Music speaks to the heart in ways that words cannot express. It soothes the mind and heals the heart. It can touch your life and inspire and is a great consolation. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.
The young artistes of this world are the creators of the future. They put a spell on the listener. The rhythm of drums and guitar, tunes of the violin, flute and piano can melt your heart.
The Music Circle of Uwa Wellassa University is an outstanding crew with extraordinary talent, showcasing the rhythm of youth and the beat of freedom.
Young Voice caught up with Rajitha Kanchana(a 3rd year student from the Faculty of Science and Technology and a Violin Visharadha) the leader of The Music Circle, to reminisce with him the story on how the group make their music.
YV: How many members are there in your band?
We have more than 30 members in TheMusic Circle.Dulshan Lakshitha is from the Faculty of Science and Technology. He is an esraj player who won the ‘Sangeeth Abhimani Award 2016’. Asindu Nimesha Peiris is a gifted singer from the Faculty of Management who has won several awards. In 2014, 15 and 16 he won the 1st place in the zonal level singing competitions. In 2014 and in 2015 he won the 1st place in the district level singing competition (Colombo) and was placed 2nd in the all island competitions in 2015. In the same year he became the Best Singer from Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa. In 2012, he was a senior category winner from Cambrian’s Got Talent, the school talent show. In 2013 he won the bronze medal at the Amaa Awards Colombo. He is qualified at diploma level in guitar and vocals from Bhathkande. Currently he is following a course at Kasun Kalhara’s Music Academy.
Anshula Attanayake is the base guitarist from the Faculty of Science and Technology. Hirusha Gamage is the thabla player from the Faculty of Technological Studies. Kalpani Karunasekara and Iresha Hapuhinna are the violinists from the Faculty of Management. Sandali Kaveesha is the flutist from the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture. Nipunika Deshanjalee is the violinist from the Faculty of Technological Studies and Achini Wickramapala is the singer from the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture.
There are 10 members from the 2nd year batch. The keyboardist Sanjaya Greson, the base guitarist Lahiru Deshapriya and the singer Navodya Tejani are from the Faculty of Technological Studies. The drummer Suranga Fernando and the singers Madushan Ranaweera, Amesh Madushanka and W.M.N.D. Wanninayake are from the Faculty of Science and Technology.
The lead guitarist Chamod Bhashitha and two violinists Samitha Meepegamage and Malith Bhashana (Violin Visharada) are from the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture.
The 3rd year student contribution to The Music Circle is immense. Rajitha Kanchana the Visharadha Violinist is from Faculty of Science and Technology. The three guitarists Gaveshani Silva, D. Senanayake and Chanaka Weerarathne are also from the same faculty. The singers from the Faculty of Science and Technology are Sanuri Hettiarachi, K.M.A.Y. Rathnayake, H.M.U.P. Rathnakumara and Kapila Priyadarshana. The singers who represent the Faculty of Animal Science and Export Agriculture are T.V.L Chathurika, R.S Hapuarachchi and W.A.A. Dilanka while A.D Wickramasinghe is from the Faculty of Technological Studies.
YV: These multi talented performers are true messengers and creators of pure music and your combination is musically fabulous. Have you ever produced songs on your own as a band?
Of course. We have produced original theme songs for some annual functions held within the university. Currently we are working on a piece which we hope to release next year.
YV: What are the music competitions you have organised?
‘Glamouro’ is a talent show organised for the first year students. There we have different competitions under several categories such as solo/duet/group singing and instrumental. ‘Manusath Handa’ is the major art festival of the university which is held once in two years. ‘Nidra’, ‘Warsha’ and ‘Athambula’ are the major musical shows held parallel to ‘Manusath Handa’. There we organise music competitions for school children within the Badulla area.
YV: Are there any lyricists in your music circle?
Yes we have a lyricist. She is Kalani Abeysundara.
YV:How do you collect funds for the welfare of your band?
Our music circle is under the Arts Club which is a registered club of the university. We get financial support from the university through the club. Other than that our past and present brothers and sisters too support us.
YV: Do you train the young crowd who are willing to follow your footsteps?
Yes. Our circle is always open for those have an interest in music. We conduct workshops for new comers. There are plans to do some workshops with renowned resource persons soon. We let the beginners perform in shows along with our experienced members so that they’d overcome stage fear and learn to do well on stage which is very important.
YV: What kind of music do you guys play?
We play all kinds of music. Mostly we perform old and new Sinhala songs. But, occasionally, we go for English and Hindi as well. We like to try novel music genres.
YV: How do you prepare for a show?
We have frequent casual meetings to decide on the songs, the singers and the type of music we should play. We listen to different versions of the same song and decide on the best. Sanjaya malli, Rajitha, Dhammika ayya, Imalka ayya and Dulshantha malli make chords and notations.
After that, it’s all about practice. We spend sleepless fun nights practicing with the whole crew. Everyone contributes and are dedicated to do the best at a stage performance. It’s a joint effort. Our most memorable practice sessions were when we practiced for the Uva Wellassa University International Research Symposium’s ‘Dinner Night’ and IEEE Sri Lanka Sessions Annual Get together last year. The whole crew stayed at the university throughout the vacation.
YV: Have you participated in inter-university music competitions?
Two of our lead singers Anushka and Asindu participated at the inter-university singing competitions last year and were selected to the final 20. Still we have not participated as a whole band in inter-university competitions. There’s a long journey ahead to accomplish. As a team we are ready to shed sweat and blood to achieve this target.
YV: How did the Music Circle happen?
Even though Uva Wellassa University has no Art Faculty its undergraduates always strive to generate more values to the university. The voices and instruments were collaborated together to make the uni life melodious and peaceful. The boom of the music circle is the “Nidra” concert.
Generation by generation the singers and players were identified through the Glamouro annual art competitions. There after the 7th genetation of UWU established the Art Society and the Music Circle. Rasangika, Himodya, Ruwani, Ruwantha, Saavinda and Viran were the key persons who strived much to uplift the Music Circle. Sri from 8th generation was a versatile colleague who was talented for singing and to play numerous musical instruments. He dedicated to create something new on UWU stage. For the very 1st time in the university history, Sri played a fully oriental Hindusthani instrumental play for the celebration of 10th anniversary of UWU. There, Chathura with flute and Nipuni with her Sithar joined with Sri’s violin play to make it stunning.
“Hendewa” was another musical which held every Friday evening at “Galleriya”, the student cafeteria. Lots of students fell in love with that event. There are important figures to mention who enhanced the music circle from the beginning. They are Charithaa, Tharaka, Lakmini, Dhanusha, Asantha, Jaami, Shenali, Kaushalya, CHathurani, Wasantha, Darshana, Dinesh and Amaya.
Our Music Circle identified lot younger brothers and sisters who are talented for singing and playing instruments. As we had the ambition to create a back row after us for the prevalence of the music circle we planned of doing auditions and continued long practice sessions in order to sharpen the talents and leadership qualities of the younger generation.