Lakmal guitarist by vocation and doctor by profession

By Sanath Weerasuriya

Lakmal Peiris, a Sri Lankan classical guitarist now living in Spain, released his first compact Disc, 'Vivencias' in July 1998.

The CD comprises eleven tracks from Mangore, Tarrega, Piazola Schubert, Beethovan, Jobim and Vitler.

Top Spanish classical musicians like Antonio Sanchez, Roy Avila, Luis Quinones, Leo Brower, Pasqual Hernandez rendered their service to Lakmal on this massive production. Lakmal was born on the same day as Beethoven but 189 years later in Moratuwa. He studied at St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa till he left for Cuba to join the medical College in Havana.

Unfortunately at the age of nine and being the eldest of his family he promised his father to look after the family. At the age of 17, one of his inventions a working model of the Sun, Earth and the Moon was awarded a prize at a Science Exhibition in Sri Lanka granting him amongst other merits a scholarship for higher studies in the Republic of Cuba and studied medicine.

Being a 3rd year medical student he was initiated in Music Harmony and Classic Guitar by Luis Meneses Columbie, who on the other hand was his Surgery disciple at the 'Dr. Mario Munoz' Student Ancillary Group for early surgical practice.

Today Luis Meneses Columbie is the Head of the General Surgery Division of the Country's Hospital at El Salvador Northern Chile.

Since Lakmal is quite an autodidact appearing at several Music Festivals in Cuba as a Guitar Soloist forming a Classical Guitar Duo with Dr. Meneses and as the leader of the Guitar Group of the Instituto Superior de Ciencias Medicas de Villa Clara (I.S.CM.-V-C).

He gave his first Concert as a guitar soloist at the Provincial Museum of Villa Clara on June 10, 1987, during his sixth study year. Then came other concerts as guitar soloist in Cuba, Spain, England, Sweden, Germany and in Sri Lanka and being awarded several prizes.

He got tutorial training from musicians like Leo Brower, Jose Luis Martinez, David Russel and, Hugo Geller.

With his first CD record 'Vivencias' Lakmal became the first Sri Lankan recording a disc in classic guitar and is the first practising doctor recording a high technically complex Concert Tremolo such as "Una Limosnita por el Amor de Dios" (Alms for the love of God) from the Guarani genius Agustin Barrios Mangore.

In addition to his careers as doctor and musician Lakmal also specialised in the methodology of scientific research and biostatistics. He has written 18 scientific papers in several medical disciplines as Biochemistry, Inmunology, Psychiatry, Cardiology and General Surgery with various awards.

In the History Hall of the l.S.CM.-V.C under the title of (The Best Absolvent of All Times) is displayed Lakmal's name, photos and achievements, including Honour Roll with Golden Title (First Class Doctor of Medicine) with a quite an unreachable career academic average record of 99.6 out of a possible 100, Best Surgery Tutor, Most Excellent in Cultural Activities Member of the Institute's Athletic Team (Middle-long distance track events and orientation races) for the last five years.

Star PAdma has flair for writing

By Kumaradasa Wagista.

She is the beautiful Princess Shanti in 'Son Of Sandokan',the Italian film now being filmed in Sri Lanka.In real life she her name is Padma Lakshmi. She was born in Chennai and educated in New Delhi but today she speaks fluent English and is highly westernised in outlook and attitude.She received her training in the field of arts in the States.Presently she is living in Milan,Italy.

Although 'Son of Sandokan 'is her debut feature film, Padma has appeared in many teleserials and a variety of shows in Paris,Italy and New York.Padma has a number of interests in life.She is a model in Italy and Paris."I am very good in Italian and has a fair knowledge in French"she said.

This is Padma's first trip to Sri Lanka." I was in many places in Sri Lanka including Bentota, Ambalangoda,Kandy, Sigiriya, Colombo,and now I am in Kalutara. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and its people are kind and hospitable."she says.She has really fallen in love with our hill country,specially the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens.

Padma is one of those who has obtained a Degree in Classical Theatre from an American University.The study course is set for four years spread into theory and practicals. "It's hard work but as I was very much interested and adamant to go through the tough training I succeeded"she said.

