Entertainment

Aiming for higher levels

by Mahes Perera

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“It’s rare for a woman to achieve Visharada status in both instrumental and vocal” says singer Mangalika Tennekoon a product of the Bhatkande Sangeeth Faculty, Lucknow. Her music instrument is the violin but she also has a diploma in tabla, that too from the Bhatkanda Academy, which she acquired this year (2008).

But you’d be amazed because she’s a multi-instrumentalist who plays the seraphina, flute, guitar, acoustic drums, mandolin and organ. And all this by pure self study.

Young at heart Mangalika is now a teacher of violin and vocals at many International schools and she finds the experience fulfilling. “The students are keen on studying Oriental music and are committed wanting to explore and learn more,” says Mangalika who herself, when she was a student, had a probing mind wanting to achieve higher levels, the result being that she carried off many prizes at music competitions.

“Now I’m in the midst of recording and releasing a CD containing my songs. This is my debut album and I want to record good songs for my fans. They are light songs with a classical backing and the themes include love songs.

The CD will be titled Purahanda Langinma contains eighteen tracks and I’m hoping to launch it by the end of this year. I have released this song as a single accompanied by a visual. The lyrics were written by Devika Jayasundera and the music by Bimal Dayananda” continues Mangalika.

The other lyricists who have contributed towards her album are Ajantha Ranasinghe, Bandula Nanayakkara, Sunil R. Gamage, Vasantha Kumar Kobewaka.

The music is arranged by Rohana Weerasinghe, Karunaratne Wijewardena, Visharada Edward Jayakody, Navaratne Gamage, Nihal Gamhewa and one by Mangalika herself.

A singer who had your beginnings at Yatigalpotha, Galewala and Dambulla, it’s laudable the way you have come thus far, your perseverance especially, what’s the secret?

“Actually theres no secret. It’s hard work and interest.

For my O Levels and A Levels I offered music and got the best results. I’ve been winning many competitions. Like in ‘92/93 I won the All Island Competition for poetry singing. I followed that by winning the Classical Music - the All Island one for singing in ‘95, and then in ‘97 I won both the Instrumental for violin and vocal.

I must thank my teachers Mr. Bodipala and Mr. Abeykoon of the Dambulla National College. The same year much to my surprise I won the Seylan Swarnavahini Nim Thera held respectively by the three TV stations Rupavahini, Swarnavahini and Sirasa.

I capped it all by winning the Thurunu Shakthi Music Competition in ‘99. I must thank my uncle W. B. Ganegala and my father who is a principal of the school at Yatigalpotha for all the encouragement and support and also all the popular leading singers who readily helped me in my endeavours.”

Any wonder then she is a popular choice for shows at BMICH and those organised by SLBC.

X’periments on concert tour

Down Under is all general to welcome Sohan & The X’Periments who will be performing a series of shows from June 28 - Agusut 2. Yesterday (28) the band performed at Blacktown, Sydney. Speaking with Sohan before the group left last week he expressed joy at having to play such an extended performance programme and he is looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be a fabulous trip for me and the other members of the band. Corinne and Ronnie will be with us for two of the concerts. On July 4 we will be playing at Brisbane, then our other dates are on July 12 for the topical Thomian Rugby Ball at the Hilton Hotel Melbourne and on July 19 for the Ananda 2008 at Moorabin.

Our stay in Australia for the first time sees us performing eight shows which includes a Sing-a-long on August 1 at Becounsfield.

A grand farewell show has been organised for August 2 at Melbourne reveals Sohan whose popularity has never waned over the years, and is a leading light in Sri Lanka as well as abroad.

Before he left for Australia, Sohan released his new album Colombo Carnival which contains “Seventy minutes of sheer excitement” of disco mix, sounds of salsa, baila, sing-a-long oldies, rock & roll medley, back to the 70s Latino fiesta and cool, and swing. Produced and digitally mastered by Torana the music mix was handled by Shobi Perera well known for his expertise in the field. M.P.

Maamai Baanai

The successful musical drama of the eighties “Maamai Baanai” will be back on stage on July 11 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. Rohana Baddhage and Bandula Wijeweera who were responsible for this drama indicated that there will be two shows on that day - one at 3.30 p.m. and the other at 7.00 p.m.

Maamai Baanai has been presented more than 300 times up to 1996 and the performance on July 11 will see many new features introduced to suit today’s trend.

The special traditional drum beats uncommon singing style characteristic of Sri Lankan music was a great attraction when the show was performed in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East, not only with the Sri Lankans but also foreign spectators.

In the midst of today’s “noisy raucous” music, “Maami Baanai” portrays the value of Sri Lankan music. Rohana Baddhage and Bandula Wijeweera popular traditional artists are well known for their songs Mage Raththaran Helena and Kulagedarin Dummbara Kandu Watiye.

Apart from being well known singers they are acknowledged actors and were closely associated with the productions of Dayananda Goonawardena. Today they are into TV drama as well Palingu Menike, Manik Nadiya Galabasi, Bodima to name a few. This revival of Maamai Baanai will surely be a success.

Shepherdian Coffee Shop

The Committee of the Past Pupils Association of Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena have once again banded themselves to provide an evening of entertainment for all past and present Shepherdians, wellwishers and friends.

To those who have experienced and joined in the fun and entertainment in the past, the name PPA, Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena is synonymous with entertainment.

An event that does not cast too much of a burden on the purse strings and the idea of an evening of entertainment titled SHEPHERDIAN COFFEE SHOP” on Sunday July 6 from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. will be held at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.

The evening will be packed with quality entertainment in the form of a scintillating and glamorous Fashion Show choreographed by Geraldine Bandaranayake showcasing the latest designs in Sarees and Salwars a Cookery Demonstration by Mallika Joseph, a Beauty Demonstration for the health conscious and of course Music, Song and Dance with a Sing-a-Long ably led by a master of entertainment Faizal Bongso.

A Latin American Dance performance by the talented dancers of the EL Latino Dance Club and of course Trade Stalls for the bargain hunters.

Everyone is sure to have a memorable evening as they always do at events organized by the PPA.

Storming grooves

DJ Paul Medez who has released sixty one singles globally and who enjoys popularity at many dance clubs will be in Sri Lanka along with DJ Jenn Martinello from the States to mix and spin grooves for young dancers who enjoy partying throughout the night.

They will be happy to meet up with Sri Lankan DJ’s to rapport with them, when they arrive here next month for their performances, which will take groovers by storm.