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Kala Korner - by Dee Cee

What a show it was!
Having missed the launch of Nanda Malini's 'Andaheraya' at the BMICH lawn, I was eagerly waiting for its Rupavahini telecast. It was aired last Sunday and what a show it was! A fine mix of voice, music, dance, lighting and décor rarely seen here. Ravindra Munasinghe (director of the Rupavahini production) had captured the whole show superbly in a way that those who missed the live performance did not feel they were not there.

Everything blended well. It was a gathering of the best talent. Brief appearances by the trio - Nanda Malini, Sunil Ariyaratne and Rohana Weerasinghe -to explain the concept of 'Andaheraya' set the tone for the evening. Rohana, who is normally seen on the stage conducting the orchestra then moved out handing over the job to Suresh Maliyadda, who with his keyboard and computer carried on thereafter. It was a novel experience for everyone.

Dances for the songs had been created by leading artistes Channa Wijewardena, Kulasiri Budawatta, Ravibandu Vidyapathi and Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi. It virtually turned out to be a tussle between them. One had to match the other - if not do better. Tastefully done, the result was superlative entertainment for the audience.

Jayantha Bibile is an unusual artiste. I was impressed with his creative abilities when he did the décor for the 'Amara Uvasara' concert sometime back. He has come a long way and continues to try out unconventional techniques effectively.

During his brief resume on Nanda Malini's new experiment, Jayalath Manoratne hit hard at the meaningless musical presentations on some TV channels. Here was a fine example of how new technology and novel ideas could be blended meaningfully.

Nanda, as usual, was at her best. The tempo was set by the 'Bambaru geetaya'. And, of course, she rendered my favourite, the Calypso-based 'Nogeyu geetaya gayanna', in grand style. In recent weeks, we have been hearing about a new media culture and fresh approach to State TV programmes. If Sunday's show is any indication of what Rupavahini is capable of presenting, it certainly is a welcome sign. Let's look forward to quality entertainment of that class. Hats off to Ravindra and his team for a job well done.

Victor's song
'Ran Tikiri Sina' became a hit no sooner 'Ganga Addara' (1980) was screened. Nimal Mendis composed the music for the film directed by Sumitra Peries. The song was beautifully rendered by virtually two unknown singers - Victor Silva and Nirasha Perera.

As Victor and I (we were colleagues at CTC) sat awaiting the launch of the Lester-Sumitra web site the other day, 'Ran Tikiri Sina' was played over the sound system. The voices were different. "See what has happened to my song" was Victor's instant reaction. Naturally he sounded sad. "We were shocked when we heard the song being aired with the voices of two prominent singers. It had been done for commercial purposes and both the SLBC and Rupavahini Corporation were airing it regularly. Most of the listeners, of course, did not know who sang the song originally. Isn't this downright pirating," he asked. It is.

Going back to the days when the song was recorded at Joe-Neth Studio, Victor told me how Nimal got Nirasha (then a 12 -year- old school girl) and him to practise the song using the English lyrics. And then he hummed:

Tra la la laa you
Tra la laa la me
Tra la laa la sing together
Tra la laa la we
Fly like a bird
Swim like a fish
Be happy little girl, little boy.
No time to feel sad
My lass, my lad
Love is a wonderful thing!

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