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 9th May 1999 |
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Talent scouting : "Search 2000"By Sanath Weerasuriya'Search 2000', a new talent search will come alive from July 4.
This contest is organised mainly to unearth new talent for the local western music scene. This is an opportunity for talented fresh musicians to try for a break. All over the world there are new musicians, new singers entering the world pop scene but in Sri Lanka the percentage of newcomers are almost nil since the opportunities are very limited to develop their talents. Our main aim is to give a helping hand to all talented musicians and singers to rise to the top in the music scene', unit sources said. All you have to do is to fill the coupon in the TV Times and send it to the undermentioned address. Music for auditions, quarter finals, semi finals and grand finale will be provided by Dream Team. The full band will be in action for semis and finals. But the basic music will be provided by the musicians of the band for the preliminary rounds. Search 2000 - All Island Talent Contest is scheduled to begin on July 4, 1999. The Auditions (04 Sundays) will be on from July 4 to 25. It will start at 9.00 am and at 1.00 pm and only a keyboardist from the band Dream Team will do the backing for the contestant. Quarter Finals - (03 Sundays) will be on from August 1 to 29. This will start at 7.00 pm and end at10.00 pm and the band will be back for the quarter finals. Also the selected applicant will get additional practice sessions before they come on the stage. Practices will be held at the Blue Leopard of the Grand Oriental Hotel. Semi Finals will come alive on (2 Sundays) September 5 to 19. The "Grand Finale' will be held on Sunday the October 10, 1999 from 7.00 pm onwards at the Airport Garden Hotel. Finals will be in different arrangements and also the practice session will give a professional touch. The arrangements for the grand finals will be notified later. All rounds starting from auditions will be held at the Airport Garden Hotel. There will be three categories in this 'Search 2000' contest. Junior and Senior vocal sections and the instrumental section. Age groups of 6 to14 years could participate in Juniors and 15 and above are eligible to contest in senior section. The instrumental section is in one category and they could compete in Piano- Organ- Guitars- Violin- Cello- Drums and Piano Accordian. The above instruments Piano- Organ- Guitars and Drums would be provided by the band and paticipants should bring the other instruments if they wish to contest. A total of 28 contestants will be selected for each quarter final and it will comprise 6 contestants for instrumental, 8 contestants for Junior singing and 14 contestants for senior singing section. All together there will be 84 quarter finalists, contesting for 3 shows. Out of 84 contestants judges will find 56 contestants for the semi finals and 28 participants for each semi final. Finalists mumbering 28 will be picked from 56 semi finalists and there will be 6 instrumentals 8 in Junior vocals and 14 in Senior vocal section. Duets or trio's or group vocalists are allowed to participate but they also should contest under the same categories. Trophies - gift and certificates will be given to the winners and runners up in each section. And all finalists will receive certificates. Search 2000 - All Island Talent Contest is designed to benefit everyone involved in this show-sponsors - contestants - organisers and the andience.
MAF honours Moratuwa starsBy Sanath WeerasuriyaThe fifth annual general meeting of the 'Moratuwa Arts Forum' (MAF) was held at the Sri Palee Hall, Moratuwa recently.
The pioneering President Asoka Peiris took his office as Chief Instructor of the MAF. At this meeting MAF honoured senior musicians from Moratuwa, who have over the years made invaluable contributions to the Music industry. The musicians who were honoured were Somasiri Fernando - a Baila exponent - whose most popular song is 'Suraliyaku Vage'; Ivan de Silva who led the successful Band Peddlers in the 1960s; Nihal Fernando who is in the music scene for the past twenty five years and now leads the band NiRo. In his career he has played with Diamonds, Golden Chimes, Sam the Man and Crystal set and musician Robinson Fernando who was a member of La Bambas and has been in the music scene for the past thirty years. He headed the popular Ramblers in the 1970s and presently he performs a solo act in our music scene. Besides musicians, senior entertainers too were honoured.
