The Panchoo Family Story

Origins, Family, Culture, and Community in Grenada

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The story of the Panchoo family is rooted in the experience of Indian indentureship and the generations that followed, marked by resilience, adaptation, skill, and cultural continuity in Grenada.

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The family traces its origins to Joseph Panchoo, who came to Grenada from India during the period of Indian Indentureship. He travelled with his brother, Luther Panchoo, but the two were separated after arriving in Grenada. Family accounts suggest that Luther later went on to Trinidad, while Joseph remained in Grenada and established his life there.

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Very little is known about Joseph Panchoo’s wife, but his legacy continued through his children: Clement, Edwin, Nathaniel, Ena, Felicity, Jerome, Fredna, Apple, and Enna. Through them, the Panchoo family took root in Grenada, particularly in Belmont and Tivoli in St. Andrew, and grew into a large and interconnected family network.

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Among Joseph’s children, Clement Panchoo became a central figure in both the family and the wider community.

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Clement Panchoo (“Dada Clement”)

A Life of Family, Faith, Skill, and Community

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Clement Panchoo, known throughout his community as “Dada Clement,” was a man of quiet strength, deep faith, and enduring influence. Rooted in the village life of St. Andrew, he was widely respected for his character, his practical wisdom, and his unwavering commitment to family and community. A devoted Anglican, he attended the Hermitage Anglican Church, and his life reflected strong values of discipline, belief, and service.

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At the centre of his life was family. Though he had no biological children, he embraced several of his nieces and nephews as his own, including Bradshaw, Euline, Hermilyn, and John Allard, known as “Tangler.” They were raised within his household with care, guidance, and a strong sense of responsibility, forming the heart of his life.

 

After the passing of his first wife, he held firmly to the belief that marriage was once only, and that he would one day be reunited with her. In keeping with this conviction, he did not remarry legally. He later shared his life with Mabel James, and together they created a home that provided stability, direction, and belonging. Their children remained central to this environment of care and guidance.

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Dada Clement lived on the hill just past the Belmont River and the Belmont pasture, a setting closely tied to both his work and his identity. He spent much of his working life at Belmont Estate. Under the ownership of the Nyack family, he rose to the position of head driver, a supervisory role that reflected both his experience and the trust placed in him. He was widely respected in his workplace and developed a close and trusted relationship with Norbert and Lyris Nyack.

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When the Nyack family acquired Belmont Estate, he was considered for the role of overseer. Although he did not take up the position due to his limited formal education, the consideration itself reflected the high regard in which he was held and the recognition of his capability and leadership.

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Beyond his formal work, Dada Clement was a man of exceptional practical skill. He was a self-taught craftsman who repaired tools, soldered and welded metal, and repurposed everyday materials into useful items. He was also known for his understanding of land and drainage, assisting others in laying out plots and managing water flow.

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In his home, he worked as a tailor using a hand-operated Jones sewing machine. From an early age, he taught Hermilyn how to sew, cutting the fabric himself and guiding her through the process. Through his instruction and encouragement, she developed her skills and became a seamstress.

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Farming remained central to his life, and his connection to the land was both practical and deeply personal. This knowledge was also carried forward within the family. Bradshaw took up both farming and work at Belmont Estate, becoming known for his agricultural skill as well as his musical ability. Dowlin also continued this tradition of farming and community work.

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Music and culture were integral to the life of the Panchoo family. The household was known for its musical tradition, and the family formed a band that played an important role in community life. They performed at funerals, weddings, funeral repasts, and ceremonies such as the cutting of a boy’s hair, occasions that brought the community together in shared experience. Their music included drumming, singing, violin, and the playing of the dantal, a traditional Indo-Caribbean percussion instrument that produces a sharp rhythmic sound. Through these performances, they preserved elements of Indian musical heritage while expressing them within Grenadian culture.

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Continuity, Culture, and Contribution

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The Panchoo family has remained closely connected to Belmont and Tivoli in St. Andrew, with branches extending to Grand Bacolet and Trinidad. Members of the family, including Bradshaw and Dowlin, worked at Belmont Estate and were known as prolific farmers. The connection continues with later generations, including Margaret Phillip and Joycee Panchoo, who remain part of the estate’s working community.

