Swarangi: Music and dance extravaganza by Hillwood College, Kandy
‘Swarangi’ took place recently at Mahinda Rajapaksa theatre, Polgolla. The line-up for the evening consisted of dance, singing and instrumental performances by the students of Hillwood College, Kandy.
The show was put together by the students of the dance troupe, drum orchestra and eastern band with many hours of practice and rehearsals. With more than 100 performances under their belt since 1992, the dance troupe and drum orchestra have travelled to many parts of the world taking with them the local flavour. The Eastern band too have won many national awards for their performances in the field of Eastern music.
The much-awaited evening opened with the Bherunda Pakshiya Vannama. An innovative pooja dance based on the Bheruda Pakshiya: a two-headed mythical bird featured in Sri Lankan and Hindu folklore that symbolizes strength, vigour and might. Sixteen dancers performed the pooja dance which was a totally traditional Kandyan dance routine synchronizing perfect dance steps and moves.
Up next was a rendition based on Maalakaunsa Ragaya, a performance of a Raga which is a type of Indian Classical music which combines thought, feeling and emotion along with sensual music. The item was performed by the Eastern music troupe and was accompanied by the thabla and serpina played by students.
Trinity College, Kandy and Morbray College, Kandy were also invited to perform guest acts. Trinity College performed a breath- taking Gini Sisila and Naga Raksha which included a Pandam Paliya and Salu Paliya that mesmerised the audience.
Morbray College Girls’ school performed a Bharatha Natyam item and a Tamil song delivered effortlessly by the students.
The Hillwoodians’ performed a Suramba Walliya, a low country dance form to a tuneful melody.
The past Hillwoodians did not forget their alma- mater, their instrumental, song and modern dance was performed meticulously to the harmonious beats and their item was well received by the audience.
The schools’ Eastern band performed several items for the evening that comprised a collection of popular Hindi movie songs, a group instrumental performance based on Bihar Raga that represented versatility of music and captures the virtuosity, grace, charisma and artistic finesse of human beings.
Flight of beats was a percussion item where students made use of non- musical instruments to generate rhythms and melodies.
The last recital of the Eastern band included some popular songs based on the Western tradition which was performed as an attribute to Premasiri Khemadasa and NImal Mendis, both maestros in the music arena.
The highlight of the dance troupe for the evening was the “ Vijayayawatharanaya” a dance that enacts and narrated the legendary romance of Vijaya & Kuveni elaborately brought to life.
The curtains closed after the drum orchestra’s reverberating performance of warrior drum beats using a combination of several Sri Lankan percussion instruments to create an outstanding symphony.