Stars Shined Ever So Brightly at the Childrens’ Goodness Club Annual Concert

Childrens’ Goodness Club (CGC) members from Seenigama, yet again proved the Persian proverb that children are the bridge to heaven. Dressed in colourful attire that lighted up the evening, young and upcoming artists from Seenigama performed on stage at the annual Childrens’ Goodness Club Concert creating a heavenly atmosphere that left the audience dismayed.

The occasion was graced by the most celebrated, award-winning Sri Lankan actress Mrs. Anoja Weerasinghe who dedicated her valuable time to be present at the event as the Chief Guest. Her presence not only made this experience wholesome for every person that was present at the occasion, but it also provided an impetus for children to perform at their best.

The ceremony commenced after the chief guest and guests of honour lighted oil lamps as per Sri Lankan tradition while “Dhanno Budhunge...” – a traditional song, played in the background. A Pooja dance performed by light bearing dancers followed in the spirit of warmly welcoming the guests.

Mrs. Anoja Weerasinghe being welcomed as the Chief Guest

Oil lamp bearers of the CGC dancing troop

The program schedule at this year’s Childrens’ Goodness Club Annual Concert accommodated a mixture of items to represent different ethnic groups in Sri Lanka. The acts and dances fitted in to a perfect definition of multi-cultural, multi-religious, united Sri Lanka with girls and boys changing in to traditional Sinhala, Tamil and Western attire to showcase their talent in the most authentic ways, possible.  The concert agenda included folk-dances, traditional dances, Hindi, Tamil and Western dances and drama items. 

Among the highlights of the concert was the traditional fire-bearing dance of a seven years old girl that awed the audience. Holding on to two fire flaming sticks in her tiny hands from the beginning to the very end of her performance, this little girl portrayed self confidence with exceptional talent that cannot be identified as nothing else, but a pure gift.

The 7-yrs-old fire bearer

In line with Childrens’ Goodness Clubs vision to inculcate the spirit of goodness, a short drama was staged by older children addressing the common social concern of ‘jealousy’ that can often be seen in communities. The drama not only left a meaningful message, but also succeeded to reawaken the conscientiousness of both children and adults present in the audience.

Drama - three mothers gossiping while waiting for a bus to arrive

The Foundation of Goodness also made it an occasion to commend a high achiever of the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examinations held in 2010. As a token of encouragement to pursue further education, Vinodhya Manohari of Sri Vimalabhuddi Vidhyalaya in Seenigama, who achieved the highest marks in Seenigama area was awarded a scholarship that would fund and support her education up to G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examinations. Speaking a few words at the occasion, Vinodhya Manohari expressed her heartiest gratitude for the immense support she has received from the Foundation of Goodness to accomplish her education goals and promised to perform better at obtaining higher results at the upcoming A/L examination.

Vinodhya Manohari expressing her gratitude

Following that heartfelt moment that brought tears of joy to many eyes, it was time to turn the attention back to an evening filled with entertainment that was impatiently waiting to unfold. The dance items that were beautifully choreographed for Hindi music really brought the audience closer to a Bollywood movie experience. It came as a milestone of achievement for Foundation of Goodness staff that worked hard to make this day happen, (especially to Champa Samanmali who directed and diligently organized the entire event), when Mrs. Anoja Weerasinghe tapped her feet and grooved to the music inspired by the true spirit of performance put forth by Childrens’ Goodness Club dancers.

The concert was not at all short of innovation and novelty. The reverse dance item where children danced in reverse while, wearing face masks at the back of their heads whilst articulating reverse movements, made the audience watch them without a blink of an eye. This dance surely did stand as substantiation to the beauty of childhood and the state of ecstatic creativity that they experience in their minds.

Dancing in reverse motion

Upon invitation of the entertaining compere of the event, Lasantha Manaram, the chief guest, Mrs. Anoja Weerasinghe made it a juncture to share her timeless wisdom on Performing Arts with the CGC upcoming stars that took stage on the night. She shared tips and secrets for improvement and spoke about the importance of following proper drama and singing techniques when performing in front of a crowd. Pleased by the talent witnessed on stage, Mrs. Weerasinghe pledged to help young children from Seenigama that are enthusiastic to build their skills in performing arts to excel in the future. 

Mrs. Anoja Weerasinghe addressing the audience and snap shots of various dances

More enjoyable items on the agenda took centre stage. The crowd went wild with laughter when two boys took stage dressed as bride and groom in a hand-made car depicting their first ride as a married couple. The evening concluded with a series of songs and acts taken from famous Sri Lankan stage dramas played back-to-back with the crowd blending in by clapping to the beat to make it more enjoyable.  The crowd went in to a full swing when some dancers moved in unison to the famous beat of Shakira’s Waka-Waka dressed in Hawaiian attire, showcasing that Childrens’ Goodness Club members can readily adapt to any environment, given the opportunity.   

The evening ended in an entertaining note with children sharing laughter and happiness; parents carrying pride after witnessing their children’s’ talent on stage; and with Kushil Gunasekera, the founder of the Foundation of Goodness being impressed beyond words for immaculate talents showcased. For some children, having performed in front of a renowned actress that pledged to join hands in improving their progression in performing arts, their journey for unleashing innate talent has just begun. For proud parents, it gave yet another reason to share unconditional love and endless encouragement with their children and for the staff of the Foundation of Goodness that works tirelessly, the night stood out as yet another binding reason to spread unconditional love and compassion across every corner, touching every heart that beats in the shores of Seenigama.

"Free the Child's Potential, And You Will Transform Him into the World"

- Maria Montessori

SUSTAINABILITY SPONSOR

PLANET WHEELER FOUNDATION

2011.05.23