Rukshan in Concert An Enjoyable Evening
“Puhul Hora Karen Danay” is a popular song and stresses that one should not steal nor tell lies. This song is a favourite among children down the ages.
“Rotary Serving Children" and giving them ‘Strong Ethics and Values’ was the Ninth Concert of Rukshan Perera, composer, singer and instrumentalist. It was held on Sunday, 10th March 2019 at Bishop’s College auditorium.
Thirty songs in Sinhala and Tamil were summarised and the messages conveyed were good manners, social etiquette, respecting parents, teachers and elders, appreciating the ethnic and religious diversity of our society and civic consciousness. Rotary covers a home for Abused Children, helping differently-abled children, vocational programmes for underprivileged children and the teaching of ethics and values through video-animated songs.
There was a song in Tamil to be kind, and also songs to be kind to the ‘nathi bari’, songs to protect the environment and also songs to respect road rules.the Ladies’ College Intermediate Choir which won the Gold Medal at the Choir Games sang in Sinhala “Ekamavakagay Daruwo”(children of One Mother) while children in different costumes sang in Tamil and wielded the Lankan flag as they were from Mizpa Children’s Choir.
Clifford Richards was the compere and he said that in 2018, Rukshan’s concert had raised Rs.4.5 million rupees. Rukshan and Gayan Pieris sang a duet. Gayan’s father was in prison and Gayan wrote a letter to him saying “Tell me Daddy when are you coming home. You don’t have to steal to bring me toys…”
Rukshan enjoyed himself on stage and sang “Aajuthapara Laahilaa.”
The Prestantia Chorale sang Rukshan’s original "Nursery Rhapsody” based on ‘Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen and he sang ‘May gasay boho pani thodam thibay."
The popular De Lanerolle Brothers then came on stage and sang the Johann Strauss waltz, “Your Life is a Song to Sing all the Day Long”.
This was followed by Choro Calibre and The De Lanerolle Brothers who sang “Meaning of Justice” from the South African National Anthem referring to Nelson Mandela ’Peace and Freedom…it is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.”
The concert ended with Choro Calibre asking for Blessings for Sri Lanka and Rukshan sang “Bless our land. Lord, soothe our minds, hold our hands and lead us in our land.” This was a popular favourite.