One of his favourites was the lovely ‘Suhani Raat’ taken from the movie ‘Dularie’. He was also noted for singing Mukesh and Mohamed Rafi specials.

Ram sang for over 40 years. During his career, he appeared on television programmes on countless occasions, and was often featured on the ‘Sangeet Ki Raat’ programme hosted by Parmanand Sukhu.

According to Fiasal Feroze Alli, a close friend and International Leader of the Front Alliance, Ram was a very gifted singer, who was humble, simple and very sincere to his singing career.

Another family friend described Ram as “an icon for his great contribution to the field of music”.

Close friend and associate of Gobin Ram, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Reepu Daman Persaud in a comment to the Chronicle said the deceased singer was credited with a voice close to that of one of India’s leading singers -- Mukesh Chand Mathura.

Gobin Ram sang widely, and was indeed a very versatile performer. He was once in a competition with Trinidad’s singing maestro, Yaskaran. The singers were adjudged tied in that competition, Persaud recalled.

In his homeland, Guyana, Ram sang in many competitions and was often the main attraction on the popular Indian Performers Programme on the then Radio Demerara, Persaud noted.

He was so meticulous and precise that Trinidadian radio announcer Farzan Ally described Ram’s popular renditions of Mukesh as “perfect imitations.”

“He was a fine singer with a natural talent, and he will be remembered as part of our special singing repertoire. I will always remember Gobin’s singing and the special touches he had in his singing. And he was a fine musician as well,” Persaud reminisced.

Parmanand Sukhu, Cultural Promoter and associate of Ram told the Guyana Chronicle that his passing is a great loss for Guyana.

Ram sang Ghazall, Filmi, taan, tumri, bhajans and songs for all occasions.

Suhku said that Ram was a very talented man, who once sang beside the famous Mukesh at a cultural show held in Guyana.

Gobin Ram was a one-time member of the National History and Arts Council and was in receipt of many honours and certificates of local achievements.

Gobin Ram was born in March 1933 at Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, but later in life he settled down in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

His remains will be cremated at Good Hope on

Thursday, October 02, 2003