Famous Trinidad and Tobago personalities of Indian Origin

Famous Trinidad and Tobago personalities of Indian Origin

1. Sundar Popo

Sundar Popo, often called the father of chutney music, was born in Debe, Trinidad, to an Indo-Trinidadian family. His music combined Indian folk traditions with calypso and soca rhythms, creating a new genre that resonated across the Caribbean and Indian diaspora. Hits like “Nana and Nani” and “Oh My Lover” brought chutney to mainstream attention. Sundar’s work celebrated the Indo-Trinidadian experience and laid the foundation for today’s thriving chutney soca scene.

2. Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Kamla Persad-Bissessar made history as Trinidad and Tobago’s first female Prime Minister, serving from 2010 to 2015. Of Indian descent, she rose from modest beginnings in Siparia to lead the United National Congress (UNC) and the People’s Partnership coalition. Kamla championed education, social development, and women’s empowerment. Her political career has made her a symbol of progress for Indo-Trinidadians and women in leadership across the Caribbean.

3. Satnarayan Maharaj

Satnarayan Maharaj, known as Sat Maharaj, was a powerful advocate for Hindu rights and Indo-Trinidadian culture. As the secretary-general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, the largest Hindu organization in the country, he worked tirelessly to promote Hindu education, religious freedom, and cultural preservation. Though often a controversial figure, Sat Maharaj’s influence shaped national conversations about multiculturalism, equality, and the place of Indo-Trinidadian traditions in the broader society.

4. Ravi B

Ravi Bissambhar, popularly known as Ravi B, is a dynamic chutney soca singer, producer, and bandleader of Karma. Born into a musical Indo-Trinidadian family, Ravi B blended chutney with soca and Bollywood influences, gaining a huge following across the Caribbean diaspora. Hits like “Rum is Meh Lover” and his Road March performances showcase his energy and innovation. Ravi B has helped modernize chutney soca, ensuring its relevance among younger generations.

5. Anand Ramlogan

Anand Ramlogan is a prominent attorney and former Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, known for his sharp legal mind and political influence. Of Indo-Trinidadian heritage, Ramlogan built his reputation as a human rights lawyer, taking on major constitutional cases and advocating for civil liberties. During his tenure as Attorney General (2010–2015), he worked on legal reforms and public interest issues, making him one of the most recognizable Indo-Trinidadian figures in the country’s legal and political landscape.