At 83, she’s not ready to quit
She has been named a 2017 winner of the Ramon Magsaysay award, but Gethsie (Gnanatheepam) Shanmugam does not understand what the fuss is all about. “So you are interested in this old lady?” she laughingly asks. Having worked as a psychosocial counsellor for children, youth and women, especially those affected by war and disaster, today [...]
Regal 18th century Kasthane takes its stand at the museum
The 18th century Kasthane sword, believed to have belonged to a Kandyan aristocrat was taken to the UK in 1906. How and who engineered its journey still remains a mystery. The 480.5 mm long kasthane sword with the mythical serapendiya head-adorned pommel, embellished with hammer work, moulding, bench-work, gold plating and engraving was auctioned at [...]
An exciting brew from a 150-year-old heritage
Promising ‘something for everyone’, replete with a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Masterclasses with brunch and high tea, Tea Streets , Tea Theatre and so much more, the Ceylon Tea Festival promises to ‘brew’ a different cuppa from August 11 – 13 at the Asylum Courtyard of the Independence Square, the Mount Lavinia Hotel and the [...]
There was professionalism and heart and there was magic
A good musical has the ability to strike a perfect balance between drama, dance and music so that the overall package satiates the audience’s appetite in all aspects of theatre. Directing a musical like Cinderella comes with its own unique difficulties, not least the challenge of revitalising such a well-known and predictable story, but Anushka [...]
Odissi: An odyssey in search of the sublime
Anugamana, (the ongoing journey) presented by the Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo at the Russian Cultural Centre recently, was an offering of Odissi dance showcasing the talent of Sri Lankan-born Nritta Ganeshi Manoharan and two senior exponents of the Odissi dance form, Leena Mohanty and Daisygarani Vijayakumaran. This debut performance in Sri Lanka, comprised five items [...]
Collector’s Desk fifth edition takes a look at our iconic ‘43 Group
Considered the forefathers of Sri Lankan Modern Art, the ’43 Group has contributed immensely to the recognition of local art internationally. Characterised by their adaptation of the European art movement of the early 1900’s, this collective of iconic artists presented Sri Lankan living through their distinctive style, which will be one of the critical components [...]
Get to know your garden birds
How often have we seen exotic and ordinary birds, big and small, flit from branch to branch, fly from tree to tree or swoop down with lightning speed to snatch up that hapless but tasty morsel in the form of an insect or a worm? Glimpses of a flash of colour or a shrill cry [...]
City returns with new-look South Asian fiction, prose and poetry
When “City” was launched back in 2002, its co-editors Sophia Naz and Ajmal Kamal intended it to be “a platform for people to share how South Asia looks at itself and the world through the eyes of its creative writers”. A quarterly journal covering genres of poetry and fiction inspired by the contemporary subjects of [...]
Viewing ‘Revival’
Well known artist Marie Alles Fernando was the chief guest at the exhibition of paintings last weekend by Shevan Gunesekera at the Harold Peiris Gallery of the Lionel Wendt. The young artist who titled his show ‘Revival’ is a graduate of the ANU School of Art, Canberra, Australia.
Enjoying some Swiss tradition
It was a colourful evening with guests enjoying a taste of Swiss tradition when the Ambassador of Switzerland Heinz Walker Nederkoon and Mrs Senta Nederkoon invited guests to the Swiss Residence on Thurstan Road, to celebrate Swiss National Day on August 1.
Breezy setting for Ladies Circle event
The Ladies Circle Sri Lanka Colombo 1 held its national charter ceremony in the breezy setting of the Barracuda Sea and Grill at Dehiwala with guests all attired in a combination of red, black and white. International President Gry Haugen and President of the Great Britain and Ireland Chapter Alexandra Bennette flew down for the [...]
Naomi returns with ‘Resurrection’
Dance fans can look forward to a contemporary dance extravaganza, produced by well known dancer, Naomi Rajaratnam reviving her series of dance productions “With My Feet” after nearly a decade. The show titled ‘Resurrection’ will be staged on August 26 and 27 at the Bishop’s College auditorium at 7.30 p.m. “The title is very much [...]
Standing tall
With the annual Esala Perahera now wending its way through the streets of Kandy, Sesath bearers are a prominent sight. Adding a regal air to this much looked forward to event in the cultural corpus of the country, sesaths have a colourful history. ‘Sesatha’ deriving its name from the Sanskrit term shveta-chatra or ‘white umbrella’ [...]
Bali is heaven on earth, say the Balinese
Looking out over the ocean from the viewing platform on which I am standing the far off sight of the Gunung Ahung volcano is just about visible through the early morning clouds. The craggy rocks below me have over the years been eroded and pockmarked by the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. They now [...]
Byron’s daughter’s vision led to world’s first computer
Lise Meitner’s contributions to science were significantly overlooked and uncelebrated for political reasons. Born to an Austrian-Jewish family in 1878, Lise was able to receive a private education because of her supportive parents. Public education ended for girls at age 14. Lise became only the second woman to obtain a doctoral degree in physics at [...]
Stray dogs too have a right to life
Stray dogs are sentient beings. Like us humans, they too feel pain.Though in law, called ‘stray’, they are ‘community’ dogs cared for by compassionate persons, most being vaccinated against rabies and sterilized.Thus it is very unfortunate that in this country which boasts of a rich animal friendly cultural heritage and in its Constitution gives foremost [...]
A feast for the eyes and tastebuds
The 17th battle of the chefs, ‘Culinary Art Food Expo 2017’ organised by the Chefs Guild of Lanka affiliated to the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS), supported by professional exhibition organizers, CDC Events & Travels Pvt.Ltd, was inaugurated by President Maithripala Sirisena on July 28 at the BMICH. The main event featured 1700 chefs [...]
96th AGM of Mallika Niwasa Samithiya
The 96th Annual General Meeting of the Mallika Nivasa Samithiya ( Society) was held on July 27 at the society’s headquarters in Bambalapitiya. The picture shows Chief Guest Dr. Renuka Jayatissa garlanding a portrait of founder of the society Mallika Hewavitarne.
70s stars are back to bring on those old favourites
The much awaited show – Stars of 70s will be held on August 12 at the BMICH at 7 p.m. The very first Stars of 70’s Show was held 20 years ago at St.Joseph’s College Auditorium to a packed audience. The show was the brainchild of Annesley Malawana and since its instant success, he has [...]
Retd. deputy principal seeks help for son’s op
K. Mahanama, a retired Deputy Principal of Susamayawardana College and C.W.W. Kannangara College, Colombo 8 is seeking financial assistance for the surgery needed for his youngest son Desaja Dewmith Mahanama , 16, a student of D.S. Senanayake College who has been diagnosed with a Dural Arterio Venous Fistula. His doctors, Dr Nihal Wijewardena and Dr [...]