Best known as a charismatic politician and fiery labour leader, former prime minister the late Basdeo Panday also wore many other hats.
He had a love for cricket, culture, agriculture, animals and making people laugh, among other things.
Panday died on January 1, at the age of 90, and his funeral was held on January 9, at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA). His body was cremated at the the Shore of Peace in San Fernando.
When it came to music, Panday played the harmonium, tabla, dhantal and dholak – instruments which originated in India. He was taught by the late India-born TT-based Prof Hari Shanker Adesh. In his later years, Panday often said staying at home and playing these instruments remained some of his main hobbies. He had a deep love of East Indian classical music, and also enjoyed calypso, soca and chutney, being the topic of some calypsoes himself like Watchman's Panday Needs His Glasses. He also loved dancing.
Another art form he explored was acting, after studying drama at the London School of Dramatic Art and graduating in 1960 with a diploma.
He went on to act in series and movies including Saki, The Moonstone, They Made History, Man in the Middle/The Winston Affair and Nine Hours to Rama.
He also acted in plays in TT. The TT Film Company said Panday was "a man who explored the fields of the entertainment industry and political landscape."
Some also considered him a cultural activist. Under his administration, he decided the May 30 holiday Arrival Day, which commemorated the arrival of East Indians in TT, should be called Indian Arrival Day. President of the National Council of Indian Culture Independent Senator Deoroop Teemal said he was "deeply saddened" by the news of Panday's death.
"Words seem inadequate to express the depth of sorrow felt by all who admired his remarkable leadership and unwavering dedication to TT and world politics," he said.
He added that Panday's "indelible mark" on TT's history and "unwavering commitment" to the betterment of his people will always be remembered.
Panday also officially declared March 30 as Spiritual/Shouter Baptist Liberation Day and also 25 acres of land in Maloney to build schools, churches, etc.
Spiritual Baptist Archbishop Barbara Burke told Newsday her community lost their "great shepherd."
[caption id="attachment_1055854" align="alignnone" width="828"] Basdeo Panday and his dog Norman. -[/caption]
Burke said Panday "helped us to reach where all other denominational (groups) reach because we had nothing. So there is grief in our hearts.
"To me, he was a God-fearing man, a man of peace, a man of love. When I went before him and put my cry before him, he was very sympathetic to me. We are eternally grateful to him as he showed us love and appreciation."
Panday grew up in a family of farmers – something he always took pride in. In fact, he used to work as a cane weigher at one point.
His love for farming and gardening continued over the years, and some videos of him doing that went viral in 2020 during th
