by the NCIC executive to be privy to the unveiling of a master plan. That plan culminated in the establishment of Divali Nagar. Divali Nagar is held in the lead-up to Divali each year and gives an opportunity to many artists, both locally and internationally, to showcase their talent. The NCIC describes the Divali Nagar held in Trinidad as the largest celebration of Divali outside of India. Through its years of experience and the linkages it has created both regionally and internationally, the NCIC has developed an international network of individuals and organisations through which it collaborates to promote East Indian culture in Trinidad and Tobago and around the world.

• 2019

  History of Divali Nagar account published by Dr. Visham Bhimull on October 13, 2019.

• 1986

  Divali Nagar established, following a February 1986 meeting at Amral's Travel Service in Barataria.

• 1970

  Hans Hanoomansingh elected president; organisation renamed National Council for Indian Culture (NCIC) and a new constitution drafted and implemented.

• 1964

  National Council for Indian Music and Drama (NCIMD) established on July 19th; Bisram Gopie elected first president.

A leading non-governmental East Indian cultural organisation in Trinidad and Tobago, recognised by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and host of the largest Divali celebration outside India.

• Divali Nagar

  Annual festival held in the lead-up to Divali; described by NCIC as the largest Divali celebration outside India.

• Indian High Commission Challenge Trophy for Classical Singing

  Annual competition supported by the NCIC.

• Prime Minister's Trophy for Orchestration

  Competition supported by the NCIC.

1. 1NCIC Trinidad & Tobago – National Council of Indian Culturencictt.com
2. 2History – NCIC Trinidad & Tobagoncictt.com
3. 3About Us – NCIC Trinidad & Tobagoncictt.com
4. 4National Council of Indian Culture – Wikidatawikidata.org