The Look
of Diana Krall
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Top jazz singer Diana Krall is the star of this week's 'Original
Music Competition', which is organised by M- Entertainment in
collaboration with TV Times. Singer/pianist Diana Krall got
her musical education, when she was growing up in Nanaimo, British
Columbia, from the classical piano lessons she began at age
four and in her high school jazz band, but mostly from her father,
a stride piano player with an extensive record collection. "I
think Dad has every recording Fats Waller ever made," she
said, "and I tried to learn them all."
Krall
attended the Berklee College of Music on a music scholarship
in the early '80s, then moved to Los Angeles, where she lived
for three years before moving to Toronto. By 1990, she was based
in New York, performing with a trio and singing. After releasing
her first album on Justin Time Records, Krall was signed to
GRP for her second, Only Trust Your Heart and transferred to
its Impulse! division for her third, a Nat "King"
Cole Trio tribute album called All for You, Love Scenes followed
in 1997, and in late 1998, she issued the seasonal Have Yourself
a Merry Little Christmas. When I Look in Your Eyes followed
in 1999.
Whatever notoriety Krall had earned over the years for her work
exploded with this album, which became an international best
seller and earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Performance.
It also was the first Jazz album to be nominated for Album of
the Year in twenty five years Krall's crossover success followed
her as she performed in the Lilith Fair the following year and
her songs cropped up everywhere from episodes of Sex in the
City(see last week's TV Times) to films like Midnight in the
Garden of Good and Evil.
In 2001
she released The Look of Love. The album topped the Billboard
charts and went quintuple platinum in Canada, the first by
a Canadian jazz artist to do so. The Original CDs and Cassettes
of this album are available at all M Entertainment preferred
dealers. All winners of previous contests can collect their
prizes from Maharaja Entertainment (Pvt) Ltd., at 330, T.B.
Jayah Mw., Colombo 10.
To enter this contest, all you have to do is to answer the
question on the coupon No.74 and send it to the address given
below.
The address is
"Listen to Original Music Contest, No. 74, C/o Maharaja
Entertainments (Pvt.) Ltd., 330, T. B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo
10.
Tell: + 941672425-8, Fax + 941699070. E Mail: me@lgo.lk
All the entries must be originals from the TV Times and no
photocopies or faxes will be entertained. All correct entries
will be drawn by a panel of judges.
The entries
should reach the above address by May28, the latest. The decision
of the judges will be final and the names of the winners will
be announced in The Sunday TV Times accordingly. Here are
the winners of contest no. 70 . The winners of two Sony original
CDs are Sharon Bertus of Kandana and Vindhya Abeykoon of Peradeniya.
Two audio
cassette winners are Jaliya Hewagamage of Borelasgamuwa and
Chamara Jayasinghe of Borelasgamuwa. 10% off gift Vouchers
go to A. Pushpanathan of Dehiwela, C.J. Roland Anthony of
Ragama, Chanaka Perera of Kirulapone, Reeshan Thunku Ousmand
of Nawalapitiya, Lawanya Samarasinghe of Kandy and M.L.M.
Fathah of Colombo 2.
Posters
winners are Sajith C. Jayasinghearachchi of Bandarawela, Champika
Ruwanjith of Galle, Ayosha Semasinghe of Kandy, Amali Wickremasinghe
of Kandana and Huang Haikao of Colombo 12.
'Purple Rings': New trio in
town
"Purple Rain" is history and movie 'Lords of the
Rings' is the latest from Hollywood to hit our screen. "Purple
Rings" sounds something new and different. "Purple
Rings" has three lords but they are not warriors but
talented musicians.
The compact band "Purple Rain" started their stint
few months ago and already they are in the picture of the
local music scene.
The talented
three lords of the Rings are Nishtha Lakmal Fernando (Leader
and guitarist), Nalin Fernando (Keyboards) and Chamara Mendis
on bass.
These three guys from Moratuwa has secured the performances
at Eden Hotel and Lihiniya Surf Hotel.
