James Lee Wah is, to use the Mighty Stalin's often misunderstood phrase a true "Caribbean Man". He epitomizes the triumph of the Chinese part of his ethnicity to rise above the odds and to distinguish himself in the field of education and drama. His career has been like that of a lighthouse: to stand tall and keenly aware of his obligation to keep the light strong.

It is no wonder then that the University of the West Indies singled him out as a distinguished graduate and bestowed a citation on him. Its fifteenth anniversary, celebrations in Mona, Jamaica. James Lee Wah's name is well known in the islands as a foremost Theatre practitioner and here at home, it stands heads and shoulders above many who would lay claim to having the staying power (as he has demonstrated), in a long career spanning the 1950-1990's.

In the 1950's James carved his notches in the theatre in Jamaica, where he made quite an impression on the teaching and student fraternity. At Mona, where he went to formalize his tertiary education, he was heavily involved in Art, Literature and Drama. After graduating with an Honours degree in English and a Diploma in Education, he went into a long career (thirty-two years) of teaching at Naparima College as Head of English.

Lee Wah's signal honour to San Fernando was his formation of the San Fernando Drama Guild in 1955, a group that survived way into the early 1980's. He was by now a cultural activist and dramatic director, involved in the formation of the now de-national Cultural Council. His deadpan looks and his tenacity for hard work in the theatre, are two well-known trademarks. But they worked in his favour. He turned his attention to directing plays for the San Fernando Drama Guild, which became synonymous with quality theatrical productions in the South.

James Lee Wah was also a foundation member of the now thirty year old San Fernando Arts Council and served as its chairperson for a number of years. He also was responsible for the establishment and publication of the Arts Council's cultural magazine, "Gayap". Today, the San Fernando Arts Council can look back at its legacy and thank him for having steered the organization towards the building of the Creative Arts Centre on Circular Road in San Fernando.

Other national bodies such as the Secondary Schools Drama Association and the National Drama Association - all owe their presence in the society today - to the foresight and forward thinking genius of James Lee Wah. He was, for many years, also activity involved in movements such as Citizens for Conservation of the San Fernando Hill; the establishment of the San Fernando Museum and the expansion and relocation of the Carnegie Free Library.

As a true "Caribbean Man", he was alert and sensitive to all the cultural and artistic depri… of the society of which he was a part. In 1976, he formed a new theatrical company, San Fernando Theatre Workshop, to carry on the production of plays, and the company continues to produce work of rare, artistic quality.

In receiving this honour from UWI, James Lee Wah feels proud to know that this Caribbean regional institution has recognized his life's work. And even so, this too, is not finished yet.

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