• Chandimal sings for Bridgeteens
• Originality galore 'On Stage'
• YA-TV's Mihisara creates environmental awareness
• Focus on Child rights
• Sumathi Tele Awards
• Lankan success at WTM 2000

Chandimal sings for Bridgeteens

The show is organized by the School Development Society of St. Bridget's Convent and Chandimal is really doing the entire concert free for the school.

There will be about 17 specially created dancing items during the concert. Chandimal will be playing for about 120 minutes and after the interval Batiya and Santhush will be playing for about 60 minutes.

Originality galore 'On Stage'

By Rochelle Jansen

The finals of "On Stage", TNL's bid to promote talented local musicians was held on November 23, at My Kind of Place in hotel Taj.

Year 1999 saw the inception of this competition. And 2000 saw a two-fold increase in the number of entries from twenty to forty three. An additional feature of this year's competition was the categorisation of the groups into 'country/folk' and 'pop/rock'. Three weeks of preliminary rounds enabled all the bands to play their music live - the only restriction being a time limit of 45 minutes. This gave hitherto unheard talent an invaluable amount of exposure.

The nine finalists were - 'Dejavu', 'Misfits Of Music' and '2 Him' in the 'Country/folk' category. 'Ranidu Lankage', 'Blaze', 'Stigmata', 'Vibes', 'Kreb's Cycle' and 'Azlan and RA' in the 'Pop/Rock' category. Nerves were present at the commencement of each performance but the music always took over as the groups played on.

'Dejavu and 'Kreb's Cycle' emerged the winners of the evening. Arrangements, voices, instruments and group solidarity contributed to a well blended and synchronised performance by both these bands.

'Dejavu' have been playing together for the past five years, developing through the years their own distinct style. Relying mostly on their voices, this group plays cover versions and has also begun to offer originals. Although they have been together for so long, they still did not have their own sound system, so the prize won would also help them in their ambition to put together an album.

'Kreb's Cycle' on the other hand is at a more embryonic stage. Inspite of being together for almost five years, they've been playing serious music only in the past two years. Theirs is alternative music, from 'Pearl Jam' to 'Jim Blossom', and they also have ten originals to their name. They plan to use the sound equipment they received to promote 'Kreb's Cycle' as a band that offers a DJ and a group for 'gigs'.

The judges - Nimal Gunawardana, Harsha Makalanda, Mignonne Fernando, Kumar Mirchandani and Suresh Jayawickrame (prominent figures in the music industry themselves) commended all the finalists on exceptional performances, especially 'Ranidu Lankage' for a "great beat", 'Blaze' for their two originals, 'Stigmata' for a "great medley" and 'Vibes'.

Winners 'Dejavu' were complimented on their great music and 'Kreb's Cycle' on their "incredible songs". The bands were judged on showmanship, artistic expression and originality.

The contest also drew an enthusiastic response from the audience. "Very rarely do the youth of this country get a chance to make use of and show their talents," said one from the audience. Another was not only surprised at the high standard of the music but also at the fact that two bands in the 'pop/rock' category "actually played gospel music - and originals at that!"

"All we do is unto Him," said Timothy the leader of '2 Him'. "Our goal is to promote original Christian music. We're proud to be able to play Christian music." Their ensemble include a trumpet and a violin.

Members of 'Blaze' said they too play at least one Christian song at their performances. And the originals of two of its senior members Bertram and Rukshan were very well received by the audience.

' Ranidu Lankage' another talented young musician who is the rapper for Bhathiya and Santhush' also had original music to offer. Only 19, Ranidu, a prefect at Royal College, has written the score for one of Bhathiya and Santhush's originals in their new album. Says he, "Someone's gotta make a difference. Music' in my blood." He specialises in the various forms of dance music - garage, hip hop, house, jungle and aims to make Sri Lankans appreciate Sinhala dance music. Nevanthi Pieris who sang with him, and is also a back-up singer for Bhathiya and Santhush deserves special mention.

'Stigmata' comprised of school going youth who hope to release an album next year.

Those who entered for the competition ranged from the ages of sixteen to the late twenties. But age was no barrier to the magic of their music.

"Although TNL's organisation of this programme is highly commendable, maybe a different venue might have been better," said many listeners and parents at MKOP who were either flattened against a wall or standing on the staircase in a desperate effort to catch a glimpse of the performing bands. Space was definitely a problem. "Maybe the sound could have been better balanced," said another ardent supporter of 'On Stage'.

The winners of last year's competition 'Independence Square' who have become well known for their original style of music, say that "On Stage" definitely gave their career a boost. And no doubt the participants this year too have benefited from the opportunity and exposure they received.

The TV Times & Entertainment magazine and the Daily Mirror were the media sponsors of 'On Stage'. 

