Entertainment

The first online launch of a Sinhala CD

by Mahes Perera

A name popular in the music industry especially in the field of creating commercial jingles, Benjamin Yoga has branched out and released a CD of Sinhala songs sung by leading Sri Lankan vocalists.

Titled "Ooh Gana" the CD was launched at the HNB Towers last Sunday, (November 25). What is laudable about the CD is that it is the first ever online launch of a Sinhala album in Sri Lanka. The on line sales and marketing is handled by Ceylinco Internet Services www.etickets.lk.

A student of Carnatic and Classical Western music Benjamin Yoga revealed that it took him roughly nine years in recording and arranging the music. Since he is a qualified optremetrist he was hard pressed for time.

The CD contains twelve tracks and sung by Edward Jayakodi, T.M. Jayaratne, Sohan Weerasinghe, Arun Kumaraswamy, Asanga Priyamantha Peiris, Saman Jinadasa, Amarasiri Pieris, Dayan Witharana, Iman Perera Kithsiri Jayasekera and Chandana Liyanaarachchi. Among lyric writers are Rev. Pathegama Gnanissara Thera, Rev. Kattaweli Buddhasiri, Hemasiri Halpita, Shanaka Maliyadha.

"It was the Rev. Pathegama Gnanissara Thera who pushed me into recording a Sinhala album. He gave me names of lyric writers and singers, I followed his advice and am grateful for all his encouragement.

In my career I've been composing and recording commercial jingles and jingles for radio stations. My station identity jingles for Lanka Handa, Derana TV and Sooriyan FM and Shakthi FM are still being used." I intend marketing the CD also in Italy, Australia, UK, Dubai, New Zealand and USA, as there is demand for it" says Benjamin Yoga.

Sohan Weerasinghe who was at the launch and who recorded the song Mage Ran on the CD, said that Benjamin Yoga's idea of recording Sinhala songs is praiseworthy, as it will bring the communities together.

"He is a talented guy, with a lot of enthusiasm and energy and I suggested to him that he gets the Sinhala singers to record songs in Tamil. The arrangements and lyrics are different it's not pop commercial it's listenable and tracks will be aired by radio stations."

Sohan who returned from Brisbane after performing at the dances for the cricketers will be leaving for Los Angeles in February and then back to Australia in June and July for performances including the Thomian Dance and the fund raiser for the Cancer Society.

Spice up with Ginger

by Mahes Perera

Guest singer and performer Ginger has come a long way since she started off her music career with Sohan and the X'periments and Sunil the Gypsies. "I was nurtured by them and I learnt all the correct and finer points about performing on stage.

It has held me in good stead," says the sensational Ginger, who will be a star attraction at the Taj Airport Garden Hotel's, New Year's Eve celebrations titled "Intergalactic Journey with the Cosmic Rays" - the band being Cosmic Rays with DJ Luke.

The hotel is pulling out all steps to make the occasion a gala one, what with prizes that include complimentary stays in five star Taj Hotels, return air tickets, dinners in exclusive restaurants and much more. Speaking with the exhuberant Ginger is refreshing. We caught her in between her busy schedule of work - this time recording a CD for release before Christmas.

"This is my fifth CD and it contains fifteen songs, something for everybody. The music was composed by Galaxy and Vajira Ratnasiri produced the album. People ask me what the title of my new CD will be and I tell them I might call it 'Virus' - you know just to be different. I've always been like that different", says Ginger tossing her hair back and laughing with happiness.

A charismatic personality, Ginger concentrates on open air musical shows and concerts. She comperes shows but not so often like in the early years. She was seen at the Oktoberfest festivities staged by Hilton Colombo recently.

She chooses the functions now. "I don't like to be seen all the time," comments Ginger.

She's has acted in films as well, there's Eka Malaka Pethi and the TV films Maya Avenue and Samawenna. "I got an offer for a role as an English music teacher in a film offered by Sumithra Peiris, but unfortunately the filming clashed with my musical show dates and I was compelled to refuse her. I regret it very much."

You talk about show dates do you go abroad often? "Yes I do. I just returned from the States and will be off to the Middle East soon - there's a large audience for Sri Lankan music," Ginger answers before we parted.

[email protected]

The Tokyo debut of Svarasanga Vannama

The Sri Lankan pianist and composer Harsha Makalande was invited to perform at the Asian Orchestra Week held recently at the Tokyo Opera City Japan, by the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras. He presented his well known composition Svarasanga Vannama.

"I was happy with the response from the audience, there were 2000 music lovers from Tokyo who were very appreciative of the music. This Concerto for Sri Lankan drums and piano was performed by the India Sri Lanka Goodwill Orchestra. The orchestra's program also included works by Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Britten.

The members of the Sri Lanka Symphony Orchestra included well-known names such as Ananda Dabare, Ramya de Livera Perera, Meneka de Fonseka Sahabandu, Tamara Holsinger, Manilal Weerakoon, Dushyanthi Perera, Ajith Abeysekera, the list is long, and this Japanese premiere of my composition was conducted by the world famous personality Hikotaro Yazaki The Sri Lankan drums were played by Master Drummer Ravibandu Vidyapathy and Jananath Warakagoda."

Did you revise your composition for the performance? "I revised the section named Drummers and Dancers to create an interaction between orchestra and local drums. I introduced a conch shell section played by Jananth Warakagoda and revised the Piano Cadenza.

The Sri Lankan Folk melody was especially appreciated by the conductor. The applauding audience requested the soloists and composer to return three times to show their appreciation", commented Harsha who will be leaving shortly for a performance in Australia.

M.P.