Screenshot from the film ‘Panyard Universe’ courtesy Maria Nunes, used with permission. In a United Nations resolution adopted just last year, August 11 is officially World Steelpan Day. While citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, where the pan was born, have long regarded it as the country’s national instrument, the country’s parliament was a tad late in catching up, officially passing the Bill to do so on July 4, 2024. With presidential assent, the Bill becomes an Act, giving it legal legislative status. On July 11, a few days after the Bill passed, I attended the launch of “Panyard Universe,” a …
