Sawasangeetha – We Are Sri Lanka And We Stand Together by Oscar E V Fernando Sawasangeetha (SS) was a musical program initiated by the then Chairman of Sri Lanka Foundation (SLF)-H W Jayewardene QC, in 1982 continuing monthly and on occasions bi-monthly-until mid-nineties. Being a Queen’s Counsel with a penchant for many a British practice, Mr Jayewardene discussed with me what he described as ‘an initiative by SLF. I as Director Finance and a Board Member of this institute was very eager to find out more about the ‘Grand Initiative’ of this gentle giant, with whom I closely associated until his sudden demise whilst on an Indian tour. He said he was keen on introducing to our country the concept of Promenade Concerts of England-these concerts being musical performances in the 18th and 19th century pleasure Gardens of London, where the audience would stroll about while listening to the music. Realizing ...
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Undisputed king of Violin, DD Gunasena of “Sondura Mata Samudenna” fame By Sunil Thenabadu Violinist,vocalist and music composer DD Gunasena arguably the best violinist ever germinated in this country. Violin, byname fiddle,the bowed stringed musical instrument that evolved during the Renaissance from ancient bowed instruments: the medieval fiddle a 16th-century Italian offshoot. The violin is probably the foremost known, most widely apportioned musical instrument in the world. DD is one of the few musicians who has heavily traveled to most overseas countries,like England, NewZealand,Italy,France,Maldives,India,Pakistan,Malaysia,Norway, Denmark,Canada, Middles East countries, Sydney,Melbourne,Brisbane in Australia etc.Most of these visits had been to accompany Pandit WD Amaradeva for his concerts.. Born in 1947 to his parents in Kolonnawa had attended initially Kolonnawa Maha Vidyalaya , then Maradana Sri Sangaraja Maha Vidyalaya.Unlike most musicians DD had developed his innate music abilities at home not in school.At home they have possessed several musical instruments like Harmonium,Tabla, Dollak,Mandolin,Sithar.The ...
