‘Guitar Fest 2012’
I was lucky to witness the ‘Guitar Fest 2012’ at the New Town Hall
recently. The article in the Daily News about the festival was the only
way I could know of such an activity.
The concert was organized by the Guitar Association of Sri Lanka
which is a recently formed organization. It has successfully gathered
some of the most talented guitarists in the country. A special feature
was the performance of the undergraduates of the University of Visual &
Performing Arts, Colombo. The leading guitarists of the country were all
on one stage to entertain the people.
The combination of flamenco and classical guitar techniques using
single and many guitars is a novel concept in Sri Lankan music. I was
amazed to see young girls with their flamenco guitar styles entertaining
the crowds.
Until now I had the idea that the guitar can be used only as an
accompaniment instrument in Sri Lankan music. But the trove player
Mohomed Iqbal gave a wonderful presentation of songs only with the
guitar. His song for Victor Jara and the song to simple folk were
beautifully arranged.
Amaranath Ranatunga displayed some flamenco techniques while Misha
Rodrigo and Sandakelum Perera gave a beautiful arrangement of guitar
fusion music.
Andrew Obeyesekera of the popular heavy metal band Stigmata had the
young crowds thrilled with his music.
Anthony Surendra of Shakti, played some Carnatic ragas on the guitar
with Upula Madushanka accompanying on bass. This was a wonderful
experience to me and the crowd was repeatedly cheering. Derek
Wickramanayake teamed with Anthony and Upula Madushanka to give some
blues on the guitar. Also Hawaiian guitarists Prasad Silva and Rohan de
Silva entertained the audience.
The crowds were thrilled being able to enjoy such a rich and
wonderful live guitar performance free of charge. There were no seats
vacant and crowds had to occupy the passage ways and sidewalks of the
hall. The sound system was not perfect. But the crowds endured till last
knowing that this concert is the hard work of a few. A notable feature
was that all performers were honoured and souvenirs were given away by
the Cuban and Vietnam ambassadors who were the guests of honour.
I write to Daily News to get the Guitar Association to give concerts
not only in Colombo, but in other cities in the island. Such concerts
should get the patronage of the government. I was amazed to see the
amount of young who came and enjoyed this type of music.
I hope to see the next guitar festival not in early January but in
the middle of the year. My thanks to the Guitar Association of Sri
Lanka.
- G Gayathri
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