Still dancing and singing to an old tradition

Trinity College, Kandy, established in 1872, is one of the leading schools in the country with many proud traditions to its name, including music and dance.

"Sadhani Ranga Praba”, a concert of music, both Eastern and Western as well as Eastern dance and traditional drumming held recently showcased their talents in this field. Held at the Ladies' College Hall in Colombo on October 21, the event which was organized by the Trinity College Old Boys' Association and presented by the Trinity College Aesthetic section, was another of the school's spectacular productions.

"We haven't done anything for a while in Colombo, so the idea for the performance was put forward by the OBA and it is thanks to their support that we could make this show such a success," said acting Deputy Principal of Trinity College O.J. R. Fonseka. He added that every past principal, leading upto to Rod Gilbert, Trinity's principal at present, has given continuous support to the arts. The large group of students performing ranged between the ages of 12 to 19.

The show was a combined effort of the school's National Drum and Dance Troupe, the Oriental Music Society, the Carnatic and Bharatha Natyam Society and the Western Music Society and Choir. With the first part of the programme focusing on music and singing, the latter was devoted to dance. Some of the highlights of the programme were songs such as Saraswathie Abhinandana Gee, Peenamuko and Piyakuge Senehasa by the Oriental Music Society, a piano duet, and instrumental and choral performances by the Western Music Society.

Taking the stage in the next half was the Kandyan Dance Troupe with Naga Raksha, Ves dance and Ginisila, along with performances such as a Pooja dance and an Udakki Pantheru routine by the Junior School Dance Troupe, as well as Padam and a tea pluckers' dance by the Junior School Indian Dance Troupe.

Showing a deep appreciation for the arts throughout its history, Trinity's achievements in this department, are many. The idea for the National Drum and Dance Troupe was initially conceived in the early 1970's by then Principal E.L. Fernando. "Within the last 30 years, the troupe has gained much local and international exposure participating in numerous competitions and festivals in countries such as England, Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong and Taiwan," said Vipula Janashantha, master-in-charge and trainer of the Kandyan dance troupe.

He added that the school's performance at competitions at provincial and zonal levels too has been excellent.

The history of the Oriental Music Society too, is equally noteworthy with numerous achievements both here and overseas. "We have been winning the all-island singing competitions at the senior level for the last 14 years and also performing well at international competitions in Cleveland and Wales," said Upul Edirisinghe, master-in-charge of the Oriental Music Society.

Having almost 200 hundred members in both the senior and junior sections, the students have also repeatedly won Bhakthi Gee competitions and other singing competitions. Interest in eastern music is high within the school, Mr. Edirisinghe adds.

The Junior School Kandyan Dance Troupe founded in 1988, has played an active role in almost every special occasion of the school such as the Bradby. "The school has been participating at the all island inter-school dancing competitions since 1998, and won on seven occasions," said Nandasena Thalgagoda, master-in-charge, and Junior School dance instructor.

The Indian Dance Troupe handled by Ms. Sushila Xavier too is heavily involved in school functions and island-wide competitions. "It's a unique kind of art, but there is a huge interest among students, some of its main arts being kavadi and karagam. The school supports’ the troupe immensely, especially in finding artistes to do the background music," she said.

Chryshanthi Surendrakumar, and Krishni George, the duo in charge of the Western Music Society, say their students have continuously performed well at all-island competitions every year.

Their repertoire includes traditional as well as contemporary songs. Negro Spirituals such as "Swing Low," "Deep River" and a medley of six songs on the theme of love were sung by the seniors at "Sadhani Ranga Praba" while the juniors performed "Evening Breezes" and "Glad to be Me," along with a piano duet by Christopher Norton.