Pradeep excels in sitar recital
Ruwini Jayawardana
MUSIC: Pradeep Ratnayake's sitar possesses the enchanting
beauty of music and the irresistible power to captivate anyone who
appreciates the true essence of music. The celebrated musician though
young has achieved a place in the music scene which goes far beyond his
years.
Pradeepanjalee XIII which will be held at the Kularatne Hall at
Ananda College, Colombo 10 on August 12 at 7 p.m. brings forth another
chapter in his effort to give a Sri Lankan identity to the Indian sitar.
The concert is held in aid of the Ananda College Development Fund and
the media sponsor of the event is the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon
Limited.
The 13 concert of the Pradeepanjalee series will make way for a rare
opportunity for two traditions of music,
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SUPREME VIRTUOSO: Pradeep Ratnayake |
the Indian and the Western. The ecstasy of the raga will blend
together with the harmony of Beethoven through the sitar and the piano.
Eshantha Pieris, who is following a Master's course in composition at
New York University will take on the piano along with Ravibandhu
Vidyapathi and Karunaratne Bandara on Kandyan Drums, Pakawaj and Ghatam;
Upula Madhushankar and Chandralal Amarakoon on Tabla; Lakshman Joseph de
Saram on Violin; Alston Joachim on Bass Guitar; Nesan Thiyagarajah on
Mridangam and Morsing; Jananath Warakagoda on Tammattama and Shiraz Noor
Amith on Acoustic Drums.
A disciple of classical Hindustani music at Shantiniketan, India,
where he excelled as a classical sitarist, Pradeep Ratnayake is known as
the Sri Lankan Ravi Shankar.
The series of Pradeepanjalee concerts are examples of Pradeep's
ability to cross cultural boundaries and take up the styles, idioms,
forms and traditions of other forms of art beyond what exists at the
moment. This will prove to be a test on the delicacy and sureness of
Pradeep's ability on mastering the sitar. A moment to test his soul on
the vibrant strings of the sitar, slowly transmuting the notes to flow
into the exquisite Moonlight Sonata of Beethoven.
Pradeepanjalee XIII will make way for the maestro to reach forward
and essay into the realm of Western classical misc and see how its
masterpieces can be adapted to the sitar.
The compositions that were played at Asia Society, New York, by this
ensemble in 2005, will also be played to local audiences at this event.
The composers signature style of fusing elements of folk music with the
classical and the jazz will make this evening a memorable occasions for
all of Pradeep's fans.
Tickets for Pradeepanjalee XIII can be obtained at the College OBA
Office, Torana (Liberty Plaza) and Sarasavi (Nugegoda). |
