Diaspora (Commonwealth Union) _ In February, Dr. Baytoram Ramharack, a Guyanese-born author and advocate for stable democracy, published a book titled “A Powerful Indian Voice – Alice Bhagwandai Singh: Reflections On Her Work In Guyana.” Dr. Ramharack, a lecturer in history and political science at Nassau Community College, New York, explores the life, accomplishments, and impact of Alice Bhagwandai Singh, an iconic social and cultural activist in British Guiana during the early 1900s.
Born in Suriname in 1892 to a Hindu Brahmin father and an Indo-Suriname Christian mother, Alice grew up immersed in European and Hindu cultures. She married Jung Bahadur Singh and moved to Guyana, where he became a medical doctor. Alice, a liberated woman, engaged in various social and cultural activities, contributing significantly to Guyanese society. She founded and led the British Guiana Dramatic Society (BGDS), a central voice for Indians promoting their culture.
Apart from her roles in various organizations, Alice’s autobiography is a valuable narrative, possibly the first such documentation by a female descendant of a girmitiya. Dr. Ramharack’s book meticulously analyzes Alice’s life, the BGDS, and her autobiography in the context of girmitiya historiography, emphasizing their significance in promoting Indian culture and fostering respect for Indians in Guyana.
Alice’s decision to establish the BGDS, according to Dr. Ramharack, marked the first concerted attempt to secure a central voice for Indians in British Guiana. The BGDS successfully staged plays by renowned Indian playwrights, enhancing the perception of Indian culture. Alice’s autobiography serves as a primary source document detailing the girmitiya experience in Dutch Guiana, making it a valuable addition to coolitude tradition.
Dr. Ramharack concludes his book by reporting on the cultural activism of Rajkumari Singh, Alice’s daughter, and part of her legacy. Rajkumari played a significant role in fostering Indo-Guyanese literature and culture. Dr. Ramharack’s work stands as a pioneering and valuable contribution to girmitiya historiography, providing insights into the cultural resilience and contributions of the Indian diaspora in Guyana.
