Entertainment

Evergreen Sri Lankan pop

By Mahes Perera

Twenty three artistes will be on stage to pay tribute to the legends of Sri Lankan pop who represented the memorable era of the 60s and 70s. And this mega event will be presented by Singer Rajiv Sebastian on November 11 at the BMICH.

Titled “Legends of Sri Lankan Pop” the show will feature well-known and popular artistes and entertainers living here and abroad. Desmond de Silva will be flown in from UK, Desmond Rodrigo after twenty years will be back home from USA, A. E. Manoharan from India will join a host of singers including Annesley Malawana, Indrani Perera, Sunil Perera, Anil Bhareti, Lankika Perera, Lilanthi Karunanayake, Nihal Nelson, Luke Henriques, Vernon Perera and Ranil Mallawarachchi. Others adding glamour to the show will be Dalreen Suby, Shyami Fonseka, Sohan Weerasinghe, Priyantha Fernando, Priyankara Perera, Susil Fernando, Priya Sooriyasena, Menik Chandrika, Paul Fernando and Rajiv Sebastian.

The show will be compered by Ariyasiri Vithanage and Vijaya Corea well-known names in this field. Channa Wijewardena, Anushan and Rosanne Diasz will handle the choreography.

“Musical backing will be by my band Rajiv and the Clan and I’m augmenting my group with a classical guitarist, flutist, saxophonist, trumpeter and percussionist to enhance the musical sound of the 60s and 70s.

For the first time a beauty pageant choreographed by Rozanne will see Desmond de Silva on stage singing the song “To All the Girls I Loved Before”.

Popular beauty queens and film stars will also make their appearances to appropriate songs sung by the artistes. It’s going to be quite a show for fans of the music of the 60s and 70s’ concludes Rajiv.

Lucky Deva’s CD - a success story

By Mahes Perera

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“My style of composing songs is to dramatise, my lyrics create the melodies. This I think is more effective and using this theory of mine. I composed the seventeen songs on my new album Maliniye Roo Rajiniye.

The album is a tribute to Malini Fonseka, the “Golden Star of the Silver Screen” and my favourite actress ever since I was a young schoolboy. And the song I composed during my school days I updated and re-arranged it to suit the present day.

I feel that this song is unique as it was a total creative effort of mine and the first song released under my name”, says singer/guitarist/composer Lucky Deva and leader of his band “Spirit” after the launch of his album recently.

Malini Fonseka was the chief guest at the launch and the first copy was presented to her at the glittering ceremony where many stars of the silver screen participated. The occasion was held at the Ranmal Holiday Resort in Moratuwa.

According to Lucky Deva he commented that the songs on the album are songs that music lovers have not heard so far, and the rhythms are those that were prevalent in the 70s’ and 80s’.

The singers are all well-known. Indrani Perera, Annesley Malewana, Mariazelle Gunathileke, Christine Gunawardena, Shanika Wanigasekera, Shyami Fonseka, Oshanthi Dalpadadu, Morris Wijesinghe, Corinne Almeida, Keerthi Pasquel and his young daughter, Shenya Telge, are those featured. The CD was produced by M. Entertainment while the music direction was a collaboration by the group “Spirit”. When did your music career start off?

“I started my music career seventeen years ago just after I left school and formed the band called “Rhapsody” with some of my friends. But unfortunately, the band didn’t last for long. My sister Lankika and her husband Chanaka requested me to join their band Golden Chimes and I’m grateful because this gave me the opportunity to perform the kind of music I like very much.” What are the themes for your compositions?

“I draw from topics pertaining to children, Gospel thought, Buddhist devotional themes, Christmas songs, drama, love and songs dedicated to our War Heroes.”

Spirit the band comprises besides Lucky Deva, Shiraz Sudar, Disnaka Dhanasekera, Kamal Fernando and Lakmal Peiris.

Lucky Deva is confident that music lovers will enjoy this CD with his tribute song to Malini Fonseka and is thankful to his wife Dilukshi, daughter Shenya and Mahesh and Marias Fernando for their unstinted support in this endeavour.

Fiesta time again

By Mahes Perera

Mage Massina - The song triggered off an avalanche of popularity and an award as well for the group Daddy led by the young versatile musician/singer Gayan Perera. Hailing from a family that is synonymous with music and entertainment, especially his father Sunil, Gayan they say prefers not to play weekly at a given spot, but prefers to be featured on stage for concerts or for ‘cabaret spots’.

So, just in case you’ve been wondering how to enjoy the vibes of Daddy then make it a point to be at Hilton Colombo’s Sports Centre on November 9 and dance your caves away to their music.

The event is the Kottu Fiesta where about one hundred chefs will slice and pan fry the Kottu according to your choice be it chicken or vegetable. The Fiesta will be in snack stalls style with the choice of beverages and desserts.

The event is supported by Sri Lanka Tourism to promote authentic experiences in Sri Lanka. The proceeds will go to the School for the Deaf and Blind.

The other exciting group that will be performing at the Fiesta will be the Elephant Foot Drummers from Hikkaduwa managed by Dasun Fernando. The drumming group has been on the scene for the past eight years playing a mixture of African drums, Egyptian, Middle Eastern and Sri Lankan drums.

The throbbing of their beats on the drums is irresistible and stirs the adrenalin in you. The group comprises seven members who are thoroughly involved in their music, creating time signatures that are intricate and await appreciation.

The other entertainment is by Channa’s Dance Troupe and the Hip Hop vocalist Iraj.

Mahathala Hatana wins second award

The teledrama Mahathala Hatana has earned another award to Swadeshi Khomba for the sponsorship of this popular teledrama. The Wariga Sabhawa an association of University students, committed to safeguard the culture, heritage and history in Sri Lanka was responsible in granting the award.

Mahathala Hatana an intriguing historical narrative set in 1848 when the British ruled Ceylon saw the uprising by ordinary village folk who were weary of being subject to the oppressive British Governance. It was the first public uprising in the history of Sri Lanka.

This is the second award Swadeshi Khomba has received for the sponsorship of Mahathala Hatana. Last year the Company won an award from the Sri Lanka Indigenous Medical Council and the Sri Lanka Deshabhimani Peramuna.

Creativity on a high level

The artistry of leading Sri Lankan musicians take centre stage today as they rapport with one another to take creativity to a higher level. The opening set at 1.30 pm will see bassist Basil Paiva interact with Dilukshi Sirimane - piano, Royle de Andrews - drums and Rodney Rabot - vocals. The featured band will be led by a musician who is at ease in the Western and Oriental stream.

Upula Madushanka bassist will be joined by the classical pianist Eshantha Pieris, Harshan Gallage - drums, Primal Liyanage - guitar and vocalist Tharika Wickramaratne. Impromptu experiments will be the order of the day.

6 String Blues

About thirty to forty children who are studying the guitar under Netaji Wickramasooriya will stage the concert ‘6 String Blues’ in aid of charity. The event will be held at the Russian Cultural Centre on November 9 at 7.30 p.m. The young guitarists will play popular songs even the hits of groups like Santana and Eagles. They are eager to display their talents to an appreciative audience.