Happenings / People

Oh what a night!:

Night of a thousand stars...

It was a scintillating, sparkling, shimmering affair - this launch of Geetha Kumarasinghe's website last Sunday at Water's Edge. Director Tissa Abeysekera had the happy task of touching the key that brought alive www.geethaonline.com  which surely will give her fans many endearing hours of nostalgic and interesting insight into her radiant film career.

Recognised as the 'Golden Girl' of the silver screen, Geetha pulled out all stops to make her evening, her celebration of life, an unparalleled success. And it was ! The entire celluloid world was there, actors, actresses, directors, producers, cameramen, singers, musicians, dancers - whoops! the list is long and also other luminaries to share in the happiness and wish Geetha many more years of success.

Kudos to the team of Upali Ariyasiri that produced the slick entertainment for the evening. With songs and dances and a wide screen to further enhance the impact of the presentation it was a delightful spool back which brought out a ready appreciative response from the audience.

Distinguished singers like Pandit W. D. Amaradeva, Victor Ratnayake in a solo spot and in a duet with Nanda Malini, Angeline Gunathilake lending her voice to a song she sang with H. R. Jothipala, the sequence was flashed on the wide screen, Angeline singing her part from the stage and Latha Walpola graced the occasion.

From the younger generation, singers like Uresha Ravihari, Nirosha Virajini and Nelu Adhikari said their piece in song.

It was a pleasure to see popular stars like Anoja Weerasinghe, Sabeetha Perera, Roshan Pilapitiya, Arjun Kamalanath and Chaturika Pieris dance to the songs that were featured in many of Geetha's films.

The choreography by Chandana Wickremasinghe was dazzling. Geetha's dance sequence was a fitting finale to the evening's entertainment, and the thunderous applause she received as she came in dancing from the wings, more than endorsed that she is the Golden Girl of the Silver screen.

M.P

Rukshan Mark in concert

by Mahes Perera

Charles Mark's creative single 'Tribute' proved to be a winner which earned them four awards globally between the years 2002 and 2004 in Prague, Kazakhastan and China. Over here in Sri Lanka, fast following their first concert last year which was an overwhelming success, comes news of a second concert titled 'Rukshan Mark in Concert' with Bertram Charles. This by all inside reports is going to be a concert that should not be missed.

Make your tracks again to the Bishop's College Auditorium on Tuesday August 8, the day before Poya Day and soak in the music that reached out to a global audience when they made their first impact. Rukshan Mark featured in the singing spotlight is responsible for all the music arrangements and the production of the show.

"We'll be singing a selection of our originals like Tribute, Wanna Hold You, Deshaya, Sadha Naa, If I Can Make a Wish and more and also the new single, Adare from my solo album, for which a video has been created by Nilan Cooray and is being telecast. My album I intend releasing in mid-September" comments Rukshan.

Apart from the originals, Rukshan will be performing covers like a new arrangement of 'Unchained Melody', Mandy, Let It Be Me, an acoustic arrangement of No Woman No Cry and the song of the Colonial Cousins Sa-ni-da-pa. At the concert he will be joined by the versatile guitarist Nalin Samath who is presently working and teaching the guitar at a music school in Dubai. The other featured guests at the concert are singers Trevina and Devashri.

The concert will start with a bang with alternative rock, and then move into the run of the special selection of songs. The backing band for Rukshan comprises Riza on drums, Ruwan - violin, Shakira - keyboard, Iqbal - bass, Nalin Samath - guitar. There will be performances in Kandy and Negombo - Rukshan is keeping his fingers crossed over this intention.

"When I started, I wanted to create English music, take the music out and get recognition abroad, and we achieved it by winning four international awards. I was fortunate to meet Alan Roy Scott- song writer for Celine Dion, Luther Vandross and Gloria Estefan.

After this concert next month, I will be going to the States to meet him and co-write a song with him. So wish me good luck!" concludes Rukshan Charles. Box plan for the concert is at the Bishop's College, Auditorium and sponsors of this exciting concert are Cream Soda (Elephant Soda) a local entrepreneur who has moved forward to go international, Sri Lankan Airlines and MTV Channel One.