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Sri Lankan musicians at the Forde Folk Festival 
Sri Lankan music in Forde Folk Festival Three Sri Lankan musicians
had a rare opportunity of being part of this year's Forde Music Festival
in Norway from July 5-7.The musicians Nadeeka Guruge, Ahilan Sivanandan and Sampath Yahampath led by manager and trainer Kalasuri Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan attracted the audience equalise well as other experienced musicians from other countries participating. Sri Lankans performed both Sinhala and Tamil folk music.
The festival began with a colourful parade down the streets of the
city of Forde.The entire city became alive with a massive crowd
gathering to greet the participants of the festival the artistes
walking down the streets playing their respective instruments with
a carnival atmosphere.
The Sri Lankan participation took place under the program "Young
talents from three continents" in which young artistes from
Norway, Sri Lanka and Kenya took part. The artistes who met four
days before the event presented a concert under the leadership of
Norwegian Music Director Tellef Kvifte and Gunnalaung Lien Myhr.
Forde international Folk Music Festival is an annual event and this
is the largest folk music show in Norway. The festival offers concerts,
workshops dance evenings. This years festival had over 250 artistes
and attracted well over 31,000 visitors from all over the world.The
main festival area was the cultural house "Fordehuset"with
five concert halls.
Sri Lanka's participation in Forde's Festival this year was a result
of joint callaboration between the Forde Organisers, Norwegian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Concert Institute, and Consulate General
of Sri Lanka in Oslo. Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation are planning to sponsor the concert "Young Talents from three continents" to be held in Sri Lanka in October.
Two top guitarists in the music scene today have lined up to do
a regular gig called 'Monday Chill-out' at the Den.
Shafi of 'Wild Fire' and accomplished vocalist cum guitarist Primal
of 'Blind Faith' will come alive at the Den on Mondays at 9.00 pm
for the 'Chill-Out'.
They will create a great atmosphere with their acoustic guitar sounds
and catchy songs as they sing in harmony.
"I have decided to do lot of new stuff, what the young crowd
like to hear"said Shafi. So obviously my selection will be,
bit different to what I do with 'Wild Fire'.
Primal instead will sing some of the greatest hits by Don McLean,
Beatles, Eagles, Dooby Brothers etc. This great combination will
keep the fans rocking throughout the night. They invite all their
fans and music lovers to be at The "Den" and be apart
of the happening. The entrance will be free and each lady will receive a special cocktail on house. Also there will be a happy hours from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm. Rajive
and Corrine in Concert
This is the first time ever in a show, where these two popular figures
will predominate the stage.
However, other well-known singers such as Sunil, Piyal, Ronnie Leitch,
A.E. Manoharan, Maxi Rozairo and Shayami Fonseka, will be also be
fearured at this concert. The band 'Ultimate' along with Rajive
and The Clan will be on stage to back the singing duo.
The event is co-ordinated by DR (Damayantha & Rajive) Entertainment
Tickets priced at Rs. 1000, Rs.750, Rs.500, Rs.300 are available at all Torana outlets. Gary
brings out 'Ishala'
'Ishala' is a combination of last three letters of the words English
and Sinhala, created by veteran cowboy singer Gary Ellis of Australia.
Gary married to a Sri Lankan has developed an interest in Sinhala
music over the years.
Most of the tracks of Ishala is now on air with SLBC's original
music time.
Two other Sri Lankans living in Australia helped and took a very
active part in producing this CD. Desmond Kelly and Robin Foenander
helped me in numerous ways, Gary said.
Gary's career has had more ups and downs than the rodeo circuit
he followed all over Australia. Gray's first stage appearance was
at the tender age of 8 when he sang "Don't Fence Me In"
to a town hall audience. The title of that song epitomizes his career.
He was an outstanding boxing prospect but swapped the gloves for
the guitar. At 19 years of age he polled 10,000 votes in winning
the prestigious "Australia Amateur Hour" and his career
took off. After travelling around Australia starring in Ern Smiths
"Western Revue" he returned a polished performer and accepted
a recording contract and a weekly TV show.
Gary has appeared on every radio station in Australia, The Tivoli
Theatre and was selected to entertain The Allied Troops at the front.
He appeared on TV with the legendary Johnny Ray. Gary has also been
a race horse trainer, showman, racing journalist and raconteur.
Gary is well-known in Sri Lanka and loves her people dearly. Gary
was thrilled when asked by the ISHALA team to join this collectors
CD. Gary's love of Sri Lanka is shown by his rendition of song "Saradiel"
a much loved Lankan legend.
Desmond Kelly, born in Sri Lanka, now resident in Melbourne, Australia
has covered nearly every aspect of show business. Accompanist, arranger,
actor, "baila" singer COMPERE, even CIRCUS performer,
Des has been all of these. "DREAM-WORLD" was his biggest
hit in Sri Lanka.
Entertainment was his life and floor-shows was his forte. Forty
years after he reluctantly left his home-land, guitar playing Desmond
would be pleased to know that "Dream-World" is still popular
in the country of his birth.
Robin Foenander comes from a very well-known musical family. His
uncle, the late Cliff Foenander was singing and recording star of
the 60s. Rob is now repeating the chart success that his late uncle
had. Robin's original compositions have already had wide critical
acclaim from well respected industry people. He continues to perform
live as a solo artiste. His song "My Special Island" was
written about his beloved country of birth Sri Lanka. This typifies
his belief in the important things in his life such as family and,
of course, his music.
Desmond and Robin sing some of the songs from Ishala.
'Welcome to Our World', ' The Bottle Let Me Down', 'My Special Island',
'Pub, with No Beer', 'Dilhani', 'Siripadha', 'Ramyamanahara', 'Ode
To Saradiel..,' 'Muhude Yamu', 'My Dog & Me,' 'Dhan Kale,' 'You
Never Can Call,' 'The Summer Wind' and 'Until Tomorrow' are some
of the popular songs of the CD.
'Dilhani, 'Ramyamanahara' and 'Siripadha' is sung by Desmond and
Gary sings 'Saradiel', 'The Pub with No Beer', 'My Dog', 'Rocking
Alone' and 'Stolen Moments'.
'Forever Together', 'My Special Island' and the 'Summer Wind' are
by Robin.
The CD is available at 'Music Mart' Nugegoda.
'Derek Maloney and Harold Fernando of SLBC must be mentioned as
they gave me the helping hand in promoting songs on air' Gary said.
The producer of 'Ishala' is Robin Foenander and the concept of the project was by Desmond. Four
piece Ernest Francis Combo at Galadari
Ernest Francis Combo (EFC) plays unplugged and specialized for traditional
dances and strict tempo functions. Ernest is an ex-member of Sri
Lanka Navy band and he plays piano and is a good vocalist too.
Nesan Thyagarajah, one of the top drummers in Sri Lanka, is the
drummer of the Combo. Madanayake is the saxophonist of the trio.
Prasad is on double bass. Francis says they play mainly 60's, 70's and 80's music. But we cater to any kind of music with only traditional style' he said. 'Ernest Francis Combo' performs at the 'California Grill' of Hotel Galadari on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. |
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