'My December Dream' a reality soon From Cuba with love Weaving a story round a bicycle. "Swarnodaya": latest Swarnavahini show Raveena observes tradition Tale of a terror group Jeevarani's haunting melodies Down Belihuloya to the River Garden Resort

'My December Dream' a reality soon

This show, which will be held at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, Colombo on December 15 at 7.00 pm, will feature 110 children, teenagers and young adults in solo and group items of music, song and dance. 

Highlights of the concert will include singing sensation Fahmy Nazick in "White Christmas", Krishan Jayaratnam in "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", and the King Claude Quartet in a medley of Christmas favourites. 

Varied forms of dance, including a Top Hat dance, Hawaiian hula dance, Scottish dance complete with Bag-pipers, and a Christmas Kaffringa, sung by Baila Chakrawarthy Ranjan Dissanayake, with the Negombo Kaffringa dancers, led by Rukshi Croslin will add excitement and glamour to this Broadway Singers' concert, which is their third annual presentation, in aid of charity. The show will be produced by "Funtime" Entertainment, and musical director "King" Claude Fernando will spare no pains to make it a success. 

From Cuba with love

Cuban born Veranis is not only a singer but an expert on Keyboards. She was with the band from its inception in 1993 and has toured many countries around the world. 

She is a professional piano teacher attached to the National Institute of Music in Havana. 

"We were students at the University in Havana," says Roland Ochoa the leader of the band and all of us graduated from the Cuban Superior Institute of Arts. Some of us played with the Cuban Symphony Orchestra". 

Cuban music is advanced musically, as is generally accepted, and the band like many others, decided to detour from the proven path once they gained recognition in their homeland. They took their music to Monaco, to the Bahamas and Switzerland promoting only the Cuban Salsa Sounds as well as Caribbean music. 

With the passage of time their repertoire absorbed more Latin dance styles and engagements in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Manila and proved to be a success. 

When we started off in Cuba we played Cuban music and Latin jazz and the competition was high. The urge to play our music to the world took us out to Monaco first and now we are based in Spain," said Ochoa. 

Juan Carlos Gonzalez the man behind the congas and percussion giving that vital skin thrust to the band was nursing an injured foot, but joined in the conversation to reveal that "in Cuba you have to learn more than one instrument and learn to play them professionally if you want to be a successful musician. In school we hear all world music but we love to play Cuban music." 

Weaving a story round a bicycle.

P.U.D.Perera who has earned a name as a children's filmmaker said he will not direct any children's films for the moment but make teleserials only."As the climate for feature films is not so good I have decided the other way" he said. 

His first children's feature film 'Suddha' and his second film 'Athuru Mithuru' won accolades."Both of them failed at the box office and I am yet in debt to the bank"he laments.He made 'Suddha ' in 1985."The state must give us a helping hand to produce children's films as the independent producers do not come forward to invest in children's films"he said. 

He thanked Swarnavahini for giving every encouragement to produce children's teleserials. The story revolves around a few boys who not getting a chance of riding the chopper steal it and ride the bicycle.Meanwhile the school principal,his wife and servant jointly search for the missing chopper. Later two thieves in the village take the bicycle and hide it.Police nab the two thieves as they try to deceive the school principal.The children of the village who discover that the bicycle is missing hunt for it. The youngest of them falls into a pit in a rubber estate and while they rescue him the bicycle is also found. This leads the principal's son to become friendly with the village children.Eventually all the children feel happy and united.All of them get an opportunity to ride the bicycle. 

Dr Salman Fonseka plays the role of the school principal.Susila Kottegoda,Rahal Bulathsing-hala,Udeni Chandrasiri,Saman Athaudahetty play in this teledrama.P.U.D.Perera has scripted,cinematographed and directed it while Victor Ratnayake is its music director. 

"Swarnodaya": latest Swarnavahini show

It telecasts several segments in each item which cater to various sections of society. "Geetha Rella" brings latest creations in music and singing. A special feature of "Swarnodaya" is the awarding of prizes to the winners in many competitions. 

The children's programme presents several segments interesting to young viewers. 

Requesting the listeners to send the words of a song played by a young boy in his accordion is a creative method of drawing a large audience. 

Giving an opportunity to primary school children with talent, to display their drawings is a commendable step. "We are the heroes of children's world" provides many listeners to win prizes. The muppet show and the "Goyam Netuma", a traditional dance item are really entertaining. 

"Gnana Katha", the comedy presented by Kiri Menike and Ranbanda keeps the audience spellbound, and entertained. The feature showing the "Swarnodaya" announcers visiting a typical home encourages many families to join the programme in the coming weeks. It shows how a home can be kept clean and tidy. Family games between two families participating reminds the viewers of the Sinhala new year games. 

Raveena observes tradition

Therefore I practice it regularly,Raveena Tandon told Bollywood media recently. 

Her father Ravi Tandon was a famed film director who had directed films for big banners.Super stars of Bollywood had come under the baton of Ravi Tandon during his haydays between 70's and 80's.Raveena Tandon remembers how her father was called 'the gentleman director' even by the super stars of that time.She is so attached to her father who is now in retirement as he was her guiding 'star' in life.Raveena is so fond of her parents that she feels her parents are her best friends."I never hid anything from my parents.Even my affairs were known to them." Some special qualities they possessed were to look at things in a practical way."They always assured me that many things that happen is a part of one's growing up and encouraged me to confide in them all my feelings. Their policy had all along been to guide and not to impose"she said. 

