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To commemorate the 21st death anniversary of Sri Lanka’s colourful and inimitable vocalist H. R. Jothipala the Sri Lankan music lovers in New South Wales, Australia will stage an evening of entertainment on June 14 at the Pennant Hills Community Hall in Sydney. The show titled Madhura Atheetha is presented by the Sri Lanka Study Centre for Advancement of Technology & Social Welfare (SCATS NSW). This is the first occasion that Sri Lankans in Sydney are commemorating the memory of H. R. Jothipala and the man who has come forward to organise the event is Bonny Fernando a popular vocalist both in Sydney and Sri Lanka. H.R. is his favourite singer and as such Bonny is going all out to present the best of Jothipala’s hits. Apart from the hits of Jothipala, we understand that hits of other popular Sinhala vocalists will be included at the show sung by the best of the talent handpicked from the Sri Lankan community. A spectacular mix of eastern and western dances and comedy skits are also on the cards. Performers of communities from South America, Middle East and India will present Salsa, Belly and Bollywood dance sequences. M.P. Incredible new age flautist
If you label flautist Bikram Singh’s music as belonging to ‘the new age world music’ you couldn’t be far wrong. In fact the fusion of his mystical sound of his flute with the traditional Indian percussion and electronic sounds is based on Hindustani, Sufi and Arabic influences. His concert ‘Manthra’ held in collaboration with the Rotary Green Cover Project and the Rotary Green Cover Project and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority at the Galadari Hotel on May 29 was an experience since his themes draw from mountains, rivers, rain, forests-in short from a Nature scenario. Meeting up with Bickran Singh after the concert was another experience, in fact a revelation of this musician who hails from Manipur a mountainous region in India. “Back home I have a roomful of bamboo flutes on different keys and for todays performance I had 40 flutes with me on stage, and I enjoyed myself playing with the Sri Lankan musicians, including the young group Naadro who play percussive sounds. When I look back I became a flautist quite by accident! As a matter of fact it was because of an accident. I learnt Indian Classical music and started off playing the tabla, I was quite young then. One day I climbed a tree and fell from it and broke my leg. My father was quite sympathetic, he told me that I woundn’t be able to sit and play the tabla and made me switch to the flute. Soon I mastered the art and when I was just thirteen years old I was accompanying singers and other musicians. I played for All India Radio accompanying singers who performed on Radio.” A sports oriented musician, football occupies the high slot in his favourite list with rugby, boxing and weight lifting in that order. “When I was in school at D.M. College of Science (Manipur) I was the champion in weight lifting” says Bickram with that engaging smile of his. Your flute playing looks so effortless do you practice long hours? “I exercise regularly because it is necessary for blowing a flute and I’m into meditation in fact I’m involved with an ashram OSHO at Pona. We have many followers visiting us. I can play the flute for many hours. The first two hours of a concert is like a warm up for me. I have my own ideas of the music I want to express, they keep rushing through my mind fast. One critic in India when reviewing one of my concerts said that it was music in “the Bikram style’ and I’m flattered.” Do you play with a band in India? “Yes, the band is called Naadbrahma and it originated in the OSHO ashram. The band performs at local clubs, for various corporate events and has been getting invitations for many festivals across the world.” Have you scored for films? “No I haven’t as yet, I’m waiting to compose a score for a Bollywood film. I like that. In the meantime however I teach students I’m selective about the students - they should have the talent and should be committed.” Are you taking back pleasant memories of Sri Lanka? “I’m happy to have come here. I never dreamt I’d play here. I like the Sri Lankan musicians - they are simple, talented and not egoistic. Before I go back I intend recording tracks for a CD with pianist Harsha Makalanda and percussionist Rakitha Wickramanayake. The proceeds from this CD will be donated to the Rotary Green Cover Project.” Sing-a-long with Gypsies
The highlight of the evening will be the guest spot by the legendary living legend Mignonne Fernando who made a tremendous impact on the music scene when she wowed audiences at the Coconut Grove before she and her band Jetliners left for Hong Kong to perform at the Regent for more than ten years. On stage she continues to be the quintessential star of spell binding presence radiating a special charm and originality. The sing-a-long is organised by the Muslim Ladies Study Circle and the proceeds will go towards the organisers registered charities of mainting the vocational training centre for women embarking on self generating enterprises located on D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha and also to ward number 20 of the Cancer Hospital in Maharagama. Fete de la MusiqueAwait further details of the French Fete de la Musique organised by the Alliance Francaise on June 21. This is the day when aspiring musicians have the opportunity to perform and display their inborn talents. Furthermore it is a way to encourage orchestras, choirs etc., to perform outside their usual locations. Fete de la Musique was launched in France in 1982 and is held in more than hundred countries in Europe and over the world. It takes place on June 21 every year. So if you wish to display your musical talents get in touch with Alliance Francaise for more details of performance. |
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Enjoy an evening of music and entertainment with the popular Gypsies
led by Sunil and sing-a-long to many familiar songs. It’s a fun filled
event for the whole family which will be held on June 15, 7.00 p.m.
onwards at the Liberty Ballroom of the Holiday Inn Hotel. 
