- A nostalgic duet with veteran artist Amarasiri Peiris
By Dimithri Wijesinghe
On 21 Friday, Umara Sinhawansa launched her brand new music video titled “Sonduru Ganga” featuring Visharadha Amarasiri Peiris at the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo.
The event was a relatively quiet affair with family and a few select industry greats as invitees, including Bathiya Jayakody of BnS, veteran film director Jayantha Chandrasiri, and a number of others.
Umara herself shared that considering the nature of the production, she hoped to keep things simple. However, the project is most near and dear to her heart, despite having recorded, mixed, and mastered it and having filmed and edited the music video in a matter of days.
In spite of the unprecedented speed at which the project was brought to completion, the production reflects mastery in its craft; a gorgeous video shot in the iconic Elphinstone Theatre in Maradana features an angelically lit minimalistic set with the two vocalists performing centre stage.
Addressing the audience, Umara shared that a lot was riding on Visharadha Amarasiri Peiris agreeing to sing with her and that it was her greatest honour to have him agree to sing with her. Amarasiri Peiris himself shared that it was his pleasure to have worked with a leading artist appealing to the youth of today. He also went on to praise the musicality of Umara’s family considering how they have contributed greatly to the music industry, adding that Umara is a highly skilled vocalist and performer bearing the ability to handle multiple genres with ease and technical proficiency.
The video was officially launched at the event. Save for a few technical difficulties handled endearingly by the crew and Umara herself humorously taking to the stage to keep everyone distracted, everything else went quite smoothly and it is safe to say the audience was quite taken with the music and the video, which was captivating to say the least.
The song, penned by Dr. Prabha Kumara Rajaguru with the melody composed by music director Aruna Gunawardana, is a piece that is reminiscent of a classical tune with its own flavour, according to director Jayantha Chandrasiri. Sharing his thoughts on the song, he said: “Most music that is popular today evokes feelings of nostalgia, feelings of longing, and reveal secrets that would have otherwise been taken to the grave by its bearers, and ‘Sonduru Ganga’ evokes such feelings we are all so fond of these days.” Many seconded his take on the song; it is a modern piece of art reminiscent of times gone by, and it has the potential to appeal to audiences at all corners of the spectrum.
Umara went on to express her gratitude to all her collaborators including Sugath Hettiarachchi (piano), Rochana Ramanayake (guitar), Sanath Sathishchandra (violin), Thisara Bandara (violin), Rukshan Gunewardane (violin) and those involved in the recording process including Jayanga Dedigama, Janaka Daladawatte, and Lahiru Perera. Furthermore, she thanked the faces behind the filming of the official music video – Hasitha Warnasooriya for camera direction and cinematography and Hasitha Jayasinghe for colour grading.
