|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Wednesday, 5 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
A musical extravaganza Music lovers of Vavuniya had the rare opportunity of experiencing a lavish performance of musical talents displayed by the students of Vavuniya at the annual students' concert conducted at the Hotel Royal Park recently by the Music Centre Rambaikulam, Vavuniya. M. Eustas Charles an experienced musician and the founder of the centre has to be congratulated for providing this rare treat of music. The centre is unique in the sense that it is the first and the only organization involved in the training of children, youths and adults in electronic organ, guitar, octopad, drums, piano, accordion, melodica, English mandolin and singing. Mr. Charles is a versatile musician who has a rich experience of 40 years behind him. He began his involvement and training in foreign lands and later displayed his talents through musical groups in Colombo and Jaffna. For many years he was a choir conductor in many Christian churches. He was instrumental in forming many musical groups in Jaffna and Colombo. He also performed in forming many leading musical groups in these towns. On his own initiative, he has composed and released many musical audio cassettes to the benefit of music lovers. His displacement from the Jaffna peninsula to Vavuniya proved to be a blessing to this region. Because he started the first Music Centre in this region for training indigenous people in 2000. The Music Centre celebrated its third annual concert at the Hotel Royal Park which was a major success. The occasion was graced by distinguished personalities like the Additional Govt. Agent S. Ragunathapillai, Members from the government and non-government sector and foreigners interested in the fields of music and fine arts. Music is the food of love. Music unites the hearts of people and it has no barriers of caste, creed and language. Hence for the past three years numerous children, youths, adults and parents have benefited from this centre. Mr. Charles through his untiring efforts has trained many who have obtained gold and silver medals, all island certificates and trophies at the British Festival competitions. He has also provided training in the theory and practicals of western music. In our present day exam-oriented educational system, children are overburdened and their inner talents are untapped. "I am simply calling attention to the fact that fine-arts is the only form of education except torture", states the famous playwright George Bernard Shaw. Hence Mr. Charles is rendering a great service by providing students the scope for speech, drama, singing and dancing. Generally in the towns of Sri Lanka and in particular in our regions, musical concert are organized by "importing" musicians from other lands. But this concert has proved beyond doubt that our youths, children and adults have enough potentialities for creative art and music. Hence in the near future our children, youths and adults will stand up to entertain our people. Hence, I hope, that this dream of Mr. Charles will materialize in the near future. - P. A. C. Anandarajah |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