YA-TV's Mihisara creates environmental awareness

By Sunil Jayasiri

'Mihisara' a Sinhala language program which focuses on environmental issues around the world will be launched by the Young Asia Television.

The program explores the complexities of the environment and the inter dependence of environmental issues and its impact on the world.

The main aim of the Mihisara programme is to make a contribution towards producing a society which loves and is committed to protect the environment and treats the animals with compassion.

Viewers will be able to see a number of programmes on environmental issues from different parts of the world and also items of educational value such as Sinharaja forest and Knuckles Range.

"'Mihisara' is YA TV's attempt at reaching a wider audience with meaningful television programming in the Sinhala Language", said Arne Fjortoft President of the World view Global Media Ltd. at a press conference recently.

He said that "YA TV is created by and for young people with the primary objective of reaching young people with meaningful messages on culture, environment, social issues and sustainable development".

"Young people are future leaders who would decide on matters affecting every section of the country and region, so we have take them out", Mr. Fjortoft said.

'Mihisara', a thirty minute program will be screened every Thursday at 9 pm on Channel Eye from December 7. The television sponsors of the program is Hayleys Group and Usha Electronics).

Programme themes for the next few months include marine resources, learning about nature, urbanization, river eco-systems, animal rights and environmental policy.

YA TV launched in 1995 is created by and for young people, with a focus on Asian culture, environmental and development programs. Today YA TV reaches over 400 million viewers in 100 million Asian homes through Television networks in 10 Asian countries.

Over 40 million Asians watch YA TV every week in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and China. 

YA TV produces and broadcasts seven different programs in Sri Lanka. They include Nature Calls, Space to let, YA Tribe, a View to Tell, I-zone and two peace programmes Villippu and Sathi.

Focus on Child rights

The selected local programmes were produced by the Media House of the Open University of Sri Lanka and Cartoon House (Pvt) Limited, and screened along with outstanding productions from diverse Asian lands such as Japan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The Open University production, a 26-minute, single episode teledrama titled "Of An Event Foretold', an adaptation from the Sinhala version 'Kumarilage Kathawa' was directed by Dr. Buddhi Weerasinghe and sponsored by the Sri Lanka Urban Multi-hazard Disaster Management Project, and tells the story of a family affected by landslides. Made in 1999 and telecast over Rupavahini this production was aimed at raising public awareness regarding landslide hazards and other natural disasters.

Cartoon House entered 15 one-minute animation spots focused on child's rights, as laid out in the UN convention on the Rights of the Child. Sponsored by Unilever Ceylon these spots were produced on behalf of Sarvodaya Legal Service Movement. The series directed by Chandana Fernando and produced by Palitha Lakshman de Silva, was launched in July this year and telecast over many channels.

Sumathi Tele Awards

The teledramas broadcast in all the channels from April 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000 narratives and episodes will be taken into consideration. At the awards ceremony which will be held with the participation of National Youth Services Council 7 youth awards will be presented, to youths who are in the television field recommended by the NYSC.

Cash awards and bronze replicas will be presented to the selectees in 36 fields, including television advertisements. Special cash prizes will be awarded to two male and female artistes who have done yeoman service to the field in commemoration of late Mr. U.W. Sumathipala.

In the past D.B. Nihalsingha, Titus Thotawatte, Gamini Fonseka, Hugo Fernando, Denawaka Hamine, Joe Abeywickrama and K.A.W. Perera were honoured with this award.

Lankan success at WTM 2000

The Ceylon Tourist Board made elaborate arrangements to make a strong presence felt especially considering the fact that the UK produces the most number of tourists to Sri Lanka. The national airline and the local travel trade with an increased contingent of over 110 representatives participated in the promotion occupying the Sri Lankan pavilion of 165 square metres making it the highest Sri Lankan representation ever at the WTM.

Sri Lanka's pavilion featured the special theme "Isle of festivals" projecting Sri Lanka's unique diversity in cultural and religious festivals that take place throughout the year. The main ceremony took place at the Sri Lanka pavilion on November 13 with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by Mangala Moonasinghe, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner, in UK.

An eight member cultural troupe performed "Sounds and Rhythms of Sri Lanka" to entertain the visitors at WTM and also to shed an insight to the fine art of dance and music of Sri Lanka. Visitors to the Sri Lankan pavilion had the opportunity of enjoying a cup of freshly brewed Ceylon Tea.

On the second day of the WTM Sri Lanka Annual Tourism Awards Night was held at the Forum Hotel in London attended by over 225 guests. At this occasion the Ceylon Tourist Board, Sri Lankan Airlines and the travel and tourism industry of Sri Lanka recognised the contribution made by UK travel and tourism industry towards promoting Sri Lanka for the UK traveller.

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