ITB FairInternational Tourism Exchange, (ITB), the Berlin, Tourism Fair was held in Berlin, Germany from March 6 to 10. This is the biggest tourism fair in the world. This year Sri Lanka had approximately 100 participants from 40 local companies. The Serendib Group of Hotels hosted a dinner at the Hotel Bogota as they have done in the past 15 years. A chef from Sri Lanka prepared the menu and the event has become a feature of the fair with Sri Lanka and major tour operators participating. The picture shows some of the distinguished guests at the 'Serendib Night'
Seated - From left to right - Peter De Polo (Director Sunworld {UK}), Paula Artitzone (Product Manager Hayles and Jarvis/First Choice), Devindre Senaratne (Director, Marketing Serendid Group of Hotels), Carol Hume (Product Manager Mamos UK), Tony Ballatreaccia (Area Manager Conmos Holidays).
Best of Indian music in LankaBy: Sanath WeerasuriyaA concert featuring world-renowned musicians, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Shafaat Ahmed Khan and Rahul Sharma will be held at Taj Samudra Hotel on May 16 at 6.45 p.m. This dinner concert is organised by the Rotary Club of Colombo in aid of their communtiy development projects. The tickets for this dinner concert is priced at Rs. 2,500/= per head. Father and son Sharma and Khan are three world famous Indian classical musicians. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma has created a distinct genre of instrumental music. He has always attempted to and succeeded in looking at and exploiting the distinct advantages the open string instrument offers rather than be tied down by its limitations. His light themes are full of imagination and he brings into them the lilt of folk music. All his rendition, be they serious or light are sparkled by intuition. Truly, therefore, his recitals appeal to all levels of listeners. If there is sheer lilting melody for the layman, then there is heady complexity for the connoisseur too. He has created better awareness about Indian classical music among younger generation of our times. He has won the prestigious 'Sangeet Natak Academy Award' of India and several other national and international honours. Pandit Shiv Kumar is one of the few maestros to enjoy global reputation and with several LP records, cassettes and Compact Discs to his credit. No major musical event is complete without his participation. Silence has its own music, but the chords struck by Pt. ShivKumar Sharma are timeless - a quiverring journey into the realms of the unknown, a limitless joy of ecstasy and a sublime trance cast by the magic of the maeastro. Born in Jammu, Pt. Shiv Kumar had his training in music from his father Pt. Umaduti Sharma, a learned vocalist and percussionist of Jammu and Kashmir State, and a disciple of Pt. Dade Ramdasji of Benares. Initially Pt. Shiv Kumar learnt vocal music and tabla right from the age of five. Rahul Sharma is the young bright star on the Indian Classical Music horizon. Since his debut performance in Oslo in 1996 he has created raves around the world. Rahul is the son and disciple of the legendary santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who was instrumental in bringing santoor on the Indian Clasical format and popularising it across the world. Rahul who represents the third generation of musicians in the Sharma family, was born on September 25, 1972. He was initiated into music at the age of 12 by his father and guru. In the last 2 yars Rahul has travelled extensively with his father in countries like USA, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, Spain etc. His first CD titled, "Golden Heritage" which is a live concert performance of a duet programme along with his father held in Toronto in 1997, was relased recently in Bombay by Navras records of London. Rahul has an inborn talent as a composer and has assisted his father in films such as Chandni, Lamhe, Sahibaan, Darr and non film albums such as Water and Mountains. Few tabla players are greeted as instantly by our concert audiences today as the young but brilliant Shafaat Ahmed Khan. Nor is he excelled by any as 'accompanist' to the best known vocalists, musicians and Kathak dancers of the country. His laya never wavers, and he cuts out gem-like the syllables (bois) of rhythm, even at a nimble pace. His playing often twins at once with the way the music moves. Yet it is on the whole, so deftly controlled - and so well adapted to both the musician's temper and to the verying nuances of this music - that it is ever what it ought to be a support to the music and an addition to its overall power and beauty. Connoisseurs admire him also for the tonal quality of his baaj, and for the way he blends filigree on the right drum with the breathing deapth (sans) of the left one. Shafaat is still young. But, beginning at the age of 17, his concert appearances now cover every music festival and centre of the country and some of the better known halls of Europe, UK, and America venues and occasions of his playing have been noteworthy, to mention some of these: Festival of India (UK, USA, and the USSR), and International Olympic Conference (March 25, 1983). The Rotary Club of Colombo, with over 100 members, has been involved in many valuable projects and has been the catalyst in the formation of voluntary organizations such as The Cancer Society, The Ceylon National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, The Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association (SLANA) and Rehab Lanka (for the physically handicapped). Some other projects carried out by the club are: Village Development, Assistance for Leprosy Patients, Model Housing Development, Assistance to a School for the Blind, AIDS Prevention and Nationwide English Teaching Drive.
