SUNDAR POPO WIFE’S LIFE OF LOVE AND SUPPORT

THE death of famed singer Sundar Popo’s wife Keyso has ended a memorable story of support, loyalty, and dedication.

Keyso, who parented four children with the illustrious Sundar, has died at age 81.

Popo, who was dubbed the King of Chutney, passed away in 2000, six months short of his 57^th birthday.

He recorded 165 Indo-flavoured songs, performed at concerts in several countries, and received various accolades and awards.

His concert venues included Madison Square Garden in New York, and his 15 albums had hits such as “Scorpion Gyul,” “Oh My Lover,” “Don’t Fall In Love,” and “Saas More Lage.”

His 1971 “Nana and Nani” was his seminal offering, an offbeat story of love and culture, which he performed throughout the remainder of his stellar career.

He did several well-received cover versions of popular songs.

In 1995, one of the songs that won calypsonian Black Stalin the coveted National Monarch competition was the complimentary “Tribute to Sundar Popo.”

The auditorium of the southern campus of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) is named for Popo.

Keyso was extremely supportive of her accomplished husband, at one time telling a media interviewer: “He was my companion.

“Every time he had to travel abroad or go to a show, I would go with him to make sure he was looking good and eating well.

“He was a good man.”

Her home at Barrackpore is adorned with Sundar’s awards and other belongings.

She said she cries whenever she hears his songs on the radio, with her favourite being the lament “A Mother’s Love.”

Each year, she held a yagna (Hindu worship service) in honour of her husband.

When Stalin died last December 28, Keyso recalled that the calypsonian and Sundar had a close relationship.

She acclaimed Stalin’s commitment to ethnic harmony and his humility.

Reflecting on the Sundar-Stalin ties awakened fresh memories of her late husband.

“I really miss him,” she said then.