The ‘Traditions Meet’ concert opens with an item by Norwegian trio ‘Seven Winds’ - Becaye Aw, guitar, Rolf-Erik NystrØm, saxophone and singer Unni LØvlid. After their performance Becaye Aw and Rolf-Erik will join Sri Lankan musicians in an intercultural performance titled ‘Traditions Meet’. The Sri Lankan artistis: Ravibandu Vidyapathy, Sri Lankan Drums, Priyantha Dassanayaka, Flute, Ruwan Weerasekara, Violin and Ratnam Ratnadurai, Traditional Drums and Rhythm Effects.
This year marks the 100th anniversary for Norwegian poet Olav H. Hauge. The Norwegian music you will hear is inspired by his literary work. The music is composed by Becaye, Rolf-Erik and Unni, who are visiting Sri Lanka as part of their international tour in autumn 2008.
Unni Løvlid is a versatile singer experienced in a variety of genres in Norwegian folk, contemporary music and electronica. She is one of the most exciting folk music performers of today, daring to take traditional music to new places, with the creative imagination to do so. Unni belongs in the top rung of folk musicians and holds a masters degree from the Norwegian Academy of Music. She was the first musician to be nominated “Performer of the Year” at the Folkelarm festival in 2006. Her first solo disc “So ro liten tull” was released in 1999 and in 2005, she released her second solo-album Vita, based entirely on her voice, presence and intensity as a performer. She has written the lyrics and music for her latest album "Rite" released earlier this year. Unni is from Hornindal in West Norway.
Becaye Aw, originally from Mauritania, is one of the best African blues guitar players. He began his musical career in Senegal with the legendary Mansuur Seck and Baaba Maal. He has participated in many international music festivals and performed with a number of musicians in Scandinavia and Poland and has evolved his own style of guitar-playing, inspired by kora and other African string instruments, which he plays in a unique Sharan style. He is involved in many music projects in Norway, France and Poland, one of the best known being Kake, with Kouame Sereba (Ivory Coast) and Steinar Ofsdal. They released the CD “Kake” in 2004.
Rolf-Erik NystrØm is one of Norway’s most versatile young musicians and has made an indelible mark both on the saxophone and also as a composer and improviser. His most recent recording was recently nominated for the Norwegian Grammy Award (Spellemannprisen 2006). When Rolf-Erik received the Young Musicians’ Lindeman Prize in 2005, composer Rolf Wallin aptly commented, “His appetite and keen interest in music in all its shapes catches the audience, and through a refreshing lack of self-consciousness combined with an intense and concentrated stage presence, he opens the listener’s ears for new sounds’ being performed.”
Ravibandu Vidyapathy is a renowned drummer, Kandyan dancer and choreographer. He has travelled widely and performed in many international festivals. He is also the artistic director of the State dance ensemble and has performed with world renowned artistes, Zakir Hussain, Trilok Gurthu and Billy Kobham. Priyantha Dasanayake is a versatile flutist in north Indian, folk and contemporary music and has travelled widely with music groups. He is a senior music teacher of the Ministry of Education. Ruwan Weerasekara is a much sort after dynamic violinist in western, oriental, folk and contemporary music, who holds a music degree from Russia. Ratnam Ratnadurai is a very versatile artiste, performing classical, light, folk and contemporary on many rhythm instruments. He too has travelled widely with many leading artists.
Mathra, a popular folklore group, will also perform. Mathra is directed by Saman Panapitiya, singer, composer and senior lecturer in ethnomusicology at the University of Visual and Performing Arts.
Folk singers Indika Upamali and T.S.Murugesh will also perform. Indika Upamali is a brilliant vocalist, dancer and actress who performs in many styles, in north Indian, folk and western music. She has travelled widely and won many awards. T.S.Murugesh is a light song artist who specialises in popular light and folk music.
‘Friends in Harmony’ will feature a drum orchestra comprising top professional drummers in Sri Lanka. They are Ravibandu Vidyapathy on geta bera, V. Jambunathan on mridangam, Saranga Abeysinghe on thammattama, R. Ratnadurai on the Thabla. Jithendra Vidyapathy will play low country drums and K.P.R. Ravi Shankar, the Thavil. Darshana Mallawarachchi will play Western Drums and Nupathi Nilambara the Rabana:
V. Jambunathan is a leading mrithangam player and performs for classical music and dance concerts. He has travelled to many parts of the world as a mrithangam accompanist. Saranga Abeysinghe is a popular Kandyan drummer and dancer who has performed at prestigious festivals and travelled widely.
Versatile south Indian Thavil player K.P.R.Ravi Shankar accompanies leading Nathaswaram players from India and has travelled widely as a performer. Jithendra Vidyapathy is a very promising artist in the field of Kandyan drumming. He is a drummer and dancer. Darshana Mallawarachchi, young and versatile drummer in western and Kandyan styles, has performed at many music festivals.
Young Nupathi Nilambara is also a talented drummer.
The Aru Sri Art Theatre will present an innovative and extremely creative Tamil folk dance group who are skilled in various dance styles, classical, folk and contemporary. They have performed at many prestigious local and international art festivals.