AN ENJOYABLE EVENING FOR A WORTHY CAUSE
“I will have the last waltz with you… Two lonely people together” sang Janaka Palapathwala on Tuesday evening (23rd October 2018) at the Bishop’s College Auditorium.
He said that he always sings for charity and this time the show was organised by the Lions Club International District 306 C2 in order to provide free cataract surgeries for the needy elders. Lion Dr. Malarvili Anton was in charge of the Sight First Programme.
Janaka wore a shimmering white jacket and black trousers and moved easily on the stage as he sang popular songs of Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, Englebert Humperdinck and Tom Jones. “Welcome to my world, Miracles still happen now and then..” Janaka’s rich voice did justice to the songs of Jim Reeves.
“That’s when I see the blues In your pretty brown eyes.”
His audience warmed to the singer as he explained that his next song was for his Dad who had passed away.
“In a vine-covered shack in the mountains, Bravely fighting the battle of time…” Dinesh Subasinghe and his orchestra were on stage backing the singer while Dinesh played the violin.
“It’s now or never, Come hold me tight..” Janaka sang the song made popular by Elvis. He had changed into a black full suit complete with a bow tie. He said that he had sung in different countries abroad but it was nice to be in Sri Lanka, his home. Children came on stage and Janaka sang “A Song for the Children” and “Babalena Handa Paanay” (in Sinhala meaning the shining of the moon).
In the second half of the show, Janaka appeared in an Elvis-like outfit with a waist band and shoulder covers in shining gold and white stripes. Janaka also sang his wife’s favourite song “Rhinestone Cowboy” made popular by Glen Campbell.
“Wise men say that fools rush in, but I can’t help falling in love with you... Some things are meant to be… The show started forty minutes late but it was an enjoyable evening.