'Premiere Night', an evening of percussion music with debut appearance of young Rakitha Wickramaratne to the world of music will be marked at 7,00 pm on August 12 at the BMICH. The show also marks the launching of Rakitha as an International LP 'Brand Endorser'. LP or Latin Percussion is a world renowned percussion brand based in USA.

Founded by percussionist Martin Cohen, 'Latin Percussion' instruments, sold over the globe in over 25 countries. Martin Cohen's passion was to drive him to create innovative unmistakable changes to the face of percussion forever and LP is used by professionals the world over, and are in the forefront of "World Music Festivals'.

Rakitha will be a part of this group when LP officially launch Rakitha as an LP 'Brand Endorser', an honour received only by a handful of percussionists in Asia. 'Premiere Night' will also showcase the talent of another 20 rising musicians along with Rakitha and his band 'NAADRO'.

"Premiere Night will also be a rare opportunity as two world renowned musicians Flamenco guitarist Roni Benise and flutist Bikramjit Singh will make guest performance to support the young percussionist’ says Rakitha's promoter, Haadia.S.Galely.

‘They say what Yanni did for 'New Age' and Josh Groban did for 'Opera' Roni Benise is doing for Spanish Guitar. The visit of world renowned Flamenco Guitarist Roni Benise a 'Guest of Honour' at the event is assured to draw attention to the country’ she added.

He will produce music with Rakitha and NAADRO for a music video and his special emphasis will be on the Esala Perahera, on which he would do a programme.

And Bikramjit Singh too has agreed to fly down at his own expense to be present as a 'Guest of Honor' and present himself on stage to do a 'guest spot' to pay tribute to all that Rakitha has achieved.

The Sri Lanka Promotion Bureau has come forward to support this event which will be an endeavour to help in promoting the country and its music. Deputy Minister of Tourism, the Hon Faizer Mustafa will be the Chief Guest at the event and attendance is on invitation only.

Rakitha and ‘NAADRO’

Rakitha Ruwan a 'Child Protégé' born into a world of traditional Sri Lankan drumming began proving his talent at the age of 6. By the age of 7 he was ready to take to the stage for public appearances. This was just the beginning of what was to follow, in a series of award winning performances in competitive drumming, going on to win the all-island championships at Royal College, Colombo for schools.

It was not long after this, did Rakitha combine his traditional drum influences to feel the pulse of 'Latin Rhythm' which he now nurtures. Today in a rare talent Rakitha plays all types of percussions from our own Geta Bera and Udekki to Congo and acoustic drums.

Rakitha is the founder member of the newest six member drum ensemble in our country known as 'NAADRO'. 'A Percussion Ensemble' ably supported by Gayan Manokumara, Nalinda Dilupama, Ranga Nuwantha, Pabalu Wijegunawadene , and Uthpala Iroshan, are all trained under the likes of well known names in the field of music such as Piyasara Shilpadhipathi, Dr Basil Mihiripanna and Ravi Bandu Vidyapathi and all the young musicians are students at the University of Colombo, learning the Performing Arts.

The group is to present an experience with exhilarating moments of reverberating rhythm and sound, influenced by Sri Lankan, Indian, African, Mediterranean and Latin Percussion techniques.
"It is sure within a short spell of time they have gained popularity and recognition while performing at many a major event in the country," said Ms. Galely on a confident note.

Rakitha has performed in neighbouring India and Singapore and having completed a successful concert with the acclaimed Flutist R.K. Bikramjit Singh, the young percussionist will very soon be performing overseas at the invitation of Bikram and his band of 'World Musicians'.

Rakitha used his flair to contribute to the production of Sri Lanka's most expensive movie to be made, titled 'Aba' based on Sri Lankan history, to be released this year.