Pundit Amaradeva commemorated in US with music and cultural presentation

Sri Lanka’s classical music and cultural legend Pundit Amaradeva was commemorated in the United States, making it the first such overseas presentation of, maestro’s work.

The commemorative cultural presentation was held in the City of Las Vegas in the State of Nevada, in November, by the Sri Lanka America Association of Las Vegas, with the assistance of the Amaradeva Foundation in Sri Lanka.

The newly formed Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce whose official inauguration is scheduled on December 9, collaborated with the Association in holding the event drawing non-Sri Lankan nationalities to enjoy South Asian music and dances, performed by Sri Lankan dance troupes.

This was a fitting tribute to the legendary cultural icon of Sri Lanka marking his fifth death anniversary.

The cultural performance was graced by Sri Lanka’s Consul-General for the Western States, based in Los Angeles in California Dr. Lalith Chandradasa and the multi-faceted artiste Badraji Mahinda Jayathilake. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Jayathilake highlighting the contribution of Pundit Amaradeva toward the progressive development of Sinhala classical music and the experiments the music maestro did in broadening the scope of Sri Lanka’s music.

About 15 popular songs of Visaradha Amaradeva were presented by members of the Sri Lankan community that were well accepted by both the large audience that comprised Sri Lankans and other nationalities. Eight dances were also performed by young and elderly ladies to the music of Amaradeva songs.

This was a fitting tribute to the legendary Pundit Amaradeva given for the first time outside of his native Sri Lanka.