Since the first set of East Indian
Indentured Labourers arrived in Jamaica between 1845-1917, Indian music, art and dance
have been an integral part of the Jamaican culture. The Raja Sarangie Group was found by
the late Johnny Mykoo in 1974 to promote and
sustain Indian folk music and dance in Jamaica. 
08/08/2002 15:57:20
Today, the band continues to provide musical entertainment to
the Indo-Caribbean community both in Jamaica and the United Kingdom performing
at Weddings, Parties, Pujas, Kathas, etc under the direction of Johnny's sons
Trevor and Philip Mykoo.
For information on
availability of the Group, please contact: RSG (UK) - Trevor Mykoo:
0161 861 0460 / 07985 525921 - Philip Mykoo: 07903 118559 RSG (Jamaica) 876 901 6334 Brief History about the band .... Formed in 1974 by the late
Johnny Mykoo, the band members then consisted of Johnny Mykoo
(lead singer), Clifford Thompson " Buchkun" (sarangie), the late Francis Baccas
(dantal), the late Sonna Singh (dholak), Sue (nachania dancer) and Edgar Campbell
(promoter). In 1980, the Raja Sarangie Group re-established itself
and was at the height of its musical peak, playing at prestigious events with audiences
such as the Governor General of Jamaica and the Indian High Commissioner of
Jamaica at social and cultural functions across the island. At this time, the band members were Johnny
Mykoo (lead singer), Judith Sankar (singer), Ann-marie Bennett (singer),
Ann-marie Ergas (singer), Sandra Mykoo (singer),Valerie Ramdas (singer), Petrona
Dean (singer), George Sampat (singer), Philip Mykoo
(son of Johnny - lead guitar/dholak), Courtney Bennett (bass guitar), Bobby
Maragh (rhythm guitar), Trevor Mykoo (son of Johnny
- electric organ/harmonium), Cassell Williams (dholak), Troy Tallow (dantal),
Francis Baccas
(dantal), Patrick Lopez (percussion), Andrea and Wendy Maragh (backing
vocalists), Christine Mykoo (daughter of Johnny - backing vocalist), Chini (nachania dancer)
and Richard
Mykoo (son of Johnny - nachania dancer). During this period,
the band released various singles and albums
touring across the Caribbean and the U.K. Other "Associate
Members" who have contributed their time and effort over the
years to make the group a success :- Hamrit Guyah, Melvin Bennett, Linton
Gazadal, Tawnie Tallow, Alfred Hemmings, Derrick Nacti, Stanley Nacti, Anthony
Badaloo, Pactrick Dean, Cleve Bispot, Earl Budhai, Leslie Garieve, Ma lou,
Shiela Richards. At present, the band is
divided into 2 sub groups split as Raja Sarangie Group (UK) and Raja Sarangie
Group (Jamaica) to cater for the Indo-Jamaican communities:- Raja Sarangie Group (UK)
consists of Craig
Persaud (lead singer), Philip Mykoo (singer,
Music Director), Trevor Mykoo (singer/lead
keyboard, Planning Director), Surrug Mykoo (tabla/drums), Paul
Singh (dholak), Sylvester Ramnaught (dantal) and Peter Singh (mageera). (Pictures of
Raja Sarangie Group UK) Raja Sarangie Group
(Jamaica) consists of George Sampat (lead singer), Courtney Bennett (bass guitar), Bobby Maragh
(rhythm guitar), Suren Chutkhan (keyboard), Richard Mykoo (dantal), Daniel
Buddha (dholak) and Patrick Lopez (percussion). Johnny Mykoo was born in Bacham
Pen (Spanish Town Road),
Kingston, Jamaica on 9th February 1941, one of five sons and five daughters of
Alice and Ram-Bali Mykoo. His parents were devoted Hindus and he grew up
inspired by their religious values. As a child, he was often seen
participating in Hindu rituals such as Pujas and often joked about his delight
of blowing the conch shell during the Arti ceremony. He was also the local
"trainee" nachania dancer! During the Indian festival of
"Hosay" he was also seen playing sword fighting in the
celebrations. Johnny went on to learn the trade of a
professional Barber and he moved to the UK in 1964 where he opened his first
Barber and Record shop in Leeds. He was married to Pearlina Mykoo
(nee-Baccas) and they had seven children - Yvonne, Philip, Trevor, Christine,
Richard, Jason and Steve. While living there he had a dream from a Sadhu
(an old Hindu sage) to return to Jamaica to make Indian music. He returned
to Jamaica in 1969 where his dream eventually became reality when he founded the
Raja Sarangie Group in 1974. Sadly, in 1981 his wife passed away though he
went on to remarry and had another son, Surrug. The Raja Sarangie Group became an
international sensation touring Trinidad, Guyana, Surinam and the United Kingdom
on many cultural events. Johnny recorded 2 albums namely
Ham Jaane and Best
of Johnny Mykoo and featured on the various artists album Pleasure for the
Soul. He released 19 singles in total including hits such as
Rama Ko, Bangala, Pardesiya and Krishna Ko
Sangh and strived to sustain the Indo-Jamaican culture by contributing to the
development of Indian music in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Sadly,
Johnny Mykoo died in Jamaica on
16th December 1990 in a car accident while returning from an Indian
function. The Indo-Jamaican community were shocked and stunned at this
great loss and still mourn Jamaica's greatest Indian talent today. His
memory lives on through his work and dedication to Indian music and
today,
the Raja Sarangie Group continues to perform under the direction of
Trevor and
Philip Mykoo. Philip Mykoo was born on
23rd June 1964 in Leeds, England and migrated to Jamaica at the age of 5. He
grew up in Cockburn Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica and by the age of 12, he was already teaching
himself to play the dantal and other percussion instruments .He went on to
play almost every instrument in the band (his favourite being the guitar) and he
eventually became the band's Music Director and Engineer. In addition to
his credits, he is also a very talented singer.