Rajitha's maiden public show'Mata Wedi Thiyanne Nedda?' (Why don't You Shoot Me) is the title of a stage drama produced by a young graduate Rajitha Dissanayake. Its maiden public show is scheduled to go on boards at Lionel Wendt Memorial Theatre on May 15.
"Although it's a psychological drama the theme is very close to human life. It's the outcome of the combined efforts of many of my undergraduate colleagues at Colombo University. " he said. Presently he is working as a programme producer at Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. This is not this young dramatist's first attempt in drama. 'Sakwadawala' was his debut drama. 'Hansayantath Mann Assaie' was another. This drama won the Best Costumes (Koralegedera Pushpa Kumara and Pradeep Chandrasiri), Best Lighting (Pradeep Chandrasiri) Best script and Set (Rajitha Dissanayake) at the State Drama Festival '97. At the 1994 Youth Awards Festival it bagged the Best Actress Award(Ramani Damayanthi), Best Script and four other merit awards. Speaking on the present theatre audience Rajitha Dissanayake said if audiences are reluctant to patronise dramas it is not their fault but the fault of the producer.
Saumya Liyanage, Upul Nishantha, Gihan Fernando, Chamila Ratnayake, Shaymin Gunaratna, Niroshan Elayperuma and Dharmapriya Dias are in the cast. The musical score is by Kapila Pugalaarachchi. The National Youth Services Council sponsor the drama.
"Sathyangana": diary holds secretVasanthi is a beautiful young woman. She is employed in the private sector. She lives with her mother and stepfather. as her father is dead. Vasanthi's father's sister gives her a diary used by her father which gives a clue that her father was killed by someone. All she knew about her father is that he committed suicide. This sudden news disturbs her mind resulting in constant quarrels with her mother and stepfather. She is always either in a sad mood or frustrated. She finds happiness only in Ravi's company. Although Ravi proposes that they should marry, she disagrees. Meanwhile she has an argument with her stepfather and slaps him. Fearing that he is dead she leaves the house.
The owner of the jeep unaware that a stranger is in the vehicle drives on to later find a young woman in the jeep. On the following day she discovers that owner of the vehicle is one Michael, a music loving bachelor managing a small farm. Although Michael wants to take Vasanthi to her home she refuses. Vasanthi lives in the house attending to home needs. Dayawathie the farm watcher's wife is Michael's mistress. She is much worried after Vasanthi's arrival. Dayawathie plots to get rid of Vasanthi. Meanwhile Vasanthi's disappearance creates arguments and cross talk between her mother and stepfather. Ravi is worried as there is no trace of his fiancee. Wagging tongues spread the news all over that Vasanthi is secretly married to Michael. Various acts that happen in the farm result Dayawathie committing suicide by drowning herself in the wewa. Finally Ravi arrives but the drama does not end at that. Many other things happen before it reaches the climax. Vasanthi is at a loss to decide whether she is to go with Ravi or live with Michael. Guess what her descision is going to be. 'Sathyangana' is another teleserial written and directed by Tikiri Ratnayake Cletus Mendis, Nayana Kumari, G. . R. Perera, Ramani Fonseka, Sunil Hettiarachchi, Susila Kottege, Sunil Prema Kumara and many more artistes are in the cast. The teleserial is photographed by G. Nandasena and edited by Upul Pallegangoda. Navaratna Gamage is the music director while Saliya Dias is its art director. Sama Ratnayake has produced 'Sathyangana'. Swarnavahini telecasts it on Saturday's at 9. 15 p. m.
