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The millennium program of the annual sing-along festival of old favourites organized by that dynamic gathering of artistes, the Moratuwa Arts Forum, titled "Down Memory Lane 2001' was held at the spacious air-conditioned ballroom of Hotel Ranmal, Moratuwa which turned out to be a tremendous success. As in previous years, this event too was a sell-out with nearly 600 old favourite enthusiasts from Moratuwa, Colombo and other townships thronging to the picturesque setting by the Bolgoda Lake to sing those heart warming evergreens to their hearts content.

The 2 1/2 hour sing-along journey began with the concert hall lights turned off while a lone harmonica played 'Keep the home fires burning' thus bringing the participants to a mood of togetherness and fellowship.

Thereafter the Master of Ceremonies, Arun Dias Bandaranayaka took over the proceedings and kept everybody happy with this anecdotes in-between the sing-along sessions which commenced with the traditional 'old folks at home'. 'Clementine', 'Don't fence me in', 'Have I told you lately', 'red River Valley', 'Carry me back to old Virginny' and more followed by 'Blue Hawaii', 'Moonlight Bay', 'Galway Bay', 'Irish Eyes' 'With someone like you' etc. while the final lap of the show comprised everybody's favourites such as 'Silver threads', 'Beautiful brown eyes', 'Edelweiss', 'Pack up your troubles', 'Tipperary', 'Goodnight Irene' for the programme to end amid great atmosphere and aura with the crowd standing up, holding cross-hands singing 'Auld Lang Syne'.

There were four special acts by the MAFs in-between the singing. Young Sumangi Perera performed soul-stirring solo- 'Over the rainbow' sung by Judy Garland for the 1934 movie 'The Wizard of Oz'. Nissanka Wimalasuriya made his violin talk with 'The cuckoo waltz' while Randolph De Silva made merry with the piano-accordion. The MAF singers came on stage to sing 'Deep in the Heart of Texas'.

The vintage orchestra this year comprised Randolph De Silva and Ramani Soysa (both performing on the piano), Nissanka a Wimalasuriya (pedal steel guitar, violin and harmonica), Ivan De Silva (guitar) Rolinson Ferdinando (guitar, banjo and ukulele), Brian Coorey (bass), Hiran Fernando and Laksiri Fernando (both on acoustic drums).

The Projects committee comprised Priya Peiris and Erinton Perera (co-chairmen), Lilanthi Jayaratne (secretary), Merril Fernando (Treasurer), Tilak Perera, Brian Coorey, Hiran Fernando, Ivan De Silva, Lincoln De Silva, Thilak De Mel, C.L. Fonseka, Kumari Silva, and Laksiri Fernando.

The Chief Guests for "DOWN MEMORY LANE 2001' were Mr. Guy De Silva (Senior Deputy General Manager, Bank of Ceylon) and Mrs. De Silva who were welcomed by Lilanthi Jayaratne, Kumari Silva and Merril Fernando on behalf of the committee.

Bank Of Ceylon sponsored the programme for the fifth successive year. 

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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