Royal ready for seventh Saga

By Anuradha KODAGODA

For the seventh consecutive year Saga franchise will dazzle audiences at the newly opened 'Nelum Pokuna' Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, on February 2 and 3. The event is organised by the School Development Society of Royal College.

Talking to the Sunday Observer, the school music teacher Ashoka Pushpakumara said, "It's a great opportunity for the students of Royal College to showcase their talents in music and on the other hand, it's a great honour that the Seventh Saga could be held at the newly opened 'Nelum Pokuna' Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre".

"All the previous years we tried our best to organise the event up to a great standard which we think we were successful and this year too we are ready to deliver the best show", Ashoka said.

The concept that eventually became famous as "Saga" was conceived by the Principal of Royal College, Upali Gunasekara in the year 2004. Originally intended to be a simple musical show, Saga soon evolved into its present level of entertainment and grandeur bringing into the spotlight multiple aesthetic fields including; Eastern and Western Music as well as Dancing. Saga has consistently set the standard for this type of inter-school musical event.

"The name "Saga" was proposed by Aruna de Silva, based on the legendary Greek poet Homer"s epics the Odyssey and Iliad, which are considered to be "Sagas" unparallel in English Literature.

In addition, the term had meaning in music as well, referring to the Sinhalese version of solfège, a system used to learn to sing musical scales," Kaveesh explained about the means of Saga.

"There are 55 students involved in the orchestra and it is not only a symphony orchestra but they are well trained for applied music as well. Saga has gone through multiple changes and faced many challenges throughout its seven year run.

However, it has always remained true to its ethos and fundamental principle of providing aspiring young performers with an opportunity to showcase their talents on a grand stage alongside established professionals in the industry," Ashoka added.

"Saga VII will be the first show of its kind organised by a school to be performed at the 'Nelum Pokuna' Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre which is a great honour to the school. This year's show will include performances by highly talented young musicians from several of Sri Lanka's leading schools," said a member of the media unit and a student of Royal College, Kaveesh Weerawardhana.

"Adding to the attraction and completing the already strong line-up will be guest performances by several Sri Lankan well- known musicians such as Dushyanth Weeraman, Naadro, Mihindu from the acclaimed band "Nemesis", the legend of Sri Lankan music industry Amarasiri Peiris as well as the extremely versatile and profusely talented duo, Athula Adikari and Samitha Mudunkotuwa," Kaveesha said.

The performers will be backed by the much lauded and acclaimed Royal College Orchestra, which is considered to be one of the best school-boy Orchestras in the island.