Entertainment

Ayubowan (Namaste)

by Mahes Perera

Bathiya N Santush trail blazers in creating a successful new sound to Sri Lankan music presented their latest Hindi album Ayubowan (Namaste) to the President Mahinda Rajapakse recently.

The CD according to Santush contains twelve tracks and are the songs which became No. 1 hits for them here in Sri Lanka. "What we did was that we kept the music of the songs but changed the lyrics to Hindi, because our objective was to take Sri Lankan music to India, that was the reason for this album and we are proud to say that this is the first time it has happened.

The CD recorded on Universal Music has successfully moved into the mainstream market of India. The music video is being telecast on Channel V, Zee Music and other popular pop stations in India" comments Santush. Some of the tracks in Hindi are Meri Hoja Re, Wo Mera, Ye Kyr Hur, Human Dil, Nacho, Duniya Duniya.

The hit Ethnic Women too has been included, as well as Oh Sathi featuring Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas. Bonus tracks on the CD are Pretty Fly by Ashanthi and Ride With Me by Randhir. The CD Ayubowan Namaste, to date is available in sixty four countries around the world. Congrats Bathiya N Santush!

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Observer Fashion Designer of the Year presented by Chula Nanayakkara

Young fashion designers have once again the opportunity to win the coveted Fashion Designer of the Year 2007 sponsored by Sunday Observer and Daily News and presented by the leading fashion figure and designer Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne.

The four categories this year will be casual wear, evening wear, saree wear and office wear, and contestants are requested to make all their creative and colourful sketches on A 4 paper.

The keen participation shown by the contestants last year has spurred the presenter Chula Nanayakkara Ariyaratne to give more special prizes to the contestants. The fabulous show will be held on November 3 at the BMICH. Complete details will be published in the Sunday Observer and Daily News. Keep a close watch.

A new musical image

Half way through the year maestro Annesley Malawana has given his band Super Chimes a new look with the a change of personnel. The acknowledged keyboardist/singer Mahesh de Silva has taken wing and in his place Annesley has introduced new young talent and the group Super Chimes now comprises Annesley steering the group and handling the main vocals.

Others in the outfit are Channa Athalage - lead guitar, Dimantha Seneviratne - keyboards, Prashan Fernando - keyboards, rhythm guitar and handles English vocals.

Others in the group are Jagath Kulasinghe - drums and vocals, and Gihan Shalinda who plays bass and is also responsible for English vocals.

This new look to the outfit, according to Annesley was brought about to give the two new young talent the opportunity to handle a wider English repertoire. "We were branded as an Oriental band since audience always requested Sinhala songs from us the Moonstones and the Super Golden Chimes wherever we performed.

I want to add Western Music to the band so that we can play for dances and corporate functions. I did the same to the Moonstones and the Super Chimes earlier and the result was that we were much sought after.

The new guys can handle the English pops of the 60s, 70s and 80s, while the others will sing the Sinhala songs from the repertoire of Moonstones and the Super Golden Chimes plus the popular songs of the 60s and 70s," comments Annesley.

A showman who pioneered the Stars of 70s concert in 1997, Annesley has since then involved himself in giving audiences many moments of musical happiness with concerts like Annesley & Indrani in Concert and the mega shows the two re-union concerts of the Super Golden Chimes in 2003 and 2004.

Last year he proudly claims he achieved the impossible when he brought the three groups the Moonstones, the Super Golden Chimes and Super Chimes on one stage for sell out concert "Rewind". Annesley's latest album Thotiya has been a success story for him.

Oriental mystique

AN Arabian dream becomes a reality never experienced before in Sri Lanka. Arabian culture, music, cuisine and entertainment is now on at the Beira Terrace of Trans Asia, until July 29.

Lilting melodies of Arabia played to entice you, Belly dancing by dancers flown down for the occasion, a Sheesha pipe for you to indulge in and other attractions of the Middle East. But most of all the cuisine, literally an Arabian banquet with an extensive spread that reflects totally the 'Flavours of Arabia'.

The master Chef from Egypt flown down has created a feast of delicacies to savour like the many dishes of Arabian lamb, a variety of wheat breads, dried and seasonal fruits such as figs, dates, apricots and lush vegetable dishes seasoned with fragrant spices and herbs.

Not to be left out is the spread of Turkish delights, traditional Arabian delicacies from all corners of Arabia whipped up before you, recreating a picturesque grandeur of the oriental mystique of Arabia. The caravan moves on from 7.00 pm to 11.30 pm.