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'Bombay Dreams' stormed London Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Bombay Dreams', a theatrical creation set against the background of the heady exotica of Bollywood masala, opened in London's Apollo Victoria on June 19. The live action
of song and dance of Bombay Dreams is rocking West End. The play
has been staged by the London based Sunday Times as 'a spectacular
tribute to Bollywood'. Back here in
Sri Lanka though this spectacle will not be viewed, it will still
live in its entire freshness and life with the music being released
in India by Sony Music last week. The play has been critically acclaimed
by one and all for the unique representation of Bollywood in its
entire aura and colour and for the exotic music scores by A R Rahaman. The play is
associated with big names behind the scenes such as Shekhar Kapur
(from the 'Elizabeth' and 'Bandit Queen' fame), Farah Kahn (ace
choreographer), Andrew Lloyd Webber, Steven Pimlott. Meera Syal
(star of Goodness Gracious Me) has written the play and Don Black
(Oscar winning lyricist) has given the lyrics and A R Rahman. Starring newcomer
Preeya Kalidas, the story is about a young slum dweller, played
by Raza Jaffery, who dreams of being a big movie star. His fateful
encounter with the beautiful Priya (Preeya) and her father, the
corrupt but powerful, seal his destiny. The entire play revolves
around the storyline of how Aakahs (Raza Jaffery) the aspiring movie
star, becomes one and then realizes that he does not like it up
there as he cannot live with the people whom he grew up with. Raza
Jaffery and Preeya Kalidas have played their characters with such
charm that they come across as the perfect romantic pair. Sony Music
released the music of the spectacular Bombay Dreams produced by
A R Rahman and co-produced by Marius De Vries. The heartbeat of
Bombay Dreams is the songs that make the play brighter and grander.
Each song in the album is a musical narrative, fusing contemporary
production and rhythms together with rich Indian instrumental and
captivating melodies. The album was recorded both in India and UK
using the finest Indian musicians including the celebrated percussionist
Sivamani. The highlights
of Preeya's vocal performances include, 'Only Love' and 'Happy Endings'.
'Closer Than Ever' and 'How Many Stars' are both sweeping and beautifully
orchestrated duets by Preeya and Raza. While Raza's solo vocals
can be heard on 'Like An Eagle', 'I Could Live Here' and 'The Journey
Home'. Rahman's Chaiyya Chaiyya' is included too, in a re-recorded
version. Marious De Vries (better known as the BAFTA award-winning
producer of the Moulin Rouge soundtrack as well as major artistes
such as Bjork and Madonna) along with Andy Bradfield have done the
remixes for the album. Shakalaka Baby
was the first single to be taken out from the Bombay Dreams album
and the track is definitely a melting pot of pop promise with sitars
and tablas used and skittering beats and rolling baseline. The songs in
this album are a medley of A R Rahman's tunes given a facelift with
Don Black's lyrics. The idea is as unique as are Rahman's tunes.
"There has never been a musical like this. You can't compare
it with any other show", says Don Black who has given lyrics
for the songs. The Bombay Draems' audio tracks on CD and cassette are now available at the M- Entertainment Music shop . DJ
Everton to start new DJ school soon Being in the
DJ scene for well over a decade, Romesh is a top mobile DJ in the
scene. Educated at
St. Peter's College, Romesh started his DJing career from his college
days. 'But the major
breakthrough came my way when I performed at Brown's Beach Hotel
in Negombo in 1993', he said. Presently he
is working with his own outfit "Sound EFX Entertainments',
where he handles most of the dances, parties and gigs in Colombo. 'I think my
success is mainly due to my ability to cater the audiences with
their choice of music at the correct time', he added. Romesh plays
music according to the taste of the audience, his versatility and
changing music style is more professional. Though his
favourite types of music are Rock Hip Hop and Garage, he dishes
out commercial pop, reggae, Blues and Baila too. 'I always follow
all the charts and go through the web to find out the latest releases.
That way I can be in touch with all the latest releases', he said. At present
Sound EFX Entertainment has nine DJs and they all spin at the hotels
like Eden, Browns and Blue Oceanic Hotel in Negombo. 'My latest project is to train the new up coming DJs. In Sri Lanka we do not have any facility to learn the art of DJing or there is no one to give the helping hand. We have gone through the mill and I'm ready to help the others,' he said.
In this connection
Lanka Internet Services Ltd., the Official Internet Service provider
to the Pop Trio will showcase some of the latest features of Internet
Technology, incorporated in the Official Web Site of the Original
Pop Trio. With the Pop
Trio on the Internet, they would instantaneously expand their audience
reach to all corners of the Globe and provide a much- awaited opportunity
for their avid fans, mainly expatriate Sri Lankans who have virtually
grown with them for over 3 decades, with their electrifying music. The original
pop trio consists of the late Clarence Wijewardena, Annesley Malawana
and Indrani Perera. The late Clarence, the "father of Sinhala
pop music" has created some songs that are "evergreens".
The songs that Clarence composed have stood the test of time and
even after 3 decades these songs are still popular amongst the young
and old. Infact the Sinhala pop music industry in Sri Lanka owes a lot to Clarence as he is the one who gave the initial impetus to Sinhala pop music which is now on a sound commercial footing.
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Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Clarence, Annesley and Indrani, the Pop Trio will blast off to Cyberespace
to the scintillating sounds of the Gypsies when they launch their
Official Web Site www.original poptrio.lk with a mega musical extravaganza,
at BMICH on August 4 at 7.00 p.m.