According
to Lakmal, the boys are capable of catering to any audiences
and they play oldies to current chart hits, Sinhala songs,
bailas as well as country and club, and dance music according
to the occasion.
'Bonsoir'
marks Vesak
Bonsoir tomorrow night takes you to the Sambodhi Vihare in
Colombo for a special programme to mark Vesak Poya wwhich
falls this weekend. Join host Kumar de Silva as he talks to
the Ven. Kusala Dhamma Thera about the practice of paying
homage to the Buddha statues, and then to well-known sculptor
Ariyawansa Weerakkody about the special physical characteristics
of Buddha statues.
Archaeologist
Prof. Zemaryalai Tarzi of the University of Strasbourg in
Western France talks about the Buddha statues in the Bamyian
valley in Afghanistan, while artist/sculptor Bandu Manamperi
presents a different angle about the commercialization of
Buddha statues.
This special
programme closes with a visit to the "Temple of a Thousand
Buddhas" in Central France where devotees learn the art
of meditation.
Bonsoir on Monday, May 20 at 8.30 p.m. on ITN
'Miriguwen
Eha' has Lucky touch
Lucky Dias, seems to be extremely lucky in all what he has
attempted to do in life. After nearly 15 years of performing
on the silver and also on the mini screens he has turned his
attention to producing a telefilm.
His achievements
as a producer included 'Sahas Gaw Dura' which was rated the
most popular teledrama in 2000 and an other two tele plays
'Sohoyuro' and 'Kemmura' which won 'the Best Teledrama' and
'the most popular teledrama' awards at the Sumathi TV show.
In addition to these Lucky had walked away with seven major
awards for the role of producer in recent times.
Lucky
was also the producer of 'Sanasili Suwanda', which has become
one of the favourite TV serials among the viewers currently.
"Miriguwen Eha", which is telecast on ITN at 7.30
every Sunday from today is the latest attempt of Lucky where
he plays duel roles as the main actor and the producer.
Written
by Sunanda Silva the story unfolds the tale of Wimaladasa,
a clever worker who won the heart of his superior, yet had
to sacrifice everything for the sake love. Wimaladasa worked
in Samarajeewa's grocery and his efficiency won him the owner's
affection. But all these comes to an end when Samarajeewa
hears about the affair Wimaladasa had with Samarajeewa's daughter
Amarangani. Fired from the job Wimaladasa dreams of reaching
the same situation his one time chief had achieved.
For this he uses Piyawathi, an affluent money lender's daughter.
Wimaladasa starts an affair with Piyawathi. It wasn't for
love but for some other ulterior motive. Amarangani with much
reluctance gets into wedlock with 'Podi Mahaththaya' a play
boy in the area. The son-in-law squanders all Samarajeewa's
wealth and even goes to the extent of mortgaging the house
he lived with Amarangani.
Having waited for a chance to teach a lesson to the former
boss, Wimaladasa offers plans to buy Amarangani's house. 'Podi
Mahaththaya' who also is a thug tries every trick he knew
to avoid the embarrassment that is going to be caused by Wimaladasa.
But 'Miriguwen
Eha' takes a dramatic turn when Podi Mahaththaya spots the
couple in each other's company. In the midst of all these
developments another underworld character named 'Ranji' appears
on the scene to fight 'Podi Mahaththaya'.
Would
'Ranji' be able to control furious Podi Mahaththaya? Would
Amarangani and Wimaladasa become a happy couple in the face
of opposition from Podi Mahaththaya? What is the future of
Piyawathi?
All these
will be answered as 'Miriguwen Eha' unfolds on the screen
continue.
With Lucky others in the cast are Geetha Kanthi Jayakody,
Jaya sri Chandrajith, Milinda Perera, Saranapala Jayasuriya
and Rathna Sumanapala. Malani Fonseka does the direction,
while Saman Sigera handles the camera. Music director is Rohana
Weerasinghe.
