From optics to music

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

R. BENJAMIN Yoga is a musician who has a lot to do with prescriptions issued by optometrists and ophthalmologists for he is an optician by profession.

Benjamin has composed music for eminent bands like Sohan and Experiments and vocalists in the calibre of T. M. Jayaratna and Amarasiri Peiris.

He has directed music for the tracks, Muthu Dimuthu Latha by Asanka Priyamantha Peiris and Tharubara Ahas by Amarasiri Peiris. Before hurling himself to composing music for artists in the Sinhala oriental music field, Benjamin used to produce Tamil songs for artists like M. Shivakumar and Arun Prasad.

Benjamin was a student at the Hindu College Bambalapitiya.

“ I’ve been composing music for Tamil songs. It was a Buddhist monk who introduced me to the current Sinhala music scene,” Benjamin remembered. “It was through Ven. Pathegama Gnanissara Thera (lyricist) I came to familiarize myself to the current scene, and I am ever thankful to him,” he said.

Benjamin plays the keyboards. He has done most of his compositions on keyboards. We asked him how he learned his music.

“I used to play the organ at the All Saint’s Church in Borella during 1994 and 1995. Besides I studied Western music. I have done three Trinity College of London Exams.”

Do you have any particular style of music you follow or take ingredients from when you had to compose a melody?

I guess not. I composed 12 songs for several artists during the past few months and I must say that different genres of music were used in the process. Some songs were more or less related to reggae and hip hop genres. Some are semi-oriental classics.

Benjamin plans to launch a CD with these 12 fresh tracks he has just finished. He plans to introduce the CD in October this year.

The CD has been named “Ooh Gana” taking it from the song list. Ooh Gana is a reggae track composed by Benjamin, written by Shanaka Maliyadda. Tharubara Ahas is another track on the CD with lyrics by Wasantha Kumara Kobawaka. marketed by Ceylinco Internet Services for Benjamin.

The Ceylinco Internet Services will market the CD on internet. Ceylinco Internet Manager Rohan Sirisena said that he had undertaken the task of marketing the CD on behalf of the artist considering his talent and dedication to music.

National Youth Orchestra in full flow

THE anniversary performance of the National Youth Orchestra was held recently at BMICH, Colombo.

126 youth played in the orchestra performing various songs and classical music pieces on their instruments.

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha was the chief guest.

The National Youth Orchestra played C.T. Fernando’s Pin Siduwanne, Pieces from the movie The Sound Of Music, Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture, In the Mood, Rock Around the Clock and Tschaikovski’s 1812 Overture to name a few.

The concert reflected many hours of hard work by those who trained the orchestra.

The orchestra comprised youth from Colombo, Badulla, Matara, Bandarawela, Wennappuwa, Kurunegala, Galle and Ratnapura and other districts.

The Government of Japan had extended its assistance to the programme by providing musical instruments for the show. Ajith Abeysekera, Manilal Weerakoon, Dayananda Fernando, Neomal Weerakoon and Dilan Angunawela conducted music.

Rupavahini mega show in honour of Milton

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

SRI LANKA Rupavahini Corporation will hold “Piyapath Sala”, a musical evening in remembrance of popular vocalist Milton Mallawarachchi on October 2 at 6.30 p.m. at the BMICH, Colombo 7.

This will be in conformity with the program telecast by Rupavahini in honour of the artist named “Milton Mallawarachchi Aadara Miyasi Suyamaya.” Milton Mallawarachchi’s son, Ranil Mallawarachchi, Priya Suriyasena, Amal Perera, Kasun Kalhara, Jayantha Ratnayaka, Lalith Ponnamperuma, Anjalin Gunatilleke, Nelu Adhikari, Indrani Perera, Nuwan Gunawardena, Karunaratna Divulgane, T.M. Jayaratna, Gration Ananda, Priyankara Perera, Sunil Perera, Vernon Perera, Tony Hassan and Keerthi Pasqual will sing at the show.

Sarath de Alwis will direct music. Dancing items are by Channa Wijewardena. Film stars are also expected to participate in the event.

The organisers plan to give rewards to three selected artistes with the ability to sing and present Milton’s songs.

The Rupavahini Corporation will telecast a special programme dedicated to Milton on September 29 at 10.30 p.m.

Anton Jones a hit in the States

BACK home from a successful tour of the USA is vocalist Anton Jones who rolled back the years in giving his Sri Lankan fans in the States a re-run of those toe tapping belters that took the local music scene by storm in a by gone era of real entertainment.

Anton who called over at Lake House upon his return said he was spellbound by the overwhelming reception he received from his numerous Lankan fans wherever he performed, most of them avid followers of his baila during their days in Sri Lanka.

Not surprisingly for an artiste who redefined the art of baila with his mellifluous timber and improvisations that sent audiences into raptures at those musical shows in the past which fans still recall with nostalgia.

Anton’s tour of the States which incidentally was first to the Big Apple - took him to New York, California, Chicago, Washington, New Jersey where he sang to sell out audiences.

There was a souvenir published to mark the visit which contained a detailed profile of the prince of Baila as an entertainer that also did not fail to include the names of his contemporaries such as Baila Maestro M.S. Fernando and Wally Bastion which according to Anton went on to show the popularity of these names among our Lankans abroad even though they had long departed this world.

He also did a concert with popular Tamil singer of yesteryear A.E. Manoharan at one of the venues with well-known Lankan band Serendibs providing back up. Perennials such as Mini Gawuma, Asai Bayai, Uyalapihala Anton says made quite an impact with the audiences joining in the singing.

Anton says he received a flood of invitations for a revisit with many willing to sponsor these trips. However he has not yet made any commitments since he is at the moment busy with his latest CD.

Anton expressed his undying gratitude to Kamani Tissara of Lucky Star Events for arranging his programmes and organising his stay in the States.

- RODNEY

Nimal Dias on stage today

MUSIC Director and Lyrics writer Nimal Dias third Musical Show titled “Sangeetha Prathibaha” will be held on September 29 at 6 p.m. at the YMBA Borella. Nimal Dias is expected to sing 20 songs for this show. Nimal Dias has composed the music, lyrics for all the songs.

Dancing competition is also included for the show. Nimal Dias teaches music at St. Joseph’s College, Maradana.