Rukshan’s back with a song for humanity, as always
Using music to give to humanity. This is the constant theme behind Rukshan Perera’s annual charity concert.
Since starting the concert series back in 2011, Rukshan has raised millions of rupees for several charities, with Rs. 4.5 million raised last year alone. This year’s ‘Live In Concert 9’ on March 10, at the Bishop’s College Auditorium, promises to be just as rewarding for the audience and cause alike.
Rukshan: All for the children. Pic by M.D. Nissanka
The concert will be in aid of the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan, directly benefiting his latest musical project ‘Little Minds Strong Values’ together with Rotary Club to teach ethics and values to children through video-animated songs. With this, Rukshan aims to build a foundation for a society of good-mannered, civic-minded and decent people in Sri Lanka.
Rukshan Perera has always lived and breathed music — from when he formed his family band at the age of 12, to when he was part of the famous 70s band, The Super Golden Chimes, and beyond. After spending 30 years in the US, Rukshan retired from the IT world to pursue his love for music in Sri Lanka. Today he aims at combining his musical talents with his love for humanity.
For his ‘Little Minds Strong Values’ project, he composed over 20 songs in Sinhala whilst also translating ten of them into Tamil. The finished DVD will feature the songs set to video animations and a lyrics book.
Rukshan says that executing his vision for the project was “quite a challenge”. Most of the songs were written by him, while some were a collaborative process. His brother handled the music, and about 30 children from different schools, churches and choirs came together to record in his studio.
Despite being retired, Rukshan spends at least 5 to 10 hours a day on the project. “24 hours is really not enough time for me anymore!” he jokes.
Video animation is also a costly process, he tells us. Rukshan explains that friends from the US who heard about the project raised a lot of funds for it.
The project’s second phase will be even more challenging. He hopes to distribute 5000 copies of the DVD to schools throughout the country, to put it on YouTube and to get TV and radio stations to play them.
Rukshan’s goal is for these songs to be the next generation of children’s songs. He hopes that children will start singing them today, even if they’re too young to understand the words. When they’re a little older, the lyrics will already be a part of their memories.
“We’re inculcating these values at an early age.”
At his concerts, Rukshan and his guest performers always perform a variety of songs in genres like jazz, blues, pop, acapella, and fusion — all of them Rukshan’s own compositions. This year’s concert will also feature a few new songs.
Over the years, Rukshan has found that his audience come to see him for different reasons. “They know I do something different every year. It’s something creative,” he explains. This time too, his fans can expect to be a part of a concert that is different from the norm. Most importantly, they will be supporting the cause.
The concert will also feature some songs from the Little Minds Strong Values project. Aside from this, choirs singing in Sinhala and Tamil will come together to perform a song in both languages about peace, unity and harmony.
Some of the other guest performers for the evening include the De Lanerolle Brothers, Clifford Richards, Prestantia Chorale and Choro Calibre.
“It’s nice to have some variety, and to have others come and sing my songs,” he tells us.
Tickets priced at Rs.3000, 2000 and 1000 are available at Bishop’s College auditorium office, Colombo. To reserve your tickets, you can also call 077 972 7011.