A classical musical event featuring leading Sri Lankan singers and musicians will be held in Singapore on August 23 this year.

The concert will feature singers Sunil Edirisinghe, T.M. Jayaratne, Bandara Athauda and Niranjala Sarojani backed by the acknowledged tablist Visharadha Manoj Peries and his orchestra.

The show which will be held at the DBS Auditorium (DBS Tower 01), Shenton Way, Singapore from 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m., is organised by WKS International Pte Ltd.

Four well known plays, Nari Bena, Jasaya saha Lenchina, Madhura Javanika and Gajaman Puwatha of the late Dayananda Gunawardena, will go on boards at the Lionel Wendt Theatre from July 10, 11, 12.

Produced in lyrical Sinhala folk style, Nari Bena with its varied content of drums and bamboo kolam, is based on two folk tales. Jasaya saha Lenchina, is a drama based on an age old masked play. The play, steps out beyond the Kolam tradition with lively music and expressive dance forms. The backdrop is a typical village washing bay.

Madhura Javanika highlights historical events which took place in Sri Lanka from the time of the war between Rama and Rawana to the modern times.

This drama festival will conclude with the highly acclaimed Gajaman Puwatha. This production of the late Dayananda Gunawardena is acknowledged as the first theatre production in Sri Lanka to adopt the docu-drama style. Gajaman Puwatha highlights the contemporary aesthetic values of the times.

On stage will be many renowned dramatists including Bandula Wijeweera, Neil Alles, Rodney Warnakula, Sarath Kulanga, Rathnasheela Perera, Ferni Roshini, Jackson Anthony, Anula Bulathsinhala, Jayanath Bandara, Rathmalie Gunasekera, Nissanka Diddeniya, Chandra Kaluaarachchi and Chandrasoma Binduhewa. All seats are box planned and tickets are available at Lionel Wendt theatre Office.

Mahes Perera

When she turned just 15 years she sang for Prince Albert II at a gala held at the `Cafe de Paris in Monaco organised by Sri Lankans domiciled in Monaco. At the age of 19 years she became a member of the Children’s European Choir and sang at leading churches all over Paris including the famous Notre Dame de Paris and the Opera de Paris.

Karoshree Vijayasekere at the dawn of the new millennium was one of the members of the choir for `France 2000’ at the foot of the Eiffel Tower when the famous Andrea Boccelli was featured.

In Cuba she recorded her first demo, singing `Ave Maria’ and `Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ and performed for many visiting dignitaries. More often hers was a familiar face at the French National day celebrations in Cuba. Her years in Canala saw her shine not only as a singer but also as an actress taking part in many college theatre productions.

What is most laudable about Karoshree Vijayasekera is that she has set up `The Karoshree Trust Children Fund’ a scholarship programme to provide education for needy children.

The programme became a vibrant reality when after the tsunami she performed three separate concerts both here and abroad to collect funds for her project. And now here in Sri Lanka she will stage a concert on July 8 at the Lionel Wendt and display her incredible artistry for the needy children of our land.

Asia’s biggest Reality TV talent show `Sutasi’ was launched yesterday. It is a hunt for Asia’s biggest star and will be telecast on ETV on Saturdays at 7.00 p.m.

‘Sutasi’ is a scintillating music competition featuring young, talented, hot and hip Asians who can fuse Eastern tunes and Western sound waves to win an opportunity on a global platform. The finalists will be judged by a panel internationally respected music industry professionals who will select a winning solo artist and band from each region to go through to the Grand Final.