|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Saturday, 22 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
A quarter century of perennial hits: Chandrasena reaches musical milestone
Chandrasena started his musical career 25 years ago, from the Belwood Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the National Youth Services Council (NYSC). Belwood produced a whole generation of popular artistes and Chandrasena was one of the leading stars in the line up. His melodious voice, coupled with catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics, ensured his rapid rise in the local charts. His arrival on the musical stage coincided with the introduction of television and the soaring popularity of pre-recorded media, which ensured a wider market for his creations. Twenty five years on, the Belwood Friends Organisation (BFO) has organised a concert "Senehase Gee" (Songs of Love) to mark his musical journey. BFO, an alumni of past artistes produced by the Belwood Institute of Aesthetic Studies has organised this concert to appreciate the service rendered by Chandrasena to Sinhala music. The BFO assists artistes produced by the Belwood Institute of Aesthetic Studies. Chandrasena will sing 25 popular songs at this concert including several duets with leading female artistes. The show will be held at the National Youth Centre, Maharagama on September 17 at 7.00 pm. Chandrasena will be backed by the popular band Sunflowers. Chandrasena who entered the open stage in 1979 won the best singer's award at the National Youth Awards Festival organised by the NYSC in 1980. Winning this award was a milestone in his life. It provided him with a golden opportunity to enter the Belwood Institute of Aesthetic Studies and later obtain a degree in Fine Arts. He introduced his first song "etha hama yana mada sulage" popularly known as the "Thawalama" song with the Yovun Gee Band of the Belwood institute. He contributed to nearly 43 cassettes of the Yovun Gee Band. "Tawalama" was the maiden cassette released by Chandrasena when he was in this band. Since then he has released several cassettes including "Seetha kandu yaye, mal renu, nisala dese, seethala wasanthaya, etha etha chandra mandale, Sanda savi, susumak une ei, senasum susum, dese kavuluven and kelesaka keewath." Chandrasena has performed more than 250 songs. Among his compatriots at Belwood were Somasiri Medagedera, Marshall Janatha, Chandraleka Perera, Theja Damayanthi Amarasinghe and Dhammika Karunaratne. He has sung several popular duets with these female singers. "Seetha Kandu Yaye" was the first duet sung by Chandrasena with Chandraleka Perera. He has toured several countries like Singapore, Dubai, Bahrain, Cyprus and Jordan. Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, Nihal Gamhewa and Rohana Weerasinghe will present short reviews on the 25-year musical career of Chandrasena. BFO plans to let fans in free for this concert. - Uditha Kumarasinghe. ########## Sing along with Sam The Man tonight in Los Angeles, California
This is Sam's 28th international tour. He has performed on four previous occasions in the USA. He has also performed in London, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Baharain, Africa and in Tennerife in the Grand Canary. Sam who began "Sing Along" sessions way back in the 1998 has won wide acclaim for his style and presentation of the Golden Oldies. This concert tonight will be his first international presentation. All tickets for the show have been sold out. He will be back at his regular haunt - The Terrace of the Mount Lavinia Hotel on Sunday June 13. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
Some songs leave a lasting impression long after we hear them. They
usually become perennial favourites, hugging the airwaves and tugging the
heart strings. Many of Chandrasena Hettiarachchi's songs fall into this
category, having firmly earned a place in our hearts.
International entertainer Sam The Man will be featured tonight in
concert in Los Angeles, California where he will present his programme
"Sing Along with Sam The Man".
