17th September 2000
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Clothesline
We are very happy with the response we've been getting for our 'Clothes Line', but sometimes there is just not enough room to hang all the items we get during the week. So if you don't see yours this week look out for it in the coming weeks. And in the meantime, please keep writing in about all those annoying, intriguing or uplifting experiences or ideas in not more than 350 words.Send in your submissions to,
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Life goes on
Another passionate evening sky...A stream of squashed feelings, I need to let loose. Friends... Twenty years of life and many ardent friendships...and they say good things never last. I'm sitting outside under the dying rays of the sun, wishing to go back in time and walk through those old times...to rediscover the essence of the impeccable love we shared back at school... and petty rows that ended up binding us more.At home I used to be so rigid and unfeeling; not knowing how to express myself, I felt awful. It was this particular person who saw a better me and to her I was a normal human being. That bond opened up a whole new era for me, in which I learnt to love, give and share. She's been the greatest influence in my life - my bosom friend. Nostalgia lingers on; fragments of memories pierce through me. It hurts... to know things change and friends too grow up. They adjust though...unlike people like myself who dwell on memories, not being able to let go. It's this little truth that doesn't sink in - how on earth could we be so near yet so far? The swelling stars stare at me nonchalantly. They look as if I could use a little wisdom, without giving way to an outburst of the heart. Yes, friends are like flowers that grow in the garden of life; 'flowers' you could touch and feel the beauty of, breathing in the fragrance of genuine love. They'll last as long as you cherish them without a desire to own them. Because no matter what's said and done, when the time comes, everyone has to go his own way... Maybe I should go inside, and closing the door behind me - close my eyes to the enigmatic beauty outside. U. De Mel KandySo, what's next?
"A levels are over! Now what???" These are the types of banners you see around schools these days because the exams are over. Now comes the hardest part; we have nothing to do. Our parents keep pushing us to do what they want us to do and there is no one to listen to us. Most of the courses start in November and December. As for me I've planned what I'm going to do; but it's a joke to everyone, so I won't write about that. Instead I'll write about some of the things that most guys would love to do. Some are planning to go on trips, some want to watch all the good movies they missed (like me), some said the first thing they want to do is organize batch parties. Some think of more dangerous things like going out with a girl. But think twice before you fall in trouble, don't end up saying 'oops, I did it again!' and beware of GST (girlfriend service tax). Some want to go to the gym simply to pump their muscles and impress the girls. Mind you there are plenty of Shania Twains waiting to sing 'that don't impress me much'. Some come up with disgusting ideas of spending their time like drinking and smoking. Some go a step further and say they want to log on to the naughty Internet sites or get hold of a strictly-for-adults movie to watch when nobody's at home. (Wonder if they're not accepted as adults at home?) There were some who wanted to do full-time jobs because they have had enough of studying. Well, I don't agree with that either, because this is the best age to learn; if you don't you will definitely regret it. So if you have not yet decided what to do, fine, do whatever you like as long as you do it within certain boundaries. When you go to sleep at night, think of what you would like to be; an accountant, artist, DJ or someone like Sanath or Murali or....... whatever. At least think about the banner which is still hanging in front of school. Udara SenewiratneEssentially 'simple' issues
It is plain to any 'idiot' that the country boasts of a youth population that is extremely talented (given the right benefits), uniquely intelligent (given the right amount of encouragement), foretelling a high level of potentiality. So what we, as the youth of this beautiful Pearl of the Indian Ocean cannot understand is, why the discrimination, deprivation and degradation? In an age where the subject of equality is a highly-talked-about issue , why isn't there a sense of equality among individuals? Take the local campuses for instance where some try very hard to achieve this equality, sometimes pushing it to the extremes. More and more students want to leave their island home in search of greener pastures which their country cannot provide, what with the war going on up in the North and North-East. (That's right, blame it on the war!) So what can we as the future peace-wanting citizens of this country offer for a solution? Unity should begin at home. Why can't our student population start helping each other in building up a better future, simply sharing one's duties, exchanging notes, doing things together instead of dissecting into ridiculous bunches of pseudo-nationalists/patriots, whatever you may call it. Or is it just plain egotism? College education and the experience of it come once in a lifetime. Some say its span is the height of youth and the happiest and the most memorable experience in a person's lifetime. Then why make it miserable?Some don't even have the fortune to be a part of that experience. The human race is a complex one. But not so complex as to not understand the contentment that arises with the simplicities of life. If there's to be progress in the country's bigger issues, then naturally progress has to start from the 'smallest' issue. More attention has to be given to smaller issues, only then will we all see the light at the end of the tunnel. AnonymousWords hurt
