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| Sunday, 10 April 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Dining in uuber chic "We all have equal amounts of talent," she says, "it's those of us who dare...."
And dare she does, Nayantara Fonseka, who already runs a successful fashion design company, two very stylish boutique hotels in the South and also has just set up a trust called Neha to help those children orphaned by the tsunami, has recently opened Number 18 at Cambridge Place. The latest gem to open in Colombo's dining scene is the chic and glamorous No. 18. In the heart of Colombo 7, down Cambridge Place this restaurant is a testament to Nayantara Fonseka's (better known as Taru) vision and sense of style. A new opulence is spreading into the dining culture. How we eat is important to our well being, and it's important to inject a little bit of luxury into our daily lives. The 1960s inspired decor is in keeping with the original design of the house. The sleek interior is minimalist with white used as the central colour. The relative absence of colour gives things a light and serene feel while retaining that overall sense of uuber chic. Taru has gathered together a dynamic team, including consultant Taru Villas Chef Russell Gronow of Melbourne's 'MoMo's Restaurant' and 'Mongusto Mama' and local chef Mark Smith. They lead a team of local talent and together create cuisine whose standard and flavour have not previously been experienced in Colombo. The emphasis is on high quality produce, imported largely from Australia. To this they add a combination of Asian, local and Mediterranean flavours to create unbelievable meals. Everything on the menu is made 'in' house from the delicious chilli grissini sticks, to the pastas, breads and ice cream. Given that a variety of flavours are offered at 'Number 18,' the restaurant appeals to a broad target market. Locals and foreigners alike will appreciate the food and the option of dining outdoor or inside in the smoke free dining room. The air-conditioned lounge bar with its great cocktails is a hit with pre-dinner guests and bar hoppers alike. Taru of course does not stop there; determined to cater to the younger crowd in Colombo she muses that they will be in for a pleasant surprise on the weekends! At 'Number 18' the concept is to savour your dining experience, enjoying a few glasses of good wine, fabulous modern Australian cuisine, the restaurants' ambience and most importantly... the company! Critic's Corner : Music oh so noble
It was not just another day above the skies of Sydney Opera House on a charming March (24) evening. The fusion of a musical prodigy with its noble audience was eagerly awaited. The gathering mainly consisted of the Sri Lankan migrants. Noble description was in ideal juxtaposition, alongside the efforts of AUSTRLANKA - Child Aid 2005, raising funds for children orphaned by the tsunami in Sri Lnaka. Harasha Makalanda was there with his noble music on this day, to share his musical masterpieces, intensifying this noble event into a memorable affair. It would be unwholesome if not admitted of the impact of all other artistes, including some very special Sri Lankan artists who performed at this devout effort of helping the children. It was indicated to be a rare conjugation, expanding the horizons of Harsha's spectators, in front of a wide Australian audience, on stage, along with some leading Australian artistes, viz Kamahl, Vanessa Amarossi, Christine Anu, Anthony Callea, Jan Preston, RAEN, Dalrene Zschech, Tamara, John Foreman, etc., It should be mentioned the contributions made by Dinesh Perera and has incomparable local drumming (geta-bera) skills to bring euphoria to the presentation of Harasha's musical talent. Harsha does not require an euphemistical introduction in the world of music, when combining his ingenuity of musical talents with the piano or skills in jazz in hand, over a euphonium. His production of music has preserved the uniqueness of the local drums - Gata Bera, Davula, Tammmattama, Devol Bera and Bummadiya in line with the group of folklore music from Sri Lanka. Harsha's composition gives a certain definite outline, a system of melody and rhythmic metamorphosis, and within a certain criteria improvising upon it. He can give spontaneous expression to his musical feeling within the prescribed regulation. We value the composer for his genius in creating a foundation along with a superstructure of melodies, but we expect from the player his own skill in the creation of variations of melodic flourish and ornamentation. One has to be absolutely obedient to this too complicated music. In the East, the measure of a composer's freedom is in his own creative personality. He can resonate the creations again as his own, as