• Three generations of Music
• 'Awasan Horawa': a skilful adaptation
• 'Hemanthe Wasanthayak': A tale with a difference
• Globe trotting 'Kalu Sudu Mal'
• 'Charithe Hathak':Two hours with Kodituwakku
• Christmas fare with stars, Moratuwa elders joy
• Clancy's Irish corner in Colombo
• Udana: young and talented

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Three generations of Music

Among the presentations of music from the masters were Dvorak, Chopin, Strauss, Tchaikovsky just to name a few, at "An Evening of Music" at the Russian Cultural Centre. 

On December 28 last year, was a duo who stole not only the hearts and minds of all those present but also the Runner's-up award for the Best Performance 2000.

Six year old Shyanne Bahar a student of Shirani Weerakkody made a slick introduction of her grandfather, Ishan Bahar (of Jetliners fame of the 60's & 70's), who in his own inimitable way had the audience in stitches of laughter with his special dose of lightheartedness. 

At the end of their rendition of Sir Cliff Richard's Mistletoe & Wine, appropriately picked for the mood of the season, there was not a heart which had not been touched in a special way by this very special couple.

The closing words of Mano Chanmugam, the Chief Guest and one of the ajudicators of the competition were, "Ishan you better watch out, your talented grand-daughter is going to steal the thunder from you."

Shyanne is the daughter of Ricky Bahar 'Average Steelers'and 'Cardinal's Outburst' fame, who is presently riding high on the local western music scene. And who can say in the not so distant future a 3 generation concert maybe on the boards.


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'Awasan Horawa': a skilful adaptation

"Awasan Horawa" has been adapted as a teledrama from Nobel laureate Albert Camus' novel "The Cross Purpose". it will be the first teledrama telecast in the year 2001.

This 16 episode production directed by Daya Alwis will be shown on ITN channel every Friday at 7.30 p.m. from January 5.

The story is woven round "Sylvester" an autocratic rugged looking man in his sixties who runs a rest house where his wife "Adlin", daughter Nelia, son Ashley and their loyal elderly mute servant Pabilis find life very hard under his rule. 

Nelia who is in the latter part of her youth is unhappy, watching all her friends getting married to their loved ones. She has resigned herself to her fate, while Ashley rebels to break-away from the overbearing influence of his father which only makes matters worse. Having to cope-up with everything, Adilin suffers most.

The arrival of the young musician Udayakantha into their lives starts a chain of events which changes their lives forever. 

He brings a breath of fresh air into Nelia's life. 

She falls in love with the handsome, mild, young musician and starts to live again. Suddenly she finds her life exciting and bright.

Ashley's clashes with his father continue. Every confrontation makes him realise that he is no match for his father. Being unable to endure this life anymore Ashley opts to run-away from home. This creates more and more problems in the family and Sylvester finally becomes ill.

In the meantime a middle aged person called Clifford comes to stay in this place to conduct a survey. He becomes an onlooker of the family saga and consoles and advises Nelia and Adilin. But predictably Sylvester is suspicious of Clifford's involvement and asks him to leave.

Nelia meanwhile carries on blissfully with her affair until the day Sylvester comes to know about it. Furious that Nelia could love some one behind his back and unable to bear the thought of losing her, Sylvester plans to get rid of Udayakantha forever. One night he confronts Udayakantha, on his way home, and kills him by knocking down his bike with his jeep.

Nelia is inconsolable and heart broken after Udayakantha's death. Knowing her father's wrath she is suspicious of the whole incident and somehow finds out about the part Sylvester had played in the accident. She finds strength to confront her father and accuses him of the crime. 

Then unexpectedly Sylvester dies from a heart-attack. Without his iron rule the rest house gradually becomes decrepit, run down and untidy. 

One day their good old friend, Mr. Clifford returns. Having heard about the ordeal the family had gone through he is sympathetic and offers his help. Clifford tries to cheer up Nelia who by now is so overcome with her misery finds life worthless. He tells her that it is possible to have anything in life if you have enough money, thus inadvertently unleashing a chain of events, that will engulf the lives of both of them.

Nelia decides to act on Clifford's advice. In her a deluded state of mind she resolves to murder the wealthy guests who come to the guest house and take their money. She manages to get all the others to help her and the first victim who falls prey to Nelia happens to be none other than the kind Mr. Clifford. Likewise she successfully carries out several crimes thus becoming a murderess and a lunatic. 

