“Perfect Harmony – A Musical Journey”

Jun 27, 2009

--- by Ambassador Nirupama Rao

Music as it was once said by Rabindranath Tagore, fills the infinite between two souls. Celebrating the joy of music, a unique cultural event took place in China’s capital city of Beijing on Saturday the 27th June. At the Concert Hall in the historic Forbidden City complex, two choirs from India and Sri Lanka, the Shillong Chamber Choir and Soul Sounds respectively, presented a joint concert, aptly titled, “Perfect Harmony: A Musical Journey”. The Concert represented a meeting of cultures, emphasizing the meaning of friendship and harmony.

Speaking before the start of the concert, and sharing the podium with her colleague, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, Karunatilaka Amanugama, the Ambassador of India in China, Nirupama Rao, told an audience of over one thousand people, “The two choirs you will hear today are unique in every respect. They embody grace and dignity, innocence and vision. They have the unique ability to blend tradition with modernity. They represent the globalizing face of our countries, open to new ideas, curious about the world around them, and at ease with both East and West.”

The Concert was made possible through the joint collaboration of the Embassies of India and Sri Lanka in Beijing, with the support of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

The two Choirs performed a rich repertoire drawn from classical, traditional and folk music, and also popular medleys. They drew enthusiastic applause from the packed concert hall.

The two Choirs have been in touch since 2006, when the Shillong Chamber Choir visited Sri Lanka.

The Concert on 27th June coincided with a photo exhibition of Heritage Sites of India and Sri Lanka held at the same venue, with the cooperation of India Tourism, Beijing and the Sri Lanka Tourism Board.

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Photo : Inauguration of the Exhibition of Heritage Sites prior to the Concert

Group photo: Indian Ambassador to China, H.E. Mrs. Nirupama Rao and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China, H.E. Kumaratilaka Amunugama (center) with members of the Shillong Chamber Choir (India) and Soul Sounds (Sri Lanka).

The Chief Guest H.E. Mr. Feng Zuoku, Vice President of CPAFFC. Indian Ambassador to China, H.E. Mrs. Nirupama Rao and Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China, H.E. Kumaratilaka Amunugama.

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