• Chandimal on show
• 'Aswesuma' a film with a novel theme
• Joe to sing in Oman
• R & T: duo with a difference
• DJ BoBo sings in Lanka
• ITN has gone places

Chandimal on show

The show is organised by the School Development Society of Our Lady of Victories Convent in Moratuwa in aid of school's new gymnasium project. 

Moratuwa being Chandimal's home town, he is getting ready for his first major concert in Moratuwa with fourteen special dance items and special lighting effects. 

The last two concerts of "Chandimal and the Second Connection", which were held in 1998 and 1999 at BMICH was in aid of Sri Lankan Army. 

"Both these shows were great success and with packed audiences. I think my Moratuwa show will be the best of them all. I have added lot of new items and it will be, I think something really worth to see", Chandimal concluded. 

The tickets for the OLV concert will be available at the Convent office and will also be available at the gate.

'Aswesuma' a film with a novel theme

By Susitha R. Fernando

Teledramas, 'Sayuren Eha', 'Tharu', 'Grahanaya', 'Kalu Hansayo' and 'Makara Vijithaya' have been his dissector teledramas. He has selected an accomplished cast for his maiden film. The cast includes internationally acclaimed Joe Abeywickrema who won the Best actors award at the Singapore Film Festival 1999 and veteran stars Ravindra Randeniya and Jackson Anthony.

Ravindra Randeniya and Jackson Anthony, though yet to make their mark on the international cinema, have won a number of awards at both the Sarasavi and Presidential Film festivals.

According to director Ratnayake, the bulk of the production work of "Aswesuma" has been done.

The film, depicting an old man's struggle to overcome his own guilt and his longing to correct some of the happenings for which he has been responsible during the youth offers a novel theme to the Sri Lankan film goers.

The story begins with elderly "Guneris" played by Joe, flash backing to the 1940s , his youthful years.

The young Guneris' role is played by Jackson Anthony and it unfolds the innumerable problems faced by Guneris as a youth who starts a fresh life with his young wife, the role which is played by Sangeetha Weeraratne.

"Aswesuma" which spans the period 1948 to 2000, is in the form of an account of the immense hardships and misfortunes befall the youth. 

Locations highlighting the scenic beauty of the country have been selected for shooting. Some of these beautiful places include 'Sinharaja Forest Reserve and some areas in Kitulgala, Beli Lena, Ruwanwella, Karaliyadda, Mawanella, Rambukkana, Elahara etc. 

The cast of "Aswesuma" includes German actor, Dr. Hans Nowak and British actress Helen Kelly.

The local cast comprises Mahendra Perera, Sangeetha Weerarathne, Hemasiri Liyanage, Indrajith Navinna, Saumaya Liyanage, Gamini Hettiarachchi, Edward Gunawardena, G. R. Perera, Dougles Ranasinghe and Susil Gunarathne.

Joe to sing in Oman

In addition to his several own compositions he will sing some popular Spanish numbers which are his favourites. 

Joe, the leader of the Calypso outfit Meemesso who hails from Negombo has several 45 rpm Records, Audio casettes, CDs and VCDs to his credit since the formation of the group in mid sixties. The ever popular hit Yakadathalanna, the song on the village smith, rendered by Joe has taken the local audience by storm and continues to rage among the third generation fans even to date. 

Joe B Perera is scheduled to perform in several shows in the Sultanate of Oman in the first two weeks of October. Incidentally the formation of Stars of 70's Clan which stars the popular Calypso Groups of the 60's and 70's are a great attraction on the local pop scene these days and they are scheduled to appear in several shows lined up during the festive season. Joe B Perera (Meemesso) is one of them. After the Middle East tour, Joe will be back in the island in time to join the "Stars of 70's" to appear in the lined up show. 

R & T: duo with a difference

Rajive, the fair guy, who hails from the hill capital, Kandy, studied at Trinity College. After leaving school he with his father's help, who happens to be a professional musician did not hesitate to choose music as his career. Rajive composes and writes lyrics. He started singing on stage at the tender age of 8.

Thilina on the other hand is from Colombo and studied at St. Joseph's College. He too, along with Rajive, took to music and formed the duo. Thilina is the music producer for R & T. He does all the music tracks and arrangements and also an active Music producer working with "Dream Productions". His father is also a renowned musician.

These two cousins have formed a very powerful vocal duo and they are in the process of finishing their maiden album which consists of 10 brand new songs in their very own identity " R & T Style "

Shean Dharmaratne, the vocalist of Dream Team has undertaken the management plus the marketing of the debut album of these two teen prodigies after seeing their potential to make it BIG in the music industry. Mihiri Bopearachchie, another versatile singer is currently being the powerful force as the female vocalist, adding harmonies in her own style on most of the R & T songs.

DJ BoBo sings in Lanka

By Sanath Weerasuriya

'DJ BoBo' will perform a 90 minute mega show together with his singers and dancers. BoBo is a popular figure in Sri Lankan music scene and his songs 'There is a Party', Keep on 'Dancing', Everybody','Celebrate','Lies''Mystasia', 'Let the Dream Come True" are some of the very popular hits among the local audiences.

DJ BoBo has gained international success and popularity due to his costly and spectacular stage shows. His concerts are a mixture of pop -rap music with dancers , most modern lighting systems, special effects and pyro technique.

The promoter of DJ BoBo is "Harris Ghouse Music Promotions" of Germany , who promoted 'Five', Eifel 65',' Backstreet Boys' 'Loona' and Beatles Revival Band in Russia and other Eastern European countries during the last couple of years.

Harris Ghouse is now a German national, born and studied in Colombo.He migrated to Germany in 1973. Harris was the founder and the leader of the rock band 'Unwanted Generation'. Harris played bass for UG and that was the very first band, who introduced 'rock' music to Sri Lanka in early 79 together with famous Kumar Navaratnam.

Harris has two companies in Germany. One is Expedair , which handles movements of musicals and stage equipment for band ,when they are on tour.

The other one is the promotional company. Harris has promoted Five, DJ. BoBo, Modern Talking, Eifel 65 etc in Poland Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and in Russia.

"DJ BoBo concert will become one of the biggest concerts to be staged in Colombo." Harris said 

BoBO has released five albums and sventeen singles since 1994. He has received world -wide 245 golden and 20 platinum records 

ITN has gone places

The Independent Television Network, the pioneer TV Station in Sri Lanka was established 21 years ago and initially beamed its programmes to Colombo and the suburbs.

The development of ITN, however depended on its own income and over the years was able to expand its service by constructing Transmitting Stations at Yatiyantota, Nayabedda and Deniyaya. It was only last year the Hunnasgiriya Transmitting Station came into operation.

With the private TV channels coming into the fray, the Government realized the importance of further developing ITN. With this in view, for the first time in its history, the government agreed to invest a sum of rupees 300 million spread over three years. The first step in the present development plan is the establishment of the Karagahatenna Transmitting Station.

The Karagahatenna Transmitting Station will form a link with the North through the Districts of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Jaffna and we will now be able to beam our programmes to these areas making ITN islandwide.

Karagahatenna is situated on a scenic mountain peak in the Matale District, 4000 feet above sea level. A 10 Kw. transmitter and a 65 metre mast has been constructed and this complex was ceremonially opened on October 4.

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