Meanwhile Ashley, the son of the family who ran away had managed to get a job in factory as a manager and marries a beautiful girl. In an unexpected encounter he comes to know about the present situation of the family and decides to help his mother and sister and sets off for his old residence. 

On his way he decides to surprise his mother and sister. He pretends to be a wealthy businessman and no body suspects him. 

But Nelia has other plans. Will Ashley become a prey to his sister or will she able to identify him? As the story continues "Awasan Horawa" moves to a tragic end. 

The cast includes Anoja Weerasinghe, Ashoka Peiris, Daya Alwis, Nilanthi Wijesinghe, Jagath Wickremasinghe and Channa Perera.


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'Hemanthe Wasanthayak': A tale with a difference

By Susitha R. Fernando

"Hemanthe Wasanthayak" is the latest teledrama directed by journalist Rodney Widanapathirana and starring veteran actress Sriyaeni Amerasena.

Filmed entirely in London including its well known beautiful sights the story revolves around the struggle between two families living in London due to their different religious beliefs.

Doctor Niranjan and his wife Nalani played by Vimal Alahakoon and Sriyaeni Amerasena are a couple living in London with their only son Sagara (Roshan Pilapitiya) studying to follow his fathers profession. 

The Christian couple Donald, a practising lawyer(Anura Hagoda) and his wife Susan (Prema Ganegoda) live in London while their daughter 'Sanita' (played by Kanchana Mendis) lives in Sri Lanka. They are friends of Dr. Niranjan's family. 

Though Sagara is not attracted to Sanita she wins his parents heart.

Meanwhile Sagara carries on with 'Brenda' a foreign girl. The affair turns sour where Tom, another foreigner walks into the life of Brenda. 

Living away from the parents in Sri Lanka, Sanita has an affair with 'Jerom' which continues despite regular quarrels between the two. Fed up with the quarrelsome affair Sanita leaves for London when her parents invite her. There she meets Sagara who does not show any interest in her. 

Sagara who is heart broken on hearing of the affair between Brenda and Tom meets with an accident. And now it is Sanita who comes to attend on him with the permission of their parents. Deserted by Brenda, Sanita's love brings new hopes to Sagara's life.

Meanwhile Sagara's aristocratic aunt 'Karuna' who is not married comes to London to live with them on a holiday. She strongly opposes Sanita's role as Sagara's nurse.

After aunt Karuna's persuasions Sagara's Parents decide to compare and contrast the horoscope of the young couple. 

The readings not being satisfactory and sickness and misfortune being forecast for the couple the affair ends abruptly.

Destined to take different ways, the separation of the young couple affects the peaceful atmosphere surrounding the lives of their parents. 

It is Sagara's aunt, Karuna who is instrumental in separating the couple.

The two youngsters go their own ways and get married. But as the story ends fate brings them together despite the many obstacles they face.

The cast incledes both foreign and local actors and actresses. They include Sriyani Amerasena, Prema Ganegoda, Roshan Pilapitiya, Kanchana Mendis, Wimal Alahakoon, Anura Hagoda, Karen Hartright, Michcal Russel and many others. 

Screen play written and jointly produced by Sriyani Amerasena with Prema Ganegoda and Anura Hagoda, M. D. Jayathunge was behind the camera. 

Rodney Vidanapathirana was assisted by Somadasa Maldeniya in the direction.


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Globe trotting 'Kalu Sudu Mal'

Mohamed Niyaz's latest work 'Kalu Sudu Mal' is to be screened in France and Australia this month prior to the official release in Sri Lanka.. 

The story of two youths and their problems with the civil war as the backdrop is the plot in this young director's work which hopefully would be released in June.

The film is to be shown on January 21 in Paris, France and January 28 in Sydney.

A young couple who meet while on a suicide mission has much to do with love, suspence and murder. Despite their mission being a deadly and intriguing one the couple tall in love as all young people do when in exciting situations.

"Kalu Sudu Mal" filmed last year on locations in and around Kandy ,Colombo and Yala has in its leading roles Kamal Addrarachchi, Dilhani Ekanayake, Lintion Semage, Yashodha Wimaladharma and Senaka Wijesinghe.

Mohamed Niyaz has done both the screen play and the direction for this sixth film of his. Among his other works are "Yasoma", and "Blendings", "Sanda Yahanata".


