Arts
Rukshan’s 10-year journey of giving through song
‘Rukshan Perera Live In Concert 10’ goes on the boards at the Bishop’s College Auditorium on Sunday, February 16 at 7 p.m. This, the evergreen musician’s last concert in this particular series will see guest performances by popular artistes, the De Lanerolle Brothers, Clifford Richards, Jananath Warakagoda, as well as the Colombo Brass Ensemble and Choro Calibre.
Live in concert-- here and on our Magazine cover
A talented musician, singer, multi- instrumentalist, composer, arranger and performer, Rukshan’s show of originals as always is for a worthy cause.
“It is all original music.The same way I have been performing since my first concert. It is going to be in different styles such as pop, jazz, acappella and many more sung in Sinhala and English,” he says.
“One thing I make sure to do in song is create awareness,” Rukshan stresses. Awareness of social issues around the world which includes child abuse, education, environment and many more vital matters. There will be fun and creative songs planned as well for my audience to enjoy. This year there will be a “surprise” session for the audience and I believe it is the first time such an activity is happening in Sri Lanka,” he says not wanting to give too much away.
Music has always been part of Rukshan’s life. Born to a musical family, Rukshan’s first piano lesson was influenced by his mother at the age of five but before long he had taught himself the guitar. He formed his first family band at the age of ten, composed originals and performed these at a musical programme on Radio Ceylon with Dr. Vijaya Corea at age 12, accompanied by Priya Peiris.
An old boy of Royal College, Colombo, Rukshan pursued his higher studies in Information Systems and Management in the U.S.A. and spent many years working there. Ten years ago, he decided it was time to return and give of his time and talents to Sri Lanka.
This time his concert is in aid of the cerebral palsy centres in Jaffna and Kurunegala affiliated to the ‘National Centre for Cerebral Palsy and other Development Disorders’ and the Merrill J. Fernando Foundation. “Merrill J. Fernando is celebrating his 90th birthday and 70th year in the field this year,” says Rukshan of the Dilmah Chairman whose charity work has been an inspiration.
Rukshan Perera
In October 2016, the Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation and Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company’s Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation jointly opened Sri Lanka’s first centre dedicated to the research, rehabilitation and support of children and families with Cerebral Palsy (CP), Down Syndrome, Autism and other Developmental Disabilities.
Rukshan is raising funds to sustain the centre in Kandy and offer free support to communities in the areas surrounding Jaffna and Kurunegala. Funds from the concert will be used to pay for overheads, such as the rental of the building that will house the facilities and for the staff and therapists who may be hired to provide local support to children with disabilities in these locations.
Having won the ‘President’s Award 2018- Music for a Service’ presented by the Sri Lanka Foundation, L.A, U.S.A., Rukshan has focused on spreading awareness about the sick, poor, abused, peace, unity and many more issues that he feels society needs to wake up to. Many of his songs have been written as a tribute to valuable lost lives and world leaders- ‘You are the World’ was a tribute to Michael Jackson, while ‘Meaning of Justice’ was for Nelson Mandela.
A past president of the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan (he was awarded the best president for the years 2017/2018), Rukshan is currently a trustee of the Unity Mission Trust that works with youth across the island to promote reconciliation.
Rukshan’s latest music project is to teach children ethics and values through music and song. He has composed 29 Nursery Rhymes/Songs in Sinhala and Tamil with a strong message and intends to distribute over 5000 DVDs to preschools and schools around the country free of charge to build a society of good mannered, decent and civic-minded people in Sri Lanka.
“Be there at the concert as it will be very special,” urges Rukshan.
Tickets priced at Rs.5000, Rs. 3000, Rs. 2000 (Reserved) and Rs.1000 (free seating) are on sale at t- Lounge (Arcade Independence Square), Brew 1867 (Flower Road) and Swashakthi Bakery and Tea Room (Moratuwa, adjoining K- Zone.)
For more information call: 077 305 7220/ 071 788 8323