Entertainment

Latha continues to captivate her fans

by Mahes PERERA

She was just fourteen years when she began to captivate audiences with her mellifluous voice and was chosen to be a 'playback' singer in the early years. And to celebrate her seventy-fifth birthday Latha Walpola released two CDs for posterity. She once commented that "if we stop singing who is going to takeover." The new generation is not fully aware of the valuable contribution singers of her era gave to the music industry. During Latha Walpola's halcyon days singers had to be perfect in their singing. Recordings meant only one take, unlike today because of the advancement in technology you can sing line by line for recordings.

The two CDs released by Torana directed by Sarath Kotalawela are Obata Mama Aderei and Pem Nelaville. In Obata Mama Aderei Latha has sung fourteen tracks with the fifteenth a medley of songs. Some of the songs are Pipana Piyuman, Nilmeeni Sangi, Malagira, Sathuta Shoke and Loke Jeevath Vannata, while the other CD Pem Nelaville contains fifteen tracks for your enjoyment. There's the title track, Mangala Dinaye, Premachandraya and Deepayen Deepaya to name a few.

Associated with Latha on the tracks are well-known singers Sanath Nandasiri, Victor Ratnayake, D. M. Jayaratne, Gratien Ananda, Ishak Baig, Rajiv Sebastian, Ravindra Randeniya, Rukantha Gunatilleke and her two sons Suneth and Amith.

Latha Walpola who has been singing for the past five decades has a large fan base not only in Sri Lanka but also abroad as she has travelled for concerts arranged by the various Sri Lankan Associations.

In a point of interest her contemporaries were Mohideen Baig, A.R.M. Ibrahim, M. K. Vincent, Sarlis Silva, Kokiladevi Weeratunge and Swarna de Silva. Christened "Latha" by Susil Premaratne after Latha Mangeshkar, she met her husband Dharmadasa Walpola quite by accident when he stepped in to sing a duet with her since the scheduled singer was indisposed. Today with four children who are musically inclined and a grandmother of seven Latha Walpola is glad she is still able to make her fans happy with her songs."

Eartha Kitt, the "sex kitten's" career spanned six decades

Eartha Kitt, the versatile US singer and actress whose sultry voice and sensuality made her an international star with a career spanning six decades, died at age 81, her friend and publicist said.Kitt, who won two Emmy television awards and was nominated for two Tony awards and two Grammy awards, died at 2:15 pm (1915 GMT) of colon cancer "She was certainly a legendary performer and while I think there may have been many imitations, she was an original," Freedman said. She was one of the few artists who have been nominated for Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards.

"I Want to Be Evil" and "Santa Baby," still a Christmas favorite today, were among her best-selling songs.

A self-described "sex kitten," Kitt famously played the role of Catwoman in the US hit TV series "Batman" in the 1960s. Her catlike purr and uncanny persona won her many fans, among them Orson Welles, who called her "the most exciting woman in the world." "Paris was one of her great loves," Freedman said.

"One of her first big hits was 'La Vie en Rose,'" the Edith Piaf original. AFP

Back in the limelight

Hailing from a musical family Chandrika, Radhika and Dheepaha popularly known as the Allegakoen Sisters have been singing over SLBC and appearing on Rupavahini and ITN. They sing their songs in Tamil with a touch of Western classical music they tell us. The trio was featured on Nethra Channel Eye in a special Christmas program Paalan Piranthar telecast on Christmas day and also on ITN in their 'Naththal Gee Mihira' variety program singing Tamil songs. Past pupils of Methodist College, Colombo, the three sisters are teachers now and have appeared in such programs Arangetram, Udaya Geetham, Sangaman, Ayubowan, Savasangeetha and Kalai Arangam. They have inherited their musical talents from their flautist mother Thavamani Devi who also taught them music. She had her own Carnatic classical music group comprising her family members and was well-known for her concert performances on stage and over then Radio Ceylon.

M.P.

Karuvala Gedera wins award

Karuvala Gedera the teledrama series telecast on ITN which focussed on Sri Lanka's rich heritage, culture and values with the aim of educating the younger generation on the country's history was presented an award by the Kala Vimansa Ekamuthuwa an association of artistes. The series based on Martin Wickremasinghe's famous novel was sponsored by Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC who as a rule sponsor quality teledramas.

Musical soiree

The ability to express straight - ahead swing that is so demanding to play, but accessible to listen to is a rare treat now-a-days, so join our leading musicians, as they gather today to demonstrate their skilful interpretations that swing and satisfy you. The opening set at 1.30 p.m. will see pianist Dilukshi Sirimane leading her group with Ray Gomes - bass, Ricky Senn - sax/vocals (back from Norway) and a surprise drummer.

The featured band to perform at 5.00 p.m. will be led by singer/guitarist Ruskhan Perera (who came back home on a brief holiday) with Kumar de Silva - piano, Alston Joachim and Melantha Perera - basses, and a new face in the scene Sheehan Perera - drums and guitar.

The Trio after the opening set with see bassist Basil Paiva leading a group with pianist Desmond Pompeus (back home on holiday) with Myfanwy de Silva - vocals and Royle Andrews - drums. Harsha Makalande - pianist will be in a special spotlight with Thivanthi Perera and Dominic Johnpillai - violins, Timal Jayamanne - bass, Royle Andrews - drums and Rasmar Lye - percussion.

Soul Sounds In Concert

The reputed singers Soul Sounds directed by their acknowledged director, pianist Soundarie David commence their New Year performances with a concert on January 11 at 7.30 p.m. The programme will be gospel music. Supporting Soul Sounds on keyboards will be Neranjan de Silva and Christopher Prins - drums.