New scene for local artistes

I know it’s not the end of the world, but no one expected the year 2020 to turn out to be so disastrous!

Unfortunately, none of us can change this scene…to go back to the ‘old normal,’ before this pandemic broke out.

We have got to make the necessary changes, adaptions, etc., and move ahead, gleefully, in the ‘new normal.’ And, that’s precisely what some of our performers are doing.

Singer Manilal Perera says he doesn’t venture out much, these days, so while, at home, the scene around the house has benefited a great deal.

Yes, Manilal has taken to tending the garden and, he says, it has brought him closer to nature, and has also elevated his spirit, since it can be quite frustrating when you are confined to the four walls of your home. And, being an artiste of Manilal’s calibre, he needs to be on stage – ENTERTAINING music lovers.

Manilal was working on a duo scene, with Kevin Almeida, in order to overcome some of the restrictions placed, where entertainment is concerned.

Before the second Coronavirus wave hit the country, local artistes had some work coming their way – especially for duos and trios – and Manilal and Kevin were to operate as ‘Ebony and Ivory.’ But, that scene, too, has now vanished!

In addition to tending the garden, Manilal also mentioned that he cooks, does yoga exercises, and conducts online vocal training classes for his pupils.

But…he says, although he is gradually adapting himself to the changes, his biggest disappointment is that he is unable to see his family, living in Italy. – a country very badly hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.

“Generally, I make a couple of trips, every year, to Italy, but, this year, I’ve been deprived of seeing my son (Riccardo), and daughter (Viola), and my Italian wife, and I’m so sad about it.”

However, Manilal went on to say that the family is okay, although the city, they live in, is facing a total lockdown!

“I’m waiting for the opportunity to rush to Italy, but it doesn’t seem likely that such a possibility would be there – definitely not before the year ends.”

The group Aquarius, with bassist Benjamin Ranabahu at the helm, had quite a few good things coming their way, before the second wave decided to make Sri Lankans feel horrible…and desperate. But, Benjy is looking forward to the ‘new normal,’ with enthusiasm. And, with that in mind, his band does practice, on a weekly basis.

Unfortunately, non of us can forecast what the scene is going to be, in the near future.

I was intrigued, seeing a video (it’s on YouTube), showing one of our so-called prophets, prophesying (with a Sinhala translator doing the needful), at a large gathering, what 2020 was going to be like. And, these are his exact words:

“2019 was a beautiful year. But, I’ve seen 2020. It’s, it’s, it’s going to be an awesome year for all of us.”

And the congregation applauded.

Probably, he meant – AWESOME IN DISASTERS!