Royal ready for seventh Saga
By Anuradha KODAGODA
 For
the seventh consecutive year Saga franchise will dazzle audiences at the
newly opened 'Nelum Pokuna' Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, on February 2 and
3. The event is organised by the School Development Society of Royal
College.
Talking to the Sunday Observer, the school music teacher Ashoka
Pushpakumara said, "It's a great opportunity for the students of Royal
College to showcase their talents in music and on the other hand, it's a
great honour that the Seventh Saga could be held at the newly opened 'Nelum
Pokuna' Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre".
"All the previous years we tried our best to organise the event up to
a great standard which we think we were successful and this year too we
are ready to deliver the best show", Ashoka said.
The concept that eventually became famous as "Saga" was conceived by
the Principal of Royal College, Upali Gunasekara in the year 2004.
Originally intended to be a simple musical show, Saga
 soon
evolved into its present level of entertainment and grandeur bringing
into the spotlight multiple aesthetic fields including; Eastern and
Western Music as well as Dancing. Saga has consistently set the standard
for this type of inter-school musical event.
"The name "Saga" was proposed by Aruna de Silva, based on the
legendary Greek poet Homer"s epics the Odyssey and Iliad, which are
considered to be "Sagas" unparallel in English Literature.
 In
addition, the term had meaning in music as well, referring to the
Sinhalese version of solfège, a system used to learn to sing musical
scales," Kaveesh explained about the means of Saga.
"There are 55 students involved in the orchestra and it is not only a
symphony orchestra but they are well trained for applied music as well.
Saga has gone through multiple changes and faced many challenges
throughout its seven year run.
However, it has always remained true to its ethos and fundamental
principle of providing aspiring young performers with an opportunity to
showcase their talents on a grand stage alongside established
professionals in the industry," Ashoka added.
"Saga VII will be the first show of its kind organised by a school to
be performed at the 'Nelum Pokuna' Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre which is a
great honour to the school. This year's show will include performances
by highly talented young musicians from several of Sri Lanka's leading
schools," said a member of the media unit and a student of Royal
College, Kaveesh Weerawardhana.
"Adding to the attraction and completing the already strong line-up
will be guest performances by several Sri Lankan well- known musicians
such as Dushyanth Weeraman, Naadro, Mihindu from the acclaimed band
"Nemesis", the legend of Sri Lankan music industry Amarasiri Peiris as
well as the extremely versatile and profusely talented duo, Athula
Adikari and Samitha Mudunkotuwa," Kaveesha said.
The performers will be backed by the much lauded and acclaimed Royal
College Orchestra, which is considered to be one of the best school-boy
Orchestras in the island. |
