Prime Minister Chief Guest at Buddhist Cantata “Pirinivan Mangalya” staged at Nelum Pokuna

The Buddhist Cantata, “Pirinivan Mangalya” of maestro Premasiri Khemadasa was staged at NelumPokuna Theatre last evening (25) on a grand scale. This remarkable musical programme which was graced by the Prime Minister, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Chief Guest, was organized under the guidance of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne and the supervision of the Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe. The provision of music in this mega musical event was done by the Officer in Charge of the oriental band of Sri Lanka Navy, Commander SD Rupasinghe under the careful supervision of Director of Music, Commodore Jude Peiris. The orchestra was comprised of about 25 instrumentalist from the Navy’s music ensemble and 30 vocalist from the Navy and Khemadasa Foundation made the evening more attractive with their exceptional singing

The beautifully knit music direction of the programme was done by Gayathri Khemadasa, the daughter of the maestro. Further, the generous contribution of the veteran film star Mrs. Anoja Weerasinghe was offered in this magnanimous cause in spheres of voice and yoga training.

The spectators were able to witness a rare musical experience with high standards largely due to the exceptional performances of the members of Navy’s music ensemble who toiled really hard for this worthy cause. The event was attended by the Mahanayaka theros, Hon. Prime Minister, Sectary to the Ministry of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Air Force, Inspector General of Police, foreign ambassadors, distinguished invitees, senior officers from tri-service, school children representing all provinces, disabled war heroes and a large number of other invitees. The Hon. Prime Minister along with local and foreign dignitaries who attended this evening were extremely fascinated by this remarkable musical experience and highly appreciated the timely involvement of the Navy. The programme was anchored by the veteran artists Mrs. Anoja Weerasinghe and Mr. Ravindra Randeniya.

Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa’s “Pirinivan Mangalya” is probably the only Buddhist Cantata ever composed in the world. This significant Cantata that depicts the passing away of Lord Buddha,had been composed based on the poems of ‘BaliyagaVicharaya’, adopted from the folk lore of Kandyan Era,of JE Sedaraman and was performed even at Budhgaya in India on Vesak Poya Day in 2007. It was last played at his funeral by the students of the Khemadasa Foundation.