Celebrating Sri Lanka

“Celebrate Sri Lanka” is a project initiated by Berklee students from Sri Lanka in order to foster relationships between the island nation of Sri Lanka and Berklee College of Music, USA. The project was commenced at the LOFT, featuring guest artists Nalinda Pieris, Uthpala Eroshan and Dilhan Pinnagoda, all traditional Sri Lankan musicians based in New York. They conducted a workshop on Sri Lankan drums and dance with performances featuring the various costumes, performance techniques and rituals. The second phase of the project was the release of this music video, which brings together students from both Berklee College of Music and the Boston Conservatory, representing 17 different countries all journeying together in this musical voyage.
Special mention to the following individuals, without whom none of this would have been possible:
Tamia Jordan: Director of Student Activities Center, Joshua Crary: Diversity Programs Advisor for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Brenda Bailey: Assistant Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Michael Borgida: Marketing Manager at Berklee College of Music, Sara Galo: President of Student Government Association at Boston Conservatory, Swarna Adikari, Arjuna Balasuriya and Families for providing decorations.
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Website: www.berklee.edu/
Arranger: Shannon Jacob (Sri Lanka)
Lead Vocals: Sanchitha Wickremesooriya (Sri Lanka) & Harshitha Krishnan (India)
Pahatharata Beraya (Yak Beraya): Nalinda Pieris
Gata Beraya: Uthpala Eroshan
Devil Dancer & Thalampata (Hand Cymbals): Dilhan Pinnagoda
Dancers: Shreya Navile (USA/Boston Conservatory), Carolina Salomon Simon (Mexico/Boston Conservatory), & Madeline Miller (USA/Boston Conservatory)
Voice: Dhruv Goel (India), Ryan LaForrest (USA), Caleb Kishan Savari (Malaysia), Sashank Navaladi (India), Razafindratandra Ny ony (Madagascar), Yaevin Lee (USA), Jenna Kohut (USA), Harshitha Krishnan (India), Wambura Mitaru (Kenya), & Sanchitha Wickremesooriya (Sri Lanka)
Trumpet: Nicholas Alleyne (USA) & Alonzo Ryan, Jr. (USA)
Alto Saxophone: Emery Mesich (USA)
Tenor Saxophone: Chris Allison (USA) & Nicholas Suchecki (USA)
Trombone: Yoshie Nakayama (Japan) & Amanda Fairbank (USA)
Baritone Sax: Gabriel Nekrutman (USA)
Bansuri: Srishti Biyani (India)
Flute: Missy Jaworski (USA)
Kelsey Rogers Violin Durban, South Africa
Kailey Zercher Violin
Santa Fe, NM, USA
Mona Seyed-Bolorforosh Violin
Lake Forest, Illinois, U.S.
Ethan Anderson-Carter. Violin Liverpool, United Kingdom
Gabriel Majou Violin Paris, France
Antoine Beux Violin
Paris, France
Gerson Eguiguren Viola
Quito, Ecuador
Hyo Jin (Jina) An Viola Busan, South Korea
Connor Frawley Cello Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
Cristobal Cruz Garcia Cello Tijuana, Mexico
Piano: Shannon Jacob (Sri Lanka)
Acoustic Guitar: Santheep Surendra (Sri Lanka)
Electric Guitar: Aleif Hamdan (Indonesia)
Electric Bass: Achal Murthy (Luxembourg)
Drum Set: Juan Felipe Mejia Tobon (Colombia)
Bongos, Chekeré, & Pandeiro: Laura A. Crespo (Puerto Rico)
Glockenspiel & Chimes: Brian Difrancisco (USA)
Orchestral Percussion: Phoebe Chou (USA)
Congo: Daniel Feldman (Mexico)
Doumbek: Berat Sahan Jazzar (Turkey)
Tabla: M.T. Aditya Srinivasan (India)
Recorded at Perfection Recording Studio
www.perfectionstudio.org
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Recording Engineer & Mixing Engineer: Calum Brockie
Assistant Engineer: Kaushlesh Purohit & Akin Orbay
Filmed by: Kevin Greene Productions
Videographer: Kevin Greene & Samuel Harchik
Editor: Teo Karakolev
Mastered by: M Works Studios
Engineer: Jonathan Wyner

