Arts

Sharada Kala Nikethanaya presents Sathsara Mihira:

Enchanting evening of authentic classical music

By Indeewara THILAKARATHNE and Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

Sathsara Mihira, an evening of Hindustani classical music presented by Sharada Kala Nikethanaya was recently held at Elephinstone theatre in Colombo. Sathsara Mihira principally featured two Indian artists; Dr. Prahlad Nath and Pt. Pundalik Krishna Bhagawat.

The evening commenced with Katak dance `VANDANA'. The dancer was to invoke the blessings of the gods for the performance. It was presented by Nurthya Nipun, Nurthya Shashtrapathi (MA) Anushka Ekanayaka. Although VANDANA has not been the one of the prominent features of the concert, it turns out to be beautiful performance where Anushka demonstrated the intricate features of Katak dance with its signature foot movements. It should be mentioned here that she has mastered the dancing so well that it there was hardly any difference in her movements with an accomplished traditional Katak dancer from India.

Over the years she has mastered each and every movement in the tradition of Katak dancing. Symbolic hand signs synchronised with her movements on the stage and with hard-hits on the floor. The colourful costume with jewellery added allure to the performance. She was also excellent in her facial expressions. The audience well received the Katak dance VANDANA.

VANDANA was followed by the recital of Raga `Shri' by Pt. Pundalik Bhagawat.

The time of the recital of the Raga is in the morning and in the Taal of Pilawada and in Vilambha laya.

This Raga supposed to be one of the difficult Ragas to recite because of its intricate closely-knitted notes. The Raga `Hameer' which he recited is a melodious Raga with its beautiful compositions. It was in Madya laya and Teen Taal.

He also sang a Thumry style song. One of the salient features of Pt. Pundalik Bhagawat's recitals of Raga was his sheer mastery in signing in general and closely-knitted groups of notes in the Hindustani classical Raga in particular. This was a prominent characteristic when he recited the Raga `Shri' with its complex composition of notes. It should be mentioned here that Pt. Bhagawat is also an accomplished tablist.

The Tabla for the classical recital was by Peshala Manoj (MA and Sangeeth Nipun). In a classical recital of Ragas, accompanying instruments such as Tabla and Thampura play a vital role in creating appropriate mood for the singer.

Peshala skilfully played Tabla thus creating the atmosphere for Raga. He should be commended as it was extremely difficult to play for highly accomplished artists from India.

Following the recital of Raga by Pt. Pundalik Bhagawat, Raga "Maduwanthi" was played on flute by Dr. Prahlad Nath. It was a hard-to-play Raga.

However, the flute was out of tune throughout the performance. It was on Rupak Taal followed by Teen Taal.

In a way, it was a pity that such a performance emanated from the flute of an accomplished artist and brilliant like Dr. Prahlad Nath. In fact the flute recital virtually sank the spirit of the evening. Dr. Prahlad also played Ragas `Shivaranjanee' on Punjabi Taal and in Madya laya. He also played the Raga `Misra Bhairavi' on Teen Taal and Madya Laya. The flute recital was accompanied on flute by two talented Sri Lankan scholars Nuwan Satharasinghe and Daminda Athauda and on Tabla by Pt. Krishna Bhagawat.

The audience would respond better to Sri Lankan musicians like Hemapala Perera and Kumara Liyanawatte but it is pertinent to mention here the fact that Dr. Prahlad Nath is a gifted artist and academic. Perhaps, the audience's weak response would have due to it being a highly classical performance.

All in all, the evening of classical music was marked for its authentic Hindustani classical music and the opportunity that it offered for Sri Lankan audience to taste authentic Hindustani classical music by visiting Indian Artists accompanied by exceptional Sri Lankan scholars.

Over the years Sharada Kala Nikethanaya has brought down Indian classical artists and some of prominent artists are Pt. Indupraksh (Gzal Singer) and Prof. Mandavi Singh (Kathak Dancer) who performed previous year. Sharada Kala Nikethanaya and its founder artist Anil Mihiripenna should be commended for his longstanding contribution to popularising Hindustani Classical Music in Sri Lanka and also being the torch bearers of a rich tradition.

Workshop leaders' short dramas:

Reflecting the milieu

by Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

The selected short dramas from the workshop for Sunera trainers were staged at Punchi Theatre in Borella. Short dramas lasting each for fifteen minutes, echoed the pangs of contemporary milieu. Most of the plays were woven around family, love, socio-economic factors which led to prostitution and how love affairs and marriages broke due to mistrust and infidelity on the part of lovers and husbands and wives. In a short drama, marriage breaks down as the husband goes back to his ex-sweet heart despite the fact wife is pregnant.

