Savitri Tolan Oral History Interview
Savitri Tolan, a behavioral therapist, discusses her wedding (which was a fusion of Indo-Jamaican/Indo-Guyanese traditions), her faith as a Hindu, her passion for Bollywood dancing, her family's musical traditions with songbooks and memorization, the annual family reunion, and her desire to preserve Indo-Jamaican traditions to teach her son.
In this slideshow, you will see:
Madan Gopal Maragh
Madan Gopal Maragh, a pandit, arrived in Jamaica in 1903 aboard the SS Dahomey from Calcutta, India. This photo is dated around 1947 of him with a Ramayan. He is Savitri Tolan's Grandmother's father.
Savitri Tolan Performing in Chedwin Park
Savitri Tolan performing Bollywood dancing in Jamaica for Indian Arrival day celebrations in 2004. This performance was featured in the Jamaica Observer newspaper.
Savitri Tolan's Wedding Musicans and Dance Performers
In this slideshow, you will see:
Savitri Tolan's wedding in Miami, Florida in 2017 featuring musicians and dancer preparing to begin Indo-Jamaican wedding traditions.
Esrom Williams performing a North Indian/Bhojpuri region Nachaniya dance in the traditional "dancer frock" and wearing ghungroos (bells) on his ankles at his cousin's, Savitri Tolan, wedding.
Savitri Tolan's Nani
Savitri's Tolan's maternal great-great-grandmother and siblings: Jestina Maragh, Phylistina Maragh, Icilda Maragh, and Moses Maragh in Jamaica
Chowtal Singing
Various Indo-Jamaicans gathered in 2013 in Miami, Florida for the Hindu holiday of Phagwah. The holiday is celebrated with chowtal singing, throwing of abir (colored powder), and other activities.
