Chalkie is KING

The Mighty Chalkdust walked away from the Dimance Gras Stage early Monday morning with a half million dollars and the coveted title of Calypso Monarch. But perhaps what was even better was that the victory put Dr Hollis Liverpool on par with the Mighty Sparrow. Up to now no one was able to match sparrow's eight crowns; Chalkie did it this year singing in his typical style of political satire.

The history professor and former culture director scored top marks with a tribute to his friend, the late Kelvin Pope, the Mighty Duke, who died earflier this year and his biting sitire, "My Hart and I" about the controversy over Calder Hart, the Canadian-Trinidian head of UDeCOTT.

Chalkdust has recorded more than 300 songs during his career, which began in 1967 while he was a teacher. His winning performances for the acclaimed Calypso Monarch crown are:

1. "Three Blind Mice" and "Ah Put on Meh Guns Again" (1976)
2. "Juba Dubai" and Shango Vision" (1977)
3. "Ah Can't Make" and "My Kind of Worry" (1981)
4. "Chauffeur Wanted" and "Carnival Is the Answer" (1989)
5. "Kaiso Sick in de Hospital" and "Misconceptions" (1993)
6. "Fish Monger" and "Trinidad in the Cemetery" (2004)
7. "I in Town Too Long" and "Ah Doh Rhyme" (2005)

The Dimanche Gras featured final competitions in calypso and the king and queen of the bands.

Calypso Monarch:

1. Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool - "My Heart and I"
2. Joanne "Tigress" Rowley - "Yuh Ent See Wajang Yet"
3. Winston "D'Original De Fosto Himself" - "Could We Rise Again"

King of Carnival:

1. Stephen Alexis - "Ndlovu In Search"
2. Curtis Eustace - "Apollo's Lust"
3. Glen Turnbull - "Flight of D Golden Sun Lord"

Queen of Carnival:

1. Kadaffi Romney - "Manzandaba's in Flight"
2. Tamara Alleyne-Gittens - "Fairy Dust"
3. Pamela Gordon - "First Lady of the Chinese Court"