Entertainment

The winning combination

by Mahes Perera

The buzz from last year was that Priyanthi and Raja may be in Sri Lanka for the Spitfires - Re-Union Concert. The question on the lips of music lovers was will they or won't they? But when the publicity began confirming their participation - music lovers were over joyed that they will be able to appreciate the artistry of this winning combination after more than a decade.

But meeting up with the twosome the other day at the host hotel the Galadari was like picking up from where we left off about ten years ago. The exuberance was the same, the friendly spirit, the humour and the sincerity were still the same - so characteristic of Priyanthi and Raja.

Whats it like coming back and meeting up with the Spits squad?

"Its a happy feeling and we're having fun and enjoying ourselves, with Desmond, Buddy and Chinthi We did our home work before we came from Canada and all of us have slipped into our slots with ease" says Priyanthi whose outstanding singing and professionalism has always been a major plus for her and with Raja's strength the twosome's craftsmanship has been faultless.

"Its almost like we've never left. That certain part of our lives with the Spitfires is still etched in our memory and the rehearsals just triggered it back to us - a happy experience recreating the successful era of the Spits" comments Raja whose guitar artistry and voice complements Priyanthi. Someone once said "their music has spoken louder than words" and how true!

Spitfires came into the lives of Priyanthi and Raja in the early 70s when the band members were Suriyakumar Weerasingham, Mohan Sabaratnam and Donald Seneviratne. The Sundown dances were a rage then.

This same group along with saxophonist Rodney Van Heer toured the Middle East managed by Marci Perera's wife Daisy. Just before returning to Sri Lanka in 1976 Priyanthi and Raja branched off as 'Sounds' and performed as a six piece outfit in Dubai, Sharjah and Cairo.Back in Sri Lanka, P&R as they came to be recognised, formed their own outfit Lotus with leading musicians like Harsha Makalande, Benjy Ranabahu, Donald Pieris and Conrad Gooneratne.

The demand for them to perform abroad saw Lotus in Sharjah, Kenya, Venice and Kuwait. At the end of this stint Lotus II was born with Hassen Musafer, Alston Joachim, Jenice Fernando and Kumar Molligoda and Priyanthi and Raja had an extended stay in the Middle East.

"We moved out of band work and became a duo P&R Unlimited in 1983 and were featured as the opening act at the Library of the Ramada (now Trans Asia). We had our moments at the lobby of the hotel as well and played as a duo at the Galadari Hotel before we decided to go back to Dubai which was advantageous to our career.

We were invited to perform at the Shanghai Hilton in '96 and in the same year we were at the Sheraton Hotel, Hong Kong, singing at 'Someplace Else.'

Originally we accepted the contract for three months but ended up playing for three years!" says a happy Priyanthi, who has been singing ever since she was ten years old, and was a winner of many Golden Clef Awards.

Now after a hiatus there is a possibility that Priyanthi and Raja will be back in the scene in Hong Kong with Dylan Lye and, Hassen Musafer - and that's going to be something!

The duo have released a CD titled Unforgettable, which they say will be available at their concert, dates. Just in case you missed their concerts then catch the Re-united Spitfires at the Sundown Dance today at the Galadari Ballroom!

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A musical evening from MAF

The Moratuwa Arts Forum who have always been in the forefront of the development of music in Moratuwa will be holding its AGM today March 25 at the Sri Palee Hotel, Moratuwa.

Before the AGM is held the incumbent committee has organised a special programme of music and dance sequences featuring Moratuwa musicians and dancers. The spotlight will fall on the outstanding MAF performers who will be receiving awards for their artistry.

According to the incumbent President the new committee taking over, will be concentrating on further artistic ideas and socially responsible projects for the ensuing year. The MAF a dynamic organisation comprising the cream of artistes from Moratuwa invites music lovers to experience the arranged entertainment.

M.P.

Grieg Centenary Concert by Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka will perform three major works by Edvard Grieg, the great Norwegian composer as part of this year's international recognition of his work and life, 1843-1907.

The Grieg Centenary Concert on March 30 will feature his ever popular Piano Concerto in A minor with Soundarie David as soloist, his lovely Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 and the delightful Holberg Suite for strings. The concert, which brings together Norwegian music and Sri Lankan musicians, is supported financially by the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The Conductor will be Ajit Abeysekera.

Dramatic and technically demanding, the Concerto requires virtuoso playing of a high order. But it has been said 'Grieg paints with notes' and the soloist has to balance bravura display and brilliance with lyrical tenderness to bring out the Concerto's underlying poetry and Grieg's almost impressionistic gift for sound painting.

Grieg's music is deeply poetic and has a strong individuality, which is reflected in his character and beliefs as well, and the underlying theme of humanism of the Grieg anniversary.

An active humanist, he was a defender of freedom, democracy, justice and the rule of law. Grieg regarded art as an important means of expressing individual identity, and solidarity amongst human beings. He believed that artists play a key role in the struggle to have every person treated with respect, and to end all discrimination.

The Concert will be at 7.30 p.m. on March 30, at Ladies' College Hall. Tickets, reserved and unreserved, which are free of charge are available from Titus Stores, Liberty Plaza or the new SOSL office.