Rikki Jai returns to calypso tent

After years away from the calypso tent, artiste Samraj Jaimungal, known as Rikki Jai, is making a much-anticipated return, joining D'Kaiso Dynasty (formerly Kaiso House) tent for the 2025 season.

Originally from Friendship Village, San Fernando, Jai, a pioneer in chutney soca and a nine-time Chutney Soca Monarch winner, describes this comeback as a homecoming.

“I started in calypso and am a bonafide calypsonian,” he pointed out. “I performed from the inception of my career at Calypso Spektakula with the Martineau Brothers, not as a chutney artist, but as a calypsonian. I (was) the first Indo-Trinidadian artiste to make the Dimanche Gras finals, in 2001. “This is me coming full circle in my musical career and embracing what made me the artiste I am from the very beginning.”

Apart from winning musical crowns, in recognition of his achievements, Jai has also been awarded the Hummingbird Medal (gold) in 2012, and an honorary doctorate in fine arts from the University of TT in 2023. His last stint in a calypso tent was with Kaiso House, several years ago. He explained his departure was driven by the growing demands of fetes and parties, which consumed much of his time. Read More