Maritime Silk Route Concert:

A mesmerising experience

by Mahes Perera

If you label the Maritime Silk Route Concert, Sri Lanka Tour 2016 as a mesmerising experience of Chinese culture you can't be far wrong. The concert was organised by the China Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of International Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs and staged at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre recently.

The performance was by the China Hainan Provincial 'Sun Bird' Art Troupe to celebrate the Happy Chinese New Year.

The presentation was a kaleidoscope of colours in choreography. The lighting too enhanced the whole effect, and all the dance sequences were a delight to watch.

The opening dance segment was a Kandyan dance item by a Sri Lankan dance troupe comprising both boys and girls and even though it was familiar to us, it still had its attraction. What followed were music and dance sequences from the countries of the Maritime Silk Route. The melody immortalising the Love of the South China Seas was a haunting bamboo flute expression which proved that at the hands of a professional the bamboo flute is amazingly melodious.

What followed next was a dance sequence in swing tempo a girl joined by two males to express the thought Reluctance of Leaving You. The movements had western dance influences and was amusing to watch.

The Chinese ancient opera influence was experienced in the item, Deep Night - a Beijing Opera Beat between the violin and drum. Mention must be made of the dance sequence - The Lovely Peacock - the choreography very close to our familiar Oriental movements, which were more than evident in the Indian Dancing with the Water Vessels on their heads - their costumes and their hand movements, the leg movements and the gossiping which were really amazing. Above all the Cape of Good Hope, South African theme stole the show. Shakira's This Time For Africa - was a revelation.

The fair skinned Chinese all girl troupe had tanned skins and the African choreography of the dance sequence received a tumultuous ovation.

Mention must be made of the five male band who sang a forceful accapela song and who bought the whole concert to a close with selections of World Music which included a Latin pan flute solo entitled Brazil and a soprano sax solo of Memories. It was a fitting finale!