A fiesta of culture and community
This year’s Galle Music Festival wrapped up with a successful concert at Colombo’s Galle Face Green last Monday, marking the end of the three day fiesta of music. Held every year in Galle and Jaffna alternatively, the Festival, organised by the Sevalanka Foundation and Concerts Norway (Rikskonsertene) organisation under the funding from the Royal Norwegian embassy with artistic direction by Aru Sri Theatre, saw a vibrant blend of performances from local and international artistes.
Music for the whole family: It was a relaxed mood in Galle
Friday, March 14 saw the festival get underway with a children’s day in Galle. Some 2,500 schoolchildren were all agog at the events, both educational and entertaining, that had been arranged for them including dubbing, karaoke, acting and videography workshops and stalls displaying the different cultures of Sri Lanka. Children got to see the traditional Koothu (a dance drama tradition of the Tamil community), the cultural songs and dances of the Muslims, Thavil and Nadaswaram – music produced by a traditional drum and a long flute and the traditional Rookada troupe who not only performed quite a hilarious drama but also explained the history of the tradition and background of puppetry.
The Ceylon-African Manja did a very colourful performance with their traditional Portuguese Baila (Manja) singing and dances. “This is our second time performing in Galle – last year we performed in Jaffna,” said vocalist Seline Korokima. “We are very happy to be here, especially to teach children about our community and show our culture to them.”
Counting 22 years together as a troupe, they come from some 22 families in Sirambiadi, Puttalam and perform songs handed down through generations. The troupe consists of six- sisters and cousins- Seline Korokima, Juliet Josephine, Maria Jacintha, Sithara Sanjeewani and Sherine Alex.
Members of the Veddah community too put on a dynamic performance. There was traditional Sinhala singing performed by the Ranwala Brigade. “This is the first time something like this was organised and we are glad to be a part of it,” said the leader of the Ranwala Brigade, Sahan Ranwala. “There are so many programmes for the children and it’s a perfect opportunity for the children to learn something that is entertaining that also provides them extra knowledge.” They also performed on the other two days of the festival.
“This is the first time we have come for the Galle Music Festival,” said the Eastern music teacher of Warakapitiya Maha Vidyalaya, Rupika Chithramali who felt it was an important experience for the children-they learnt many things that are important for them in their studies and about other cultures. “It’s also a change for the children to be away from the everyday studying environment and to
“Ten Sing” from Norway dancing to the beat
enjoy themselves,” she said.
On Saturday, on the Moon Bastion of the Galle Fort, the music continued long into the night with crowds camped on the ground, under the starry skies enjoying the eclectic sounds from performers from all parts of the country. The festival had a fair infusion of foreign groups that performed on all three days – Ten Sing from Norway, Shironamhin from Bangladesh and Donn Bhat and Passenger Revelator from India – Donn is a popular songwriter, producer and guitar player.
Ranwala Brigade in action
Groupo Roda Viva (Wheel of life) from Brazil who have undergone a line-up change since their performance last year in Jaffna, this time around had Bruno Campos in the acoustic guitar, Mariana Braga who tantalised the crowds with her hypnotising dance and singing, Daniel Scisinio with the Cavaquinho which is a small acoustic guitar, and Gustav Cavalho and Yuri Portella on percussion.
Sabreen Association for Artistic Development returned for their fourth tour of Lanka performing Palestinian music with a fusion of jazz. “The feedback we received from the
A member of the Bangladeshi group “Shironamhin” performing at Galle Face Green
audience both in Galle and Colombo was very nice. Even though they don’t understand the language, they smile and clap and that’s the best reaction we can get. We like performing in Sri Lanka,” said the group’s percussionist John Handal. This group, incidentally change their line up regularly too.
Naadro the local masters of percussion led by Ruwan Weerasekara, electrified the audiences in Galle and Colombo with their captivating rhythm. Using cultural drums of both Sri Lanka and other countries, they have made a name for themselves not only locally but also internationally. Sangamam from Jaffna also performed with passion, perhaps enjoying playing to a different audience.
The Norway- Sri Lanka music co-operation began in 2009, said a representative from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Malraji Wanniarachchi. “We have brought international musicians to Sri
Nadro: Local beats to energise the audience
Lanka in an effort to bring recognition to the country’s traditional music as well as take local talent abroad for studies as well as performances. We also conduct school and university student workshops regarding music and the arts. Our main aim is to conserve folk music in Sri Lanka and preserve it for the future generation. To this end we are working with the Cultural Ministry as well,” she said.
After three days of a feast of music, it would seem their efforts are being appreciated.
Pix by M. A. Pushpa Kumara, Nilan Maligaspe and Indika Handuwala