ITN -20th AnniversaryITN (International Television Network )plans to celebrate the 20th. anniversary of the introduction of TV to Sri Lanka. "We consider this as a prestigious event and would be celebrated this June 5 with a number of events including the printing of a souvenir depicting 20 years of ITN" Deputy General Manager Premaratna Herath said. ITN clients will be given an opportunity to participate in this event by contributing advertisements to the special musical and other programmes of interest that will be telecast on this day. Names of clients will be published in the souvenir which would be printed to mark this occasion. ITN is proud that they have so far given a helping hand to many young upcoming artistes as well as teledrama serial directors. It should be remembered that it was the ITN which took the bold step of telecasting Sri Lanka's first political satire where real actors played various roles. More attractive programmes with special stress on viewer participation and more rural programmes will be introduced in future. Lak Handa Radio which is a sister broadcasting station of ITN will also celebrate the occasion with special musical programmes.
Pegasus Reef: Convenient
This year the hotel celebrated the sixth anniversary with the LTI-International Hotels Management on 1st. April '99. He was being unduly modest about the appeal of the hotel. True, it is convenient for the airport and close to the commercial city, but it also has the facilities of a resort, and certain facilities of Colombo five star hotels.
D. Prithiviraj, gives careful attention to his guest's requirements with a homely atmosphere. He adds that the General Manager's job is not only being involved in the economics, finance, the business, but the sheer direction, motivation and operations of the hotel. He further added that the General Manager has to create the vision and direction and must be able to communicate both on an individual and group basis. We as a service industry guarantee our product and service, so how does one gain a competitive edge ? The edge that everyone wants is to do better than the other. It is the relationship with clients and staff. The new staff has been recruited because they possess the right attitude to learn and for their Head of Department to pass knowledge. It is also important to be disciplined and above all enthusiasm is necessary in whatever they do. As committed employees accept challenges, some want things to happen, others let things happen. The hotel consists of 144 rooms and 6 suites with an arcade of useful Shops, Bookshop, Souvenirs, Batik fashions and Jewellers, Hairdresser, Massage & Sauna conveniently located between Reception Lobby and at Garden Entrance. The hotel has three bars and the Beach Bar stands out from them all, convivial atmosphere and bar space that drinkers crave. A Restaurant, 24 hours Room Service, Conference and Banquet Rooms . Indoor games such as Darts, Bingo, Chess, Squash makes everybody feel at home. LTI-Pegasus Reef hotel staff, aware of the needs and wants of the guests, provide them with efficient service. The staff react smoothly and swiftly. This adds to the professional approach. Pegasus clientele is not solely transient, the hotel is more or less a semi-Transient hotel, which is patronised by both business clients and holiday makers. A hotel is ideal for a break from the huzzle and buzzle of the city.Finally, D. Prithiviraj, added "paying attention to clients is worth better than comment card or Survey Reports. Whatever business we do, clients represent the outside and possess information you need to make a good decision concerning your product and your operation. The LTI- Pegasus Reef may be a hotel of "convenience" and has so many points that a stay is worth while for domestic and foreign tourists.
Joe wins fame
Mr Abeywickrema the first Sri Lankan film actor to win the best actor award at a Singapore International Film Festival, competed with Mirlan Abdikalikov (The Adopted Son Kyrgyzstan/France) and TsaiCheng Nan 'Connection by Fate (Taiwan). The main Jury comprising Jahnu Baruwa, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Eric Khoo, Park Ki-Young and Jane Yu Hui-Chen in their citation stated "Winner Joe Abeywickrema for the simplicity and maturity of his performance in the role of a blind man whose nobility and honour transcends the depths of his personal sorrow". This was the 12th Singapore International Film Festival. The actor who made his debut in 'Devasunderi' a film that did not see the light of day in the mid fifties gradually entered filmdom where he won several National and State Awards. Prasanna Vithanage who wrote the screenplay and directed this film was nominated for the best script. But the award was won by Dankan for 'Ikinai'( Japan).
