“Kuweni – A Cinematic Musical Experience” was an experiential music concert series by Sri Lankan based rising star producer and composer Charitha Attalage.
Throughout the recent years Charitha has collaborated with many young talented artists to create a series of breakthrough hits in the local music landscape. By fusing multiple genres, deep and sometimes controversial narratives in his creations he has garnered a unique and loyal fan base unlike any other.
He also developed style of combining powerful visual imagery in his music videos which adds depths and layers to the creative product.
Even though it was the next frontier Charitha’s intention to do concert was a bold step in his carrier. Having never performed his collaborative creations in front of a live audience before the notion of a live event seemed daunting at first.
The concert was conceived by bringing together a team of unique and talented forces in the entertainment industry of Colombo. The team put in their best creative and technical prowess to envision “Kuweni – A Cinematic Musical Experience”.
The promise was a “Cinematic Experience”. Hence, the visual component of the show played a significant part in the show. It was considered as another live performer on stage and was designed and curated to carefully engage and move the audience in consort with the music and lyrics.
The concert received raving reviews from the audiences with all social media channels erupting with positive feedback of the show.
Kuweni also, became the fastest selling live concert and was unofficially named the best live concert experience to date in Sri Lanka.
Pre-hype through mystery and anticipation
Band is not fully revealed as the music slowly transitions; letting the audience ease into the unveiling of a familiar tune.
Band is not fully revealed as the music slowly transitions; letting the audience ease into the unveiling of a familiar tune.
Rising from the depths of hell.
The obscure and elusive personality depicted in Ravi-J’s rap lyrics inspired this scene. Only the horns and tail are missing.
Enlightened ones - there were many.
The ground is almost cast in shadows as those who have reached enlightenment are many and they float above us.
The ground is almost cast in shadows as those who have reached enlightenment are many and they float above us.
Ravi-J ascending above as he delivers the lyrics is symbolic for – discovering the truth of life can only be done by us and nothing else.
We are perishable
Inspired by the art done by Ravi-J for the lyrics video the scene depicts the inevitability of life. We can be the most powerful but it all decays and dies in the end.
Inspired by the art done by Ravi-J for the lyrics video the scene depicts the inevitability of life. We can be the most powerful but it all decays and dies in the end.
Epic and mysterious
A simplistic effect of lighting up a statue of Krishna as if being lit by physical stage lights.
A simplistic effect of lighting up a statue of Krishna as if being lit by physical stage lights.
The book of magic
The lyrics of Mr. Chandrasena Thalagama is celebrated in this scene. The each flip in the page of his note book contains imaginative words that are forever timeless.
The lyrics of Mr. Chandrasena Thalagama is celebrated in this scene. The each flip in the page of his note book contains imaginative words that are forever timeless.
A farce
This design was to depict a stage where local folklore was always told.
This design was to depict a stage where local folklore was always told.
Jazzed up
What would a jazz bar look like if created in as a fantasy in your head? This was the idea we worked with here.
What would a jazz bar look like if created in as a fantasy in your head? This was the idea we worked with here.
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Flight of the inanimate
One of our favourite scenes which is seemingly simplistic yet took the most time to develop. This depicts a surreal world where a folded paper bird is flying around on stage and backdrop is also made of paper. We wanted to this scene to depict the soothing and hypnotic measure of the song.
One of our favourite scenes which is seemingly simplistic yet took the most time to develop. This depicts a surreal world where a folded paper bird is flying around on stage and backdrop is also made of paper. We wanted to this scene to depict the soothing and hypnotic measure of the song.
Born twice
This scene was designed in two parts. The first being the birth of Prince Siddhartha. The second being his return as the Enlightened one.
We started off with re-creating Queen Mahamaya’s dream. The larger than life lotus flowers depicted the numerous Buddha’s that have existed through time.
He has reached enlightenment.
We wanted to depict the energy and force that such an occurrence may have delivered.
We wanted to depict the energy and force that such an occurrence may have delivered.
It’s an illusion
This scene was one of the last scenes we worked on. Even though it seems simplistic a lot design and technical tools were utilized to create the final effect. Ridhma sings of a wanting to be close to the moon and what better way than to bring floating just above him.
This scene was one of the last scenes we worked on. Even though it seems simplistic a lot design and technical tools were utilized to create the final effect. Ridhma sings of a wanting to be close to the moon and what better way than to bring floating just above him.
An unconventional visual twist to a traditional story. We imagined what if the story of Vijaya and Kuweni was done as psychedelic graphic novel. The scenes take the audience through three different times of the past, present and future. Where the two of them keep meeting each other as if being stuck in an epic time loop.
It’s a messed up world
We loved the music video for this Sakdevi Vanuma and stayed true to its’ art and energy
We loved the music video for this Sakdevi Vanuma and stayed true to its’ art and energy
A journey through space and time
The visuals and lighting was reworked from the music video to fit the live stage. The visuals depict the concept of time and space, moving through multiple dimensions and of course dying starts ending up as black holes.
The visuals and lighting was reworked from the music video to fit the live stage. The visuals depict the concept of time and space, moving through multiple dimensions and of course dying starts ending up as black holes.
Concert Trailer
