Embracing an inclusive spirit
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In Colombo, the recently concluded Guitar Fest was a crowded affair, with almost every seat of the Nava Rangahala filled and an audience patiently awaiting the beginning of the show. When we walked in Thilak Abeysinghe and an accompanist were on the stage, playing the North Indian classical guitar and tabla; a rousing instrumental performance with heady overtones of the oriental, it set the bar for the performances to follow.
There was a strong eastern aesthetic at this year’s Guitar Fest, with another tribute to Carnatic music by a group of five instrumentalists. Mohomed Iqbal made a short appearance with his guitar before making way for Nguyen Van Phuc, a classical guitarist from Vietnam who had flown in especially for this year’s festival. Nguyen Than Vinh, a tenor from Vietnam, was also featured over the course of the evening.
Young talent on the ascent didn’t go unrecognised. A classical guitar performance by 12-year-old Vimukthi Thushara Ranga was succeeded by that of another young student Vasura Jayaweera. Nadee Vithanarachchi and Classical guitar instructor Thusitha Simpson played a medley of instrumental numbers, followed by another instrumental performance by a duo that went by the names Lithmal and Vimukthi.
The evening saw students from the University of Visual and Performing Arts tread the stage of the Nava Rangahala. Popular veteran guitarists Amaranath Ranatunga and Anthony Surendra also graced the stage, embracing the inclusive spirit of the genre.
Legendary Wildfire front man Derek Wickramanayake and Malla had their moment that night as did Stigmata’s Tennyson Napoleon and Andrew Obeysekara, rock gods to the Y Generation. Rounding off a handpicked selection of well-known faces Upula Madushanka, Nigel Fernando and Billy Fernando also featured at the event.
Classical guitar instructor Mr. Warrington Abeyratne was felicitated for his contributions over the course of the evening as well.
