An unforgettable evening
Two veteran artistes appearing on stage together supported by a young talented six-person orchestra led by an upcoming music director turned out to be a rare treat for Sri Lankans in distant Perth, the West Australian (WA) capital. I can’t remember a single occasion back in Sri Lanka when Nanda Malini and Victor Ratnayake appeared together. Neither had I seen Suresh Maliyadda directing music.
They came on the invitation of the WA Old Anandians Association which organises an annual musical event to collect funds for their alma mater. Victor was the first to be invited four years ago. Nanda Malini came the next year. Both were invited this year due to popular demand.
From the early 1970s I had enjoyed Nanda Malini’s solo performances many a time ranging from ‘Sravana Aradhana’ through ‘Pavana’ to ‘Swetha Rathriya’. I have lost count of the times I had relished Victor’s ‘Sa’. But the Perth show was different. It was a novel experience. Nanda Malini sang first followed by Victor, then they appeared together. In the last segment, Nanda Malini again sang alone and Victor wound up the show with‘ Sandahirut harupavatinaturuapimerennme ne’ –reminding that we will be reborn and continue in ‘sansara’ –the fans joining the chorus.
When they sat together each sang songs with an identical theme. Mother love was one of them. After Nanda sang’Ammavarune’, Victor followed up with ‘ Aadarayeulpotha’. Nanda’s ‘ Sulangkapolle’ was followed by Victor singing ‘ Sandakenvesila’. And so on they went on.
While the audience deeply appreciated the line-up of songs, they were treated to some interesting anecdotes about their musical careers.
Nanda Malini made it a point to sing a few film songs. In some music had been directed by Victor. Among them was ‘ Denodahaknuvanathare’ from the film ‘Vajira’.
It was a fine gesture on the part of both of them to sing a duet with locals in Perth and also use choreography for a couple of songs, again featuring children and young girls resident in Perth. Allowing a girl to sing parts of the children’s favourite ‘Ayanna kiyanna’ by herself, while a bevy of children danced, Nanda Malini commented that it was so satisfying to see young ones not forgetting their mother tongue. The performance by teenagers was so professional that it was proof of the capabilities of the Sri Lankan teachers here.
Suresh Maliyadda and his team of young musicians contributed in no small measure to make the evening a memorable one. The six of them performed what normally a full orchestra with at least 15 musicians would do. The quality was excellent. Suresh who was on the keyboards was supported by Nihal Kalubowila (tabla), Rukshan Gunawardena (violin), Indika Rajintha Pathirage (flute), Buddhika Perera (guitar/mandolin) and Mahendra Pasqual (guitar). They all show so much promise.
Both Nanda and Victor made it a point to express their gratitude to the lyric writers and composers.
To the Old Anandians of WA, a ‘big thank you’ for selecting a hall with superb acoustics and paving the way for a most entertaining evening.
The Jetwing Culinary Challenge was held on June 30 at Jetwing Blue, Negombo rewarding the best of the best chefs across the Jetwing family.
The Jetwing Culinary Challenge was focused on developing young chefs, helping them master skills and achieve the mindset required to successfully innovate, and prepare a variety of dishes with a blend of local ingredients while giving them the opportunity to enhance their levels of creativity and imagination.
L.A.P.C. Fernando, P.D. Ukwattage, B.W. Ranaweera, M.C.M. Fernando and A.R. Peiris from Jetwing Blue, Negombo emerged victorious in both the A la carte Challenge and the Culinary Challenge. K.T.I. Karunathilake and W.S.D. Fernando, contestants from Jetwing Lagoon, Negombo and W.D.M. Fernando and S.M.I.P. Maduranga from Jetwing Beach, Negombo were awarded 1st and 2nd runners up in the Culinary Challenge. J.D. Leelananda, H.M. Nishan Madusha and M.H. Sumith Bandara representing Jetwing Lighthouse, Galle and I. Lasaruz, R.M.S.S. Rathnayake and K.G.S.L.K. Darmarathne from Jetwing St. Andrew’s Nuwara Eliya emerged 1st and 2nd runners up in the À la Carte Challenge.
The awards were presented to the winners by Ruan Samarasinghe, Managing Director of Jetwing Hotels, Sanjeewa Anthony, Executive Director of Jetwing Hotels, Jerome Auvity, Director Operations at Jetwing Hotels, and Dmitri Cooray, Manager Operations at Jetwing Hotels.
Nine-year-old Chalani Soysa of No.58, Fonseka Road in Panadura has been suffering from an acute heart ailment that requires Intracardiac Repair - Open Heart Surgery that would be performed in two stages. Facilities for this risky operation are not available in any national or private hospital in Sri Lanka.
However, the first surgery was performed at the Chennai Hospital in India by Dr. K. Sivakumar who had informed the patient’s father Nalaka Soysa that the second operation had been delayed and that it should be performed immediately.
The hospital charges for the operation stands at Rs.700, 000 and Nalaka is short of Rs.350,000 that would be added with airfare for the patient and her parents, charges for lodging facilities in Chennai and other expenses.
Nalaka said only Rs.16,000 was available in his bank account, and that he had no other means to meet the expenses of the operation other than depending on public charity.
Chalani’s parents Nalaka Soysa and Shiranthi Harshani Gamage most humbly request the public for assistance to save the precious life of their daughter.
Donors may credit their funds to A/C No. 8124458 maintained at Bank of Ceylon Panadura Branch or A/C No. 102657129083 maintained at Sampath Bank Panadura Branch.