Sonu Nigam Concert in Sri lanka – Photos II

Sonu Nigam Concert in Sri lanka – Photos II

Read more »

‘Daddy’ Brings A Censor Board To Sri Lankan Music

Sri Lanka’s most famous youth band “Daddy’s” new song “Tiken tika”sung by Gayan Perera created a much chaos in the Sri Lankan Buddhist society. The controversial song includes a Buddhist chant ‘Bhavathu Sabba Mangalam’ – which is used to invoke blessings, rapped with western music. The sequence of the music video where the chant is included also portrays inappropriate visual content that shows a couple in their honeymoon.

Several parties including the Jathika Hela Urumaya opposed against the release of the song – ‘Tiken Tika’ stating that the song should be banned. A Buddhist monk in Sunethradevi Temple Gangodawila also made a complaint against the song in the Mirihana police. Earlier the song “Sitti Maneela” by Iraj has created a similar chaos which leads to banned of the song as it stirred the Muslim community.

In respond to the allegations Daddy band has posted a reply in their Face Book fan page;

In light of the controversy generated by our video for ‘Tiken Tika’ we felt it was the appropriate time to respond to the allegations directed against us. Before going into detail, we’d like re-iterate that we have no intention of insult, abuse or belittle any religion, language, cast or creed and that we have the utmost respect for all of the above. Our fans come from all corners of the country and around the world regardless of what their ethnic or religious background is.

We fully understand the special place this stanza has for Buddhists as it is used in multiple occasions to bless (ashirwada) a person or a group of people. We wouldn’t want to hide behind a curtain of negligence or pretend we didn’t understand the importance of that stanza. It is for that specific reason it is included in the first place.

While we’d like to apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused, we’d like to re-iterate that we don’t believe we have insulted or abused Buddhism or Buddhists in any shape or form. Although the 5 of the band members are of the catholic faith, we belong to a much larger team that includes individuals of other faiths including Buddhism.

I being a Buddhist myself personally believe that the critics have over reacted as if you watch the whole video one could clearly understand that there were no intention of harming a religion there. For Gayan Perera, this type of chaos situation may not be strange as his “daddy” Sunil Perera the leader of the Band Gypsies may be the most criticized artist in Sri Lanka. When Gypsies released their songs “Lunu Dehi”,”Ojaye” “Saima cut wela”, “Piti kotapan none” etc the lankan critics criticized them as a havoc to the pure Sri Lankan music.

However a cabinet paper would be tabled soon to introduce a censor board to the Sri Lankan music according to the Minister of Cultural Affairs, T.B. Ekanayake. A mechanism would be introduced to subject all musical creations before a censor board prior to their release in Sri Lanka. I think the censor should also posed on the International music videos before releasing them to the Sri Lankan market as most of them have inappropriate visual content including semi nude scenes. But it should not create a conflict between the Young and the older generation in the music field.

The role of the proposed censor board is not published yet, but do you think there will be songs under the categories “More suitable for Adults” & “Adults Only” in the future of Sri Lankan music industry? We at Lanka Help Magazine always welcome your valuable comments.

Read more »

Where to Shop in Colombo Where to Shop in Colombo

Majestic City

Those on the lookout for some serious shopping will definitely enjoy the groovy, vibrant Colombo. Indisputably the best shopping in Sri Lanka, Colombo offers everything from bustling outdoor markets to chic shopping malls and from colourful street vendors to specialty boutiques. But that’s not just it- you will find the prices almost as good as the diversity of items on sale.

ODEL

Hunting for some bargains? Colombo is literally a bargain hunter’s haven; they can be found everywhere, but your best bet is to go straight in to the plethora of outdoor markets dotted around. A perfect spot is the Pettah Bazaar as well as across the Fort Railway Station. The cobble-stoned streets are fringed with shops and stalls that sell everything from fabrics, clothing and shoes to electronics, books and household items at really great prices. The goods are pretty much set aside in categories. For instance, you will find mirrors and glass showcased around Prince Street, music-related items collected around Malwatte Avenue and the household goods around Keyzer Street. Most shops normally close on Sundays in Pettah, but the Main Street doubles up as an open air bazaar. Another such lively bazaar opens well on Olcott Street, close to Fort Railway Station.

If you are looking for handicrafts and collectibles, there is no better place than the Laksala Emporium. The goods here are top-notch but slightly expensive. Located at York Street, you can drop at the shop anytime between 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays and pick up lovely handcrafted lacquerware and painted wooden masks, batiks and handloom cloth.

Pettah

If you want more options, you can check the shops around Cinnamon Gardens or Barefoot Gallery at Colombo 3 which has quality, charming and tasteful handicrafts, linens and handlooms at higher rates. If you’re hunting for antiques and top-quality home furnishings, check out Paradise Road, a posh boutique which doubles as a restaurant and has some branches too.

The quality of some items at street vendors and outdoor markets can be a bit a doubtful, so be sure to inspect any item closely before paying. If money isn’t an issue and you are only looking for quality, then you are better off shopping in the myriad of luxury department stores and stylish boutiques gracing Colombo. Odel is, of course, the one stop shop for everything you need. Up scale shoppers will love it here and it is by far the trendiest department store in Colombo. It is evident in their extensive collection of fashion wear to formal wear that Odel is fast becoming Sri Lanka’s premier lifestyle product destination. Locally produced clothing here is generally cheap and of excellent quality too.

Liberty Plaza

Cotton Collection, House of Fashion, RomaFour and Beverly Street are some other similar excellent spots to pick up some clothes that are comfy and chic. Pre teenage clothing can be found at Kids at Kynsey Road Colombo 7 and Toys For U is a kiddie’s paradise of toys in De Mel Mawatta.

Large scale shopping can be done at Majestic City in Bambalpitiya. Most shoppers seek refuge from the heat in this spacious air-conditioned shopping mall. With a cinema at the top floor, a food court in the basement and a variety of interesting shops in between, make Majestic City a well liked shopping location.

Laksala

Crescat Boulevard is another fine up market shopping mall in Colombo. The retail shops here are high-end and offer some of the best choices in the market. With its exceptional location adjacent to the contemporary Cinnamon Grand and in the heart of Colombo and one of the best places in Colombo to pick up designer brands, Crescat is an exciting place to shop.

Barefoot

Liberty Plaza is another mall that is worth mentioning. A multi-storied shopping complex, Liberty Plaza attracts huge crowds of ardent shoppers because of their varied range of merchandise that usually comes with an affordable price tag. From music to jewelry, Liberty Plaza is a satisfying shopping location with a small number of dining options available too.

Read more »

Sonu Nigam Concert in Sri lanka – Photos

 He is the voice of more than 1800 Hindi film songs, Sonu Nigam Live in Concert was held 18th night at CH & FC ground. Sonu Nigam entertained Sri lankan fans with his famous songs. Here is a collection of the images from Sonu Nigam live in concert 2012 in Colombo.

Read our previous article on Sonu Nigam Live in Concert Here. You can enlarge the image by clicking on the thumbnail images.

Sonu Nigam arrived in Sri lanka on two days earlier. Mrs. Sudarma Neththikumara who is organizing this event was at the Airport to welcome the great singer from India. Sonu Nigam was accompanied by his wife, son and parents. Sonu Nigam’s son Nevaan also a talented singer and he has become an Youtube sensation with his “Why this kolaveri di” kids version.

Subsequently, A press conference was held at Colombo Taj Samudra Hotel

Read more »

Sonu Nigam Concert in Sri lanka -Videos

Sonu Nigam Live in Colombo Performing Kal Ho Na Ho

Singing Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

Performing Main Hoon Na 

Read more »