Compliment the Best Western Elyon for a Pleasing Stay in Colombo
The magic of South Indian cinema was brought to life by much-loved musicians from the region right here in Sri Lanka at the invitation of the Best Western Elyon Colombo recently. The four hour musical extravaganza titled “Rhythmantra” was organized by Abzolute Infinity and featured popular artists such as Reihana, Harish Raghavendra, Padmalatha, M K Balaji, Shashaa Tirupati and Eden Kuriakose. Held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, the concert saw some of the favourites from Kollywood performed by exceptional musicians.
The opening act was performed by Eden Kuriakose who is a young and dynamic Tamil and Malayalam actress. Perhaps her biggest film to-date would a Tamil-Malayalam bilingual titled Ini Varum Naatkal in Tamil and Girls in Malayalam. The film features only female artists and is the first all-women film in Indian cinema.
The highlight of the show was Reihana (also known as Rayhanah) who is both a playback singer and film composer. But she is perhaps better known as the sister of Indian music maestro A R Rahman. She collaborated with her brother on a song for the score of the award winning film Kannathil Muthamittal in 2002. She also sang the controversial song from the movie Chocolate.
Harish Raghavendra, an Indian vocalist and actor from Chennai best known for his songs from hit movies such as Minnale, Kadhal Kondein, Youth, Shahjahan and Dhaam Dhoom, performed many of these hit tracks to a packed audience at Nelum Pokuna.
Coming hot off a series of high profile song recordings for big names in the Indian music industry, singer Padmalatha brought in all her enthusiasm to the performance at Rhythmantra. In conversation with us, she proudly notes that singing for big films eventually helped her to get more projects which she is keenly looking forward to. The singer is also on a high after receiving a compliment from singer SP Balasubrahmanyam. She says, “SPB sir made a special mention about my song and my style of singing. I am pleased to receive this compliment from him.”
With over 100 playback songs sung for noted music directors MK Balaji is probably best known for his collaboration with the Michale Jackson of Indian cinema, Prabhu Deva on a single titled “Dhool Tucker” which is an Indian cricket song sung in English.
Bringing in a bit of the Bollywood side of Indian cinema was Shashaa Tirupati, a playback singer, songwriter and voice over artist of Indo-Canadian origin, with family roots in Kashmir. She was noticed by Academy Award Winner A R Rahman after she had auditioned for his episode of Coke Studio Season 3 and went on to be a part of his Hindustani Choir for the show. She was nominated for the Big Music Awards: Tamil 2015 and won the Mirchi Music Award as