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| Sunday, 02 March 2003 |
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Shining silver, glittering gold, velvety blacks and silky blood reds are the colours of the day, of what one would imagine on a Golden Clef Night. A night of sizzling colours, dazzling lights, fashion, music, dancing and celebrities. Yes, the Golden Clef is in the end all down to those "whose who" in the Western music industry of Sri Lanka. Ever thought about how it all started? What it was like those days? Well after much digging in here and there and speaking to its many historic producers I managed to get an idea. Believe it or not, the whole thing started with the formation of a musical committee at the Galle Face Hotel. With the idea of recognising and honouring musicians in the local western music industry and the Golden Clef Awards was born. Those in the committee selected the nominations for various categories. Thus with the idea of promoting creative talent, the first show Golden Clef 1991 was held at the BMICH in January 1992.
Speaking to the first producer, Graham Hatch, who subsequenty produced it again in 1992 says, "Producing a show like any other show of that magnitude was tough but challenging. I remember we opened the show with the nominees singing "Music is my first love". Noeline sang "I will always love you" which was the first time the song was sung in Sri Lanka and it got a tremendous applause. We ended with 'Thank you for the music'. The idea of having such an awards night is good, but however I feel we don't have a dynamic music scene in the country. The stars of yesterday are still there playing today as well. There are newcomers, but we need much more". Jerome de Silva another well-known figure in the entertainment scene, who was a judge in the years before took on the job of producer in its 3rd year, 1993. Speaking of it today Jerome says"I'd had enough of being a judge. That time round I wanted to be producer. I used The Workshop Players in it and we had an extravaganza of Andrew Lloyd Webber. We opened the show with The Workshop Players, all dressed up in tights, dancing to the music of the "Cats-Overture" being played live by a forty piece orchestra. It was a magnificent event. We even had a revolving stage. The singers collected their awards from the previous winners with the music of whatever they sang being played as they took the walk of honour. It was a spectacular night. We had the crowd clapping on their feet at the end".
In 1994 Imran Pakeer Saibo took the job of producer of the GCA. "I had the whole thing planned out. Had a unique set of acts, dances, and songs. It was basically a show of glamour, glitter and razzmatazz. The Golden Clef is about giving awards to musicians. So the show you put on stage has to enhance it. You have to give it your 100% We had a spectacular beginning and end", chirps Imran over the phone. So what will this year's producer Sohan Weerasinghe have to say about his one? We'll have to wait and see. |
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