She is confident of being assigned to play the main female character in another feature film."It will be finalised only when I travel back to Italy".

Her intensive training in classical theatre activities is expected to bear beneficial results. As the degree she has obtained is valid in any part of the world she even intends teaching theatre techniques to aspiring candidates.According to her estimates there are hundreds and hundreds of youth who are interested in getting themselves trained in classical theatre technique.

She is also interested in women's welfare activities."As time goes on I may make a deep study into the problems of modern day women's problems and write something about them "I have a flair for writing.Already I have started writing a book on food recipies.which is in the finishing stages,she said.

The title of her book is Easy, Exquisite and Low Fat'.

As she has visited many countries,she intends to at least have a few recipies from each country.

She lives single in an apartment in Milan while her parents are in the States. Although Padma is of marriageable age she has no immediate plans to marry"My parents are pestering me to settle down but I only laugh at them.

I believe there are many more things to be done before marriage."

Speaking on her character in 'Son of Sandokan'Padma says she is happy to have visited Lanka for the first film "Although I live in Italy once in a way I visit Chennai to see my relations.I visited Chennai some time back to attend a traditional ceremony conducted to celebrate' 1000 moons ' ceremony conferred on my great grandfather. It's an occasion to wish more life and a healthy future to him"she said. According to her this custom is practised only by Brahmins.

After her work is over in Sri Lanka she has planned to visit Chennai to see her relatives and then leave for Italy.

Bedi : once the Son today the Father

By KumaradasaWagista Pix by Dunstan Wickremaratne

Scattered thin rain did not hamper hundreds of men, women and children flocking to the Brahamanagama beach in Balapitiya to have a glimpse of the six foot giant facing the camera for 'Son Of Sandokan'.This is a usual sight every day when we film",location manager Malcom Mantara said.

This six feet two inch tall actor is Kabir Bedi who has been with us for the last few weeks

Sequence shooting in another international film is now is being done on in Balapitiya.It's 'Son of Sandokan' directed by the veteran/ talian film director Sergio Sollima.It was he who directed 'Sandokan' in 1964 where the internationally reputed actor Kabir Bedi played Sandokan.

Incidentally in 'Son of Sandokan' Kabir Bedi plays the elderly character of the father.His son's role is done by Rome based actor Marco Bonini."There's no harm as I grow old the character too grows old.I can't play now like a 25 year old young man as I did in "Sandokan"he said.

Indian born, Italy based model Padma Lakshmi plays the female lead opposite Kabir Bedi,the character of the beautiful Indian princess Shanti.This is her debut feature film.But she has worked in many television films

After graduation from Delhi University,Kabir Bedi worked as film chief in two advertising firms. .

His intensive training in theatre has paid him good dividends.Kabir is best remembered yet for his title role in Shakespeare's 'Othello' produced by Alyque Padamsee.

Kabir Bedi is one of Europe's most popular film and television stars.

He has also worked extensively in America.In daytime television he has played lead roles in 'General Hospital','One Life to Live',and 'The Bold and The Beautiful'."It is extremely difficult for one to get a break in American films and tele serials unless you are dedicated.It's in the hard way that one has to climb the ladder from the last rung to the top"Mr Bedi says through experience.

In the James Bond 'Octopussy' Kabir Bedi played the bad man's character opposite Roger Moore."You can see me in 'The Bold and The Beautiful'playing as a dashing Morrocan prince falling in love with a forester's wife.

'Mr Bedi commended Film Location Services Chairman Chandran Rutnam for his efficiency in handling foreign film productions. His dedication for film production has resulted in 'Son Of Sandokan' being filmed in Sri Lanka.

His other roles in Hollywood films include Ken Follet's 'On Wings of Eagles'and 'Red Eagle',Tom Clancy's 'Op Center, and in a slapstick Bud Spencer Italian comedy mini-series 'We are Angels'. He starred with Michael Caine in Richard Fleischer.'s 'Ashanthi' and .'Thief of Baghdad'.'In The Black Pirate' Bedi played the main role.

