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| Sunday, 4 September 2005 |
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An exciting young Bollywood dancer by Mahes Perera
The evening was a variety entertainment for the tsunami affected children. Seventeen year old Nileeka Gunawardena from London was to perform a Bollywood dance. Dressed in a glittering sea green costume, she mesmerized the audience comprising Americans and Sri Lankans with her authentic Bollywood dance. With swift foot movements in perfect time to the scintillating Bollywood music, hip shakes, graceful arm movements, body language to the fore, Nileeka twirled and whirled. It was fascinating! There was no doubt she enjoyed herself as the music gained momentum and ended in a crescendo. Speaking to Nileeka after her dance act it was a revelation that this seventeen year old, who is in her A levels has no desire for disco dancing or grooving or even club hopping. "I did ballet, modern and pop dancing but there's not much scope for us in that direction," she commented. So how did Bollywood dancing come into her life? "I enjoy watching Hindi films and I went for an audition after answering an ad on the internet. I wanted to join a dance company, so I was fortunate to be chosen by the company called Bollywood Grooves at Bond Street. The training was intense - in a short space you have to pick up fast, there's no time to lag. There is the Head Choreographer who puts you through your paces and now twenty five dancers represent Bollywood Grooves. We perform at corporate functions, private parties or at special occasions. It's fulfilling," says Nileeka. Born in England, her mother is a doctor and her father an engineer, Nileeka unlike some other seventeen year olds in England is quite familiar with the Sinhala language. She came to Sri Lanka to teach English to the tsunami affected children in Moratuwa in a project started by musician Evan Balasuriya. "Before coming over, Gecko Sri Lanka, our organisation comprising youth of Sri Lankan origin collected 2,500 sterling pounds for the tsunami victims. We collected this money at Oxford Street. We also had a fashion show in Central London, the theme was East Meets West which brought in more monies. I'm here in Sri Lanka also to check on what more is required for the children. I was invited to speak at the Colombo East Rotary Club meeting and explained the activities of Gecko," continues Nileeka. What of the future? "After my A levels I want to do Law and International Relations, but in between all that I would like to teach." ############### X-IT has come to stay Come this Friday and the new band in action, sounding contemporary, the four piece X-IT will spread their magical vibes at the Mix, Taj Samudra. Put together by their leader the youthful Kevin Almeida who has had his fair share of experience in show biz, the music of X-IT is ideal to chill out after a strenuous and stressful week of work.
Guitarist Kevin is known for his vocals doubles up on bass, thus giving the group a variety in sound which has proved to be a successful attraction. Repertoire-wise the band is versatile. Besides the contemporary pop songs, they have a speciality section of the hits of the 80's and Latin too with the talented young percussionist Lelun Ratnayake who sits on drums for the group. Of course the rest of 'audience requirements' are there, like favourites of the 60's, 70's and 80's, the evergreens and standards sophistically played, which has resulted in them being featured at dances and at the many corporate functions. All the members of the band are vocalists, so the swift switching of songs gives added variety, to the band. "I'm happy with the band. We have regular rehearsals and in the two years we are in existence, although we have had a few personnel changes, our overall sound has been retained. There's Kanchana on keyboards, Lelun Ratnayake - drums and percussion, Damian Joseph formerly of Steelers - plays bass and of course I'm there on guitar," says Kevin who at one time was a member of Purple Rain, Manilal and Upekha and Pro-Arrangement. Off and on as Kevin tells us, his sister, today's leading female vocalist Corinne sings with X-IT. Who knows this Friday she may be with the boys at the Mix! - MP ################## "We Serve" - is his motto The Lion's Club established in the year 1958, is one of the oldest organisations in the country, which is engaged in serving the less fortunate members of our society.
Their wide network of branches in all parts of the island are well oriented in the direction of their motto "We serve". Being one of the foremost organisations not only in Sri Lanka, but in the world, as well, the Lions Club is engaged in social service for the true upliftment of the under-privileged people. They have been of invaluable service to people in all walks of life. At the Lions Convention held recently at the BMICH in Colombo, Leelananda De Silva, an active and long-standing member of the Lions Club of Matara for the last 25 years was elected as the Vice District Governor of 306 A-2 and was installed in the position. Lion Leelananda de Silva, who hails from the Southern town of Matara, is a senior Tax Consultant and is Chairman and Managing Director of Matara Investment Finance Co., and Managing Proprietor of L. De Silva & Co. A (Justice of Peace) he joined the Lions Club of Matara which is his Home Club, in October 1979. Since then he has served with dedication and shown leadership qualities, which is evident by the many offices that he held. He was Club President in 82/83 and 92/93, and was adjudged best President of the District. A Project Coordinator of a Foster Parent Programme of Finland, he has helped the Tsunami victims in innumerable ways. He is now involved in the construction of Houses and expects to construct 150 houses with the help of Lion Foundation. |
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