[@RavsRagingReviews]

මුලු ශ්‍ර්‍රී ලංකා වාසී සියලුදෙනා වෙනුවෙන් මා මේ අතිවිශිෂ්ට සංගීත සන්ධවනිය නිර්මාණය කළ කලාකරුවන්ට සහ මීට සහයදුන් සැමට බෙහෙවින් ස්තුති කරමි අගයමි. ඔබ සැමට තේරුවන් සරණයි!!!

[@gappiya]

My ears to me=> Mate, you know what? Sometimes you know how to treat me well.

[@vdilipkumar4560]

+Sanchitha Wickremesooriya Hi Sanchitha! Kindly check the others sector in your Facebook inbox!

[@anjanajayamal2487]

මගේ විතරද ඇඟ හිරිවටුනෙ 😮 wow excellent 👌 proud to be a Sri Lankan 💪

[@_Anjulafernando_]

I found this when I was 17 now I'm 20 and still can't get over😍I get goosebumps everytime listening to this masterpiece 💫♥️

[@LioNKoLLA]

wow this gave me chills plus one of a kind awesome feeling !! welldone guys

[@AhamedNishadh]

A few years ago, on the way back after shooting a music video, I had this very interesting and long discussion with two good friends on why Sri Lanka doesn't have a well known and unique music industry. Yesterday, when I was watching this video, I was very happy that the Sri Lankan students studying at this well known music college have taken the initiative to do something like this. In an era where popular artists blatantly rip off Indian and other artists' music, it was good to see that the young blood of this nation are taking an initiative to put Sri Lanka on it map of the music industry. All the Sri Lankans who were involved in this project, ‪#‎respect‬ to you all. A job well done. Keep going on and make your motherland proud guys!!

[@sivasivalingam22]

It is extremely refreshing to see a multi ethnic group of artists joined together in 'celebrating Sri Lanka'. Congratulations to those organisers and the artist, the Sri Lankans around the world can stand up tall again!

[@shayschuilling1825]

This should be featured on sri Lankan television

[@community1854]

This is very authentic. Cannot believe it is done in USA. For my 20 years in the US, I have not seen something as great as this - superb act. How clever and talented. These kids rock!! Welldone!!

[@agalyakotigala3909]

Ive never been so proud of my culture :')

[@rushmadz5521]

Whos listening this in 2022? 🔥💗

[@chanchanmachan]

I'm from Sri Lanka and I've never felt more sri lankan

[@theresalarkin8488]

Wonderful celebration of the culture! Beautiful integration of dance, music, song, and traditional forms.

[@yasithadamith1158]

u guyz did very good job... and um so proud about my country... love you 🇱🇰 Srilanka 🇱🇰

[@haseeffarook545]

Proudly Srilankan❤️... 😭 Thank You Berklee

[@gawicaroline3502]

Why i found this after 5 years. ....what a masterpiece 😯

[@manjanaization]

සිංහලෙන්ම කිව්වොත්, වැඩේ මාරම ලස්සනයි....,

[@shiranthiranpanadeniya5683]

No words to explain it.feeling so proud of my motherland .thank you all!

[@dinelijayasekera1240]

someone tell me why i am getting goosebumps every time i watch this!!!

[@Muzar_Lye]

What a proud moment for all the Sri Lankans! Truly grateful for the amazing work done by Berklee College of Music! ☺️

[@piyumantha84]

This is insane........ cant stop my self watching this again & again. in Home or bed, at office or on the way.... everyday I'm watching this... Its feels me like I'm back to SL. I love this, great work, great team effort..... love u all.......