His score in Hindi films is about 45.Commenting on fees charged by some Bollywood film stars Mr Bedi says film producers pay high fees for film stars as their appearance guarantees returns."Patrons do not visit cinema houses to see the empty screen.There should be a reason for patrons to leave homes and enter the film hall.All living beings need entertainment.Even after paying 'sky is the limit' remuneration to stars, yet the producer makes a profit"

Born in Lahore before partition,his father Baba Bedi was a philosopher and a freedom fighter.His mother Freda Bedi was a Buddhist."My mother practiced Theravada Buddhist methods but later she turned towards Tibetan way of Buddhism.Later she was ordained as Sister Palmo."he said.Former Sri Lanka High Commissioner in India Nissanka Wijeyeratne had made floral tributes to Sister Palmo on her 14th death anniversary."Amidst tight shooting schedules I am hoping to visit Kandy to pay Mr Wijeyaratne a courtesy visit"Mr Bedi said.

Paying tribute to present day Indian musicians he said"although I refuse to sing and dance in films I appreciate the present onward trend of Indian music.Innovative melodies have helped to give a boost to song cassettes and even to Hindi films.

Second unit director Fabrizio Lavrenti was directing a few action cum stunt shots for the same film at Richmond Castle in Kalutara.Rob Nevis is second unit assistant director."Your Ravindra Randeniya is a talented actor.I began to like him a lot at the first sight itself,Mr Lavrenti said.

'San of Sandokan'is another massive production filmed here.About 1500 extras are working in it apart from the many local film stars.Approximately 200 workmen are also involved,unit manager Raj Perera said.Asoka Perera is production consultant while Lylie Almeida is production manager.The second assistant director to the director is Sherad Jayasuriya.

Television touches all aspects of Indian life

Delhi lens

by BJ

Life seems to be changing very fast in the soap box in India. The Bharat super models Milind Soman, Arjun Ramphal, Rahul Dev who flare up the ramp and enter the bedrooms and living rooms through the tube have been nudged out by the new cricketing super stars.

Each time you switch on the television you are sure to see more than half of the Indian cricketers endorsing various products. Sachin Tendulkar telling about his Phillips music systems or campus shoes, Saurav Ganguly drinking Coca Cola, Ajay Jadeja showing his super white teeth having brushed his teeth with 'close up' tooth paste. Rahul Dravid with his Pepsi and 'clinic plus' or Venkatesh Prasad on his Airtel Mobile Phone, and also Azar and Jadeja on Pepsi ad.

Now the Indians prefer the clean image of sports stars like Sachin Tendulkar who has reached the top with sheer hard work. Most in the Indian advertising industry prefer to use cricketers in their campaigns to boost the product image.

Some people believe that it is a healthy sign as cricketers embody the vigour and vitality of youth unlike most models who are known for booze, parties and late nights.

Rahul Dravid is used for his cricketing talents and good looks because he is the favourite of all Indian teeny boppers as all of them want to tie the knot with him.

Lets not forget our sonna boy (Sanath Jayasuriya) who ousted the two Indian super models Milind Soman and Madhu Sapre from the Bare Jeans campaign and posed with two lovely Indian damsels.

With both talent and sporty looks cricketers have become popular than film stars and models. Cricket has cut all barriers and hold the country together. But the credit must go to television. The magic of live telecasts.

Meanwhile another former Femina, Miss India has entered the film world. This time its beautiful Namrata Smrodkar who believes that films are fun and more relaxed than modelling. She has started with a bang. She plays the role of a girl who has returned from abroad in 'Mere Do Anmol Ratan." In Pukkar she plays a girl who becomes Miss India. In 'Kacche Dhaage' she becomes an advertising agency girl and plays the role of a village belle in 'Purab Ki Laila'. She tries to please her grandfather by coming to India to get married in 'Hero Hindustani'. However Namrata's most challenging role is in 'Vastar which depicts her in the role of a prostitute from the slums. It is not a typical mushy love story but a crude, real film tough to identify with and difficult to portray.

With many Miss Indias entering the celluloid world India boasts of many new kids on the block and beauties on the move.

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