TV Times

TV Times

More gigs from DR Entertainments
In recent times, the entertainment world has received a fresh impetus with the strategic combination of two personalities who are distinctly complementary to one another. The combination of Damayantha Kuruppu and Rajiv Sebastian has given birth to the emergence of DR Entertainments as a frontline Entertainment Company.

The formidable partnership of DR Entertainments brings to the fore the innovative and streamlined administrative capabilities of Damayantha Kuruppu who is a professional Hotelier and the versatility of composer, lyricist and singer, Rajiv Sebastian who undertakes and oversees the musical facets of any event organised by them. DR Entertainments do not lend their name to just any show that can easily be described as ‘ordinary’, but rather they would exclusively go in for the kind of event which can be classified as ‘extraordinary’ and with a distinct and identifiable concept.

Damayantha took to the partnership because of his abiding interest and love for music. Apart from his personal link to the celebrated musician, Clarence Wijewardena, he himself sang for the group “Lonesome Stone” in which the keyboard player was none other than Dulip Gabadamudalige. Damayantha holds a Degree in Hotel Management. Rajiv Sebastian, on the other hand, is a unique musician with uncommon capabilities for creative Iyric writing, composing music and directing music.

The song he wrote for his mother within days of her demise “Mawni Ma Diabara” is ample evidence of his ingenious gift for creativity. He wrote the lyrics, composed the melody and sings the song himself on his latest CD. His God-given talent has seen him emerge as an excellent vocalist with the ability to sing with equal dexterity in both English and Sinhala. He performs with his own well established group “Rajiv and the Clan”. Of course, it is true that his voice has been identified to be the closest to the late Clarence Wjiewardena, especially when he sings the well loved hits of the late singer.

DR Entertainments started off with “Tribute to Clarence” and proceeded to stage many other memorable entertainment events such as “Back to the 70’s”, “Rajiv & Corinne in Concert”, “70’s to the Millennium” and the biggest of them all - “Sooriya Show” - followed by “5-Star Explosion”. DR Entertainments have always been quick to pick up any strand that they would see as being worthwhile.

When they were in conversation one day at the residence of veteran Broadcaster and Compere, Dr. Vijaya Corea, the latter recalled the early days of the Sinhala pop music industry and the role played by Sooriya Records in the late 1960s and, in passing, mentioned that the man behind the production of Sooriya Records which brought forth the music of that day to the marketplace, Mr. Gerald Wickramasooriya was now in retirement and an octogenarian and that it would be more meaningful to pay tribute to him during his lifetime rather than say it with flowers afterwards, Dr. Vijaya Corea suggested.

Gerald Wickramasooriya by bringing back on stage the “Sooriya Show” and DR Entertainments were more than quick to respond with diligent determination, resulting in a house full show at the BMICH and an auditorium enthralled while, sadly, many hundreds were disappointed not to have been able to secure a seat. Hence, the huge demand currently for a repeat of the “Sooriya Show”.

The objective of DR Entertainments is to support the music industry and to benefit the music loving public by designing new themes and concepts. Among the shows lined up are “Salute to the Legends” which will be an unprecedented musical extravaganza, paying tribute for the first time to Wally Bastian, Rukmani Devi, Eddie Jayamanne and Sunil Shantha on the 13th September at the BMICH. The show which is designed by DR Entertainments will be in collaboration with Hotel Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) of which Damayantha Kuruppu has been a past chairman.

Consequent to receiving a positive feedback, it has now been decided to stage a repeat of the Show ‘’70’s to the Millennium”. DR Entertainments have conceived some brand new concepts for next year. They are at present being worked out in collaboration with the Royal College ’83 Group and the Thomian Society of Colombo.

For those interested in joining hands with DR Entertainments to organize a successful show with audience appreciation, their e-mail address is gemini@slt.lk DR Entertainments have now become synonymous with facets of entertainment that maintain the accent on quality. The music loving world and those who appreciate good entertainment can indeed expect much from them in the near future.

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