Raveena Tandon yet remembers a bit of advice given by her parents."When you are learning to walk,you are bound to fall a hundred times. What's important is that you should have the courage to get on to your feet and try to walk." 

Tale of a terror group

By Kumaradasa Wagista

The film's director Mohan Niyaz created these scenes in a set designed by art director Ranjith Silva in Kirinda. 

Some top stars of the local screen including Robin Fernando,Kamal Addaraarachchi,Dilhani Ekanayake Yasodha Wimaladharma,Veena Jayakody and Roshan Pilapitiya faced camera for several days recently in this set.The sequences were filmed by cinematographer K.D.Dayananda. 

The usual properties found in terrorist camps are found in the set.Targets set to train them to shoot into a set goal,Leaping from steps.Exercises that are given to them so that they could escape from the enemy. 

'Kalu Sudu Mal' written and directed by Mohan Niyaz is one of the few films financed by the National Film Corporation (NFC) to promote the cause of producing quality films."About seventy percent of filming is over. Weather conditions were an obstacle to go ahead as scheduled" director Niyaz said. 

The story is so exciting and thrilling as lawful citizens have actually not seen suicide bombers who come to town to carry out a mission as instructed by their leaders.The clothing they wear,how they move about pretending to be ordinary women, dedication and courage all combine to make the story flow smoothly. 

Robin Fernando plays the role of a Police Chief who operates in civvies with some junior officers.He was working in Kirinda for several days.He plays a key role as a law officer,Mohan Niyaz said. 

The climax of 'Kalu Sudu Mal'is yet to be shot.A love affair develops amidst all this and the climax is the eloping of the two lovers.Kamal and Dilhani play as lovers. Their love story interwound with the main story is so touching and exemplary that it would be a scoring point in the film,the director said. 

As more new faces are needed to the film industry director Niyaz has given a role to Roshan Pilapitiya."He has to improve in many ways but as a novice he plays well.He seems to be dedicated and is working with much dedication"Niyaz said.As usual there are no songs in this film."There is no necessity to waste time in picturising songs which will only interrupt the story" he added.Sarath Wickrema is the music director. 

The final shots of this film is scheduled to take place at Horana where all artistes are involved. 

'Kalu Sudu Mal' is timed to be released next year. 

Jeevarani's haunting melodies

She is a product of "Lamapitiya' conducted by the then Radio Ceylon and has been singing from her sixth year.Her debut film was Lester James Peries'Sandesaya' After acting in several black and white films she got a break in Mike Wilson's 'Ran Muthu Duwa'(Colour) where she acted opposite Gamini Fonseka.The Gamini-Jeevarani screen lovers created a sensation in the local screen for little over two decades.After her marriage to Dr Lanka Wijesena they migrated to Australia to work in a hospital in Newcas- tle in Australia. 

Jeevarani has sung in a few Sinhala films also."I visit Sri Lanka almost every year and on these visits the lyrics of these songs were penned by our lyricists and later tuned by two leading music directors Sarath Dasanayake and Stanley Peiris"she said. 

Most of these have been sung by Jeevarani and Bonnie musical evenings held in Sydney.'Namal Vasantaya' CD was earlier released in Sydney. She has taken part in the prestigious 'Madurasanga'programme held at Joan Southland performing Art Centre,Sydney.The CD and song cassette is duplicated by Torana and distributed by Gypsies. 

Down Belihuloya to the River Garden Resort

This Resort lies just 3 1/2 hours drive away from Colombo. Set within natural surroundings that make it the nature lovers ultimate getaway River Garden offers something for everyone. For a relaxing holiday this idyllic resort is set beside a river surrounded by jungle that makes it a romantically obscure getaway. 

Three cabanas sit on the mountain slope overlooking the wide expanses of forest and hills. In the distance the welcoming heights of the Paravigala and Mahaeliya mountains beckon the nature enthusiast. 

The breakfast buffet on offer every Saturday/Sunday is priced at Rs. 130/- per head. The buffet is open until 11 a.m. 

The day could be an exciting one if one let it be so. An excursion to Horton Plains preferably early in the morning will reward one with the breathtaking view of Worlds End. Baker's Falls and the indigenous flora and fauna of Horton Plains will make it a visit to remember. 

The vicinity of many scenic wonders of Sri Lanka, namely the Samanala-wewa Reservoir, Bambarakanda Falls, Kooragala and Duvilli-ella (Falls) and historical sights of worship provide the sightseer with a number of interesting opportunities. 

A natural pool amid the unspoiled surroundings has a riverside bar that provides hot fresh side orders. The side orders come in a mouth watering variety of meats and seafood. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served to the accompaniment of calypso music at the bar. A special baby pool lies for the kids. 

The weekend lunch Buffet is a special treat with a sumptuous array of cuisine to choose from. The Buffet closes at 5 p.m. making sure it's 'A treat you wouldn't miss'. The cuisine includes Chinese, Sri Lankan, Western and A-La-Carte menus. 

The evenings are torch lit with the soothing sounds of calypso music. Special barbecue nights could also be arranged. 

Business travellers will also find the availability of a mini conference hall able to accommodate 15 persons ideally suited to their needs. 

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