Happenings / People

A new album from Aruna

by Mahes Perera

Once an active multiinstrumentalist with the popular group Jayasri in Vienna, guitarist / vocalist Aruna Liam is now back in Sri Lanka to manage his music production studio and his record company Alian Works. Alongside all this activity, Aruna will be releasing his debut solo album Minisa in a fortnight.

"I've recorded twelve originals and was responsible for the music arrangements which are based on ethno, rock, soul and chill out. Music from the soul is what I believe in. I don't believe in programming the music. I'm one hundred per cent live in all arrangements.

On the album, drums is played by a Czech musician, while percussion and the sitar is by a musician from Prague. Already the single Pata Pata Hinayak a love song is aired on radio, and the video is telecast on Sirasa. The title track Minisa in ethno rhythm questions the reality in the world. Fighting with and killing each other is common and now peace has become a commercial word", voices a candid Aruna.

Pata Pata Hinayak , with Aruna Liam's rock guitar artistry has now become a hit single for him and he hopes the title song Minisa will be a follow-up hit.

Apart from the release of the CD Aruna Liam's objective in the industry is to promote new talent and give the youngsters the opportunity to perform in Europe in both Sinhala and English.

He has already formed a band with Tharindu on keyboards, Chrishantha playes bass, Umesh is the young guitarist and Rukshan the drummer man. This band he says will be backing artistes, who sign up with him and record on the Alian Works label.His recording studio is based on the European concept, using the world-wide Protool R. System and currently he is involved in directing and recording the music score for Srimal Wedisinghe's film Gigiri

Young talents interested in launching themselves are invited to contact Aruna through his e mail [email protected]

Par Amour - born out of love

It certainly was a red letter day for Clarins, when after five decades, the first fragrance Par Amour for women and Par Amour toujours for daughters, born out of love, was ceremonially launched in Sri Lanka by Jason Au of Clarins Paris, courtesy Exclusive Lines Pvt Ltd. The launch was held last Thursday.

They say that Clarins is love, tenderness and happiness through beauty, and to women who wear it, it gives, "the pleasure of sharing a true feeling of happiness".

Par Amour the perfume is more than just a product. It radiates emotions, its fragrance captures and retains memories - and in short, it is a tender loving signature. A floral - woody fragrance the top notes are dominated by Pink Peppercorns and Black currants which give a burst of spontaneous, spicy freshness. The senses are awakend and stimulated by the delicate fragrance of the Ottoman Rose blended with sandalwood.

The second fragrance Par Amour toujours is dedicated to all daughters born of the love, women have for life and their desire to pass on this love. This is a floral - fruity fragrance tender as childhood and with a mix of rose, pink, peppercorns, black currants, pink grape fruit and raspberry - the fragrance lasts like love, forever. Go on spoil yourself - love cannot live on its own.......it has to be shared.

M.P.

The golden touch

Sri Lankan Chef Dimuthu Perera, presently the Executive Pastry Chef to Valhalla Inn Thunder Bay, in Canada, has won the highest Individual medals and trophies ever won by a Chef in Canada. He won five Gold Medals, including a perfect score and a Silver and Bronze Medal each.

He also won sixteen top Honour Awards, including the Best Professional Artist and the Best Professional Pastry Chef of the Show. Dimuthu was one of the many Sri Lankan Chefs, along with Canadian chefs who competed at the Culinary Saloon 2006 held in Toronto recently.

A member of Golden Chefs, comprising Sri Lankan Chefs they dominated the entire Chefs Show by winning the most number of medals tallying up to twelve with six Golds, three Silvers, three Bronzes and twenty Top Honour Awards.Chef Gamini Hemalal who owns, operates and manages GoldenChefs said "Dimuthu is an asset to GoldenChefs'.

He brought glory to all Sri Lankans living in Canada and around the world. Knowing the very high standards of the Toronto Salon, I am most certain that he will conquer the World Food Olympics 2008."