Entertainment
Beats from Revelling Rhythms

Naadro Pic. V. Jegathesan.
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It was a night of a thousand exciting drum beats at the Premiere
Night of Rakitha’s Revelling Rhythms which was held at the BMICH
recently.
Naadro the young and upcoming percussion group led by Rakitha was the
chief act with guest artistes Roni Benise a flamenco guitarist from
California and Bikram Singh the flautist from India. Other name
musicians too joined in the performance including Eshantha Pieris,
Mahesh Denepitiya, Billy Fernando, Pabulu Wijegoonewardena to name a
few. Rakitha celebrated his endorsement of LP percussion drums with this
concert. Roni Benise the flamenco guitarist is seen in action with
Naadro.
M.P.
The special music magic
by Mahes Perera
[email protected]

Mahesh Denipitiya
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Keyboardist / pianist / guitarist / music arranger and composer
Mahesh Denipitiya is a popular name in the music industry sought out by
young aspiring singers who wish to have their songs arranged and
produced. Mahesh says he enjoys giving a helping hand to them. In fact
next month at the three CDs launch of the Sirasa Super Stars, Mahesh
Denipitiya and Friends will be seen in action, performing and also
backing the Super Stars in their performances. “This special music
flavour in the music of the Super Stars was introduced by me,” says
Mahesh whose band has been on the scene for the past three years.
“I have named my band Mahesh Denipitiya and Friends because I need to
be free and flexible in the musicians I use for my performances.
Currently my band comprises Ruwan Weerasekera - electric violin, Rakitha
Wickramaratne -Sri Lankan and Latin percussion, Riza Saiz - drums, Billy
Fernando - bass and Nevanthi Gunasekera is the featured vocalist. We’ve
been playing for many corporate functions and mega events, concerts and
shows like those organised by HNB and Lions Club. Soon my band and I
will be off to Bahrain to perform at a formal event organised by the Sri
Lanka Association there. There was a request from them for us to include
evergreen Sinhala songs and I’ve given the songs a new arrangement which
I’m sure will be well received. In Bahrain we will also be playing for a
Concert with Surendra and Amila featuring the Sirasa Super Stars.”

Friends |
You’ve had your moments with Bathiya & Santhush do you think that
their music will stand the test of time?
“I endorse their music. In fact I co-produced their Nethra album. One
thing has to be said that they know how to change their music according
to market requirements.
See if I get another opportunity to change my arrangements to suit
global changes in world music I will do it. We know our strength we
could always adjust the rhythms.”
Undoubtedly Mahesh has inherited his father’s talents because he is
into scoring for film music as well. His father Patrick Denipitiya and
his skill in playing the Hawaiian guitar is a recognised factor in the
early years of our music scene. In fact Patrick had a Combo comprising
Hector Wanigasekera - bass, Farook Miskin - drums, the late Ranjit
Perera - rhythm guitar, sax and harmonica, Wilhelm Teuring - rhythm, and
the Combo played most of Sunil Santha’s and C. T. Fernando’s songs.
Patrick where film scoring was concerned they say worked with speed,
despite the lack of technical facilities. There was only one take and he
had to write the music on the spot - watch the frames, write and record
the music. But today technology has kangarooed and Mahesh finds it much
easier, which Patrick now domiciled in Canada is happy to know.
Calypso Golden Oldies
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Felix Anton |
Chandimal |
Dharmaratna Brothers |
It was a toe-tapping night of Calypso and Golden Oldies from the 70s,
80s and 90s when Chandimal Fernando well-known for his non-stop calypsos
presented his “25 years in music” concert at the BMICH recently. Singers
like Felix Anton and many others participated in the concert. Apart from
the singing, there were Ballroom dance items by Tony Fernandez, Latin
dances by Keith Nugara, Chandana Wickramasinghe Dance Troupe and modern
dance items by Rukshi, Tharya and Natasha. The media sponsors were
Sunday Observer and Daily News.
Pic by Herbert Perera
Rohan to sing for charity
Baritone singer Rohan de Lanerolle has come forward to raise funds
for the many service projects of the YWCA by staging a concert on
September 13 at the Lionel Wendt. He will be supported by Ishan de
Lanerolle who will be the guest soloist. Soundarie David will accompany
the singers on piano with Neranjan de Silva on keyboards and Christopher
Prins on drums. The concert will also feature the popular and award
winners The Revelations in some of the songs they sang for the
competition in Austria. The fund raiser for the YWCA’s service projects
also includes providing much needed hostel accommodation in the city at
affordable rates. The concert is presented by the YWCA and supported by
Dialog Broadband Networks.
Impromptu artistry
Music lovers have the opportunity to appreciate the impromptu
artistry of musicians as they come together to rapport with one another.
The opening set today at 1.30 p.m. will see the young pianist Noel
Jayatunge play along with another young name Gananath Dassanayake -
sax/vocals, Timal Jayamanne - bass and Seneka Pereira - drums. The
featured band will be headed by another pianist, the experienced Kumar
de Silva and he will have with him the acknowledged saxophonist Rodney
van Heer, bassist Nilantha Ariyaratne, drummer of the younger generation
Diren Sabaratnam and Jean van Heer - vocals. There will also be a Trio
performing with a different sound. Hans Mater leads the group on congas
with Hilary Christie - piano and Basil Paiva - bass. |