Oldies get a fresh look
Melodies that have enriched the musi cal heritage
of our country and have lingered on for many decades gain a fresh lease
of life through the Sitar strings of young Visharada Pradeep Ratnayake
in the first ever CD put out by him titled Sitar Gi Rava. The collection
stretches from John de Silva's Mage Mandri Devi in Vessantara Jataka
to P.L.A. Somapala's Lalitha Kala.
In his selection of 16 numbers, Pradeep has chosen five of Ananda Samarakoon's
most popular numbers including Ase Madhura, Besa Seethala Gangule
and Endada Menike. Rukmani Devi's maiden effort (with H.W. Rupasinghe),
Siri Buddhagaya, Amaradeva's ever-popular Shantha Me Re Yame
and Etha Kandukara, Susil Premaratne's unforgettable Suwanda
Sukumalee are among the many popular numbers in the CD.
The CD is a collector's item for those who have nostalgic memories of
the Samarakoon, B.S. Perera and Mohamed Ghouse eras of music as well as
those who have begun appreciating what Pradeep is doing with his instrument.
As has been said, his uniqueness lies in the fact that he has extended
his virtuosity to varied aspects of music like songs, and styles of jazz,
experimenting with the variety possible on the Sitar, always seeking to
explore and break its limits.
His effort at preserving the age old melodies of Sri Lanka using his
keen musical sensitiveness capturing all their beauty and delicacy is indeed
commendable. And a big 'thank you' to the other equally talented and sensitive
musician Harsha Makalanda who had joined Pradeep in giving the oldies a
new mix.
The art of mirrors
Break a mirror acciden tally and you may turn out
to be a first class artist! This is exactly how Maheshi Munasinghe broke
into a new field of art - the art of mirrors.
Everyone who turned up at the Lionel Wendt last week to see her creations
using pieces of either broken or cut mirror could hardly believe what they
saw. Extremely artistic and something unique, away from the normal pieces
of art we pick up to hang on the walls.
The forty pieces she exhibited were hard and painstaking work over a
period of six months. ''It's an art which needs a lot of patience,'' she
admitted. Cut the mirrors into different shapes and sizes to fit in to
the designs she had in her mind, place them meticulously, plan and execute
the backdrops (she had mostly used jute twine), select the correct colours,
paint the backgrounds - all that meant a lot of time and effort. But the
end result was well worth it.
One could spend hours admiring your pieces, Maheshi. They were so refreshing.
Transparency
There was a slight mix up in the first paragraph
of last week's Kala Korner column.
The Sinhala word for transparency should have read paredrushyathawa.
The word used in the circular was paradrushyathawe which gives
the opposite meaning.
A star in the blue sky
It's not often that we see our foremost songstress
Nanda Malini singing with a group. When she sang Nilambare (blue
sky) with the popular and innovative group Shakti over the airwaves of
Rupavahini, it was a rare treat. The song written by Professor Sunil Ariyaratne
was an instant hit. The lilting music composed by Mervyn Perera had a soothing
beat.
Nanda has chosen 'Nilambare' as the title for her latest album,
just released. The song is the last in a set of 16 renderings, once again
a classic collection. The album also marks the tenth successful attempt
by the trio - Nanda Malini, Sunil Ariyaratne and Singlanka Limited - to
create a freshness in Sinhala music. Earlier, the trio produced 'Pahan
Kanda', 'Yatra', 'Hemantayedi', 'Pavana', 'Sathyaye
Geetaya', 'Singdu Hodiya', 'Taru,' 'Pembara Lanka',
and 'Madhu Bandun'.
The 16 cuts in the album are a fine mix with varied types of music composed
to suit the different themes. Sunil Ariyaratne continues his crusade against
what he has identified as social evils. For instance, he questions 'why
celebrate a Valentine Day' in our country? And the way Nanda renders the
number (Valentine), the listener will question the need for it and accept
that it's indeed a meaningless exercise.
A novel composition using just one syllable 'na' is a most unusual song,
an interesting and entertaining one. Rohana Weerasinghe's music is equally
interesting. Rohana's music for a semiclassical song 'Sigiri Parvata'
is a total departure to the rest in the album.
I have liked the song 'Nilambare' ever since Rupavahini started
repeating it as a filler in between programmes. I like it best in the new
album because you never get tired listening to this call for peace.
Book shelf
Concerned about the poor
Menerigama Nimal Samaratunga had been a writer for over three decades.
The weekend Sinhala newspapers gave him a break by serializing his stories.
He has 14 novels and other creative pieces to his credit. In addition he
has written hundreds of short stories, poems and other feature articles.
His latest creation 'Nimnaye Maha Gedera' was recently released
as a Dayawansa Jayakody publication. It relates the story of a rich conservative
girl who is moved by the misery of the downtrodden village community and
decides to devote her life for their upliftment.
Through the main character Yasodha he attempts to create a model for
the young generation.
