Youngsters perform in ‘Rhythm of Life’

Art lovers in Perth are eagerly looking forward to meet the three smart youngsters in the picture. They are equally talented and have already proved their capabilities in both acting and singing. 

Raveen Kanishka (Anuhas) and Shanudri Priyasad (Samalka) captured the tele audiences playing lead roles in the highly popular teledrama, ‘Deveni Inima’ directed by Saranga Mendis. Though Samalka moved out half way still the fans are talking about her performance until she decided to become a ‘dasa sil maathava’ (in the teeldrama, of course). Raveen continues to play the lead role in his maiden effort in acting in a teledrama. 

Award-winning actor Saranga Disasekera has been in the cinema/tele scene for several years. He has been to Australia during his previous visits and made his mark.

The three of them will perform in ‘Rhythm of Life’ – a novel experiment presented by RIDMA Foundation Inc., Perth in what has been termed a ‘musical theatre’, on Saturday, 30 March.

Choreographed by Prashadi Ranasinghe of the Prashadi Dance Academy in Sri-Lanka, ‘Rhythm of Life’ will feature over fifty young dancers from both Colombo and Perth.  

Music is being directed by Tahrindu Jayatilake. 

“It has been a challenging task,” says RIDMA Foundation Director/Coordinator Hemantha Kariyawasam. “In addition to the three talented youngsters, with the well-trained young male and female dancers taking part we are confident it will be well received by the audiences.”

‘Rhythm in Life’ relates the story of three childhood friends who face critical issues in life as life moves on. They overcome numerous odds and succeeds in maintaining their friendship. 

Dance items are set to popular Sinhala songs.

In keeping with the objectives of RIDMA Foundation, ‘Rhythm in Life’ is a fund raising event to help a rural school in Sri Lanka.

Among the key objectives of the Foundation is helping economically disadvantaged schools and students in Sri Lanka. So far five schools in very remote parts have been helped to uplift the educational facilities such as school buildings and teachers’ quarters. The school children are provided with drinking water and sanitary facilities.

Recently a new building was constructed at the Kudabibula Kanishta Vidyalaya at Julampitiya housing two classrooms, a library and a compute room. The parents were encouraged to do the building operations through ‘shramadana’ thereby maximising the available funds.  

A problem faced by schools in distant areas is providing accommodation for the teachers. Although new teachers are happy to get employment they find it difficult to survive without a place to stay. The Foundation completed a building project to provide teachers’ quarters at the Kandegamuwa at Damminna in the Dimbulagala education region in Polonnaruwa. 

The Foundation has also launched a scholarship scheme for financially disadvantaged students. Deserving students in Year 6 to 11 classes are selected based on results of Year 5 scholarship examination and those in Advanced Level classes are selected from GCE O Level results.