'Agni
Dahaya' another Chandrasiri contribution
By Susitha R. Fernando
Jayantha Chandrasiri one of the Sri Lanka's leading dramatists
and playwrights has taken his maiden cinema attempt "Agni
Dahaya" (Fire and water) to Australia on an invitation
for special screening of the film. The show sponsored by Scat's
Organisation, a non-profit making institution devoting itself
to promote culture and tradition, is scheduled to screen the
film in Melbourne today while holding two other shows in Sydney
on 25 and Canberra on June 2.
The film
depicting a destabilised Lanka politically in the late 17th
century portrays the human relationships of people living
in an up-country village while it dissects qualities like
love, hatred and other emotions of man. The backdrop for the
film is set in the year 1664, when Rajasinghe II was the King
of the Kandyan Kingdom in Lakdiva (Sri Lanka). During this
time kingdom was hemmed in by the Dutch who controlled the
maritime provinces of the island and threatened within his
own kingdom by a rebel lord, Ambanwala Rala (Sanath Gunathilake),
who enjoyed some support from influential Kandyan chiefs as
well as those who wielded considerable civil power in the
villages. The story revolves around the lives of four principal
characters in Punchi Rala, Sobana, Kirimenike and Herath Mudiyanse.
Punchi
Rala played by talented Jackson Anthony, an exorcist and supporter
of Ambanwala Rala; had a reputation of being able to charm
and entrap women with his black magic. His assistant cum student,
Sobana (Kamal Addararachchi) who is half-brute, half-man,
is captivated by the woman Kirimenike (Yashoda Wimaladharma)
and goes to the extent of indulging in his voyeuristic urges
doing the unsanctioned act of peeping through the window while
she is asleep. Almost caught in the act, Sobana deftly uses
his connections with Punchi Rala to escape the wrath of the
villagers. Thus, Kirimenike's man, Herath (Buddadasa Vithanarachchi)
begins to nurse a certain grudge against Punchi Rala whom
he suspects has eyes on his woman. This anger explodes one
night when Herath attacks Punchi Rala.
Herath
is later murdered by Sobana who takes up residence with Kirimenike.
Punchi Rala for once having failed to "capture"
a woman he has set his eyes on, quietly turns his attention
to the rebellion. The rebellion which takes place on December
21 is only partially successful. The rebels overthrow the
government but fails to kill the king. Rajasinghe flees to
Dihiliya. The rebels distribute the titles among themselves
leaving the throne empty. Punchi Rala now endowed with the
title of Korale or provincial chief assumes even more power
in the area. Sobana who is not happy with the way things are
unfolding flees to Sabaragamuwa, a province that favoured
Rajasinghe.
In Sabaragamuwa,
the half-man not only graduates into full human form but builds
up his self image to the extent that he is soon recognised
as an eminently qualified exorcist. Meanwhile, Rajasinghe
wins back his kingdom. The rebels in turn flee. Everyone captured
is killed except for Ambanwala Rala. Punchi Rala escapes and
deciding to lie low for a while, comes to Sobana.
Sobana
plagued by jealousy at having to keep watch while Punchi Rala
was alone inside the house with Kirimenike, sharpened by the
ambitious being that he had become, makes certain historical
decisions. Sobana betrays Punchi Rala to the King's men and
Punchi Rala betrays Sobana.
Jayantha
Chandrasiri through his efforts had tried to depict our traditional
culture and arts which have been sidelined and kept away from
the people. Having begun his career as a tele play director
with 'Weda Hamine' (Woman Doctor) which depicts the power
of traditional medicine, the award winning director had made
plays that are related to Sri Lankan history and heritage.
Some of his other teledramas like 'Dandubasnamanaya' and 'Akala
Sandya' has done justice to his ability as a film maker by
capturing the attention of the TV audience during the days
they were telecast.
In
response to a question about this special interest in the
cultural themes Jayantha said "Compared to other nations
we are a small country but we have inherited a rich, powerful
culture and heritage". "Some of these could be applied
for the today's world as well" he added. "It is
not only our past that is rich but our intellectual heritage
that is outstanding. This may be due to the Buddhistic attitude
and philosophy which we are closely associated with"
Jayantha explained.
