Ranga Tharanga

Education through dancing

Ruwini Jayawardana

DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA: Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy, is not only renowned for education and sports but the school is also at the forefront in encouraging aesthetic interests among its students.

Thus it is with this aim that the school’s Old Girls Association, Colombo

 branch, is staging Ranga Tharanga, an evening of music and dance featuring the renowned Ravibandu Vidyapathi along with a guest appearance of two of the school’s award-winning dance troupes.

This programme will be held at the Bishop’s College Auditorium on March 23 at 7.30 p.m.

The event is organised to mark the 75th anniversary of Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy. The school dance troupes will be presenting a dance related to the pottery industry and a dance form called the Nanu Muray. Both these items had won first place at the All Island Dance and Ballet Competitions in the past.

Under the guidance of four dance teachers Lumbini Weeragoda, Amitha Jayalath, Reka Padmakumari and Chandrani Senaweera, the Mahamayans have learnt all forms of dance.

While preparations for Ranga Tharanga were under way, 11 budding young exponents who hope to dance their way into the hearts of the audience stepped forward to express their ideas to Daily News Teen.

Rangana Wijesinghe, 17, had taken part in dancing competitions since she was in Year Nine. She said the school is committed to help the students in perfecting their skills. “We had a concert related to all the aesthetic sections of music, dance and drama recently. Our troupes took part in those items too,” she said.

Sugala Adittya, 18, will be one out of the 16 dancers who will be presenting a dance related to the pottery industry. She said this item is a creation of the school. The teachers had observed people at work in pottery making and had explained the action to the students. Sugala said the process provided education through dance.

Apart from taking part as a dancer, Pabasari Koliyabandara, 17, will be the compere. She is also engaged as an announcer in Muthu Hara, the children’s television programme on Rupavahini. She said such events contribute in bringing out the hidden talents of students.

Indeewari Denuwara, 18, is from the commerce stream. She said a speciality about the school’s dance troupes is that most of the students are not engaged in dancing as a subject”.

Dancing helps to raise team spirit and respect for our teachers. It gives a boost of variety to our life,” observed Indeewari.

“This event will be a new experience to us. Though we have performed in Colombo before, I have noted that there are certain differences in the stages and sound effects. Pabasari and I have a dialogue to present in the middle of our dance. So this dance has a certain dramatic effect as well,” said Lavanga Swarnasinghe, 15.

Next to come up are the students presenting the Nanu Muray. Dilieka Weerakoon, 17, said this dance originates from low country dancing, the Redee Yaga Shanthi Karma. It portrays the bathing movements of seven Redee Bisaw. Chalani Senavirathne will be preforming the main role.

“We practised during after school hours and weekends. We never cut classes. Students and teachers all worked

 as one during practices. That was how we were able to soar to the heights we are in today,” said Amani Gunathilaka, 18.

Mahesha Weerakoon, 17, hopes to engage in a profession related to dancing. She said that her parents support this goal. “We look forward to performing with the renowned Ravibandu Samanthi Dance Ensemble. I am sure it will be an evening to remember,” she said.

Narthana Nirmani Rajasinghe, 17, grew up in a background related to dancing. She said it is mainly due to her mother’s influence that she took to dancing. She engages in Kandyan dancing, Low Country dancing, Kathak and Bartha Natyam.

Nilakshi Jayawardena, 17, has a variety of interests. She is a President’s Guide and loves to listen to music and read books. She said that dancing helps her to organise her lifestyle by providing an aesthetic interest to her studies.

Recalling their past victories, Surani Anupama, 18, said the girls were able to learn and correct their mistakes by observing others at competitions. Surani said: ”We have four students for singing.

Our teachers provide the music and R.G. Wickramaratne, another teacher at our school, composed the music. Our costumes were designed by Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi, a senior lecturer at the University of Kelaniya. Ravibandu Vidyapathi designed the costumes for the dance related to the pottery industry.”

At the end of our stay the Mahamayans wished to express their gratitude to their principal, I. Withanachchi, vice-principals, Asoka Dissanayake and Vishaka Herath, teachers in-charge, past principals, parents and friends. “We are especially grateful to our Old Girls’ Association for the dynamic role they play in making this event a reality,” they smiled.

Pictures by Udeni Rajapakshe

‘Rhapsody in Blue’ - an incomparable presentation

“Rhapsody in Blue” presented recently at the Lionel Wendt on two successive nights before a full house by the choir of St. Joseph’s College won approbation all round.

Popularly known as St. Cecilia’s Choir of St. Joseph’s College, the choral outfit proved to be multi-faceted and multi-talented with selections from the classical masters as well as Rock, Pop and Broadway compositions with equal ease - yet with distinct styles which each piece demanded.

The songs predominantly in English showcased selections from Handel’s choruses as well as Verdi’s La Vergine and Weber’s Hosanna the students adroitly added Sinhala and Tamil compositions.

Student pianist Yohan Peiris’ classical piano recital kept the audience spellbound. A unique feature was the excellent manner in which their leader Geethika (the name says it all) Cooray the conductor handled the presentation with utmost dexterity and in a single Sinhala song, the tender direction of the Year 12 student Alles.

Trained by the maestro Francis D’ Almeida and co-ordinated by Rev. Fr. Indika Joseph, the choir was put together by the untiring efforts of students, Bharatha, Heshan, Shiran and Sachintha and the musical inputs of Yohan and Shamal. Deshan Cooray and Kevin Croos rendered technical assistance.

More often than not we fall head over heels when foreign choirs and musicians present concerts here backed by a plethora of sponsors. “Rhapsody in Blue” proved that our singers could match some of the world’s best choirs not only in quality and versatility but also by their incomparable presentation skills.

Indeed, St. Cecilia’s Choir of St. Joseph’s College has done the Rector, staff, students and the past pupils proud by being an incomparable choral entity.