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| Sunday, 25 May 2003 |
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Music addicts in Sri Lanka - career musicians and music lovers - whatever the time of the day relish, and sing out loud songs by the maestro Harry Belafonte. And one of them in his youth years who flipped when he first heard the 'Banana Boat Song' by Belafonte, nursed a secret desire and wish that he will be able to meet up with the world famed singer one fine day. It became a reality to singer Anura Jayasinghe a pioneer member of La Ceylonians when he left Sri Lanka in 1986 and went to France as he tells us 'to seek an international label in the World Music market for his original compositions in English and Sinhala.' The opportunity to meet Harry Belafonte came fast and Anura was amazed at the humility of this internationally renowned singer and an ambassador for UNICEF, who was overwhelmed, when Anura told him that every band in Sri Lanka plays his songs regularly. In the picture Anura Jayasinghe is seen with Harry Belafonte before the concert at the Olympia, Paris on March 23 this year. "The concert by the 76 year old singer was fabulous" says Anura. It was a three-hour non stop one in which Belafonte sang his many world hits including Banana Boat Song in a new arrangement, 'Mama Look a Boo Bro,' 'Matilda', 'Island in the Sun,' Jamaican Farewell' and a selection of songs from Jamaica and South Africa. Anura is back home on a holiday to record another single in French, Sinhala and Tamil. Entitled 'Bienvenue dans mon ile' the song is a tourist promotion song for Sri Lanka for airplay on the World Music charts. He also intends recording another album and has had discussions with studios. "In 1990 the album I released is selling in 20 countries and broadcast over eight countries on the domestic and World Music channels. Being a member of the French Authors and Composers Union (SACEM) has helped my career in many ways" Anura tells us. |
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