he has the power of creatively to assert himself in his interpretation of the general law of the melody, which he is given to interpret. It demands an ingenuity of art to realise fully the great idea in the original music, so that gifted musician could make variations upon it. In our country, the variations are often prescribed; especially, when it comes to a quest of equilibrium between the melodies of Eastern and Western music. Harsha has intuitively grasped the essence of this recipe through his enchanting musical talents. He has mastered the art of coercing the expatriate Sri Lankan living in the Western cultures, from its somewhat alienated complexities of identity crisis, into their familiar native land in the East and yet, securing their newly found resonance of the West in the adopted country. Harsha's music add wild mood swings from deep philosophical brooding to intensely rhythmic outbursts of pure energy. His ability in hegemonising high standards could contain effectiveness in order to communicate creatively with his audience powerfully within such contexts. And, thereby compulsively making claims expanded from the entities of the West or East, to the much broader field of discursive practice of harmony of rhythm in general. His enchanting ability to enthral his audience was self-evident on this day. Sisira Govinnage East-West forum, reporting from Sydney, Australia. Misty takes centre stage
Down Mount Lavinia way, at the hut the vibes are dynamic with four bands giving of their best for not only the groovers to chill out and dance, but also for those music lovers who just want to listen and enjoy themselves. One of today's leading dance bands Misty takes centre stage on Thursdays, led by the energetic 'baldie' Rajitha Rupasinghe. Over the years the band from being a duo has developed in style into a sextet and is now very much in demand. Their repertoire is extensive and their medleys of songs in various rhythms is a tour de force for them. Besides Rajitha holds the audience together with his versatile dance movements which has now become an added plus to the band. Of course his imitation of the singing style of Louis Armstrong and Neil Diamond has drawn many a vintage fan as well to the band. Constantly playing for SriLankan Airline promotions overseas, Misty have secured a comfortable niche for themselves in the Sri Lankan music industry. The other bands featured at the hut are Dream Team on Wednesdays, Wildfire led by the hot guitarist of today Derek Wickramanayake, on Saturdays. Together with his band of men, Wild Fire will drive your cares away and make your weekend memorable. On Sundays it's the DJs from Entertainment Unlimited who spin the grooves for you to dance your feet off. Sounds of the Hawaiian guitar
The Hawaiian guitar has a melodic laid back attraction that switches you into a nostalgic sentimental mood. It was a popular instrument in the 40s and 50s when Hawaiian music was a rage globally and many were the love songs that were on everybody's lips during the post war period. Today with the advent of the electric guitar and the accent on pop and beat the Hawaiian guitar has taken a back seat somewhat, but multi-instrumentalist Reggie Peris who was a popular Hawaiian guitarist in the early years in Sri Lanka is determined to keep the interest going with the release of his CD Hawaiian Guitar Favourites which contains more than twenty Hawaiian songs. "Those days in Sri Lanka we had several accomplished Hawaiian guitarists who gave regular recitals over the radio and performed on stage. My group the 'Starlight Serenaders' played for dances and I was also a soloist in the popular Manhattan Dance Orchestra's Hawaiian Combo which played at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. I also had my own programme on Radio Ceylon playing Sinhala songs on my Hawaiian guitar with accompaniment on rhythm guitar and tabla. I treasure the memories of playing for Sunil Shantha during the days the maestro sang his classics Olu Pipila, Handa Pane, Swanda Rosa Mal Nela, with my brother Leonard who played the sitar", reminisces a genial Reggie. A much sought after musician to accompany C.T. Fernando and the duo Chitra and Somapala in the early years of their career, Reggie's music career had a successful stretch. Now leading a retired life teaching keyboards, classical guitar, Spanish and Hawaiian guitars, Reggie Peris objective in releasing this CD is to keep alive the interest of Hawaiian music in the Sri Lankan world of music and his fervent hope is that at least a small section of our youth will take to playing the Hawaiian guitar on a professional basis. The CD is available at all leading music shops. So it's Aloha Oe for the time being! - MP
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