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| Sunday, 27 November 2005 |
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Happenings / People Fashion Designer of the Year 2005 : Countdown begins by Aditha Dissanayake
Hailed for her "evergreen" looks, Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratna who is happy to revive the fashion event she held in 1984 with the collaboration of the Sunday Observer and the Daily News, on December 19 at the BMICH, is now busy making the final arrangements for the show. Chula says half of the proceedings from this event, held in memory of her dance Guru, Mrs. Sujatha Jayawardena from whom she had learnt oriental dancing will be donated to the Old Girl's Association of Visakha Vidyalaya, her alma mater. Speaking with the Sunday Observer, one of the semi-finalists vying for the Fashion Designer of the Year title, twenty-one-year-old Shalini Hettiarachchi, says "I am very happy I made it to the semi-finals". A student of the Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology (LIFT) she is grateful to Chula for arranging this event and encouraging young designers to display their talent. Trudi Malalgoda who has already graduated from LIFT and who is also one of the semi finalists says "I won't be heart broken if I don't win the coveted Fashion Designer of the Year title but I am determined to do my best". She too is happy she could make it to the semi finals because there were so many applicants and the competition was tough. Thirteen-year-old Nishika Samaratunga, the youngest among the participants says, from sketching figures as a hobby she turned to designing and entered the contest "simply for the fun of it". Krishan Rodrigo, a web-developer by profession, describes how, when he saw the coupon in the paper he had asked himself "Why don't I give it a shot?" and was surprised when he was selected as a semi-finalist. Having thus, accidentally stumbled into the world of fashion designing Krishan says he is now brimming with new ideas and would like to venture into jewellery designing as well. A final year student in Fashion Designing at the University of Moratuwa, twenty-four year old Prathibani Manthrirathne while appreciating the efforts made by "versatile Chula", says participating in this event has been a brilliant experience - one which will help her in her future career as a fashion designer. Explaining how important it is to be unique in everything she creates ("It has to be a new thing which someone has not done before"), Prathibani is determined to work for the apparel industry in the country after graduation. Reluctant to reveal the fascinating line up of events at the show, Chula admits there will be two segments presented by her and that Sri Lankan models now based in Australia and Malaysia too will take part in the programme. "Come early" says Chula. "Because we will also be selecting the best dressed lady, the best dressed teenager and the smartest guy from the audience". Who knows you might bag the price. Fashion Designer of the Year 2005, will be held on December 19 at the main auditorium of the BMICH, sponsored by Singer (Sri Lanka) and covered by Sirasa TV. Golden Chimes then and now by Mahes Perera
A fabulous concert to celebrate thirty five years in music will be presented by Lankika & the Golden Chimes who have successfully held centre stage during their career. The concert titled Golden Chimes then & now will be staged at the BMICH on Saturday, December 10 commencing 7.00 p.m., and will bring together all musicians who belonged to the Golden Chimes from its inception. "Golden Chimes was launched in 1970 led by the late Clarence Wijewardena - vocals and rhythm guitar, Chanaka Perera my husband was on vocals and bass, with Dixon Gooneratne playing lead guitar, Wijith Pieris on drums, Anil Bhareti and myself singing the vocals. Dixon who is residing in Switzerland will join us to perform on that day. It will surely bring back many happy memories not only for us but to all our fans," says Lankika bubbling with enthusiasm, and quite busy with the rehearsals.
Others who were associated with the Golden Chimes over the years will be performing for the concert Golden Chimes then & now will be the now acclaimed vocalist/guitarist Rukshan Perera, Lakpriya de Silva - rhythm and vocals and Layasing de Silva - keyboards and vocals who joined The Golden Chimes in 1973. In the early 80's Ravindra Fernando - keyboards and Terry Miskin - vocals joined the group and they too will be on stage to revive the magic of the band, along with the present members Chanaka and Lankika, Jegath Peiris - vocals, Pimal Fernando - keyboards and vocals, Ajith Wijemanna - drums and Dane Asomone. Quite naturally the BMICH will echo to the many hits of the Golden Chimes like Kimadanave, Mage Pelapathe, Sihin Sinawai, Kiri Muhudu, Iru Dina, Sandai Tharui, Bethlehem Pure and much, much more. The concert which will be threaded together by the emcee Vijaya Corea will also feature dance sequences by El Latino and Sensation. For the fans of the Golden Chimes, Lankika tells us that a CD comprising the Best of Golden Chimes produced by Torana Music Box will be launched at the concert. Also a complimentary souvenir / song book including the history of the Golden Chimes will be given to the audience. The concert is presented by DR Entertainments and tickets are at Torana, Majestic City, Liberty Plaza, Video International and Ananda College OBA office. The print media sponsors are Sunday Observer and Daily News. For more
details log to www.goldenchimes.com |
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