Punchi Theatre sets the stage for cultural awakening
The rhythmic ‘tala’from the Thalampataa, the beat of the ‘geta beraya’ and the elegant movements of Sri Lankan dance are all part of the “Colombo Cultural Show” aimed at presenting authentic Sri Lankan art forms to the audience. The programme that opened at the Punchi Theatre on Thursday, January 26, is the brainchild of veteran [...]
Rolling back the years on the rails
Trains run alongside my garden. The railway line from Colombo to the south, having been built in the late 19th Century, cuts across what was formerly a cinnamon estate reaching down to the sea, and passes by my bungalow. There are usually 14 trains a day, up and down, beginning at 4.15 a.m. and ending [...]
Caught! Night raiders who can’t be fenced out
A 11-month study by research scientist D.G. Ashoka Ranjeewa in a village bordering the Uda Walawe NP reveals interesting behavioural patterns and intellect of elephants. Kumudini Hettiarachchi reports They came, they saw, they conquered, sometimes through the use of tools, and roamed freely and leisurely in the villages for many hours, before heading back into [...]
Changing lives with the all-important F-words
Triumphant smiles, a single whoop of joy and even a silent, unshed tear in an emotion-filled ceremony, as the audience rises in unison in a standing ovation. As eight youth, both male and female, proudly walk up or are wheeled into the spotlight to receive ‘Reaching for the Stars’ Awards, happiness over their achievements is [...]
On becoming a Thomian and inheriting a rich tapestry
Recently, Divesh Alek Gunasekera, not quite six years old, walked in to S.Thomas’ Mt.Lavinia, as a Thomian, following in the footsteps of his two grandfathers, Chamlal and Anura and father Isuru. Divesh inherits a rich tradition, a glittering tapestry stretching back to 1851, a mosaic of disparate elements, stories, written and unwritten, of the school; [...]
Music that’s good for the soul, good for the heart
An evening of soulful music. Combine this with the harmonious vocals of Soul Sounds and you can expect something truly beautiful. The award-winning choir are busy preparing for their first show for this year, titled ‘The Reason We Sing’, conducted by Professor Mark Wilson on Tuesday, January 31 at the Lionel Wendt theatre. Soul Sounds [...]
‘Wandering Minstrel’ Keith Potger at Country Roads
The Country Music Foundation, the organiser of the 2017 Country Roads concert for children, is proud to announce that globally-famous “Wandering Minstrel” Keith Potger, founder of The Seekers band, has been added to the line-up for this year’s 29th anniversary show. The Country Roads concert for children is scheduled for Sunday, March 19 at the [...]
Celebrity chef Andrew Walsh to cook up a gourmet meal
Calling all gourmets! The Colombo Supper Club is presenting a one-off dinner created by celebrity chef Andrew Walsh this February. Chef Walsh is the man behind Singapore’s well known Esquina restaurant and also spearheaded one of Singapore’s hottest restauransts CURE, which is known for its cutting edge cuisine inspired by the season’s best produce. He [...]
Get a taste of Chinese New Year at Hilton’s GRAZE kitchen
Hilton Colombo’s all-day dining restaurant, the GRAZE Kitchen is celebrating Chinese New Year with an extravagant Chinese New Year Set Menu from yesterday (January 28) to February 11 during lunch and dinner. Guests could enjoy the hotel’s Chinese Chef Yu Min’s unique creations during the promotion. There’s a four course set menu with a choice [...]
A different kind of feminist
There are many things one thinks of when considering artists in today’s pop music industry. Over the course of the last 30-40 years the changes within it have been monumental – style, attitude, artistry, industry practice, norms, conventions, taboos… have all undergone major changes. Only the strongest, most versatile and adaptable can, and will survive. [...]
A stroke of good luck for little ones
For Sumithra Jayamaha and her nine-year-old daughter, the ordeal of the two-hour long journey from home to the primary school in Bogaswewa is now behind them. They are no longer at the mercy of the irregular bus service which was the only alternative to a bicycle ride from their village in Weherathenna in the Vavuniya [...]
Gold and embossed: Visakha gets coins for turning 100
A commemorative Rs. 2000 gold embossed, sterling silver frosted proof coin was issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to mark the centenary of VisakhaVidyalaya. The coin was presented to President Maithripala Sirisena by the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy on January 23 at the VisakhaVidyalaya centenary celebrations. It is being [...]
