Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

A world of talent
By Ishani Ranasinghe
Each year there are those annual events that are a must-attend and participate in the calendars of many teenagers. There is the Shakespeare Drama Competition, TNL Onstage, all those rock concerts and of course Talent Search.

Organised by the Interact Club of Royal College, over the years, Talent Search has grown to become one event that has received recognition in the music community here in Sri Lanka. Dubbed the Interact Grammys it is a contest of song, music and dance… a forum where all interactors and non-interactors island – wide participate and display their talents that are yet to be discovered.

Since its inception by the Interact Club of Royal College, Talent Search has been an annual project that has always succeeded in bringing out the talents of interactors from all over the country. The year 2001 saw the participation of non-interactors in this event for the first time. This will definitely give the necessary encouragement and the opportunity to students of schools without interact clubs to display their talents at such a prominent event.

Many youngsters have much talent in them that is yet to be exposed, identified and recognised. Unfortunately there is a lack of events such as Talent Search, which gives these youngsters the opportunity to display their talents and give them a start in pursuing their dreams. The increasing numbers of participants over the past years have confirmed this fact.

This year’s Talent Search woven around the theme, ‘The birthplace of stars’, will be held on a much larger scale as they have now switched venues, and plan on having it at the BMICH. “This will be the breakthrough year,” says project chairperson Susith Wickremasinghe explaining that the project has now expanded.

“Talent Search has come to a level that it now gets a lot of recognition,” says Gabriel Rockwood explaining that the finals open up a lot of opportunities, and that you don’t necessarily have to win the event. “It has become a stepping stone for many artistes,” quips Susith.

Speaking about the guest performances that are scheduled to perform, Gabriel Rockwood, a member of the organising committee, says that this year they hope to get people who have benefited through Talent Search.

It is definitely one of the most looked- forward to events in the interact calender of District 3220. And over the years it lived up to its expectations in bringing out electrifying artistes such as Bathiya and Santhush, The Creators, Ranidu Lankage, Ashanthi and Stigmata, etc.

As the stage lights up on November 2 at the BMICH, those of you who make their way there can witness some fantastic talent on display as the finalists of Talent Search 2005 take the stage. The principle sponsor for the event is Pepsi, while MBC and MTV come in as the electronic media sponsors and The Sunday Times will be the print media sponsor.

The Kandy semi finals will be held on October 2 at the Trinity College Hall, and the Colombo semi finals will be held on October 15 and 16 at the Royal College Main Hall.

The competition will be judged in the following categories: Solo Singing, Group Singing, Rap, Dancing (Eastern and Western), Instrumental (Acoustic and Non Acoustic) and Band.

For information with regards to registration, please contact Malaka Premasiri on 2745239/ 0724138752 or Amila Gamage on 0773166180/ 2669685.

Top