‘Punchi Tharaka’ : Kids version of ‘Ridee Reyak’

By Susitha R. Fernando

‘Munchee Punchi Tharaka’ (Munchi Little Stars), a musical show with film songs sung and perfomed by children from leading schools in Colombo will be held on September 27 at 7.00 pm at the BMICH.

This show, the first programme in the project initiated by the National Film Corporation to promote Cinema Studies among schoolchildren will present 20 songs from the first film ‘Kadawunu Poronduwa’ (Broken Promise) to recently released ‘Suriya Arana’.

Over 350 children from eight schools, Royal College, Vishaka Vidyalaya, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, D. S. Senanayake College, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Musaeus College, Mahanama College and Pannipitiya Dharmapala College will perform at ‘Munchee Punchi Tharaka’.

The school children will sing the evergreen hits of Sri Lankan cinema while the others perform dances for them.

During this show artistes who were responsible for making the original songs will be felicitated. The music for Manchi Punchi Tharaka is provided by the Royal College orchestra and with conductor Asoka Pushpakumara.

The programme which is organised by the National Film Corporation (NFC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education will be held at district and provincial levels and a mega show will feature in Colombo selecting the best performance.

‘The main aim of this programme is to promote interest among schoolchildren and attract them to the medium’ NFC Chairman, Asoka Serasinghe said describing the project.

‘In addition to educating children on cinema, the NFC hopes to provide opportunities to make short films and organising competitions for them’ Mr. Serasinghe elaborated.

Tickets priced at Rs. 1000, Rs. 750 and Rs. 300 will be available at NFC and Sarasavi Bookshop, Nugegoda.

Munchee Punchi Tharaka is sponsored by Ceylon Biscuit (Munchee) Limited.