LONGSTANDING photographer and friend of the media, Mungal Chattergoon, could not contain his excitement about reciting some of his poems at the People’s Space, which was set up at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain as part of the activities surrounding the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

He never got a chance to share his work, however, as he collapsed and died mere minutes before going onstage at around 6 p.m. on Saturday.

His daughter, Laxcmi Chattergoon, told the Express yesterday that her father would have celebrated his 67th birthday on December 23.

Laxcmi said Chattergoon, the father of three children, left his Freeling Street, San Fernando home ’in perfect condition’.

It is suspected that Chattergoon might have suffered a heart attack or an aneurysm. A post mortem examination is expected to be performed today.

Chattergoon, a graduate of Presentation College and the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, began a career in teaching at the Point Fortin College. From there, he moved on to ASJA Boys College and Mod Sec (now San Fernando Government Secondary School). He specialised in teaching Literature, History and Latin.

Chattergoon was an avid photographer who, up to about one year ago, still used film cameras and only recently moved on to digital photography.

President of the Association of Media Photographers of Trinidad and Tobago, Krishna Maharaj, expressed condolences yesterday on behalf of the fraternity.

Also a cultural and arts lobbyist, Chattergoon was one of the individuals who worked towards San Fernando Hill being named a national landmark. He was a founding member of the San Fernando Arts Council and continued to serve up until the time of his death.

Funeral arrangements are expected to be finalised by today.