Bertie Ekenaike Archives

INDRA RAJ AND SWISS BAND ‘MOVE IT’ TAKES MELBOURNE BY STORM – Story and pictures by Marie Pietersz (The Write Touch) Former Jetliners lead guitarist, Indra Raj, blazed into Melbourne recently and gave Melbourne’s Sri Lankan dance community a brand of music they appeared to have been secretly craving for; so much so that instead of dancing, these regular dance-goers were glued to the stage watching the professional musicians, totally mesmerised by the music and the quality of the sound of the Shadows instrumentals being belted out. Event organiser Bertie Ekenaike was responsible for bringing Indra Raj and his band, Move It, all the way from Switzerland to Melbourne for this once-off event, and the band’s delivery on the night lived up to local expectations and more. In fact, Bruce Welsh, founder member of the Shadows, once referred to Indra Raj as the Indian Hank Marvin, on his BBC ...

Deno is 70, hip, hip, hooray – Story and pics by Marie Pietersz, Melbourne Denver (Deno) Keegel, popular identity within Sri Lankan social circles, celebrated his milestone birthday on 15th March at the Grand on Princes in Mulgrave.You could be forgiven for thinking you were at a Collingwood finals dinner or awards night, with the venue elaborately decorated in Collingwood colours and memorabilia and 250 guests dressed in the black and white theme for the occasion requested by birthday boy and ardent Collingwood fan, Denver. The party kicked off with a grand entrance by Denver dressed in club colours to a rendition of the club song. Laughter followed roaring applause from guests when spotted with Denver in a sea of black and white, were three of his grandchildren wearing the colours of rival club, Hawthorn, adding to the fun and excitement of the night’s activities to come. Denver was born in ...