AGH acquires new faceThe Airport Garden Hotel, Seeduwa has launched a major re-development programme with the view of offering a streamlined service to its foreign and local guests. "The programme also involves the construction of additional guest rooms in order to cater to the growing demand", said , General Manager Ranjan Stanislaus at a press conference held at the Hotel Banquet Hall recently. The agh which has been in operation for the past 13 years, is located very close to the Bandaranaike International Airport, just five minutes away from touch-down. This hotel which is popular with foreign tourists is situated on an extent of 34 acres of land and incorporates a tennis court, swimming pool and a fully equiped gymnasium The hotel also houses two banquet halls, a Chinese restaurant manned by a Chinese Chef, and the Harbour Bar situated overlooking the lagoon which could accommodate 1000 guests at a time. The International Cuisine also boasts of specialities from Japan, India, Thailand, Europe and our very own Sri Lanka traditional fare. Agh also has organised a series of food promotions for the entire year such as seafood, bull ring and sizzling (bbq), pizza, seasonal fruits, Chinese food, Sri Lanka food, Indian food, combination of woffles/pan cake and milk shakes etc. The Sunday buffet at agh with entertainment of live band is very popular among the locals and the in-house guests. Stanislaus explained that the agh which belongs to the Taj Group of hotels is a traditional hotel with an international flavour and that he enthusiastically looks forward to the next millennium with optimistic anticipations at the development of the hotel in every sphere.
The laughing world of Johnny the comedianBy Ismail KhanComedy is an art. It had to be practised over a number of years to be perfect in it. Talk about a comedian and the first thing that comes to mind is that there can't be a more noble profession that making people laugh at least at your own expense. It's a fine art and a god- given gift which Johnny Lever of Hindi film fame is liberally blessed with. From a mimicry artiste to Bollywood's all comedian he has certainly made his mark. Now every producer wants him. The moment he appears on screen, crowds go crazy. And what's more he has his awards too. He has starred with almost all the top stars in Bollywood today - Sharukh Khan, Ameer Khan, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgun, Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty and Deol to name but a few. He says it certainly makes him happy to make others happy. His action he says comes naturally to him now after years or practising. It is only the beginning now. There's more fun to come from me. It was not rosy all the way for Johnny Lever. I started off as a mimicry artiste, then moved onto wedding parlours and Ganesh festivals all the time learning when performing. Then Johnny moved onto Hindustan Lever for only six months. This is the place where they named him Johnny Lever. He also worked with music-maker Kalyanji-Ananadji and that's where he got the film break. Anandji recommending him to some producers. The start was boringly slow but now I think it was worth it. I really cottoned on to films and apart from teething troubles I did not have any other problems. It was plain sailing after that. Thanks to films like Baazigar, Raja Hindustani and Jab Piyar Kisi Se Hota Hai which launched me into stardom he says. He usually avoids roles bordering on vulgarity. Whenever he gets roles bordering on sex, which is the main theme nowdays in any Indian film, for that matter in any film from any country, he usually has its dialogue to delete the double meaning. That way he has scored more points directly making people laugh at his own jokes. From the position of number one Bollywood comedian Johnny now could dictate terms to even a producer. He talks in glowing terms of comedian Om Prakash Bhagwan whose Albela became an overnight hit wherever screened. He says these two comedians and another Johnny Walker made him sit up and think of a career in those lines. And this he says was inbuilt in him an obsession that got stuck into me. And finally it flowered as he grew older and Johnny Lever, the comedian was born. A lot of people want to laugh he says. There was a time when people had stopped writing comedy. Today comedians are back in action. People are writing roles for him which didn't happen before. Now the entire Bollywood seem to be great fans of his. What differentiates him from other comedians? He says it's his expressions. Sometimes he says he does not even talk but people start laughing. Even co-actors he confesses had blurted out laughing when on sets. So much are his powerful expressions magnetic. Finally, as a parting shot he says: "Be determined in whatever you do in life but don't forget the age-old adage: If there is a hill there should be a downhill. I started almost from scratch. And now I have made it. It was hard going. But it was worth it. I am very happy with my work especially as it makes others happy when they laugh. And I am happy when they laugh at me", he concluded.