‘I look people in the eye, I tell them stories’
All Luke Wright needed to keep his audience enrapt for an entire hour was a stage, a single chair and a long poem. A participant at this year’s Fairway Galle Literary Festival held from January 11-15, the performance poet shared with his entranced viewers, his award winning piece “What I Learned from Johnny Bevan”. As [...]
It’s their stories; whether it’s gender or war
Self-Portraits is the name of the exhibition by three Jaffna University graduates now on in Colombo. Here’s why. Illangovan Dharshiya’s works reveal the politics of identity from her gendered position. She uses embroidery both as a medium as well as meaning in her art. Here embroidery is a medium that, being identified as feminine and [...]
Changing scenes: From traditional to handlooms on canvas
The organisers of Kala Pola announced that art worth over Rs. 13 million had been sold last year on the day of the fair, not including all the art sold after the event. Last Sunday saw another Kala Pola organised by the George Keyt Foundation and supported by John Keells Holdings take place on the [...]
Multi-hued bouquet to a leader
A well- established aesthetic decree requires that you admire the portals, before you make your entry into a notable edifice. The lettering on the cover, imparts a compelling dignity to the work. The portrait of the Prime Minister, selected for the cover, quite effectively projects the image of a mature statesman. The well-known and committed [...]
From a local village to Toronto; a young man’s life unfolds
Walakulu Bamma is the latest creation from the award-winning novelist and poet, Chandrarathna Bandara. He began as a student in 1982 with a collection of poems, named somewhat unconventionally as the “Asikkithayage Sihinaya” – loosely translated in English as the “Dream of an Uncouth Man” and went on to win the D. R. Wijewardene memorial [...]
Taking the Path and talking about it
Those who follow the path do not speak about it; those who speak about the path do not follow it – although this seems to be the usual case, now there is a notable exception. A practitioner has decided to talk with other practitioners on the path, fruit and realization. The result is Entering the [...]
There was magic in the air before he came on stage
January 26 marked the 96th birth anniversary of Chitrasena – here Gwen Herat writes of the awe the Master inspired in his students The Chitrasena Dance Company, the most respected and celebrated dance group of Sri Lanka has the country’s dance traditions richly preserved with its choreography based on movements that date back to centuries [...]
Rajitha Dissanayake’s newest production under discussion
Namel Malini Punchi Theatre’s monthly programme of Theatre Discussions of Dramas of the past, the present, and new productions in Sinhala, Tamil and English continues on Tuesday, January 31 at 5 p.m. with a discussion on Rajitha Dissanayake’s newest production of “Nathuwama Baeri Minihek”( A Being, Without of Being) at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre [...]
Appointed Prof. at Melbourne Uni
Shanika Karunasekera has been promoted as a Professor in the School of Computing and Information Systems at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Shanika joined the Melbourne School of Engineering in 2003 and has won many teaching awards including a National Carrick Citation in 2007, and Kelvin Medal and Excellence in teaching award from the Melbourne [...]
Reach out to SUROL to help those affected by leprosy
Founded in 1971, the Society of Upliftment& Rehabilitation of Leprosy Affected Persons (SUROL) is an organization led by a group of volunteers who function as a board of management, committed to look after the welfare of disabled leprosy affected people in Sri Lanka. They have a staff of eight with six sisters as field volunteer [...]
Two lucky HSBC customers off to the Grammy’s
The 59th Annual GRAMMY Awards will soon get underway in LA and two lucky HSBC Premier Customers together with their companions will make their way down the red carpet alongside music’s biggest stars. Ranil De Silva and Shalika Samayadasa will both get the chance to experience a once in a lifetime opportunity, with complimentary VIP [...]
Theertha artists hope Art Fair in India will change perception of Lankan art
The Theertha International Artists Collective will be exhibiting their work at the India Art Fair in New Delhi from February 2-5. The annual Indian modern and contemporary art fair encompasses paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, prints, drawings and video art. Its art education series has guided walks conducted by curators and students of art history [...]
Letters
Don’t leave any room for ragging in universities On January 19, a newspaper reported a tragic case where a student in Peradeniya university who opposed ragging was assaulted by a group of ‘raggers’. The victim needed admission to hospital and is said to be the son of a judge. I congratulate this student’s courage and [...]
Appreciations
H.M. SENEVIRATNE A scholar, mentor and ideologist is no more H.M. Seneviratne, Senevi to his friends, was widely acclaimed as an eminent lecturer in Education, especially in Educational Administration. He was considered an asset when there was a severe shortage of staff to teach the subject at the universities. This gave Senevi an opportunity to [...]