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'Oba Magemai': Debut CD of Ranidu and Ashanthi
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Ashanthi de Alwis and Ranidu Lankage two of most talented young musicians in Lanka today, will release their debut album 'Oba Magemai' on January 16.

The Duo's debut album 'Oba Magemai' consists of 12 songs composed mainly by Ranidu. The arrangements were also mainly done by Ranidu with additional assistance by Ranga and Dassanayake Bathiya Jayakody (one track).

All vocals were performed by Ashanthi and Ranidu with the exception of Nevanthi Perera performing backup vocals on the track "freedom"

The Sinhalese lyrics were written by Bandula Nanayakkarawasam, Chanaka Jayasekera and Ranidu Lankage. All English lyrics were written by Ashanthi.

'Oba Magemai' has three English songs and one instrumental.

'All other songs are Sinhala and others are mixed with English. The album has a balled, one R & B song, a garage and a dance songs. Though these are Sinhala songs we managed to keep the music styles in ballads, R & B and other popular formats'. Ranidu said.

'Ashanthi and Ranidu give new meaning to the word "genre" blending sounds that have never been associated together before. These two young artistes are the latest promising image of Sri Lanka's youth music.

'Our main aim is to give the Sri Lankan youth an identity through their music. The language, may be different but music and trends are universal' he said. Whilst the on-going trend of most Sri Lankan bands is to focus on performing over versions, little thought is given to producing and performing original music. Reaching out to all Sri Lankan audiences with a new concept of music is what 'Ashanthi & Ranidu' have in mind.

For instance their new tracks "Oba Magemai" the first Sri Lankan Garage track, "angel" and "Sinasenna" focus on the latest western sounds blending a bit of east and West for the Sri Lankan market.

Combining distinctively Sri Lankan sounds with R&B Garage, dance and hip-hop, this duo has surely got what it takes to take the Sri Lankan music industry by storm.

Ranidu is a product of Royal College, Colombo and he was an active member of the Royal College choir till year 2000.

Currently studying at Yale University U.S.A. Ranindu is one of the pioneers in the youth music industry. He will handle the production of this album and creating the original 'Ashanthi & Ranidu' sound.

Having performed with 'Bathiya and Santhush' for more than two years as their rapper he has performed together with them on recordings and live performances on all major television and radio channels in Sri Lanka. After learning basic programming skills under Dilup Gabadamudalige, Ranidu composed Bathiya and Santhush's smash hit 'Manusathkule' in the year 2000 and directed and composed music for the opening ceremony of the Asian Athletic Championships 2002. He was also a member of the Winning team at the '2001 Azia Dauzi' Music festival In Kazakhastan.

Ranindu has also been quite successful as a solo artiste. Having been chosen as a finalist at 'TNL On-stage 2001' which is the most prestigious band competition held for amateur artistes in Sri Lanka, his songs are aired on TNL and Sun Fm and also his revolutionary track 'Oba Magemai' has been a smash hit on Hiru FM and has received extensive airplay on Sirasa FM and Shri FM. Other highlights in Ranidu's career include composing the theme song for Sirasa FM's 10th anniversary.

Having one for the most recognizable voices in the industry today, Ashanthi will be the driving voice behind the album. Her association with Semi-classical and Jazz music goes back many years, starting with her training under Mrs. Marianne David in 1997. She has also won singing competitions at school level and was the leader of the Ladies College choir in the year 2000.

She has dominated the advertising industry for some time now, singing many TV/Radio commercials. Her credits include singing for Advertisements such as Dialog, Coca-Cola, Maliban, Marmite, Newdale, Tang, Daily, Kandos, Raja FM, Sirasa FM and the theme for the 2002 Asian Athletic Championships to name a few.

Ashanthi also has the distinction of being named the "most promising female singer" at the 2000 Shanghai-Asia Music festival held in Shangahai, which drew participants and top recording industry officials such as Sony, Virgin and HMV from more than 25 nations across the globe.

She has performed for many of the rainbow foundation events since 1998, the SLIM Awards in year 2002 and is billed to perform at the Miss Sri-Lanka Pageant this August. Additionally she has been invited to perform in the Philippines and Russia.

Ashanti has also performed extensively around Sri Lanka as a member of the 'Bathiya and Santhush' team as their main backup vocalist for both their albums 'Life' and 'Tharunyaye'. Her song 'Out of the blue' featured on the album 'Life' has received extensive airplay on Sun FM, Yes FM and TNL and has also been a favourite on the request shows.

Russian Bolshoi Theatre tonight
The popular Russian Bolshoi Ballet will perform in Sri Lanka on January 12 at the BMICH.

This Bolshoi Ballet, which will perform in Sri Lanka will commemorate the tenth death anniversary of Radolf Nuveyer, a former leader of the ballet.

The ballet team comprises of Konstantin Matheveenv, Elena Dzukova, Annna Aleksidze, Anatoly Emelyanov, Aliya Hasenova and Irian Lazariyeva.

They will be performing some of the ballets danced by Nuveyer during his life time in Russia such as 'Romeo Juliet', 'The Sleeping Beauty' by Tchaikovsky, Esmerelda' by Pugni, 'The Lying Swan by Saint Seans, 'Don Quixote' by L. Minks and 'Double Music' by Tchaikovsky's Russian Dance.

The leader of the team is Konstantin Mathveev. He, in 1988 completed Moscow Academical Choregraphic College is a Soloist of Bolshoi Theatre. In repertoire he executes main roll in Ballets: "Swan Lake", "The Nut Cracker", "Don-Quixote", "Ivan The Terrible".

Elena Dzukov- completed Moscow Academical Choregraphic College, Soloist of State Academical Bolshoi Theatre, Prize winner of International competition of ballet artistes in Moscow. In repertoire she executes classical and typical, roll in ballets: "The Sleeping Beauty", "Swan Lake", "Ivan Susanin", "Heat-Bird", "Kazanova" etc.

Anna Aleksidze - artiste of Bollshoi Theatre, completed Tbilis State Choregraphic College in class under the guidance of V. Kabuniani, N.Silvanovich. She is a diploma and winner of special prize for Fascination in International Competition of Ballet artistes named after Dyagililev. In repertoire she executes in Ballets "The Sleeping Beauty", "The Nut Cracker", "Zolushka", "Don-Quixote", "Romeo and Juliet" etc.

Anatoly Emelyanov - artiste of Bolshoi Theatre, completed Permsk Academical Choregraphic College. Prize Winner in lnternational competition of Ballet Artists named after Dyaglilev. Solo Party in Ballets; "Swan Lake", "Don -Quixota" etc.
Aliya Hasenova - Artist of Bolshoi Theatre, completed ~Moscow State Academical Choregraphic college. 3rd Reward in International competition of Ballet artistes. Solo leading party in Ballets: Gypsy Girl {Don-Quixote), Spanish Dance (Swan Lake), Eastern Dance, Spanish Dance (The Nut Cracker) Fairy (Zolushka), Pas-De-Deux (Corsair and Pahita)

Irina Lazariyeva - completed with Honour Moscow State Academical Choregraphic College, Honoured artiste of Russia. She played more than 40 solo party in Bollshoi Theatre, completed State Institute of Theatral Art, Lecturer-Coach of Bolshoi Theatre.

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