Lighting up their special beat band with gifts of music
A most unexpected high note in their simple lives was achieved on Saturday, March 29, bringing big smiles to their faces and the promise of a brighter future.
Expectations and excitement were tangible in the preparations to greet a special visitor. The unexpected happened when the visitor arrived – she did not just sit around but lent her voice too when the haunting strains and lyrics of ‘Hotel California’ filled the hall of the MJF Charitable Foundation in Moratuwa.
Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing joins the band: Pix by Akila Jayawardena
A special day for ‘Bright Light’, the first beat band of the vision-impaired, was made extra-special when Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing sang not just one song with them but also a solo, the Sinhala song ‘Mal Mada Hasa’, to their enthusiastic accompaniment.
The performance under the guidance of passionate Bright Light trainer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Melantha Perera of ‘Mirage’ fame concluded, it was time for the Ambassador to present the Octapad, a compact, electronic percussion instrument with eight rubber pads.
Man behind Bright Light: Melantha Perera
“It is a small donation,” she said, however, with a bigger promise – she assured Bright Light a strong collaboration with an Indonesian group which plays the Angklung, a traditional musical instrument, typically made of bamboo tubes attached to a frame. This would be in late June at the much-awaited bazaar at the embassy premises held jointly by the embassy and the Sri Lanka Indonesia Friendship Association (SLIFA).
Showering Bright Light performers with another gift, a trio of donors who wished to remain anonymous also presented a beautiful black electronic drum set.
The interaction with the performers, thereafter, of the Ambassador and Counsellor Yadi Suriahadi from the embassy along with members of SLIFA headed by President Nihal Jayasuriya continued long past scheduled times.
It was on September 1, 2024 that the PLUS of the Sunday Times brought Bright Light under the spotlight with a comprehensive feature headlined ‘Hitting a bright note with the first beat band of the vision-impaired’.
The vast strides made from September to now were obvious, after we were greeted like old friends, both by the band members and their parents.
The 12-member band comprises vocalists Samudra Gamage from Athurugiriya, Akila Dilshan from Weligama, Sandun Kalhara from Chilaw & Dinesh Premakumara from Polonnaruwa; vocalist and violinist Randi Prarthana Muthumali from Tangalle; vocalist and guitarist Theekshana Rasidu Nanayakkara from Rajagiriya; vocalist and keyboardist Sethini Madugalle from Colombo; vocalist and percussionist Chathruka Nipun from Panadura; keyboardist Rashini Sneha Jayasinghe from Ragama; drummer Susum Navoda from Vavuniya; and guitarists Ravichandran Jonathan from Pamankade & Tharindu Lakshan from Mihintale.
All smiles: Presenting the Octapad
The repertoire of March 29 included the Sinhala favourite ‘Magey Namali’ by Theekshana; the poignancy of the ‘Titanic’ film’s theme song ‘My heart will go on’ by Randi; the Sinhala song ‘Sanda Tharaka’ by Akila; ‘Hotel California’ by Tharindu; and a toe-tapping Baila by Sethini.
“The road travelled has not been easy,” says Melantha who runs the Riversheen School of Music, Moratuwa, recalling how MJF Charitable Foundation’s Rehana Wettasinghe was the first link between him and the individual performers.
Initially, about 2½ years ago, the lessons all for free were online with three to four students. The practices, sometimes, were poorly attended and he was discouraged but one student, Dinesh, was adamant that they should not give up. Now, in addition to the twice-weekly online sessions, they meet for a physical practice once a month with all the enthusiasts travelling long distances to the MJF Charitable Foundation.
“We have practised ‘Hotel California’ online and today they played it for the first time physically,” says Melantha with justifiable pride, looking at his band – all in pink T-shirts except one, with the motto broadcast loud and clear being ‘Yes, we can’.
The overarching and binding power of music was at play that Saturday along with bonds forged not only across Sri Lanka but also across the seas with Indonesia.
| A first; hitting the stage | |
| Await the first public performance when the ‘Bright Light’ beat band goes on stage on June 7 at the MJF Charitable Foundation in Moratuwa.This will be followed by a bigger concert in Colombo later this year, promises Melantha. |
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