Berman: My musical odyssey thus far

GASEBALWE SERETSEStaff Writer | Friday September 24, 2010 00:00

The young messenger of the gods is a vocalist, multi-instrument player, poet, visual artist and cultural activist but despite his all-round talent and achievements, he does not have much to show for it. Even though the artist concedes that times are hard for him because 'even my place of abode does not fit a man of my stature', he does not see himself quitting so as to look for an 8-to-5 job because he is a performer first and foremost.

Despite his frustrations locally, he is scheduled to fly to Canada today (Friday) where he is going to take part in First Voices, a programme that seeks to showcase the talents of Aboriginal people all over the world.

Arts & Culture recently sat down with this outstanding artist who shared his achievements and frustrations during illustrious musical journey:

The folklore artistThose who follow Ntirelang's works would agree that he is one of the few Batswana that can convincingly emulate the legendary Ratsie Setlhako. In fact if there is a person who is worthy of the late Setlhako's mantle it is he.

The pint-sized artist confided in Arts & Culture that he eats, drinks and breathes Setlhako's internationally acclaimed music. As if that were not enough, he asserted that he communicates with the departed artist on daily basis which some people might find spooky.

Although the artist has only released one folklore album namely Maloba, those who have ear for good music assert that he is immensely talented and that there is no doubt that he is a legend in the making.

'Whenever I set out to work on any composition, I measure myself against Setlhako and only get contented when I come up with something that comes close to rivalling his works,' he told Arts & Culture.

The multi-instrumental playerNot only can Berman sing like Setlhako, he can also play segaba, the Setswana violin, as well. As a matter of fact, the young man is an instrumentalist who can play the guitar, drums and percussions and setinkane, the traditional thumb piano.

'When it comes to the guitar, I play both the acoustic and electric guitars,' he said adding that he can play both lead and bass guitars.

Whenever the youthful artist plays his melancholic songs accompanied by segaba, he transports his listeners back to those yesteryears when the likes of Setlhako were busy carving their names in the country and there is something that suggests that he is bound to rival their success.

The dancerBerman can perform most dance styles found in Botswana such as tsutsube, setapa, mmino wa Selete and phathisi. One of his greatest regrets is that he has not been able to adequately promote the Selete dance-style.

'The greatest mistake that I have made, as a dancer, is that I have performed other dance-styles forsaking the Selete dance in the process,' he said adding that he particularly wants to promote the popular Selete dance-style, mmamarutle.

He describes it as one of the most intimate styles in the country. According to the artist, in the olden days, it was performed by women to seduce their male counterparts and if a male dancer was able to kiss the breast of a female, that gave him the licence to have sexual intercourse with her later that night.

In the dance-style, the women dance with both their arms vertically outstretched in the shape of buffalo horns (the buffalo is the totem of the Balete, his morafe) and the male dancers hold a stick while dancing suggestively around the women.

Arts & Culture once witnessed Berman performing the acrobatic San dance-style called huru where the dancers imitate wild animals.

The poetAs a folklore artist, Berman is also a talented traditional praise poet. He asserted that one of his talents that he recognised early in his life was that of being able to recite poems.

'When it comes to poetry, I have been compared by some to the likes of Ponatshego Mokane, which, I think, is a great honour,' he told Arts & Culture.

The visual artist'You see this beaded necklace and hand-band, I am the one who made them with my hands,' the artist said showing his works to this writer.

The necklace is made in Botswana national colours (black, blue and white), while the band is completely white. The jewellery, especially the band, look as if they were made by a San artist but this is not surprising since the artist admires the San.

He also told Arts & Culture that one of his hobbies is painting.

The international performing artist and collaboratorAlthough Berman is not greatly appreciated in this country, those who have an eye for talent have been able to recognise his gift. So far he has collaborated with local artists like Kay Zee and the two have come up with a house music song with a dash of folk music called Mabele a ga mme.

He has also worked with Thuto, formerly with Magiso in a motswako song that has been inspired by folk music.Berman has also worked with the popular South African artist called Mo'Molemi in his Motsamai offering. The two have also performed together on an SABC 1 music show.

Other international artists whom he has collaborated with Lily Tembo aka Lily T, Brendan Arnold and Kaylor Lykin.

The cultural activist and revivalistThe artist believes that one of his earthly missions is to do all in his might to preserve the Setswana culture and attempt to revive some aspects of the local culture that are disappearing.

He asserted that he is ready to offer his services to help preserve and revive Setswana culture.

'Government officials know of my talents but I am hardly ever approached for my services, which is disappointing,' he said adding that he felt that government should try to identify and invest in talented people instead of hosting competitions.