Spaces,venues alive with ‘Language is Migrant’
In the auditorium of the Public Library, installations for Colomboscope have been set. Packiyanathan Ahilan’s ‘Muted Speakers’ (2021) feature upside down loudspeakers on cool grey blocks, which have the effect of making the speakers look like silent, steel traffic cones. “SEETHA I LOVE YOU FROM YOUR LOVING SARA” reads the black-brown scrawl on an aged [...]
Making Colombo a vibrant venue for international art
What we seem to have missed most about the previous duad of COVID-shrouded years was the lack of events – the galleries were hoarded, the Gratiaen went virtual, and the art festivals which spiced life with raw new ideas and confrontation had to be sanitized away. Needless to say, we were parched for the coffee [...]
Crossing boundaries
Colomboscope is on! There are over 50 artists contributing to the festival at venues across the city, exploring how language relations form our selfhood and affinities that outweigh the bind of nationhood and citizenship. Here are snapshots of a handful of them and their work: We Are From Here Three artists come together to capture [...]
Letters to the Editor
An impending, certain disaster There was an incident reported in the newspapers of a hand grenade found in a church. Fortunately, it was discovered before terrible damage was caused. So, we were lucky this time. Next time? There will certainly be a next time. When a man is prepared to give his life in order [...]
Appreciations
“Unforgettable that’s what you are” Joan Vyvette Atukorale (nee Arnolda) My aunt Joan Atukorale, the third youngest of 12 siblings (nine girls and three boys) who passed away this month grew up at “Aintree”, 42nd Lane, Wellawatte to a very happy, loving and exuberant family. She turned 90 years young on November 22, 2021 and [...]
Women who shone bright across many fields
The main awards at the Top 50 Professional and Career Women Awards 2021 ceremony held on Tuesday at the Shangri-La hotel ballroom saw an interesting and diverse blend of fields and career paths being recognised.The Inspirational Professional Woman of the Year was awarded to Dr. Maheshi Ramasamy and Prof. Nadira Karunaweera while Aruni Goonetilleke received [...]
Keeping flag flying of a vibrant community for 100 years
The Sri Lankan Malays have been a vibrant community in our diverse little island with their roots tracing back to the 6th-7th century. In his book, the History Of Sri Lankan Malays, Dr. Tuan M. Zameer Careem writes, “When Malays came from the Indonesian Archipelago, they brought their drums, music and their dances, ancient ways [...]
Indian historian to deliver Dr Roland Silva Memorial Lecture
The National Trust’s monthly lecture, the Dr Roland Silva Memorial Lecture will be delivered online on Thursday, January 27, at 6 p.m. by eminent Indian historian Prof. Romila Thapar who will talk on ‘The History of the Museum in India’. Link to lecture: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85174934993 Prof. Thapar who is Professor of Ancient History, Emerita, at the [...]
Exhibition by veteran artist S.H. Sarath
An exhibition of the works of veteran artist S.H. Sarath is on at his studio until January 31. With a career spanning over 50 years, he has held numerous exhibitions around the world since the 70s. A product of the Silpakorn University of Fine Arts Bangkok, his art addresses contemporary issues. His paintings can be [...]