"As
a creative artist I am much influenced by the Buddhist way
of living and thinking. I feel like a man guarding a treasure
who does not want to leave the treasure lest it might be lost",
the experimenting film maker said. When asked what his main
aim in making films Jayantha said "It was mainly to make
my fellow human beings understand better the society they
live in. This is not a difficult task since we have a good
audience."
Speaking
on the recent achievements in the international arena and
the future of the Sri Lankan cinema Jayantha said " with
the cinematic efforts of people specially like Prasanna Vithanage,
Ashoka Handagama and Somaratne Disanayake we have taken a
great leap forward in this field. Their works had brought
our cinema to a new high. We all must thank them. And I believe
the day will not be far away when we would be able to make
internationally recognised cinema of our own with these filmmakers
around us".
British
Award for Golden Sun
Guests of JMC has selected Golden Sun Resort in Kalutara as
a 'Highly Commended' hotel for 'All Inclusive' operation for
the year 2001. JMC is the leading British Tour Operator to
Sri Lanka at present. The survey carried out by the JMC has
selected 32 hotels in the world to receive this award in the
category of Long Haul Operation. Significance of this Award
is that the Golden Sun Resort managed to win in its first
year of All Inclusive Operation.
The award
was presented to Upul D Gamage, General Manager of the Resort
by Chris Greenlah, Contracting Manager of JMC. The event took
place at the Aitken Spence Office in the presence of Prema
Cooray, Chairman of Aitken Spence group and Manil de Mel,
Managing Director of Aitken Spence Travels.
Golden
Sun Resort is a 100 roomed Beach Resort of Aitken Spence Hotels.
Opened in 1998 the Hotel is a BOI investment of Yenom Holdings
of Singapore.
Banquet and Conference facilities of the Resort have so far
being fully utilized by the Business community of Sri Lanka.
In the aftermath of July 2001 Airport attack the hotel too
faced the reduced level of tourists.
During
this time, Golden Sun managed to keep afloat with the Conference
and Banquet revenues. Golden Sun Resort is very popular with
Sri Lankan families for its layout of the hotel. Children
on the Pool side and play area spend most of their holiday
ending up with a Dark tan.
Italian
food show at Galadari
Top Italian Food will be on show at the "Coffee Shop"
of the Galadari Hotel from June 1 to 7. Two top Italian chefs
will be flown in for the fiesta to cater authentic Italian
cuisine. Also entire fare from spices to sauces too will be
brought from Milan. Chefs Tommaso Ruggieri and Sabino Cardinale
will be in Galadari by the end of this month to do the preparation
for the festival.
Dead man lives again
A Nigerian man,who was certified dead,came back to life after
three days!
The man was driving out of his village when the vehicle he
was travelling in crashed into a tree.The accident proved
fatal.His doctors, the Funeral Director, the Mortician and
many others certified that he was dead.In fact he was lying
in his coffin when life returned to him. See this miracle
on VCD.There will be a special screening of this miraculous
happening, entitled 'Risen from the Dead', at the 'Colombo
2000', Galadari Hotel on Monday, 20th May, 2002 at 6.30 p.m.,organised
by SOUL - The Seekers Of Unconditional Love.
Be there and witness a modern day miracle.
Charitha Hathak at Carey College
The Men's Fellowship of Nugegoda Baptist Church presents Wilson
Gunaratne's "Charitha Hathak" on the 25th of May
at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. to be staged at Carey College Auditorium,
Kynsey Road, Colombo 8. The Pastor and the Men's Fellowship
members request your presence in supporting their need to
build up funds for work to be continued with the poor in mind,
specially with families displaced in border villages beyond
Anuradhapura.
Cultural
Circle For The YouthCultural Circle For The Youth of Sri Lanka
(CCFYSL) is the newest council works on youth activities on
art and culture.
Priyantha Samarakoon, the Director of CCFYSL, said the idea
of starting this council is to bring the scattered talents
to the limelight.
We will
provide training in cinema, television acting, stage performances,
singing, music, dancing and media free of charge. The funds
will be channelled through sponsors, and donors for the activities,
he said. Those who are keen can contact the council for more
details.
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