One day as I was seated in the bus I overheard a conversation between two boys. They were talking about a girl and referred to her as 'yodhaya'. That word was used often to describe me because I'm 5 ft 10 inches tall and bigmade. But not fat. Some think that height's a blessing but to me it's a real nuisanse. The first comment I received was from a little boy on the very first day at my nursery. It hurt me very much and I refused to go back after that day. Ever since then I've been called by many names, and various comments have been passed at me every time I stepped out of home. Some of them were really hurtful. As I grew up I became more and more self conscious, and always tried to avoid such unpleasant remarks. I shut myself in a shell and grew up as a very timid girl. I have missed many things as a teenager and then as a youth because of this. I know that I can't blame society only; much of the blame should fall on me. But what I want to say is that, what people say to others could make their lives very miserable. So please think twice before making a comment about another person. Sardha Dias. KurunegalaDare to be different
By Kesara Ratnatunga
No woman has made me think so much," cries the 'masterpiece painter' withdrawing in frustration and exploding with inspiration all at the same time. The computer hackers yelled "cool!" as they gesticulate with what look like dislocated shoulders and an abnormal number of fingers while plotting to use her as the weapon with which they would hold the world to ransom. Her father sits at the end of the table and says through clenched teeth, that he is ready to forgive her... but on certain conditions. Who is she? Who is this person? A little girl in pony-tails sits alone at the edge of an empty stage and claims, "Anamika is God".
Not
quite on firm ground? Well that's what the audience is going to experience
at 'The Absentee', an original play presented by the students of Methodist
College. If you think the play itself seems a little out of the ordinary,
then the fact that it was written by eight playwrights wouldn't be a suprise.
On top of that, the writers were clueless about what each other wrote.
Asked to write a script about a girl, without ever having her appear on
stage, the MCites were set to work by Ruwanthie de Chickera - writer/director
of the recent stage hit 'Two times Two is Two' - who was conducting a drama
workshop for them. These scripts led to a series of short scenes, each
very different from other, but tied together by the thread of "Anamika",
the enigmatic girl who is the focus of each scene.
Nothing like an orthodox stage play, 'The Absentee' flicks back and forth giving flashes of a story, leaving the audience not quite sure whether they've been told everything or whether they're intentionally being kept in the dark. Certain key events in the story seem to be just out of reach, compelling the audience to fill in the blanks and come up with their own rationale for what goes on on-stage.
Although
short, each and every scene is self sufficient and has its own characters,
storyline, and style. Some have a light-hearted approach with a non-stop
stream of rib-ticklers whereas others are more conservative and deal with
more serious social issues. Because each scene is very short and written
by different writers, it makes the actors' job of presenting a tangible
character very difficult. However the 35 strong cast, brimming with acting
talent, have no doubt worked very hard because they seem to pull it off
extremely well.
The scenes themselves are fast-paced and well-written, and with some clever and punchy dialogue, not to mention great acting and a variety of theatrical devices, they trap the audience in quite an intense atmosphere.
"It's just so different," say Sandamali and Shazna, anxious that their months of preparation pay off, "we hope the audience will appreciate the play for what it is". These are the sentiments of the entire crew of 35 who have been working very hard to bring about "The Absentee" which will be staged at the Russian Cultural Centre Auditorium from September 20 - 23 at 7.30 p.m. each day.
Directed by Ruwanthi de Chickera the show promises to be a grand one, a treat for theatre-goers of all ages. The MCites seem to have found among their ranks a gold mine of talent, both at play writing and acting. And if the rehearsals are any inkling of what's in stow for show-night, then I for one would not miss it for the world.
All tickets are priced at Rs. 150 and will be available at Methodist College and the Russian Cultural Centre.
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