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Chandana:
Success step by step
Chandana
who has been in the dance scene for nearly two decades, has moulded
hundreds of students ranging from 4 to 40 years who are set to liven
up the December 6 show. His former gurus, Piyasara and Kanthi Shilpadipathi
would grace the occasion as the Chief Guests. Chandana said part
of the proceeds would go towards helping a two and a half year to
regain eyesight. Having been
the first Sri Lankan dancer to start a website, Chandana's calendar
never goes unmarked and his troupe is heavily booked throughout
the year. The product
of Mahanama College, Colombo he was a bright Science student and
his parents' wish was to make him a doctor some day. But his ardent
desire to become a traditional dancer was burning inside him. Eventually,
Chandana decided to take up dancing seriously shattering his parents
hopes and wishes. His natural
talents and prowess were first identified by none other than veteran
dance duo Chitrasena and Vajira who absorbed him as a student and
blessed him as he proved to be brilliant student. Later he studied
under eminent dance master Kulasiri Budawatte who awarded him with
'VES' - the highest achievement in Sri Lankan traditional dancing.
He also served in the Sama ballet for many years. Thereafter,
having further accomplishing various other aspects of dancing including
choreography, Chandana joined the great gurus Ravi Bandu Vidyapathi,
Mudiyanse Dissanayake, Piyasara and Kanthi Shilpadipathi. Chandana
also performed before several overseas audiences and also choreographed
many dance festivals. At Shanthinikethan- the prestigious dance
academy in India- he followed a higher degree and on his return
he was appointed as Consultant to the Ruhunu Ballet Troupe of the
Southern development Authority. Having served
a stint there, he formed his own dance company - Chandana and the
Dancer's guild - providing a great service to his field. Chandana
has blended a variety of styles to make one spectacular statement
of Sri Lankan Art. He says his ultimate dream is to some day stage
the 'Picasso' ballet portraying the life and times of that famous
artist. Our cover this week features six of his top dancers, who will be in action on December 6. 'Tribe'music
for Lankan audiences
This
three piece band comprises of Thilak Samarasekera and Sureshni Wanigasuriya,
both ex-members of X'periments and Chrisantha Fernando. 'Tribe' currently
performs at the lobby of Lanka Oberoi and Crescat and at Taj Exotica
in Bentota. Songstress
Sureshni is more keen on singing her orginals along with other commericial
songs. 'Vasanthakale',
'Karadiya Walalla', 'Mage Hadawatha' (cover version of sha la la
la la), 'Nawe, Soya' (Cover version of 'Hasthamangana' of (Abba)
are four of their new originals. "The lyrics
and melodies of these songs are by Lucky Deva of Golden Chimes.
I always try to sing at least a couple of our originals, while performing
at these venues and I've noticed, it has gone down with the audiences
well," Sureshni said. The track of these four songs were done by Lakmal Fernando. Anil
with Goldem Chimes at 'Bethlehempure' Anil emerged
as a popular singer from Moratuwa with the 'Golden Chimes' thirty
years ago. He staged his first concert at the BMICH last year. That
event was a sell-out with many of his fans in Moratuwa unable to
witness the show. Organisers of the concert therefore decided to
stage the second concert in Moratuwa in unique style. The second
concert comes in an exclusive outfit bringing back the nostalgic
memories of the period Anil took to singing. The show is designed
to bring the blend of the music introduced by their legend Clarence
Wijewardene. This time Anil will be musically backed by the very
group that brought him to fame. The Golden Chimes with Lankika will
back their colleague Anil while the popular Annesley Malawana and
Indrani Perera will be in the guest spot. With Anil, Annesley, Indrani
and Lankika backed by the Golden Chimes led by Chanaka Perera who
was deputy to Clarence at that time will be an event memorable annals
of the music history in Moratuwa. As Anil Bhareti
comes out for thisChristmas with this concert themed "Bethlehempure",
the ever popular Christmas song, Annelsey, Indrani and Lankika will
join to bring to those evergreen hits composed by Clarence. This year's
concert has several changes made for improvement. The Golden Chimes
with Lankika was brought in to give the real concept of Clarence
Wijewardene's music composed for Anil and others. The fans in
Moratuwa will be entertained to a feast of Clarence's music with
this move. The organisers
of the show, aware of the fact that "Moratuwa means music"
has created a new spot called the "Moratuwa Spot" to bring
the music man from Moratuwa. Priya Peiris
who emerged from the "La Bambas" the first box guitar
group in Moratuwa, will sing "Nuwara Manikela" to "Cock-a-doodle
doo". The beautiful girls from the troupe "Solar Hits" will certainly get the eyes focused when they move into action as Anil starts the day to many beats. Number one compere Vijaya Corea will bring you the golden memories of Anil and the other artistes adding colour to that evening. Jazzy
Zardas action in Colombo Zardas comprise
of Fiona Pears (violin), Misha Marks (guitar), Simon Lusby (bass)
and Sri Lankan born Sumuditha Suraweera (drums) will spend the next
six weeks performing in various popular venues in and around Colombo. Zardas will
come alive at Clancy's, popular pub from 9.00 pm onwards on December
1,4,8,11,15,18,23 and 29. They will perform
at Trans Asia Hotel from December 16 to 25. Their style
is a unique fusion of many influences including Latin and Spanish
gypsy jazz, and encapsulates the varied musical backgrounds of the
band members. With a vibrant
and energetic stage presence, 'Zardas' is definitely will go down
well with Sri Lankan Jazz lovers. They perform
both originals and inventive, takes on old favourites too. They plan to do some versions of popular Sinhala classics and Sinhala Christmas songs for the festive season. |
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