[@sheharaideaha]

Now this is a true celebration of Independence. The celebration of our art and culture,of our intellectual talent spread across the globe.. of an old and gentle civilisation that free from the shackles of colonial rule and the horrors of ethnic conflict is left to bloom and embrace the world ,with soft diplomacy,and the charm of our musical traditions,absorbed and beautifully interpreted by over a dozen nationalities at one of the most premier college of arts in the world.! I hope our leaders will see that this surely must be the way forward and not the mindless array of military parades that define our national ceremonies..Wonderful.

[@educorrears]

Beautiful homage to diversity! Thanks to Wally Bastiansz for Irene Josephine

[@nu.wa.n]

got goosebumps when they broke into the baila part.

[@mrsdratharashtra3955]

Gave me chills, the Sri Lankan kind! So proud to be Lankan ! Kudos to you!

[@annedinukshikirthisinghe1734]

This is brilliant! As a person who always listens to English oldies, this was very refreshing to my ears. Can we please have some more music like this?

[@Berklee]

+Dinukshi Kirthisinghe Thank you so much for listening! Glad you enjoyed it. Here is another song you might enjoy kzbin.info/www/bejne/povcaWRnatiBjq8

[@rept123]

+Berklee College of Music Great work..! Could you please add this to the student ensemble playlist by Berklee's channel? Thanks, and keep up the good work.

[@Berklee]

+Gihan Edirisinghe It can be found in the student arrangement playlist. kzbin.info/aero/PLG0f76gvWfh_qlp3ZS92LymVJZdsJSq6D

[@rept123]

+Berklee College of Music Thanks a lot..! We want more from you guys..!!

[@stardust628]

Berklee blending in the music from all the cultures and communities, functioning now as a colosseum of music from all the generations of our world. Thank you berklee.❤️

[@chamikagayani1741]

OMG what a music is this.. can't believe my eyes & ears. Give more... all the best

[@nataliabohorquez2302]

Increíble ..... Maravilloso..... Amazing!!!! Loved It

[@overuseaguitar]

This is arguably the best musical tribute to Sri Lanka that I've ever heard! Thank you to all the talented musicians and dancers! Wishing you folks the very best in your careers!

[@dayandesilva4306]

Wonderful initiative by the school. Thank you to all who participated. How many knew that Sanchita comes from a very musically "tuned" family? His grandfather is Gerald Wickremasooriya, who needs no introduction to the Sri Lankan music industry and proud to call a relation of ours.

[@Dharklionz]

Amazing. brought tears to my eyes! Love from Sri Lanka!

[@timanahaf]

Wow! Just wow! I got the biggest smile on my face at the Baila session 😆

[@pushpanathannn]

Very vibrant colours !! Many thanks from Australia

[@lasithakamalpriya5688]

Enjoying in 2022

[@NouzadN]

Amazing...!! Oriental And Brass Band together give a different taste..!! You are an asset to Sri Lanka...!!

[@MrBaba333]

we needd more Sri Lankan hits , from 70 s

[@vindyasachithry2381]

Kundumani at 4.29 IS SIMPLY AMAZING!

[@trivanannakkarage9893]

This is just amazing!!!! at a time when we Sri Lankans' needed some sort of a re-invigorated identity this video just proved it that it is possible to do so!!! It was a pleasure seeing the people around the word playing Sri Lankan music and giving it an international and contemporary touch which we long awaited for! Wish you all the very best guys!!! looking forward to more of this brilliant music!

[@Jude.R.D.W]

Huh, How can anyone dislike this video, I keep coming back to hear this. Its just so wow

[@thilinijayawardena367]

Watching this over & over ♥ ♥ Perfect music arrangements & performance ♥ ♥ Hats off girls & boys !!!

[@daneshol]

Amazing Performance.. as a Sri Lankan I'm so proud of you guys..!!! do more videos and we are waiting....:)

[@ChirathAkon]

Today 4th of Feb is our independence day. Thanks for the lovely gift guys :)

[@methmiwijesinghe6812]

i saw this on television when i was 14 now im 19 but still love this ❤🇱🇰

[@vijayafernando1]

if this is what the world is to become ,please count me in! amazing to see so many races on one stage - music bringing people together

[@abishekrathnakumar4089]

The best representation of Sri Lankan music 🤩🤩🤩😘😘😘

[@tanyavidanagama]

Why am I crying ? 😢😢😢

[@lahiruuu]

U guys are amazing...thank you very much.

