 Starry night of dance and enrapture
by Ruwini Jayawardana
One of the most anticipated
events in the country’s arts calendar, ‘Munchee Samaga Ridee Reyak’
unfolded its seventh chapter at the BMICH recently with over 50
artistes, youngsters and seniors, taking to the stage with delightful
performances.
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Sabitha Perera and Channa
Wijewardana |
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Chathurika Peries and Roshan
Pilapitiya |
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Nilanthi Dias |
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Sachini Ayendra with a dancer |
‘Munchee Samaga Ridee Reyak 7’ is put together by the Cine Star
Foundation headed by NFC Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa and sponsored by
Munchee (Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.) as part of its corporate social
responsibility projects. Each year the event takes shape to raise funds
for the health scheme of cinema artistes.
Around 25 enchanting items comprising dance and skits took shape at
‘Munchee Samaga Ridee Reyak 7’.
“This year’s event opened with ‘Swarna Vimana’. There was an array of
dancers dressed in yellow and gold and our screen queen Malani Fonseka
burst into the scene amidst the dancers,” renowned dancer Channa
Wijewardena, the director and choreographer of the event explained.
Other noteworthy items included a comic skit performed by Tennyson
Cooray and cinematic fight sequence between Jeevan Kaumaratunga and
Teddy Vidyalankara.
According to Wijewardena the concept of a dance item is important as
it is that feature which he takes to consideration when developing the
act.
He said: “Professional dancers are involved with the art for at least
nine hours per day but it is not the same when you choreograph an act
for a cinema artiste.
They have to be involved in the field to do a proper dance act. I
need to know what exactly to take out from them to bring out the best of
their abilities. The interior movements which come out of their acting
should be brought to light. I create the act out of the movements which
are familiar to them.”
The ‘Ridee Reyak’ series is Wijewardena’s brainchild. Ever since its
inception, the gala night which comprises artistes’ dance performances
has taken the country by storm. Tickets have been booked even before
they went to print and many who had been among the audience pining to
see the event live had to turn back as the premises was mobbed by fans.
The ‘Ridee Reyak’ group had already completed a couple of shows
overseas at the Sydney Opera Theatre and Dubai.
Channa who will be choreographing the dance items for two major
awards events this year, the Sarasaviya Awards and the Presidential Film
Awards, said that choreographing for an awards night is very different
from putting up a ‘Ridee Reyak’ performance.
“We have to incorporate dance items while giving prominence to the
awards ceremony,” he expressed.
He wishes to thank Ravindra Randeniya, Dillhani Ekanayake, Tilak
Hewakapuge and Munchee for the support they had given for setting up the
program.
In addition to the entertainment Munchee also distributed special
cash donations to senior artistes Udula Dabare and Harun Lantra in
recognition of their contributions to the local film industry at
‘Munchee Samaga Ridee Reyak 7’. |
