Grup Latanier

Grup Latanier is a very popular Mauritian band with the two brothers, Ram and Nitish Joganah. It was founded on November 29, 1979, in their garden at Palma. The two brothers are widely known for their contribution towards the inequality and social injustices in the island.

It all started in 1973, the Joganah brothers were in a band called “Grup Kiltirel Soley Ruz” or “Soley Ruz”. It was founded by some committed young friends-artists, among others: Bam Cuttayen, Micheline Virahsawmy, Rosemay Nelson, Bruno Jacques and Lélou Ménwar.

The band became a primary figure of the Mauritian youth protesting unfairness and quickly gained even more recognition on the island, especially among the working-class. They created very politically engaged songs that felt like a hope to the struggling population.

After several years of active militancy, Soley Ruz was finally dissolved in 1979 with most of its members starting solo careers.

After the dissolution, Ram Joganah and his brother Nitish decided to continue their fight against political and social injustice through music and created Grup Latanier in their backyard in 1979. They released their first album Krapo Kriyé in 1981 on which they worked with other artists. Grup Latanier was even awarded the MASA Award Winners 2007 For Contribution in Music in 2007.

Nearly 42 years after its creation and more than 17 albums, the group remains influential to this date. Their songs were all inspired by political unfairness, poverty, war, loathing and culture with their main goal, to raise the consciousness of the public and the Mauritians.