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In addition to ‘New Year Symphony’, a group of guest artists including T. M. Jayaratne, Mihindu Ariyaratne, Pradeepa Darmadasa, Sandya Bulathsinghala will be performing with Srilankan Navy Orchestra
Celebrating the 88th birth anniversary of Sri Lanka’s pioneer musician Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa, an evening of music titled “Ananthaya Sara’ will go on the boards with a special performance of “New Year Symphony” at 7.30 pm on January 25 at Nalanda College Auditorium.
British conductor, Colin Jagger, will be conducting the symphony that was created by Master Khemadasa who introduced novelty to the culture of symphony. In composing the symphony, which is more popular in the Western classical music, the musical maestro used a number of musical instruments and traditional drums familiar with local or the eastern musical genre.
I am extremely honoured and excited to be involved in the performance of ‘New Year’ on 25th January. Until now, my musical experience has been bound up in European tradition, and so it has been fascinating to study the music of Sri Lanka’s most famous composer,” said Colin Jagger.
“The national new year is around the corner. The gay awakening of the atmosphere - the colourful ritual - the sweet abandon are marked features, pivoted on an array of unsophisticated family relationships. Harvesting done, the barns are filled with paddy. Faces draw up smiles of satisfaction.
The cuckoo heralds the distant dawn of the New Year. The cello slowly lingers reminding the past year’s spent force.
Guests will be able to see Colin Jagger conducting the symphony
Gayathri Khemadasa
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On the sitar, blossoms a thousand of Erabadu flowers-the alluring red flower of the season. Each home is a beehive of activity.
Nature, townsmen, peasants, all prepare for a common welcome - to usher in a Happy and Prosperous New Year. A short while ahead of the auspicious moment - a period of solemnity emerges.
Devotees appear at the temples with handfuls of flour sprinkled with water to be offered at the feet of the enlightened one,” Khemadasa Foundation which organised the evening noted.
“I am extremely honoured and excited to be involved in the performance of ‘New Year’ on 25th January. Until now, my musical experience has been bound up in the European tradition, and so it has been fascinating to study the music of Sri Lanka’s most famous composer,” composer Jagger stated.
“Also, I have never before had the opportunity to work with an orchestra in Asia. I know I will learn a lot from them and I hope they will also learn something from me - this sharing of cultural experience is very important and brings the peoples of the world closer together,” the British musician who is excited to be a part of the show noted.
“We were very fortunate in Portsmouth to be able to perform a piece by Gayathri Khemadasa, and, having really enjoyed her music, I am now enjoying the music of Khemadasa senior” referring Gayathri Khemadasa’s ‘Freedom’ a choral work based on a poem written by Rabindranath Tagore, performed at Portsmouth University Choir in the UK in 2023 Jagger stated.
In addition to ‘New Year Symphony’, a group of guest artists including T. M. Jayarathna, Mihindu Ariyaratne, Pradeepa Dharmadasa, Sandya Bulathsinhala will be performing with Sri Lankan Navy Orchestra.
The Khemadasa Foundation run by internationally awarded musician Gayathri Khemadasa is planning to take the show around the country specially to rural parts of Sri Lanka to share the rich musical culture.