Kishore Kumar's 'Fortress' now a film setLate versatile singer Kishore Kumar whose melodic voice hit the Hindi Silver Screen like a storm in the 1950's and continued till late 1980s lived in a huge bungalow which was called a fortress of Kishore on the outskirts of Bombay. The bungalow was so big that even ten families could have lived there with their brood. After his death his son Amith Kumar had hit on a bright idea but could not execute it due to family opposition. The idea was to rent it to film-makers using it as a set for their films with necessary alterations. Amith undaunted had pursued his idea finally winning over family members and from early this year had got his way. Now Kishore's fortress had become real film sets. Amith Kumar like Kishore Kumar is also a playback singer just getting his bearings. I hope he does better or equally well as his famous father. I wish him all the luck in the world. |
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'Search
2000' is an All Island Talent Contest' organised by 'Sohan Dissanayake
Entertainment unit' a veteran entertainment promoter in collaboration with
Radio Sri Lanka (SLBC), Swarnavahini, TV Times and Airport Garden Hotel.
At
this AGM, MAF have selected their new president Thilak Perera, one of pioneers
of the forum.
Thilak
took over from former President Lankika. Nihal Nelson selected as the Vice-President.
Chanaka Perera was elected as Secretary and one man wizard Nihal Fernando
came in as Treasurer. Rolinson Ferdinando and Ransiri Peiris were selected
as Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary respectively.
Don
Guy, actor-comedian considered the local Charlie Chaplin who produced the
comedy film Don Siemen and has acted in many comedy roles in films; Austin
Fernando stage actor who has a successful career in the early years of
stage drama; Tennyson Cooray stage-film-TV actor who has been on the scene
for the past twenty five years .Electronic media engineer Srilal Fernando
DGM (Engineering) at ITN who also worked at Rupavahini was honoured by
the Forum.
Standing
- from left to right- David Green (Sun World {UK}), Inonie Gunawardene
(Mgr. Air Lanka {Germany}), Fedo Guska (Contracts Mgr. ITS Germany), Fiona
Robson (Thomsons {UK}), Satu Wilamo (Finn Matkat), Asker Moosajee (MD Serendib
Group of Hotels), S.M.A. Hameed (Executive Director LTI - Sindbad Hotel),
G. Wijayasiri Sri Lanka Ambassador for Germany, Peter Maisson (Director
TUI), Mr. Mohammed Fazeel (Mgr. Europe Air Lanka), Walter Niggl (Director
Kreutzer {Germany}), Abbas Esufally (MD Hemtours), Robert De Bruin (Director
Arker Reizen Holland).
This
drama is based on two youth who are struggling to find out what life and
human relationship is and their complete breakdown. 
Audiences
who see and enjoy English dramas have made it a habit to regularly visit
theatres where English dramas are staged. To get the Sinhala speaking audiences
cultivate the habit of seeing dramas is not difficult. "They should
discuss well presented novel themes if we are to succeed in our efforts"he
said. 
After
loitering aimlessly she boards a train which carries her to an up country
station. She leaves the station and while walking without a destination
she gets into a halted jeep stationed near a social club to escape from
two hooligans who follow her. 
"Convenient"
was the word used by D. Prithiviraj, when I asked him to describe the attraction
of the LTI-Pegasus Reef Hotel, Wattala, of which he is the GeneraI Manager.
LTI
- Pegasus Reef Hotel is managed by LTI-International Hotels, Dusseldorf,
Germany since 1993. D. Prithiviraj, General Manager commenced his career
with Trust House Forte Hotels in 1975 in the United Kingdom and subsequently
with Le Meridien International Hotel chain before he commenced at LTI-Pegasus
Reef Hotel, Wattala.
Award
winner Joe Abeywickrema was given a warm welcome by his colleagues on arrival
from Singapore at the Bandaranaike International Airport Katunayake on
Sunday. He bagged this award for his role as Wannihamy in Prasanna Vithanage's
'Pura Handa Kaluwara'(Death On A Full Moon Day ), the first Sri Lanka -
NHK Broadcasting Corporation co- production. It is his first international
award.