Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

44 joys and sorrows as well as their labours and customs. He was Director of Culture in the Ministry of Education and Culture for a number of years. He was also a poet, sculptor, writer and broadcaster. Since 1944 his works have been shown in mixed and one-man exhibitions locally, in Britain, Spain, the United States, Canada, São Paulo and the Caribbean region. He is represented in collections in several countries. He was the recipient of many prizes and awards for his art and craft products and organisational work. He produced a series of research papers on local folklore, oral tradition, chants, dances and music. These still remain one of the leading sources for reference material. He was President of the Trinidad Art Society for many years and an influential teacher and role model to many. In 1969 he received the Medal of Merit Gold. RAYMOND “ATILLA THE HUN” QUEVEDO (1892-1962) E ducated at St. Mary’s College, Atilla began singing in public in 1911 and, between the early 1940s and 1950s, sang at the Original Old Brigade Tent. He was the first calypsonian to hold public office when he was elected to the Port-of-Spain City Council in 1946. He was later elected to represent East St. George County in the Legislative Council in 1950. The melody of Atilla’s “Calypso Behind The Wall” was popularised by American singer Harry Belafonte who recorded it as “Jump In The Line.” He was one of the pioneers in spreading awareness of calyspo beyond its birthplace of Trinidad and Tobago. He also co- authored Attila’s Kaiso: A Short History of Trinidad Calypso published in 1983. There is a collection of his material at the West Indiana and Special Collections Division at UWI. • 1972 Medal of Merit Gold