[@goonewj]

What a breathtaking performance! Well done Sanchitha and the team Berklee. You ha e done Sri Lanka proud!

[@mahijayas4201]

I just found this on KZbin and this is absolutely great to see having so many talents from so many countries and participating in such a thrilling event... Perhaps this may have been a homework project for them and whole team has performed superbly..... Well wishers to all of them and hope we see your names in famous award ceremonies in the USA and other countries....All the best to all of you !!!!!

[@lelumratnayake4051]

This is SUPERB...!!! With all these titles you guys should have mentioned the original composers of the songs you used too. Late Great Volley Bastian and Dr. Victor Ratnayake. Except that little, this is great work...!!! I Love it....!!!!

[@GihanAnuradha]

Wow. good job guys. really nice. As a Sri Lankan, I'm very proud about your work. Like to see more.

[@srilankasmallwonder]

Wow very nice Presentation and line up of Music .....Awesome ....

[@ChathuraDeSilva]

excellent performance. shanthikarma cultural, Pahatharata drums and udarata drums excellent combination with baila and papare. wow magnificent performance specially vocal and all the instruments. I like starting its true sri lankan culture...

[@yasas5434]

This Gave me Goosebumps. Proud to be a Sri Lankan. ♥️🇱🇰🥺

[@thanushkakotalawala2922]

This is simply superb :) Thanks for Sri Lankans and non Sri Lankans who made this a reality . Excellent

[@awankaperera]

For 2016 Independence Celebration.... one n only thing which was impressed myself... thank you all and... keep it up... Good Luck...

[@jayangawedasinghe843]

This is just awesome … am here someone who waiting to see more like this with Sri Lankan music !!! Hats Off ..!!

[@Rasiya_r_wanigasekara]

Sanchitha wikremesooriya; brother.. you and your team are superb. this video can't be worded. good luck brother

[@TheLawSimplified]

Breathtaking performance. Felt nostalgic and proud. Thank you for releasing this in conjunction with our independence day. Cheers, Shaveen Bandaranayake from Sri Lanka.

[@lordofweb1234]

That was truly remarkable and i have nothing but gratitude for all you lovely people. Thank you , from Sri Lanka.

[@britanniait9456]

Anyone who is listening in 2024 ❤🎉 🇱🇰

[@eksathweerekoon3255]

This is a very creative audio and visual arrangement of popular Sri Lankan songs, performed very artistically by musicians of many different ethnicity using many non ethnic Sri Lankan instruments , making this a wonderful and an extraordinary unique musical master piece ! I hope Sri Lanka national TV Rupavahini will broadcast this to the nation. My sincere thanks to Berklee and the musicians.

[@charithruk]

This is an Amazing Creation!!!!!!..............I wonder why this can't be a popular song Internationally....

[@shyamran]

Super to say the least. Incidentally it proves two things. Oldies will always remain goldies. Time tested immortals such as "Viole" and "Kundumani" along with the classic Sri Lankan "papare" which is now more or less associated with cricket matches will always remain "singables" irrespecive of age, caste or creed. The second is that music is indeed a universal language. The multi national and multi dimensional crew of the song blend together in perfect harmony to bring out a truly Sri Lankan flavour in the final product. Well done and hoping for many more.......

[@ruweemadurangi2690]

I really enjoyed video clip .. It was truly an outstanding piece of sri lankan traditional music.. I wish and congratulate wholeheratedly to all of u and hope that u will be able to produce something of this nature in future too ...

[@Heshan00K]

Brilliant stuff guys! I'm sharing this video left, right and centre. Keep the Lankan flag flying high!

[@hasuladias6439]

Absolutely fantastic! More please.

