Meet Joe Abeywickrema, the writer
We all know Joe Abeywickrema, the actor-that superb
character actor. But we don't know much about Joe Abeywickrema, the writer.
Twenty six years ago, Joe wrote his first novel. Titled Maha Bambata
Muhunu Dekai, it's a story about the tender love of a young man and a young
woman in the village. The second edition of the book comes out of press
this week.
In his maiden effort, Joe has attempted to relate a story based on the
social framework that existed in the village he was born in, before the
second World War.
"The old village is no more. It has undergone a big change. Most
of the old traditions have broken down."
"Yet traces of mutual goodwill and human affection still exist
thanks to these fine qualities being embedded in the minds of the simple
villager for generations," Joe says.
Joe has caught the joys and tears of the young couple's romance in Maha
Bambata Muhunu Dekai, which comes out as a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.Joe
has always loved the village. Born and bred in Lellopitiya off Ratnapura,
his close ties with the village have helped to turn out some fine performances
on celluloid. Take his role as Abilin in Mahagama Sekara's Tung Mang Handiya
(1970). It was a classic portrayal of a simple, innocent villager. Sekara,
who had been so impressed with Joe's performance, commented that his deep
understanding and close relationship with the village made him live in
that role. Joe's novel proves this further, Sekara said.
Few will forget his first major role in films such as Saraiya, the betel
seller in Tissa Liyanasuriya's Saravita (1965) which made him the Best
Actor in the Sarasaviya Film Festival. The sound of the tinkles in his
giraya still ring a bell in our ears. Joe's toll of 16 awards for his character
acting tells the tale.
Pick of the evening
The pick of Pradeepanjali III featuring the young
maestro on the sitar Pradeep Ratnayake, was Hemapala Perera, the visually
handicapped flautist.
He played so beautifully in Pradeep's creation of Jazz Oriental, a modern
jazz composition with sitar, flute, bass guitar (Alston Joachim) and acoustic
drums (Rifaee Thowfeek).
Pradeep's innovation 'Enchantment' was described as a "journey
through the various rasa (moods) of oriental aesthetics" and featured
voices and instruments blending in three movements. While appreciating
Pradeep's attempt at creating something new for each concert, some of us
found it rather repetitious making it drag a little too long.
East meets West
On December 10, 1967, history was created in the
music world when two 'greats', Ravi Shankar and Yehudi Menuhin played the
Rag Piloo before an august world audience at the United Nations in New
York. It was Human Rights day. It was a unique event. Menuhin described
it as an event breaking fresh ground. The recorded version of the concert
was voted the Classical Record Performance of the Year by the American
National Academy of Recording.
Pradeep played this famous duet with Joseph de Saram on the violin at
Pradeepanjali III at the Lionel Wendt claiming this was the first time
it was being played in Sri Lanka.
Touch of tradition
A magul poruwa made out of cane. Would you believe?
Does it sound heretical? You should see it to believe. That's because we
are used to seeing the poruwa done in traditional design at every wedding.
The cane magul poruwa was on display at the BMICH recently. Those who
visited the National Handicrafts Exhibition couldn't miss it. It was so
striking and out of the ordinary. It was simple and elegant with even the
punkalas turned out in cane.
Chaminda Kumara Wijesinghe from distant Manampitiya close to Dimbulagala
was the creator of this attractive piece. It was competing at the national
competition having got selected at district level. He would be obviously
pleased because the hard work he had put in to turn out something most
unusual, turned out to be the best. It won the first place in the Bamboo
& Cane section.
High quality products - 405 items in all, were on display at this annual
exhibition organised by the National Crafts Council.
Winning topmost place among the selected items was an intricately carved
brass table lamp - the creation of Gamini Gunasinghe from Medahinnawatte,
Madawala. He won two Presidential Awards- one for being the best in all
sections (along with a cash prize of Rs 25,000) and the other for being
the best in the Brassware section (plus a cash prize of Rs 20,000).
The first and second runners-up too won Presidential Awards and cash
prizes of Rs 20,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively. K Sisira Kumara from Rawatawatta,
the first runner-up's prize winning entry was a carved wooden tray which
had won the first place in the woodcrafts section. A novel door curtain
in traditional Dumbara style designed by P W G Wimalasiri from Menikhinna
won the third place. It was an innovative piece which stood out from the
normal Dumbara wall hangings. It was priced at Rs 2,850.
The Crafts Council believes that the all-island exhibition helps to
highlight the importance of maintaining our national identity and culture
in the local handicrafts while promoting craftsmen to turn out high quality
products by getting them to compete among themselves. The exhibition is
also a show window for buyers and gives an opportunity for buyers and sellers
to meet.
D C Ranatunga
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