After leaving high school,
he became involved in telecommunications and was working for a reputable company
in Jamaica as a Telecoms Engineer. In June of 1989, he married
Jacqueline and they both have a son Kiran whom they adore very much.
In 1990, after the untimely death of his
father, Philip took
over the reins and became the Manager of the Raja Sarangie Group (Jamaica) and has
been a true patriot where Indian music and tradition is concerned.
His musical career has seen him being sought after by many other
bands in Jamaica and the United Kingdom. He has also done Studio Engineering for
several artists and producers and is currently involved in producing his own C.D.
entitled "Sangeet Garam". Trevor Mykoo was born on
3rd June 1965 in Leeds, England. He migrated to Jamaica at the age of 4.
As a
child growing up, he participated in various religious functions. He was most influenced
by his father for serving the Indo-Jamaican community with his music and
singing. At a very early age, he taught himself to sing and play the harmonium. During his teenage years,
he joined Prema Satsangh of Jamaica where he was actively involved
in preserving and cultivating Hinduism in Jamaica. He visited Trinidad
to study Yoga, Vedic rituals and music under the watchful eyes of Prof. Adesh.
While living in Jamaica, he was the keyboard player for the Raja Sarangie Group and
often entertained the audience with his singing. In 1985, he moved to
England to further his studies where he took up computing as a profession.
Today, he works as a Computer Technical Analyst for a well known insurance
company in the United Kingdom. He is married to Ruth and they both dote on their
little daughter Priya. Trevor's mission in life
is to uphold his Hindu cultural values and to preserve and propagate Hinduism in
the Indo-Caribbean community. He is also active with the Hare Krishna
temple in Manchester where he plays the harmonium and the mirdanga
drum during the Sunday kirtan services. He is the founder of the
Raja Sarangie Group (UK) and has been instrumental in organizing cultural events
for the band. His current religious activities
include launching
a Satsangh Group for the Indo-Caribbean community living in the United Kingdom
and he is also actively involved with his family tree, tracing his roots back to India where it all started. A popular type of dance found amongst the East Indians
who arrived in Jamaica during the Indentureship (1845-1917). Today,
this indian dance can be observed during Weddings, Pujas and
Divali celebrations in the Indo-Jamaican community. (Picture of Mr Allen
a.k.a. Old Joe seen dancing at a wedding in Linstead, Jamaica) Raja Sarangie Group
Johnny Mykoo
Philip Mykoo
Trevor Mykoo
Nachania Dance
Singles
| Raam Ko | Preetam Tore | Gosiya | Jaane Ke |
| Bangala | Prem Ka Rahiya | Raat Ko | Dun Bahiya Chale |
| Aanko Me Bhas | Bahiya Ho | Krishna Chand | Bharat |
| Phool Lay | Yanga Na | Raam Latan | Krishna Ko Sangh |
| Gopal | Raja Tore | Dil Ko Dhal |
| Ham Jaane | Best Of Johnny Mykoo | Pleasure for the Soul |
| Ham Jaane | Tagini Ya | Dasarat Ge Kolal |
| Rukh Roshan | Malge | Manu Bajulay |
| Lown Dako | Baabu Daro | |
| Topi Wale | Canta Laagay | |
| Pilay Dadu Ka | Bassu More | |
| Inspecta | Pardesiya | |
| Ruhn Juhn | Galiya | |
| Latchman | Kohe Sapuna | |
| Dil Lai Ke Chalesay | Kown Mahin Wa | |
| Krishna Ko Sangh |
This site is dedicated to
the late Johnny Mykoo (9/2/41-16/12/90), a pioneer
who dedicated his life to cultivate and preserve traditional Indian music in
Jamaica and the Caribbean. We would also like to take
this opportunity to commend the efforts of our fellow musicians and bands
who continue to preserve and promote traditional Indian folk music in
Jamaica. This site was designed by
Trevor, Ruth and Philip Mykoo and edited by Ruth Mykoo.
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