South Africa gets a taste of soul-sounding music from Lanka
View(s):Soul Sounds, Sri Lanka’s premier female ensemble was recently invited to South Africa to participate at the Ihlombe Choral Festival 2015. The choir led by musician Sounda-rie David Rodrigo, have been performing both locally and internationally since 2004. South Africa had been on the cards for the group for a long time, given their special love for gospel and spiritual music and their deep admiration for South African Choirs.
A visit to South Africa: A dream come true for the Soul Sounds group
“South Africa has always been a dream for myself and the girls, and I was determined to make this happen, because we really do have a lot of admiration for the music that originates from Africans, some of the South African choirs we’ve seen and heard before have soul, spirit and rhythm and this is something we have always wanted to witness first hand,” Soundarie told the Sunday Times, explaining that when it came to choosing their repertoire they made sure to not only showcase their versatility but to celebrate their Sri Lankan heritage with a medley of folk tunes as well as a baila medley.
The Concert tour, organised by Classical Movements Inc, had four concert performances, including singing for a Sunday service. The choir was greeted by receptive audiences at each of these performances – from standing ovations to dancing and singing along with the choir, the South Africans loved the flavour, texture and the soul searching music of Sri Lanka.
A brush with wild life
In addition to the many concerts, the choir was also able to participate in special choral workshops with South African choirs, including one with the choir of the University of Witswaterstand. “We learnt a lot from new South African songs, to just being able to observe, watch them sing with so much of spirit and rhythm, with no inhibitions whatsoever was a lesson by itself,” says Soundarie. The festival programme also included visits to historical sites like the Mandela House, and apartheid museum, and a Game Drive, where wild life was seen at its best.
“To me personally visiting a children’s cancer ward in South Africa, singing to those kids who were terminally ill and giving of 67 minutes on Mandela Day to those children was the most moving and touching experience,” says Soundarie.
As Soul Sounds enters its 11th year, Soundarie puts their success down to “hard work, commitment, and a lot of sacrifices.”“It’s not been easy, but I think the passion for music and the passion to perform, coupled with the companionship and friendship we share as a group together has kept us for 10 long years.”
Soul Sounds were accompanied by its Music Director Soundarie David Rodrigo on piano, Pradeep Rodrigo on Bass, and Christopher Prins on drums. Soul Sounds is ever grateful to Geoff Doidge, the High Commissioner for South Africa in Sri Lanka and his wife Carol Doidge, and to the choir’s exclusive sponsors, DIMO and Fairway Holdings, insurance partner Janashakti and official airline Emirates, for making this trip possible.