 Roshi - a new voice on the scene
by Mahes Perera
 She’s new on the music scene and
she has been gifted with a voice that makes people stop and listen.
Roshi Bharathi in her early twenties has a well trained voice. She
joined Mary Ann David’s school when she turned ten years and is happy
for the experience and discipline she learnt from Mary Ann.
“I love singing and just recently I joined NIRO 4 a band with
musicians who have been on the scene for quite sometime and are
recognised for their craft. My father Virajan is the bassist in the
group and the other members are Nihal Fernando - the keyboardist /
guitarist and Thilak Perera who plays guitar.
With Mary Ann singers I was a member of the 1st sopranos and we
learnt a wide selection of Broadway melodies, semi classics, evergreens
and golden melodies. Apart from these songs, with the band I sing pop,
chart hits and even a selection of hip hop for our fans” expressed Roshi
when we had the usual pow wow with musicians.
Who’s your favourite pop singer and what’s your favourite song?
“I love Celine Dion’s voice and I sing most of her songs and my
favourite song is ‘Because You Love Me.’ I will never get tired of
singing that song or listening to it over and over again. I play
keyboards as well and it’s useful when playing with the band.
Are you a full time musician?
“No. I’m a Banking Assistant working at the Nations Trust Bank at the
Crescat building. I’ve done some Banking exams. Actually to work in a
Bank was never on my mind when I was young. After my A Levels at Holy
Family Convent, Bambalapitiya I wanted to be a doctor but somehow or
other I got gravitated towards the Bank and got stuck there! I join the
band for all their gigs in the evenings.
 We play for a lot of weddings
and social functions and our leader Nihal hopes to stage a concert by
NIRO 4 for the enjoyment of music lovers.”
Michael Jackson is much in the news today even after his untimely
death. Were you a fan of his music and of the man himself?
“Yes. I grew up to the music of Michael Jackson. I think he is a
unique singer, musician, dancer and composer. No one, try as he may,
could imitate him and his singing and dancing. Only he could do it the
way he did it.”
On that confident and conclusive expression we had to leave Roshi who
sends out her good wishes to all the young music lovers for a Happy and
Successful New Year 2010.
Roar for Indian Core
by Nilma Dole
It was an evening of smooth jazz
from Norway fused with beats of Indian glory on a Sri Lankan stage. The
Royal Norwegian Embassy and Sewalanka brought the sensational band
‘Indian Core’ to the country recently to offer a whiff of combination
spirit where it’s not just music but souls were united in harmony.
The Core started way back in Norway being a Jazz band of fine repute
but it was only when they visited India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in
2006, where this major collaboration of Asian-Indian influence
kickstarted.
 The new band Indian Core made merry with their hot songs off their
album aptly titled just their name, gave patrons at the Barefoot a night
to remember. With tracks like ‘Slo’, Fox’, ‘Punjabi Blues’, ‘Autumn’, ‘Ull-Raga’,
‘Tarana’ and the breath-taking song ‘Agra’, the band were warmly
welcomed by the audience on a soulful Saturday just as it started to
drizzle. Luckily the rain gods were happy with the music so they didn’t
unleash a storm. The joy of energetic jazz meeting Indian maestro
masterpieces, the Core is Norway’s most energetic jazz bands, in a bid
to revive the art of Norwegian jazz as subtle and sincere.
The band’s music originates from acoustic modal jazz from the 60s,
blended to perfection with more contemporary grooves rooted in funk and
rock. The music is satisfying with remnants of offering the listener
more than just a musical sojorn but an unforgettable experience. The
happening live performance showcased the band’s dynanimism, stamina and
a uplifting spirit that is unmatched by other jazz bands.
The Core comprises five talented musicians who are banded by sheer
dedication in memory of the 1960s. They were sent to India by the
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to see what magic they could
muster with Prasenjit Mitra, Kanchman Babbar and Fateh Ali. Within just
a week, they worked superbly together to fashion enough material in
order to have an extensive and massive tour of Norway which started in
November 2006. According to the music critics, this tour was an
experience above and beyond the ordinary, a wonderful culmination and
joyous interaction between saxophone, flute and sitar, and double bass,
piano and tablas.
The climax was the recording session for their CD that captures the
magic of the musical friendship between the East and West with its mix
of contemporary jazz and traditional Indian music. The Core is one of
Norway’s most energetic and popular jazz bands which has garnered an
international name over the years. They have showcased their raw and
unique energy and highly skilled technicality at various world jazz
festivals and concerts through tours, their well received albums, and
collaborations with other artists.
For their 2009 tour of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, they have arranged
a special concert together with two incredible Indian musicians on
sitar/vocals, Fateh Ali and on tabla, Prasanjit Mitra. They have also
included the renowned Norwegian vocalist Kirsti Huke especially for this
major gig and will perform as ‘The Indian Core’. The other accompanying
artists include Kanchman Babbar, Kjetil Møster on saxophone, Erlend
Slettevoll on piano, Steinar Raknes on bass and Espen Aalberg on drums.
The chemistry onstage with the artistic aspects of combining their
talent into a suitable melody worked wonders when Sri Lankans bore
witness to such stunning musical masterpieces. |
