BOC stages 3rd ‘Aaradhana’ classical music concert

Bank of Ceylon’s (BOC) ‘Aaradhana’ Sri Lankan classical music concert was recently staged at the BMICH Colombo.

The event took place on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, with the patronage of the bank’s Ceo/general Manager S enarath Bandara.

This was the third live stage performance presented and was made into a memorable spectacular evening with maestro Prof. Sanath Nandasiri, Malkanthi Nandasiri, Keerthi Pasqual, Nirosha Virajini and Kasun Kalhara performing live for the audience, including the customers of BOC and well-wishers of the bank adding colour.

The event turned out to be a special occasion for music maestro Prof. Nandasiri as he was felicitated by Bandara, Cfo/deputy General Manager Corporate and Offshore Russell Fonseka and Assistant General Manager Marketing Priyanthi Wijesekara with a special token of recognition for his long-term contribution for Sri Lankan classical music. A special occasion was celebrated during the event as it was the birthday of the maestro Pasqual.

A classical music programme aired by Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) that was dedicated to Sri Lankan classics for over 40 years was rejuvenated and brought to a new level by upgrading the concert as a live-stage performance of renowned Sri Lankan artists.

Dedicated to Sri Lankan classical music, this programme was started with the patronage of BOC and was produced by the SLBC. Now it has been transformed into a television programme with the partnership of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) engaging classical music enthusiasts across the country.

The very first programme to take to the stage live was the one staged at the BOC auditorium with the participation of maestros of music Victor Rathnayake, Dayarathna Ranathunga, Sunil Edirisinghe and Neela Wickramasinghe. The second live performance took place at the Nelum Pokuna auditorium in August 2018 in line with the bank’s 79th anniversary celebrations. It was performed by maestro T.M. Jayarathna, Somathilake Jayamaha, Amarasiri Peiris and Deepika Priyadarshani Peiris.

It was evident from the feedback received by the organisers that these programmes were warmly received by the classical music enthusiasts opening a new platform for true Sri Lankan classics to re-emerge and be restored its proper place.

The first episode of the latest live programme will be aired in February and will continue to be telecast along with the other episodes consequently on Rupavahini from time to time. The bank together with SLBC and Rupavahini Corporation invite enthusiasts of Sri Lankan classical music to stay on course and enjoy.