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In more recent years, Errol Panchoo and John Allard (“Tangler”), son and step-son of Edwin Panchoo, reformed the family musical group, continuing a long-standing tradition rooted in Belmont and Tivoli. Tangler became known as a Soca and chutney artist, contributing to Grenada’s musical landscape and influencing cultural expression through his performances and recorded work.

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The family’s legacy also extends into education, leadership, and national contribution. Among its distinguished members is Dr. Augustine Panchoo, a clinical psychologist, educator, and public figure whose work in mental health, teaching, and community engagement has contributed to national development and public life.

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Across generations, members of the Panchoo family have also been engaged in commerce, establishing and operating shops and participating in business activity that has supported the economic life of their communities. Their influence has extended into government, administration, and community leadership.

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Today, the Panchoo family is recognised as one of the largest and most influential families in the Tivoli area, with contributions spanning agriculture, business, education, culture, music, and the arts.

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Legacy

The story of the Panchoo family is one of resilience, adaptation, and cultural preservation. From their origins in indentureship, through generations of work, family-building, and cultural expression, they have made lasting contributions to Grenada.

Their legacy lives on in the family they nurtured, the traditions they preserved, the land they worked, and the community they helped to build.

John Allard (“Tangler”)

Music, Culture, and Community

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John Allard, known as “Tangler,” was a Grenadian Soca and Calypso artist whose music formed an important part of the island’s cultural expression. Rooted in the Panchoo family of Tivoli, St. Andrew, he emerged from a strong musical tradition where performance, rhythm, and storytelling were central to community life.

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Tangler became known for his distinctive style, originality, and strong stage presence, which set him apart from his contemporaries. He was a regular performer in the Black Roots Calypso Tent during the 1980s and 1990s and developed a reputation as a creative and unconventional artist. 

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Among his most recognised works are:

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• Ting Doh Work (Callaloo)

• Bouncing Low

• Chala Baiti

• No Work No Food Tonight

These songs became widely known in Grenada, with Bouncing Low and Chala Baiti achieving major success during the 1996 and 1997 carnival seasons. 

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He also produced a wider body of work, including:

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• Rainbow Festival

• Frankie

• Return of Matilda

• Shake That Boom Boom

• Thread the Needle

• Animal Love

• Soca Blazing

• Danger

• One Caribbean

• Jump Up

Tangler’s music was marked by originality, wit, and a willingness to explore themes in a distinctive way. His contributions helped shape Grenadian calypso and soca, and he is remembered as a performer whose influence extended beyond his own recordings.

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In later years, he, together with Errol Panchoo, helped to reform the family musical group, continuing a tradition deeply rooted in Tivoli and Belmont, St. Andrew. Through his work, he carried forward the musical heritage of his family while contributing to its evolution.

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Tangler is remembered not only as an artist, but as part of a cultural lineage that connected music, family, and community across generations.

Dr. Augustine Panchoo

Education, Psychology, and Public Engagement

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Dr. Augustine Panchoo is a Grenadian clinical psychologist, educator, and public figure whose work has contributed to mental health awareness, education, and community development both in Grenada and internationally.

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He began his academic journey in the Caribbean, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and Social Studies from the University of the Southern Caribbean. 

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He later pursued advanced studies abroad, building a strong academic foundation in psychology and counselling. His qualifications include:

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• a Master’s degree in Family Life Education from Loma Linda University

• a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

• a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University Inland Empire

 

Dr. Panchoo has built a career that spans teaching, clinical practice, and public engagement. He has taught at several universities in the United States, including:

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• National University JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences

• Notre Dame de Namur University

• University of Massachusetts Boston 

 

His teaching has focused on areas such as trauma, counselling, human development, and clinical practice.

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In addition to his academic work, he has served as a therapist, consultant, and programme director, with experience in both the United States and Grenada. He has also worked with the Government of Grenada as a Clinical Psychologist, contributing to national initiatives in areas such as social development and juvenile justice. 

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Beyond formal roles, Dr. Panchoo has been active in public life, contributing to discussions on mental health, social policy, and community well-being. His work reflects a commitment to education, mentorship, and the strengthening of individuals and families.

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His career represents an important extension of the Panchoo family’s legacy, carrying their tradition of service into the fields of psychology, education, and national development.