A SUNDAY AFTERNOON OF

MUSIC FROM THAILAND & SRI LANKA

NALANDA ROBSON & STUDENTS

RANGANA & UDUMBARA DANCE TROUPE

SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER | 2-3:30PM

MONASH MPAVILION, 26 ANCORA IMPARO WAY, MONASH CLAYTON CAMPUS (OPPOSITE ALEXANDER THEATRE)

SIR ZELMAN COWEN SCHOOL OF MUSIC monash.edu/mpavilion

MUSIC ARCHIVE MONASH UNIVERSITY

CONCERT PROGRAM

Presented by the Music Archive of Monash University/MAMU and the Campus Community Division, Monash MPavilion

Welcome by Professor Margaret Kartomi, Director of the Music Archive of Monash University

2.00pm: MUSIC AND DANCE from THAILAND

Performed by the Thai Dulcimer Ensemble, currently the only Thai Dulcimer Ensemble in Australia.

The Thai dulcimer also known in Thai as 'Khim' is a string instrument played with two hammers. The Chinese harp has been adapted to play Thai classical music and is

incorporated into the ensemble. The group, with members comprising adults and children from the Melbourne Thai community, has been playing together for several years and

performs Thai classical pieces and a few contemporary songs. Today the ensemble presents:

1. ลาวเสยงเทยน - Lao Siang Tien (there is no specific English translation for the title of this famous Thai piece)

composed in 1933 by the famous Thai composer and musician Luang Pradit Pairoh, this piece was inspired by an ancient literary work known as the story of Inau, which was originally borrowed from Malay and Javanese literature. The piece depicts one particular episode of the story, in which Bussaba comes before an image of the Buddha to light a candle asking for guidance on whether the hero, Inau loves her or not, unaware that he is hiding behind the Buddha image. The song’s lyrics, sung today by Nita Wiroonsup, are taken from the text as written by King Rama the 2nd of Thailand in the early 19th century. The dance is choreographed by Orathai Jomsoongnern and will be performed by Orathai Jomsoongnern and Pimolpun Kongtun.

2. ทะเลบา + แสนคำานง - Khim Duo

consists of two consecutive pieces, performed on the Thai dulcimer by David Beswick and Nalanda Robson, and showcases faster-paced skills on the instrument.

3. ญปนรญจวน - Lamentations of Japan composed by Laung Pradit Pairoh as part of a series of Japan-inspired melodies, this

piece incorporates Japanese sounds and tone into Thai classical music. During his eldest son’s studies abroad in Japan, the composer, lamenting and missing him, started composing these pieces. Originally played with Thai gongs, today’s performance will use MAMU's collection of Indonesian gongs together with the Thai dulcimers and the Chinese harp.

4. คางคาวกนกลวย - Kang Kaw Gin Guay this famous lively Thai piece is an iconic tune familiar to all Thais. Originally known

as 'Tiger chasing the monkey', it was renamed as 'The bat eating the banana' to reflect the fast-paced action of the bat eating bananas. The piece is short and we would like to encourage audience members to join us in the group dance.

Performers

1. Anatta Pongsillapa2. Bart Thatphithakkul3. David Beswick4. Harmony Zoe Osiecki5. Kitsirirat Treakornburee

6. Natt Chotchop7. Nalanda Robson8. Nita Wiroonsup9. Orathai Jomsoongnern10. Papatsorn Assawabundit

11. Pimolpun Kongtun 12. Pornpan Poolsre13. Pulita Phanprom 14. Tayut Wongwuttiwat15. Zoneeta Michelle Hooper

INTERVAL

3.00pm: MUSIC and DANCE from SRI LANKA

Ravi M Ravichandhira OAM and Narmatha Ravichandhira MAare delighted to introduce

Rangana & Udumbara Dance Troupewho will perform the following series of traditional Sri-Lankan dances, showcasing the unique and traditional Kandyan, low country and folk dance styles to live drums.

1. Beauty of Sri Lanka depicts the beauty of two major traditional dance styles – Up-country & Low-

country – of Sri Lanka2. Celebrating New Year

portrays celebrations held during the new year festival in Sri Lanka 3. Lee Keli

Sri Lankan folk dance item using sticks4. Drum Orchestra

demonstrates the different types of drums played in Sri Lanka

Kandyan Dance is traditionally performed to percussion only, the most common drum specifically used for the dance being the Geta Beraya (drum with a knot). A small pair of cymbals, known as the Thalampota, is also used to assist dancers to maintain rhythm.

About Rangana Ratnatunga Having started traditional dancing in his childhood with his mother as teacher, Rangana received extensive training in this art form under Guru Nandana Balasooriya, and had his début dance performance (Kala Eli Mangallaya) in Kandyan Dance (Up-Country Dance Style) in 1990. Rangana has staged many dance performances in Sri Lanka, including the National Ballet Festival.

About Udumbara RatnatungaUdumbara obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) degree in Dance from the Aesthetic Institute affiliated to the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka. She also qualified as Visharad in Bharatha Natyam, and received Diplomas in North Indian Music (Vocal) and Kathak Dance from Bhathkande Sangeeth Vidyapith in Lucknow, India. She holds Diploma in Ballet & Creative Dance from Chalana Dance Academy in Sri Lanka, and attained her Postgraduate in Choreography from Victorian College of Arts affiliated to Melbourne University.

The Troupe has performed on several occasions including Sri Lankan and Australian festivals (such as Australia Day, Begonia Festival, Commonwealth Games Promotions, and the like) in Melbourne, Ballarat, Darwin, Canberra, Sydney and in New Zealand.