TV Times

TV Times

Christmas special from Swarnawahini
By Ramesh Uvais
In a significant move, Swarnawahini is giving its audience a Chrsitmas treat by way of some special programmes shot in Rome and the Vatican.

The channel's Creative Director, Jackson Anthony who left for Rome two weeks ago with a five-member crew returned with rare documentaries on the fascinating Roman culture and its impact on Catholics and Christmas.

The documentaries titled Roma Puranaya which will be telecast on Swarnawahini on December 24 at 9.30 pm and at 9.00 am on 25 will have visuals of key religious and historical sites in Rome and the Vatican.

The Swarnawahini team returned with two Holy Madhu statues blessed by the Pope at a special mass in the Vatican on Wednesday.

Jackson Anthony, who recently bagged the prestigious Sumathi award for the best documentary based on history, said the tour was made possible thanks to the assisitance of Rahabilitation Minister Jayalath Jayawardene and the Lankan Embassy in Italy and also appreciated the unstinted support of the Lankans in Italy.

'Down Memory Lane'
'Down Memory Lane', the annual sing-along festival of golden oldies presented by the Moratuwa Arts Forum (MAF) was successfully held with the participation of the capacity crowd of old favourite lovers from Moratuwa, Colombo and elswhere.

Audience joined singing old favourites

Although the show was delayed by half an hour due to heavy rain with people arriving late as a result, their spirit was not dampened. The programme commenced with the customary 'Old folks at home' and lovable oldies such as ' Sentimental Journey', 'Red River Valley', 'Lonely River', Tom Dooley', 'From a Jack to a King', 'Memories are Made of These' followed as the evening grew darker. The show climaxed towards the end with the audience singing 'Home on the Range', 'Santa Lucia', 'Bouquet of Roses', 'Tavern in the Town', 'Tipperary', ' Pack up Your Troubles', 'Roll out the Barrel' etc. While the two and a half hour programme came to an absorbing close with the singing of 'Till We Meet Again', 'Now is the Hour' and 'Auld Lang Syne' which was sung amidst great atmosphere with the audience standing up and holding cross-hands depicting brotherhood and peace.

The 'vintage orchestra' which provided the music comprised Randolph De Silva and Ramani Soysa playing the piano, Nissanka Wimalasuriya performing on the steel pedal guitar, violin, harmonica and accordion. Rolinson Ferdinando on the lead guitar, Ivan De Silva and Hemaka Fernando taking turns on the rhythm guitar, Brian Coorey and Channa Galappaththy both performing on the bass guitar along woth Laksiri Fernando and Hiran Fernando sharing the drums stool. 'MAF Singers' comprising Merril Fernando, C.L. Fonseka, Lilanthi Jayaratne, Sumangi Jayaweera, Anuradha Mendis, Dilrukshi Galappaththi, Kumari Silva, Richard De Mel, Lakshman Fernando, Hemaka Fernando.....Peiris, Derrick de Silva provided the lead for the sing along sesions.

In between the singing, there were a few special spots performed by Lilanthi Jayaratne singing 'It's a Miracle', Primal Liyanage strumming guiter and singing some delightful folk songs, Brian Coorey, Cumar Peiris, Ivan De Silva and Miran Fernando teaming up for a classy medley of songs from the 70s era and Ruwan Weerasekera performing a vibrant classical piece on the violin.

This is the sixth year in succession that MAF had held 'Down Memory Lane'.

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