LOS ANGELES: It was yet another first by Sri Lanka Foundation of Los Angeles-a cultural extravaganza presented by Channa-Upuli duo at the prestigious Bovard Auditorium, University of Southern California on March 29.

To a packed audience, the Channa-Upuli troupe paraded the versatility of a well trained, disciplined dancing troupe that not only understands the intricate techniques of classical ballet, but also the inner content of modern developments of such techniques, so that the fusion of the classical and modern that was on display, came in for wide acceptance and applause by all.

Sri Lanka Foundation of Los Angeles, as part of their annual agenda, organized the concert and the culture-loving Sri Lankans as well as some Americans from the Universities of Southern California, UCLA and students of the surrounding colleges patronized it.

Dr. Walter Jayasinghe, Founder/President of Sri Lanka Foundation thanked the audience and the troupe at the outset in his opening address. Sri Lankan Consul General in Los Angeles Jaliya Wickramasuriya, Dr Walter and Aeshea Jayasinghe lit the traditional oil lamp, while Angela Fernando sang the Sri Lankan and American national anthems.Enveloped in a haze of enchanting rhythms of traditional and modern music, swaying to the delight of the body movements of the delicate damsels, the audience showed their appreciation by punctuating each item of the schedule with thunderous applause.

When Channa and Upuli made the curtain call they received unprecedented cheers and applause. The icing on the cake was the elegant and unparalleled manner in which Arun Dias Bandaranaike conducted the entire show - there was not a single gap in between the items, continuing the unbroken flow from the opening scene to the finale.

All in all, it was indeed, in the words of one who attended the concert, a privilege to be in that audience that day.