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'Charithe Hathak':Two hours with Kodituwakku

Wilson Gunaratne, the popular actor who portrays in humorous Teledramas will present his first Fun and Frolic filled stage play "Charitha Hathak" scheduled to go on board at the Lionel Wendt on January 7, at 3.30 &7.00 p.m.

This is a unique presentation and certainly would be the newest experience to the drama loving folks in Sri Lanka.

This is the only stage play in Sri Lanka at present in which one actor portrays seven characters on the stage.

Kodituwakku from "Nona-varuni Mahatvaruni" Pappa, Prof. Pragnaratne, Transport Teacher Mr. Bastian, Prof. Marenzie (Italian) are among the seven characters.

Also cast includes Ramani Fonseka, Susil Perera, Prema–ratne Tennakoon.

"Charitha Hathak" the humorous script has been written by Chandratilaka Gunaratne.

The versatile actor Wilson Gunaratne is using seven different voices with the appropriate costumes and make up in a brilliant way to portray the above seven characters.


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Christmas fare with stars, Moratuwa elders joy

The Moratuwa Arts Forum (MAF) completed a very meaningful programme titled 'NATHTHAL MIHIRA" on December 25 to herald Christmas.

175 inmates of the Home for the Elders in Moratuwa along with 75 less fortunate children from another cluster orphanage run by the same institution received gift packages from MAF through Santa Claus. While most of the gifts were donations, the members too had contributed to this worthy cause.

This show was held at the premises of the Moratuwa Home for the Elders in Rawatawatte, with a pleasing variety entertainment programme in which many kids from various schools in the vicinity performed. There were similar performances by both male and female elderly inmates of the home as well as by children of the orphanage. 

The MAF members too did a stint of carols with Project Chairman, Tilak de Mel singing along with other members of the committee. 'NATHTHAL MIHIRA' came to a fitting climax with the inmates being hosted to a special Christmas dinner amidst the singing of carols and old favourites by the members of the Forum.


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Clancy's Irish corner in Colombo

In a residential corner of Colombo, that is as green as the Emerald Island itself, a bit of Ireland has opened up. There is bottled beer made specially for the house, Irish Stew (the grandmother's recipe that the Kennedy family grew on) and even an authentic accent from county Cork, for Annette, the colleen herself is from over there. Husband Nalin Abeyratne is the bearded skipper who feels equally comfortable behind the bar as he is in the kitchen or at the helm of ships and restaurants. He has the blend of Sinhalese and Irish hospitality tempered just right.' Clancy's' is great. 

The most attractive thing in this pub is the 'Dark Beer'. Lanka's first 'Dark Beer' introduced by 'Three Coins', is available at Clancy's only. 

The 'Clancy's Dark'Ale was launched at the Isrish pub recently. This specially brew, dark in colour, exclusively availableat Clanct's only. 

If in pubs all over the world people step in to relax, then you can go on and enjoy yourself with the games at Clancey's. This isn't an Irish joke but the hostess will give you the answers you'll have to pose the right question. The games will go on every night, while jazz, country and western, rock 'n roll, folk and accordian bands will provide the entertainment and the background for sing alongs. "Long way to Tipperary", "Molly Malone", "Irish Eyes", "the Minstrel Boy," "Beautiful, Beautiful Brown Eyes" the Beatles, Rolling Stones, even "Show me the way to the way to the next whiskey bar" can be belted out and no one cares if you are singing false, it is how you're enjoying yourself. 

Question time, is where you can prove your intellect and your capacity to hold your drinks. Ten rounds of questions on every goddamed topic on earth, Entertainment, Sports, Music, the Natural World and a picture round. If you feel like a change from the humdrum rice and curry, buriyani, kottu roti, try the fish and chips or the Irish Stew at Clanceys, opened for lunch and dinner. 

Have you heard the latest Irish joke on London's Millennium Dome? Even a Frenchman could not save it from closing down. 

Here the Irish have the last laugh, for they are too wise to waste public money on building monuments to close them down. 


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Udana: young and talented

One of the most promising young talents to emerge from a Karaoke Championship was the versatile and energetic, Udana Prageeth Jerome Silva an old boy of St. Peter's College, Colombo. 

Jerome had an exposure to song and music from a very young age, while performing with his father Franklin Silva in their own band, "The Rhythmic Vibes". Jerome is a versatile musician, who can play while singing.

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