| TV
Times
|
||||||
|
'Le
Garage Night 2003' at Le Kandyan The above picture
shows Le Kandyan Restaurant Manager - Anura Siriwardana, YES FM
Promotion Manager- Fazal Burah, popular YES FM DJ Mike Raly, DJ
Michael, YES FM DJ Tom Hart, Resident DJ Shiran D with Le Kandyan
'Le Garage' Dicotheque Manager - Rehan N. Razeen. The revellers enjoying the DJ music ( Top right) and the dance compitions by the popular dancers doing the Balloon Dance. (Below right) 'Sooriya
Show' - A sell out For many, there
were nostalgic memories of what they enjoyed in their teens, 20's
and 30's. The evergreen melodies, especially from the pen of the
late Clarence Wijewardena and the songs of Annesley Malawana, Indrani
Perera, A. E. Manoharan, La Bambas, Dalreen Suby, Noeline Honter,
Paul Fernando, Dharmaratne Brothers and others came alive again
with a new found splendour to a hand-clapping and toe-tapping audience
that evidently enjoyed themselves beyond measure. The compere,
Vijaya Corea, who was at the helm of the Sooriya Show at all times
in the past was at his best, sounding just the same as he did before
the microphone then - if not even better! His mellifluous voice
unfolded the history of Sooriya Records and Sinhala Pop with the
use of a rich vocabulary and the luster of the highest expression
of professionalism. DR Entertainments
presented the show and made an award to Mr. Gerald Wickremasooriya,
who also received an award of recognition from Torana Music for
his contribution to the entertainment world through Sooriya Records.
Interestingly, Vijaya Corea narrated how the "Sooriya Show"
came to be staged after so many years. Last year, Damayantha Kuruppu
and Rajiv Sebastian of DR Entertainments had been in his home, seeking
his input for arranging the show titled "70's to the Millenium"
when, during his rememberances of the 70's and the music and musicians
of that time, he mentioned the name of Mr. Gerald Wickremasooriya
who had pioneered both Sooriya Records and the Sooriya Show. He
stated how he had, during that casual conversation, said that it
always seems to be the case that, when a man of achievement is alive,
getting on in years and spending his retirement, he is left alone,
but when his demise occurs, many come forward to make statements,
write appreciations and pay tributes but the person who is dead
cannot see nor hear those accolades. It is better,
he had said, that these things be done in the lifetime of an individual
so as to give him or her the well deserved joy. It was Vijaya Corea
who had suggested, with those comments, that the Sooriya Show be
held at the BMICH just one more time with the same artistes who
appeared in former times as a tribute to Mr. Gerald Wickremasooriya.
Damayantha and Rajiv were spontaneous in both agreeing and picking
up the idea and, thus, last Sunday we saw the glamour and glitter
of the show go on the boards with great success and the appreciation
of all who were present. The show lasted for four hours. Nobody
felt the time go by. There was also
a tribute within a tribute during the second half when the presenters
sprang a pleasant surprise on the man whom they described as being
worthy of national honour for all that he had done to foster and
promote both Sinhala Pop music and musicians who, through his efforts,
not only found a spring board to a career but also a means of livelihood.
DR Entertainments
went on, to the accompaniment of the thunderous applause of the
audience, to present an award of appreciation to Vijaya Corea, who
has been referred to as the godfather of the stars of the 70's. All in all, it was a show well done by those who had done well! Summer
fests around Europe for Jayasri 'Since we do
the frontline singing, our band members are not getting the limelight.
Whenever we perform in Sri Lanka, only myself, Rohan and Aruna come.
Because the rest are non-Sri Lankans and it is very difficult to
bring the whole band for a short stint", Rohitha has written
in a special letter to TV Times recently. The full Jayasri
comprises Rohitha on vocals, acoustic guitar and ethnic percussion,
Rohan Rooki on vocals and bass, Aruna on guitar and keyboards, King
Parvez (from Bangladesh) on vocals and keyboards, Moses (African)
on Latin and African percussion and Jurgen on drums. According to Rohitha, band will be on tour during the summer holidays. They will perform in Modenna in Italy, Austria, Germany, Cyprus and in Turkey. "France, Canada and Australia also on line but it is not yet finalized", he said. "In the
tour we will be performing at some of the top events in Europe.
Frankfurt City Festival, 2003 Catamaran World Championship in Turkey,
MTV and Raggae, Summer Festivals in Italy and Cyprus are some of
the outstanding events", he said. "Also
we perform at the concerts organized by Sri Lankan communities living
in Europe", he added. Their 'Banditos
Bonitos' new single "Juliet" is now fully on air in Europe
for radio promotions, released worldwide through Splitt Entertainment
and BMG Europe, Published by Plannet Entertainment. "May and June we will be on a promotion tour through Europe and some other countries as well, including interviews on major TV and Radio Channels such as MTV Europe, VIVA, RTL, NBC International", Rohitha has written in his letter. 'Jayasri 3', the third album, of 'Jayasri' is now underway and the boys are hoping to bring the latest album home during the December season. Browse wwwjayasri.net for more details. Shaky
to rock Abu Dhabi Shaky is the
very first and the only Sri Lankan to perform at an exclusive Japanese
Club for Japanese audiences for over six months. 'I was in a
place called 'Cassablanca Club' in Kobe. I performed daily at this
club on a contract basis for more than 25 weeks, he said. Shaky also
performed in Germany on four occasions in different in different
cities. At present
he performs at Blue Oceanic, Sea Shells and Browns Beach Hotel in
Negombo and Club Palm Bay in Marawila four times a week. Shaky has about
four audio cassettes to his credits. 'I released 'Kandulu' about twelve years ago. It was my first audio with original songs. 'Creations' was the second one while I was in Nuwara-Eliya. 'Dinapothen' is the third and 'Halawatha Janapriya Geetha' is the latest one. At the moment I am working on my new CD. But it will take time since I have to perform in Abu-Dhabi, he explained.
Musician Sarath
Goonawardena has selected the new President of the MAF for the year
2003/4. Popular singer
Saman de Silva was elected as Vice President. Thilak de Mel and
Lincoln de Silva as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Sarath had
won 'Asoka Peiris Award' for the best member in the year 1995. Founder
of the band 'Cambrians' in 1968 and Country Boys in early 70's he
played for Deep Radiants 'Rhythm Knights' and at present performs
as a solo musician. Musician Thilak is an ardent member of MAF, who handled several charity programmes successfully. He played with Humming Birds and Paragons. Saman is the
Front Line Singer of 'Saman & The Clan'. Treasurer Lincoln
is the founder and the live wire of the popular 'Super Pink n'Purple'. The immediate
past President is Nihal Fernando of NiRo. Explaining his new vision and plans Sarath Goonawardena said this year would be a special year for all the members. We plan an insurance policy for all members. There will be a CD for original songs of the MAF members and a mega open air show is also planned. A website will be introduced to MAF.
MAF with the new team of officers will have their first monthly meeting on May 11 at the art centre Janasetha at the Moratuwa Cricket Stadium at 10.00 a.m. |
||||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