In one of the plays, ex-prostitute albeit tries hard to be a faithful wife, she could not lead a happy marriage as her husband suspects her of having liaison with another. Although sex-worker found guilty of the offence, it was obvious that she was a victim of circumstances and engaged in prostitution to feed her family. A lover kills his sweet heart in the honeymoon night as he suspects her of carrying on an affair with her ex-boy friend. Short plays made by the trainers by and largely reflects the woes of the milieu and how the underprivileged becomes victims of the circumstances and trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty, discrimination and exploitation.

Trainers proved their metal and the short plays they produced truly reflect the woes of the milieu.

It is obvious from the performance and the skills and talents demonstrated by the trainers that they have committed themselves to mastering the craft and immensely profited from the workshop held for them. On the one hand the short plays were a testimony for creativity on the part of the trainers and their insight into the society they live in, on the other hand. Deriving inspiration from so-did- realities of life, Sunera's young trainers have discussed number of social issues such as poverty, archetype believes against women and social stigma against underprivileged and marginalised segments of the population. In fact, they were the victims of the circumstances. However, there were instances where the oppressed turn table on the oppressor. For instance, a teacher abuses a girl in a classroom and tries to wash his hands off. However, girl pins him down.

The latest performance Sunera Foundation titled "Readings" which was held at the Punchi Theatre on 21st June 2009. The twelve short dramas are Pariththyagaya (directed by Sandun Bandara and scripted by Menaka Priyadarshana), Nevathuna then Sita (directed by Nissanka Rajini and scripted by Prabath Attanayake), Himi Pooja (directed by Indika Bandara and scripted by Supun Shanaka), Veradeema (directed by Menaka Priyadarshana and scripted by Nishantha Jayasekera), Vinivida (directed by Asanka Munasinghe and scripted by Nissanka Rajini), Anduruwala (directed by Dinesha Sandamali and scripted by Prasad Chaturanga), Hithuwakkarayo (directed by Gayathri Rangebandara and scripted by Sandun Bandara), Bondavu Sihinaya (directed by Prasad Chaturanga and scripted by Indika Bandara), Harda Sakshiya (directed by Prabath Attanayake and scripted by Pramila Ratnayake), Abiththa (directed by Pramila Ratnayake and scripted by Asanka Munasinghe), Numba Mage Murakaruda? (directed by Supun Shanaka and scripted by Dinesha Sandamali) and Oba Enathuru (directed by Nissanka Rajini and scripted by Gayathri Rangebandara).

From Baroque to film music

The Cantando Cello Ensemble led and directed by cellist Dushy Perera makes a welcome return to the stage on July 2 at the Lionel Wendet Theatre, with a demanding program of music from Baroque to film music. According to Dushy the special feature of the concert will be a performance of Cesar Franck's Sonata played by Dushy Perera with the world renowned pianist Rohan de Silva.

The program for the evening will include Chaconne from the Partita No. 2 for solo violin by Bach, considered one of the great masterpieces of Western classical music. The Cantando will perform a special arrangement of this work for cello ensemble written by Lazlo Varga. Other works in the program will be Danse Macbre by Saint Seans in its original form with the Xylophone played by Johan Pieris. Also the slow movement from Dvorak's New World Symphony. From West Side Story the Cantando will perform `Tonight' and `America'.

The theme from the film Pink Panther composed by Henry Mancini is also included in the evenings performance. The growing stature of the Cello Ensemble has resulted in them being invited to perform at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Mumbai later this year.

Poetry of the piano

Sujeeva Hapugalle

Sri Lanka's acknowledged classical music pianist Sujeeva Hapugalle will be in Sri Lanka this week for her concert performance `Poetry of the Piano' which is presented by the Zonta Club 11 of Colombo on July 3 at the Lionel Wendt. Her program will include romantic, impressionistic works, operatic and song transcriptions by Chopin, Liszt, Schuman, Debussy and Ravel.

Sujeeva will also be playing music from around the world - those by Far Eastern composers Spanish works by De Falla and Albeniz and including Argentinian and Brazilian tangos by Piazzolla, Ginastera, Nazareth Lecuona and the music of Gershwin.

Proceeds from Sujeeva's concert will be channelled to the Burns Unit of the National Hospital, Colombo.

The only one of its kind for the whole island to alleviate the pain of those who have been hideously traumatized by their injuries. MP