Ultimate of Sri Lankan music roots

Lankan music fans were once again proud to witness the mammoth task of Rajiv Sebastian who was able to bring back a galaxy of yesteryear stars to re-live the nostalgic memories of Sri Lankan music at the Nelum Pokuna recently. He well deserves credit for shouldering the burden of coordinating and managing all aspects and this is one of the shows in his lineup of “Tribute to Clarence”, “Back to the 70`s”, “5 Star explosion”, “70`s to the millennium”,” Rajiv Sebastian in concert”, “The Legends of Sri Lankan pop”, “Desmond & Dezmond” etc..

The band Rajiv and Clan struck the opening chords for the evergreen hit of Vivian de Silva Boralessa who belonged to the gramophone era in Sri Lanka, appeared on a platform with a dancing troupe that arose from underground singing “Dura Penena Thanithala”. The ice breaker changed all the anxious moments into musical happiness. This was an evening they waited for, and veteran Vijaya Corea painted the show with historical information.

Desmond de Silva made his entry attired in a sarong and coat imitating the great entertainer Eddie Jayamanne singing past hits `Srini ape Lankawe sinhalaya, kolompure sriya” followed by `nonage ale `of the first Sri Lankan film `Kadawunu Poronduwa’

The combination of Jenifer Rita Fernando alias Lata Walpola and Ishaq Baig took the audience back in time to many decades. The medleys comprised a number of popular hits of Latha and Mohideen Baig well backed by the Band.

Young Tashni Perera paid a great tribute to Rukmani Devi by appearing in a similar dress and hair style performing a couple of her popular songs.

The rare combination of five calypso lead singers, Errol Fernando (Loss Cabellaros), Priya Peiris( La Bambas), Raymond Fonseka (Samanalayo), Sepala Gunasekara (Buzzing Bees), and Christine Gunawardene( La Ceylonians) who performed together as a single unit with their originals Gayana Gayum, Ruwan Mali, Nalawena –Mau- Ukule, Dunhinda Manamali in harmony received a great applause from the audience. The Trio Annesley Malawana, Anil Bharati and Rajiv Sebastian paid a great tribute to the era of Sri Lankan pop created by the late Clarence Wijewardene presenting a number of hits recorded by Moonstones, Golden Chimes and Super Golden Chimes. The three blending voices mesmerized the audience throughout their performance especially the selection of the song “Api Raga Wayanawa” composed by Badraji Mahinda Jayathilaka.

Vernon Perera rendered a glowing tribute to veteran H.r.jothipala’s hits in a remarkable manner with his stark voice and kept the audience fully entertained.

Desmond with his usual charm was in the lime light again singing compositions of the late great Wally Bastian. Irine Josephine, Le kiri karala,wada kaha sudiya..etc and had the audience with him clapping and singing as he swung the baila in his inimitable style, complete with his characteristic dance steps.

All in all it was a unique concept that kept all of us in the audience enthralled.

Yes Rajiv we do agree with veteran Vijaya Corea… You are the SHOWMAN OF SHOWMEN!

aLL in aLL it waS a uniQue concept tHat kept aLL of uS in tHe audience entHraLLed

Thomas Benjamin, Mount Lavinia.