Exciting musical fiesta
By Anuradha Kodagoda
The Galle Music Festival that attracted over 23,000 music lovers in
2012 is back for the fourth year with more attractions. The Galle Music
Festival 2014 brings an opportunity for all music lovers in Sri Lanka to
experience an eclectic array of music including, folk, contemporary,
classical, and fusion performed by local and international bands. This
year the Festival is incorporating a separate component for specially
selected schoolchildren in the southern region, where children studying
various performing arts can actively experience and participate at
specially organised workshops conducted by some of the local and
international artistes. This will be held on March 14 at Koggala.
  The Galle Music Festival 2014 concert will be held on March 15 from 4
pm to 11.30 pm at the Moon Bastion, in Galle Fort followed by the
Colombo Concert of the Galle Music Festival 2014 on March 17 at the
Galle Face Green, from 5.30 pm to 10.30 pm. The concerts are presented
by the Sevalanka Foundation, together with Royal Norwegian Embassy,
Rikskonsertene and Aru Sri Art Theatre. All events are free.
International groups
Ten Sing (Norway)
Ten Sing is an international youth program engaging teenagers in
creative performing arts. It was founded in Norway in 1968 by the YMCA
and YWCA to give youth an alternative after school activity. The group
consists of about 20 people (19-21) from all over the country, with
experience from their local Ten Sing-groups. Every year Ten Sing Norway
creates a show consisting of different creative performing arts such as
song, music, dance, drama, video/media and other creative expressions.
This year they are travelling to Sri Lanka to perform at the Galle Music
Festival and to conduct workshops with Sri Lankan school kids.
Shironamhin (Bangladesh)
Shironamhin began its journey in 1996 by jamming and performing in
campus gossip areas and streets. Its currently the most popular band in
Bangladesh and have performed nationwide and abroad, released three
albums and appeared in five mixed albums. They have a unique lyrical
ability which they play and fuse together with a wide variety of
instruments from all over the world.
Grupo Roda Viva (Brazil)
The Brazilian musical group "Roda Viva" (Wheel of life) is formed by
young musicians from the city of Niterķi (Rio de Janeiro). The focus of
the group is to revive samba and 'choro' the popular traditional musical
genres in Brazil. Roda Viva comprises Mariana Braga (voice), Bruno
Campos (acoustic guitar), Daniel Scisinio (small acoustic guitar - also
called cavaquinho), Gustavo Carvalho (Percussion) and Yuri Portella
(Percussion).
DonnBhat and Passenger Revelator (India)
DonnBhat and Passenger Revelator is an upcoming and vibrant band that
started performing in 2013. In one year they have created a unique space
for themselves in rock, electro, psychedelic, fusion, folk, Dn'B and
electronic. DonnBhat is a Music Producer/Songwriter/Guitar player based
out of Mumbai. Renowned Sarangi player Suhail Yusuf Khan will also join
DonnBhat and Passenger Revelator.
Sa breen Association for Artistic Development (Palestine)
Sabreen is a strong hub for individuals and organisations from all
artistic backgrounds and disciplines. It is recognised locally and
internationally and operates through its main office in Jerusalem and
branch office in Bethlehem. Sabreen focuses on live and public
performances, networking with musicians, public productions and music in
schools.
 It conducts school concerts, live performances, and music education
workshops for students, music teachers and the general public in the
Palestinian territories including Jerusalem, the west Bank, and Gaza.
This is their fourth consecutive year of performing at GMF and JMF in
Sri Lanka. Sabreen are great performers and past Sri Lankan audiences
have been on their feet dancing in appreciation.
Local artistes
Classical Groups
Oriental Music Orchestra
Sri Lanka's first multi-ethnic oriental music orchestra, showcasing
diverse ethnic and regional musical traditions in the country, will
perform again at the Galle Music Festival 2014. The Oriental Music
Orchestra works towards bringing together talented youngsters from
different ethnic groups in Sri Lanka.
Folk Groups
Tony Hassan and Orchestra
Tony Hassan is a remarkable playback singer who has performed over
the past 50 years in combination with his well-known oriental band. The
group's main forte is music from the 60s to the 90s and contemporary
music in different languages such as Hindi, Sinhala, Tamil, and Malay
along with Western Oriental folk and pop music catering to a wide
audience.
Sokari Dance in Sri Lanka
Sokari is one form of traditional dramatic performances in Sri Lanka
which is performed as a ritual offering to Goddess Pattini. This
performance is unique to the Kandyan area and mostly performed in
Kamatha (threshing floor). The musical instruments used for the Sokari
drama performances are the Getabera, Udakki and Horanewa. This year a
group from Kalundewa will be performing at the Galle Music Festival.
Isai Nadakam
Isai Nadakam is a Hindu cultural drama that tells a story of how the
truth always wins. IsaiNadakam is performed mainly during Hindu ritual
ceremonies like Mahasivarathri and Navarathri during the span of the
night. The drama is performed through dialog and vocal music.
Nondi Nadakam
Nondi Nadagam is one of the oldest plays among the Tamils. It is
performed by Thenmodikoothu from Batticaloa. It contains melodious songs
and graceful dance movements. The story depicts a cunning "nondi" who
cheated a naīve merchant and the punishment he received by the local
chiefs. Produced by the Department of Music, Swami Vipulanandha
Institute of Aesthietic Studies of the Eastern University, and assisted
by the Theatre Lab, Batticaloa. With artist directions by Prof. S.
Maunaguru and assistant director, Ms. PriyadharshiniJatheeswaran.
Contemporary Groups
Marians
 The well-loved local 'Marians' have been causing a stir since 1988.
This nine piece band, led by Nalin Perera is known for their magical
live performances, which are music to the eyes and the ears. Originally
from the coastal town of Chillaw, these boys formed the band when they
were still at school. Since then they have gone on to be legendary
performers.
Naadro
Local masters of percussion, Naadro, will have you entranced by their
electrifying rhythm. Their unique sound is created using traditional
percussion instruments from Sri Lanka and a range of other cultures.
Front man Ruwan Weerasekera has a rich theoretical knowledge of
classical music, and years of experience in various musical styles. With
this impressive resume he has led the band to international acclaim.
nATANDA
nATANDA is a modern dance company, the first of its kind in Sri
Lanka, based in Colombo founded as a non- profit organisation by Kapila
Palihawadana in 2002, who was trained in Modern dance in Germany.
nATANDA dancers are trained in modern and traditional Sri Lankan dance;
they have performed nationally as well as internationally and conducted
dance workshops so far to over 2000 young people.
Thriloka
Thriloka is a fusion band from Sri Lanka, formed in 2005. Their music
is influenced by traditional Sri Lankan music, psychedelic and
progressive rock, with an emphasis on improvisation. Their debut
album,Bisura was released in 2007, followed by Nirmanarathiya in 2010.
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