[@ashiwick]

wow.... this is awesome !!!! Everyone must watch this... Well done !!!! THIS IS PERFECT !

[@kotasdiary]

superb guys n girls...so talented frm Srilanka with love😉😉😉

[@harryb4710]

Awesome job guys ! We want more of these pls

[@anupapathmiladesilva2718]

Superb...proude to be a Sri Lankan! This proves we are the most aesthetical nation of the world..keep it up guys..!

[@baldeep119]

Kids from all over the world making music..... what the world needs more of!! Awesome music :)

[@yomariodk]

One of the best collaborations I have seen and listened to!!!

[@PubuduRuhunage]

Absolutely one of best music I have seen combining different cultures of Music!

[@madushankadissanayake8477]

what d awesome combination of music..love it more and more

[@thusithaatapattu226]

I ENJOY VERY MUCH OF ALL YOUR BEAUTIFUL PERFORMANCE COMBINATION OF MUSIC..AND MY SPECIAL RESPECT AND SALUTE FOR ALL MULTINATIONAL TEAM and for sri lankans who made this beautiful for our national independence day

[@KaltrexDrNo]

Awesome Sanchita. Instead of Super Bowl 1/2 time show, we watched this.

[@truthonly4476]

I want a longer version of this irene josaphin viyole song come on this is not enough 😢❤

[@slmerc7]

7.04 minutes filled with awesomeness. Super stuff everyone... Replayed this song so many times and I've lost the count now. Good luck :)

[@wildlifewithmalmi]

My dear brothers and sisters thank you for your wonderful presentation. Superbly done. Lots of love and gratitude from Sri lanka

[@TheDilshanM]

Awesome arrangement.. No words.. I like the string section.. The arrangement is nice nice! Berklee is always doing these kind of things.. Really appreciating....

[@John30662]

A grate job! How nice the music and singing.As a srilankan this is grate rather than ours. Thank you! for this brilliant job.

[@nesta7774]

He's got such a heart warming smile 😊 And a voice to match as well! Love this song ♥️

[@dushan82]

Wow Simply Amazing. Thank you to all the artists and those who came up with this idea to celebrate our small Island Country.. Brilliantly executed. Kudos!!!

[@mjcouceiro]

Beautiful project! In all its significance!

[@HYITHO]

pretty awesome stuff! btw that dancing girl in the middle is so cute ;)

[@rocheperera5681]

Respect and lots of love guys. .Simply Sri Lankan. .Thank you

[@miyurumewan1784]

wow so nice much love from Srilanka wonderful job guys

[@SasithGamage]

amazing. different. unique.. beautiful piece of work !

[@kasunchandrasekara9910]

RIP replay button. Simply awesome work. Thumbs up.

[@ricardorutnam9767]

Proud to be a Srilankan and happy to know that you are keeping the flag flying high. Beautiful arrangement with all credit to each and everyone who contributed. Hats off to Berklee college of music. Auybowan

[@Isuru14]

Great Performance Berklee College of Music. (y)

[@colossalvictory]

Amaaazing performance !!! :) Felt so proud listening to this and watching all who performed enjoying every bit of it. Shannon Jacob - hats off to coming up with a brilliant arrangement. So proud

[@sahangamage237]

best selection of songs. this is sri lankan identity. above all... this is what we feel.

[@trehanmunasinghe]

This was 7 min's of awesome.. Congratulations and please give maximum exposure.

[@vihangadilhan]

It's pleasure to watch you guys sing Sinhala Music special the non Sri Lankan students! Keep em coming guys! love to hear more and take Sri Lanka to the world and make the country proud! 👏👏👏

[@pandukasenanayake4806]

Thank you very much. I did not want it to end. Great work and congratulation to each and everyone of you on a very laudable effort.

[@DonKatuwawala]

brilliant diversity!.. excellent energy!.. good job!..

[@ShanakaMaliyadde]

A warm big hug to Shanon and all in the team.. extremely nice piece of work... Warm regards and we would love to have you guys in Sri Lanka for performance. Please do consider it...