‘It’s Now or Never’ with Janaka
‘It’s Now or Never’, a musical journey down memory lane with Janaka, will come alive on 9th November at Galadari Hotel from 7.00pm. Janaka Palapathwala, popularly known as Sri Lanka’s Elvis Presley and admired by Elvis fans around the country, is back in the limelight again. Janaka will be making a comeback to the local music scene by performing at what is billed to be the show of all shows.
Come November 9, the Galadari hotel will be the focus of all attention as ‘It’s Now or Never’ will see Janaka pay tribute to the King as he sings and performs some of Elvis’s greatest hits, along with other songs from the great singers of yesteryear. Janaka will be backed by a 31 piece pop orchestra led by one of the great musicians Sri Lanka has ever produced, Harsha Makalande.
Having performed in several countries in his prime, Janaka took a break from music as he focused on his full-time career as a professional stockbroker.
‘I am here after almost a decade and really love to perform in Colombo again like good old days. This time I am going to have a mixture of songs not only from Elvis’ he said.After being employed in Dubai for some time, Janaka came back to Sri Lanka and was recently persuaded by his friends to return to the stage.
Janaka will not just sing songs made by popular by Elvis Presley but will also sing some of the best hits by Jim Reeves, Daniel O’Donnell, Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones.
Harsha Makalande said the concert will see, for the first time, an individual artiste being backed by a pop orchestra.
‘Janaka has immense talent and can even be Sri Lanka’s version of Luciano Pavarotti one day’ Makalanda said.
He also noted that it is important that local talent is promoted in Sri Lanka and given the opportunity to shine on stage.
Those words were echoed by Dr. Vijeya Corea, the compere of the concert, who is credited with assisting many local artistes to come to the forefront.
Janaka learned his music from Sri Lanka’s best music teachers, Mary Anne David. To put it in the words of Janaka, she is the “A,B,C and X,Y,Z” of his music. At the press briefing to announced ‘It’s Now or Never’, Mary Anne David said Janaka is the total package as he does not just have the voice but the image as well to be a great performer.
The Lion’s Club of Jawatte Summit is also involved with the concert as the proceeds from the show will be used to raise awareness about, and assist Thalassemia patients.
Tickets for the show are priced at Rs. 2500/- and 1500/-, can be purchased at Torana, Zden, Abans main showroom, Yamaha Music Centre, Vanpetha, Sadeepa, Sarasavi bookshops and online via www.ticketslk.com while http://itsnoworneverjanaka.com will keep you updated on rehearsals and related information ahead of the concert.