Don’t miss folk music from across the country, today
Folk groups from around Sri Lanka will gather today, Sunday January 28, from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. at the Viharamahadevi Open Air Theatre for the Children’s Festival of Melodies of Folk 2018. Entrance is free and all are welcome.
The event is organised by Norway- Sri Lanka Music Cooperation.
Folk music today reflects the traditions handed down from generation to generation, with some innovations to reflect the changing social contexts. For traditional folk musicians it has been a struggle to preserve their traditions and infuse their own creativities in equal measure to both honour their roots and capture the imagination of modern audiences.
Taking part in the festival will be: Islamic Social Heritage Cultural Association (Sufi) from Akkaraipathu,
Portuguese Burghers from Batticaloa, the Ceylon Kaffir from Sirambiadi,
Saranga Rookada Group from
Ambalangoda,
Parai Melam from Batticaloa, Mulaitivu Kalaimakal Kala Manram Valankum Karakaddam and Kudamothal Kummi from Mulaitivu,
Tamil Marasu from Kilinochchi, Sandasi Beat Drummers from
Colombo,
Special productions by the university students of Sri Lanka Norway Music Cooperation’s Musical Meeting Spaces,
Sulochana Dissanayake from
Power of Play
Music Matters and the university students who travelled around Sri Lanka exploring folk traditions.
The Islamic Social Heritage Cultural Association
The Islamic Social Heritage Cultural Association (ISHCA) is dedicated to sharing and promoting the ancient and traditional art forms of Islamic culture including its music, dance and other forms of artistic story-telling. ISHCA is focused on disseminating the universal Islamic messages of peace and tolerance via Sufi music, the devotional music of the Sufis, inspired by Sufi poets.
Tamil Marasu
Previously known as Kaveri Kala Manram (KKM), Tamil Marasu was formed in 2003 as a youth cultural group using drama to address issues of social marginalization to facilitate healing and generate a community spirit in the returning IDPs and children in the Jaffna peninsula. Nearly forty-five theatre and music artists are involved.
Portuguese Burghers
The descendents of the Portuguese, the Portuguese Burghers in Batticaloa speak a form of Creole, Tamil and English. While it has been difficult to preserve the language, the music has lived on. The younger generation are keen on learning musical instruments and also the dance steps of the Kaffringa.
Ceylon Kaffir
Brought to Sri Lanka by the Portuguese, the Ceylon Kaffir speak Sinhala and Tamil as well as a version of Creole and use manja, kaffi song and dance traditions to preserve a way of life that is increasingly alienated from the younger generation, after years of intermarriage and integration. Songs of devotion and dances of joy are distinguishing aspects of the manja. Ceylon Kaffir find a beat in tables, spoons, coconut shells and many other household equipment.
Saranga Rookada Group
Following a long tradition of puppetry, but adapting to the needs of the times the Saranga Rookada Group from Ambalangoda enact traditional Nadagam Gee and as well as more topical messages.
Parai Melam
“Parai Mela” is a village level group, performing a form of traditional Tamil koothu. Facing social marginalisation in their village because of their status, they were not allowed to perform in their village. Encouraged by the Swamy-Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, they have revived their music tradition and have gained recognition with a wider audience.
Mullaitivu Kalaimakal Kala Manram Valankum Karakaddam and Kudamothal Kummi
The Karagam system of dance originated in the up-country area many centuries ago. It was created by Marimuttu and was originally referred to as the Mandram Kala Mandram. In the past this system was practised using drums. Having lost their drums, other instruments, music and costumes during the war, this group is beginning to revive its traditions. The Kuda Mudal Kummi is a strenuous dance ritual. Kalaimakal Kala Manram first performed at the Muttumariamman Kovil as the Karagam is based on God Muttuamman.
Sandasi beat drummers
The ‘‘Sandasi Dance and Drum Academy’’ specialises in traditional forms of Sri Lankan dance and drumming. Up country dance, low country dance, Sabaragamu dance, Bharatha Natyam and Kathak dance are taught at the academy from primary level up to university level students.
Life Cycle
Over the past four months university students from the University of Visual and Performing Arts, University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya and the Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies have travelled around Sri Lanka, learning about Tamil and Sinhala folk songs and dance traditions. At each meeting they work on different themes and create musical productions. The Life Cycle is such collaborative endeavour.
Power of Play and Music Matters
Under the direction of Dr. Sumudi Suraweera, musicians from Music Matters Yohan Jayasooriya, Isaac Smith and Sarani Perera, dramatists Sulochana Dissanayake from Power of Play and Thilishiya Dilmi, along with Nelum worked together to demystify the interconnected elements of the creative process. Nelum their young puppet takes the stage to explore the potential ways of reaching a balance between her musical world and her responsibilities in school.
These groups are part of the Sri Lanka Norway Music Cooperation’s School Concert Series.
The Sri Lanka Norway Music Cooperation (SLNMC) is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and implemented by Kulturtanken, Norway and Sevalanka Foundation partnered by the Folk Music Conservation Centre of the Department of Cultural Affairs.