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 Maiden dance ensemble from Suraj and the ‘Elements’:
Fete your feet!
by Ruwini Jayawardana
Suraj Mapa needs no introduction
in the arts arena. The multi-talented young individual had already made
his mark in the teledrama and movie scene by portraying diverse roles in
a number of productions.
 Starting off his career in Hotel Management and then turning to
modelling, Suraj made it big in the entertainment field with the
teledrama ‘Mage Sanda Obai’ in 2002. Projects such as ‘Suriya Daruwo’, ‘Pooja’,
‘Tharu Pabha’, ‘Sihinayak Pata Pata’ catapulted him to stardom and he
made his debut to cinema in Giriraj Kaushalya’s maiden movie, the
hilarious ‘Sikuru Hathe’. Moviegoers later saw another side of the actor
in the recently released ‘Uththara’ where Suraj plays the role of
Shanilka, a dancer and singer.
Keeping up with the image of Shanilka the past pupil of Trinity
College Kandy recently decided to unveil his dancing talents at his
debut dance ensemble. Titled ‘Suraj Presents Elements’ the event will
feature a number of artistes: Nilanthi Dias, Nehara Peries, Himali
Sayurangi, Nadeesha Hemamali, Pabodha Sandeepani, Nirosha Perera,
Sachini Ayendra, Suranga Fernando and Udari Warnakulasooriya as Suraj’s
dancing partners. ‘Suraj Presents Elements’ will go on board the
Bishop’s College auditorium on May 14 and 15 at 7 p.m.
The specialty about this event is that each of the dance sequences
reflect one of the five great elements of nature: air (thought), fire
(desire), water (emotions), earth (stability) and space (substance). The
costumes worn by the dancers as well as the music and dance moves
reflect these qualities. Experienced actors such as Malani Fonseka,
Sanitha Perera, Sriyani Amarasena and Dillhani Ekanayake will also be
featured in the show.
“I have felt the need to showcase my talents as a dancer for some
time. Now the time had come to hold such an event. The artistes taking
part are the crème de la crème in the field. They are also some of my
closest friends. They have been very easy to work with,” Suraj said
adding that the event will open doors to a whole new experience.
“Art and technology will come together when dancing and visuals merge
in the dance sequences. For the first time in Sri Lanka graphics will be
included in a dancing show. Around 30 other dancers will also perform
with Suraj and group at the event. The funds of the concert will be
donated for the underprivileged university student’s education and a
hole in the heart patient’s surgery.
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