Down memory lane
Malathi Perera
Moratuwa being famous for singers and music lovers for many decades –
Blessed by the Lord for music and Saraswathi Devi, The Moratuwa Arts
Forum held its 14th successive musical evening ‘Down Memory Lane’
recently at the Lake Nest Resort, Gorakana, Moratuwa, under the purview
of President Lincoln de Silva who says this event could be treated as
‘the mother of golden oldies’ and they have set the trend for many other
towns to follow.
 The main purpose in this project was for fund raising for the needy
Artists and the budding up children from schools.
When Lankika accompanied the Chief Guests Chandima Perera, the
Managing Director of the Ceylon Cold Stores, after proffering a
beautiful bouquet of flowers to the Lady, Hiran Fernando, the compere of
the event welcomed both for gracing the occasion. Thereafter he welcomed
all the Guests of Honour who accepted the invitation to be at the
musical evening, forgetting their personal obligations for a moment and
specially mentioned the arrival of the famous film stars Sumana
Amerasinghe and Roy de Silva.
To the beat of ‘Super Pink and Purple’ the event commenced with the
singing of the song ‘Old Folks at Home’ and continued with many songs
sung in 50s and 60s of Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Pat Boone, Ricky
Nelson and many others of yesteryear. Also there was a collection of few
of famous songs of late C T Fernando and Chitra Somapala, as a mark of
respect to the Sinhala Tongue. The fully geared audience sang their
cares away melancholy on that chilly night, just forgetting and not
feeling at all the heavy down pour outside! A special mention has to
make that there were couples in their ages of 70s and 80s.
The Forum made it a point to give a special opportunity to the music
lovers who came from far away places by offering them the mike and to be
on the stage. A free song book comprising 75 songs was given to each
ticket holder. |
