The Avurudu season is just
around the corner and like the Koha bird that wings its way into our
hearts annually, the Sri Lankan band Jayasri will be back in April to
meet with their fans. Writing to us from Austria, Jayasri reminded us
that “educating people with messages, music and conscious lyrics is an
important role in our Jayasri music”.
 The
band of course was referring to their latest reggae track “Keep Lanka
Clean - Kunu Dannepo” which appeals to the people to keep the country
clean and to enter the world of recycling, a subject hitherto not
attempted in song. In collaboration with Sri Lanka’s Environmental
Authorities a video will be released soon, the song is now being aired
on all the radio stations in Sri Lanka.
This is not the only song released in the national interest by
Jayasri. We all know of their laudable remake of their old track
regarding the restoring peace in our country. calling it Sri Lanka
2009’, Jayasri added a special drum version to it courtesy Ravibandu
Vidyapathy, vocals by Visharadh Deepika Priyadarshani and Nirosha
Virajini together with Rohitha and Rohan of Jayasri.
The new lyrics were written by Bandula Nanayakkarawasam. The video
was released in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Tourist Board and
released on our National Day this year.
This summer in Vienna, Jayasri tell us that they will be performing
at most of the open air Festivals that will be held for the summer
season. “We will be performing for the United Nations IAEA Ball with
many of the international bands in Vienna’s historic Hotburg Palace. The
World Music Festival, Reggae Jam, the Rototom Sunsplash in Italy, Reggae
in River in Slovenia will be some of the major concerts which are
confirmed.”
The good news about their reggae songs is that Jamaica’s RJR Radio,
Radio Jamaica, Irie FM are playing their songs Situkumariye, See Devi
and Janapadakalyani, which is great to have our own Sinhala reggae
amongst the legendary reggae greats. Remember Jayasri’s Juliette? Well,
the song has been chosen by Fusion Radio in Seattle to celebrate the
station’s 6th anniversary show.
- Mahes
Deepthi Wijetunge wins Telenisa Award
 The
Telemakers Guild which was launched 15 years ago was created for the
purpose of recognising the creative artistry of those involved in the
production of television dramas and programs.
The 15th anniversary of the Guild was held recently at the Mahaweli
Centre, Colombo. Deepthi Wijethunge, the Organising Secretary of the
Telemakers Guild was honoured with the award for the year 2008 for
serving the Guild with utmost dedication and is seen receiving the
Telenisa Chairman award from Sudath Rohana, Chairman of the Guild.
Making a difference with their music is the duo ‘Klaviola’ who have
been performing for quite sometime and have been a huge success. They
are now featured at the elegant California Grill Restaurant, Galadari
Hotel, on Friday nights weekly.
Klaviola comprises Rasika Dinesh Hewage - viola and Nuwan Vithanage -
piano With their repertoire of Classical Music, Klaviola has created a
wide fan base for themselves and find the California Grill an ideal
niche to express their artistry.
 A
performing member of the Sri Lanka Symphony Orchestra and the `Krasna’
String Chamber Orchestra, Rasika Dinesh Hewage started his music career
as a child learning Oriental music under his father D.A. Hewage.
“I moved on to study Western classical music under Ananda Dabare who
moulded me into the violist I am today. I acquired my Diploma in Viola
performance held by the Trinity college of Music, London” says Rasika.
More recently he played in the South Asia Orchestra Week which was held
in Japan 2007 and was a member of the combined orchestra that performed
for Bizet’s Pearl Fishers opera which was staged in Sri Lanka.
Pianist Nuwan Vithanage too is a performing member of the Sri lanka
Symphony Orchestra and the Krasna String Chamber and coincidentally he
learnt Oriental music initially before he switched to learning Western
music at St. Sylvester’s College and Kingswood College in Kandy.
Although he plays viola for the Symphony Orchestra his passion was for
the piano.
“In Kandy I learnt the piano under Mangalika Fonseka and Bridget
Halpe and enjoy singing in Halpe’s choir’, voices Nuwan. His interests
extend to composing and directing music for children’s teledramas. Danga
Malla and Anne are two in particular and the stage play Sellam Gedara,
which gave him the opportunity to carry off the Best Music Director
Award at the All Island Drama Competition in 1995.
“I was also a member of the orchestra that played at the South Asia
Orchestra Week 2007 in Japan and the Pearl Fishers Opera.
At present I lecture Western music at the Sri Jayawardenepura
University and I hold a degree in Hindustani music.It goes without
saying that the duo Klaviola entertain you in a different key at the
California Grill on Fridays, with their elegant music which enhances
your evening at the restaurant that has earned a reputation for its
sophisticated cuisine created by the dancing chef Anushan Perera.
The Goethe Institut, Sri Lanka will present the famous German
electronic music band ‘Mouse on Mars’ at the Barefoot Gallery on Tuesday
April 7 at 7 p.m.
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Mouse on Mars |
Lovers of electronic music watch out! ‘Cos you will experience a mind
blowing act by one of the most innovative and influential bands in
electronic music. It was way back in 1993 that the trio was formed by
the keybandists of the band Jan. St. Werner and Andi Toma.
`Mouse on Mars’ according to critics has proved that it is possible
to write and perform sophisticated music as part of a theoretical frame
work and let it rock.
So you are invited to bring your dancing shoes and your thinking cap,
on that evening.
The trio’s sound links them to the club music scene, what with their
many remixes which has attracted the music world. Emerging from the
shadow of the band Kraftwerk, Mouse on Mars has chalked up success in
England, Japan and the United States.
In Germany’s booming electronic scene, the trio has given a
generation of young musicians toiling between dance floor and
independent rock, techno and house, guitar and sampler the opportunity
to make their music a force.
Mouse on Mars comprises Jan St. Werner - effects, and keyboards, Andi
Toma - effects and keyboards and Dodo Nkishi - percussion. |