Three great men
G. W. Nandisena offers the Sinhala reader the life stories of Charles
Darwin (1809-1882), Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) and Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
in the Sarasavi publication, Darwin, Freud Saha Einstein.
While relating the life story of each of the three scientists, the writer
attempts to present their theories in simple language to be easily understood
by the average reader. First published in 1989, the present publication
is the revised second edition.
Among the writer's other works are Parinamaya (Evolution - a
translation), Maha Muduna, Sapekshatahavadaya (Theory of Relativity
- a translation), Vijathakka (collection of short stories), Balakotuwa
(a translation) and a book on English tenses.
For the little ones
Halaliye Karunatilleka's Punchi Punchi Gee Sindu is a collection of
simple songs for the little ones. He looks at the environment through a
child's eyes and teaches them to appreciate nature.
Written in simple words, Poet Karunatileka captures the beauty of a
rainy day, the waves of the sea and a moonlit night.
A little girl enjoys the visit by a pair of doves, another watches the
antics of two squirrels on a tree, friends watch a snake charmer, a little
bird in a cage pleads for freedom - these form the theme of this beautiful
collection.
-Ranat
They were all part of the team, that made it possible
This is regarding the review of the recent Musaeus College plays by
Sumathi Pandithaweera ( Dizzy Brilliance) - published in The Sunday Times
of May 24. I would like to add these very pertinent notes which I presume
a critical review may not include. The two plays were co-ordinated by Ms.
K.L.Haththotuwegama, who acted as overall supervisory directress assisted
by the Musaeus College Staff. The work done behind stage and indeed throughout
the rehearsals by the Staff and Prefects and other students of Musaeus
was really what was marvellous about this whole project, apart from the
enormous talent and skill and enthusiasm of the Musaeus girls. Altogether
it was a wonderful experience.
Gamini K Haththotowegama.
Are you just organised or do you need to chill
out?
Find out if you are a freak
Manda Whittaker, 28, admits: "I've always been a control freak.
As a teenager getting ready to go out to discos, I could get stressed -
friends had to wait as I rewashed my hair if it didn't turn out right the
first time!"
Manda, a film-maker, laughs: "Now I might take three hours getting
ready for an evening. I like to look absolutely perfect, but I always find
a million things to do before I leave the house. I make lists and don't
like things left undone. It's an ongoing saga with my sister as she's completely
laidback. She drops bags around and leaves crumbs everywhere."
Manda, from Stoke Newington, London, says: "A great friend, James,
came over for dinner the other evening. I put out some fresh cheeses and
crackers for starters, and I caught him picking at the cheeses and had
a fit. James started telling me I was too controlling about how others
eat, dress and do things. He said I should relax more. But I don't want
to crash through life the way some people do.
"When I've argued with my sister, I sometimes try to 'let go'.
I'll ignore, clutter and let my sister do what she wants. She pushes me
to see how far I'll let things go. I finally can't stand it and start controlling
things again. I can't help it - I like to do things my way!"
How controlling are you?
Circle the number by your answer: Your lover suggests a sexual position
that you have doubts about. Do you.
1) Let him get on with it?
2) Express your doubts but with a wink suggest he "convinces"
you?
3) Not dream of trying it?
You've made plans, then your partner changes them. Do you:
1) Go with the changed plan?
2) Consider the alternatives and mutually choose the best?
3) Insist on sticking to your original plans?
During lunch, your sister fixes the veggies "her way".
Do you:
1) Leave her to it?
2 )Offer to do them together?
3) Show her how they "should" be done?
A friend's pot plant is missing optimum sunlight. Do you:
1) Ignore it?
2) Tell her about the article you read on sunlight and plant growth?
3) Move it without asking her?
A long-standing dental appointment is changed without much warning.
Do you:
1) Just accept the new one?
2) Ring the surgery and sort out a mutually convenient time?
3) Get in a "strop" with the receptionist and insist on speaking
to the practice manager?
If planning a holiday, do you:
1) Let your partner sort it out?
2) Mull over brochures together?
3) Tell him where you want to go, then go ahead and book it?
There's a problem at work. You are known as someone who:
1) Lets others get on with it?
2) Helps look for solutions to fit in with most people?
3) Tries to impose your own view?
Add up the numbers circled 7 to 10 points- LAID-BACK!
I'm surprised you managed to finish the quiz. Watch out - life could
pass you by. If you never take control, others will do it for you. Make
a list of things you'd like to see happen and work towards them.
11 to 15 points - You ARE ABLE TO COMPROMISE!
The ups and downs of life are smoother for you than most. You're flexible
enough to hear other's voices, but don't sit back and let the world turn
without you.
16 to 21 points - CONTROL FREAK!
Stop being frightened of spontaneity! The world won't stop if you let
others have their way. Once a week, do something spontaneous - letting
go of your controlling ways will make life easier.
Report by Pam Spurr
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