Musically
yours with Rupavahini
By Susitha R. Fernando
Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) is to fulfill
another national obligation. It is to give a hand to promote Sri
Lankan music and publicize its history.
The
musical concert titled ‘Rev Dun Gee’ on November 28
(today) at 6.30 pm at the BMICH is to felicitate some of our veteran
artistes Sunil Shantha, Eddie Jayamanne and Rukmani Devi, Neville
Fernando, Wally Bastian and H. R. Jothipala, who are no longer with
us. It is organised to commemorate and honouring these great artistes.
This show will take the form of a variety entertainment.
The
title ‘Rev Dun Gee’ tells how these artistes of yesteryear
touched the hearts of their fans throughout the length and breadth
of this country.
The
question that comes up is who is to sing the songs which these veterans
sang so as not to harm their god name. To render Sunil Shantha’s
songs that versatile young artiste Ivor Dennis has agreed mostly
as a mark of tribute for his ‘guru’. He was one of the
ardent pupils of Sunil Shantha so invariably Sunil’s everlasting
hits like Olu Pipila, Kokilayange, Lanka Lanka, Handapane and Mihikatha
Nalawala will be brought to life by Ivor at Rev Dun Gee.
Well
who will sing those catchy songs sung by Eddie Jayamanne? That person
will not only have to sing but he should be able to act too. And
Bandu Samarasinghe has met the need.
Corrine
Almeda will sing nightingale Rukmani’s haunting songs and
she will be ably matched by Keerthi Pasqual to sing the duet sung
skilfully by Neville Fernando Malbara Himidiriy and Gayana Gayum.
Our
pioneer Wally Bastian who gave a new meaning to Sri Lankan Baila
will be remembered when Saman de Silva sings some of his famous
hits like Mathakai Amme, Muhude Yamu and Yaman Bando.
It
was a difficult task to find someone who could even remotely match
the popular H. R. Jothipala’s vibrant voice. Yet Rupavahini
has not failed to find another to sing those numbers. In Nalin Perera
of Marians fame Rupavahini has got a replacement. Will he match?
That’ s left to be seen at ‘Rev Dun Gee’ tonight.
It
will be the task of Sarath de Alwis to blend the music without distorting
the original. The original style will take precedence and he is
given priority at this event.
The
tickets will be available at the entrance and the proceeds of this
meaningful event will be turned over to the Sports Club of SLRC.
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