Sandika Madushan

Oriental Song And
Dance Recital

AN Oriental Song and Dance Recital organised by Mr. Daya Hewavitarne was put up at the Town Hall in aid of the Mallika Home for the Aged and the Y.M.B.A., on Saturday evening.

The most outstanding items were those contributed by members of Chitra Sena's Troupe. Ganga Nath and Rupa Lekha formed an equisite pair as they danced the Lasya Nritya. an exposition of the elementary combinations of South Indian dancing. Rupa Lekha is still a little stiff compared to Premila whose fluid grace in dancing the Manipuri dance has much improved since her last appearance at the Town Hall about a month ago.

Outbursts of applause greeted Sunil Shanti's singing whose items were fully appreciated by all. Many even joined him off-stage!. The Western flourishes affected by his accompanists (and some times by him), however, tended to detract from the enjoyment as well as the value of his singing.

Sarat Sena's expert drumming are companied the two dances as well as the vocal items and helped to lift them above the average.

The Kandyan drummers and dancers. dressed for the stage and set in a flood of red light against a fake gate-way displayed their talents and the barbaric beauty of the Kandyan dances with an authentic air, their lean bodies jerking and swaying to the loud beats of the drums.

"Seela" gave her song a great deal of feeling and sentiment with unconscious ease and was also greatly appreciated. The stages lighting and decor were disappointing and monotonous.

On the whole the audience went home well pleased with the evening's entertainment.

16.12.46 D.N.        L. S.