Moving to the beat
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Akila. Pic by Athula Devapriya
Fifty young Thomians will march to the beat of oriental drums next weekend when ‘Kinnara ’13-The Revolution Has Begun’ unfolds on February 22 at the College Chapel Steps. Presented by the Hewisi Band of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, the show will bring together over 10 other bands from around the country for a spectacular evening of eastern instrumentals.
This year the school’s hewisi band, which was first formed in 1979, celebrates 6 years of staging the show. The series of concerts was initiated in 2009 to promote the genre amongst young music enthusiasts. “This year’s concert will usher in a whole new dimension to the Hewisi band genre of music in Sri Lanka,” says teacher in charge Charitha Fernando. “This will be a transformative moment for the entire series as well.”
The troupe consists of 50 young Thomians playing the many vibrant instruments of a hewisi troupe, led by band leader Akila Hettiarachchi, assisted by assistant band leader Mevan Kiriella under the guidance of Suraj Peiris. For diversity the young instrumentalists have also invited troupes of a similar genre from across the island. “We’ve been rehearsing for this concert for over three months now,” says Akila of the band’s perseverance in taking on the daunting task of organizing what is now known as one of the country’s biggest outdoor school concerts. “We want people to leave the show feeling like they’ve seen something new, out of the ordinary.”
Mevan
“’Kinnara’ stands for the mermaid,” says Mevan. Mermaids are symbolic of enchanting, alluring music, famously known for their ability to lure unsuspecting sailors with their melodies.” The 13 stands for the age 13, when you hit your teens, which is usually a turning point for a young adult. The band has chosen the theme of ‘Thaarunya’ to drive home the overriding teenage participation in the event, and we feel that this is an apt expression of our spirit.”
Kinnara ’13 will also see the participation of other school troupes from around the country, along with the school’s own. The Hewisi bands and dance troupes of Bishop’s College, Ladies College, Musaeus College, Methodist College, St. Paul’s Milagiriya, Royal College, Mowbray College Kandy, St. John’s College Jaffna, Ananda Shasthralaya Kotte and St. Thomas College Guruthalawa will join the home-grown Old Boys and Junior Hewisi Bands of the school in adding colour to the event.
‘Kinnara ’13-The Revolution Has Begun’ will commence at the S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia Chapel wteps on Saturday, the February 22 at 7pm. Tickets for the show can be purchased from the school’s OBA Secretariat, Sports Complex and at the entrance.
Hewisi band of S. Thomas’ College