Sonny Mann’s “Lotela” (1995) enthralled Indo-Trinidadians with its catchy rhythm and was even played for Carnival season. But elders in the community were scandalized by the suggestive meaning of the lyrics. The composition is about an affair taking place between a young man and his sister-in-law while her abusive marriage to his older brother falls apart. Sonny Mann himself was booed and pelted off the Soca Monarch stage when he attempted to perform in-competition due to chutney not being accepted in the mainstream. Mann was known as a classical singer but attempted to transition into soca and chutney soca to achieve greater success.
Translated by Vinay Harrichan as part of the Caribbean Hindustani team:
Lotela, khoob lotela
Rolling, rolling all about
Lotay bhauji, lotay, khoob lotela
Roll sister-in-law, roll, rolling all about
Bhauji leke saboon, khoob nahaela
Sister-in-law takes soap and is bathing plenty
Daru piye lagle bhauji khoob lotela
Sister-in-law drank rum and starts rolling all about
Bhaiya leke gari khoob kaam karela
My big brother takes the car and works plenty
Bhauji na jaane kam kare, khoob sootela
Sister-in-law does not know how to work, she is sleeping plenty
Bhai aur bhauji baraat mein gaile
My brother and sister-in-law went in a wedding procession
Tassa bajawe bhauji khoob nachela
Tassa plays and sister-in-law dances plenty
Hamare bhauji khoob dabela
My sister-in-law is nagging plenty
Hamare bhaiya na samjela
My big brother is not understanding
Bhauji bole bhaiya gaddha na samjela
Sister-in-law said big brother is a jackass, he is not understanding
Bhaiya leke lathi bhauji khoob marela
Big brother takes a stick and beats sister-in-law plenty
