The Sri Lankan cultural showcase, 'We Children of the Pearl' was a smash hit in London. The cultural show was organised by the Sri Lankan High Commission in partnership with the Sri Lankan Community in the United Kingdom. Thewhole aim of 'We, Children of the Pearl' was to promote unity in diversity. The event was held at the Imperial College in London on Saturday 15th December 2007.
Hundreds of people,from all over the UK attended the culutural show, 'We Children of the Pearl.' This unique event was spell binding. It focused attention onto multi-faceted Sri Lanka and Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Malays and Burghers all performed in this spectacular show, the brain child of the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Mrs Kshenuka Senewiratne. The diplomats based at the High Commission in Hyde Park Gardens worked as a team to put on the cultural show of shows.
What was so striking was the genuine feeling of unity amongst Sri Lanka's diverse communities in the UK. 'We, Children of the Pearl' was directed by the highly acclaimed Sri Lankan actor of the 1960s and 1970s Gamini Abeysinghe. He took the show to new heights.
Ishan Perusinghe, the British Sri Lankan playwright started the show with a moving play based on the lives of two Sri Lankan undergraduates from London who travel to Sri Lanka on holiday. Their complex stories brought to the fore the need for cultural understanding. The all girl Kandyan drum group stole the show. They were a hit with the huge audience at the Imperial College Show.
The distinguished Sri Lankan singer/songwriter Nimal Mendis who is based in the UK, had two of his songs included in 'We, Children of the Pearl, they were 'Mother Lanka' and a new composition especially written for the show titled 'Daughter Sons.' Nimal Mendis was invited to the stage to say a few words, Mr.Mendis was given a huge ovation. Chris Dhason's unity song 'We are Sri Lankan' was also sung by the audience.
The second part of the show highlighted Sri Lanka's music and dance. The show was stunning -it included a veena performance, devotional dance, Muslim songs, a medley of Malay songs and Inang Dance, Gajaga and Ves dance, a Bharatha Natyam performance, Kandyan dance and Bharatha Natyam performing a moving item when they danced together,a Kafarainge dance, Giridevi dance, the amazing performance of the only all-girl Kandyan drum group in London with the drums of Sri Lanka and a music fusion item by the Sigiri Band.
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