• Shawn's dreams are coming true
• Clancy's: First Irish Pub in Sri Lanka
• Grand finale for 'On Stage'
• Realism crowns Pathiraja's work
• 'Varanaya' portrays social upheavals
• Listen to original Eminem
• Lanka's first travel manual in five languages
• Tourist Board makes Lanka popular

Shawn's dreams are coming true

By Sanath Weerasuriya

What makes Shawn Landersz unique is the fact that not only does he compose and perform music of his own but he also is a self taught musician who learned to spin the tunes through talent alone.

Having heard Shawn's first solo single release in Rome, I found myself greatly moved by the passion and the emotion that oozed from within. I caught up with this youngster in the hope of learning a bit more about the person whose tunes decidedly marked natural talent. Born in Sri Lanka, 21 years ago Shawn migrated to Rome at the age of 14. When asked how he discovered his love for piano, he had an interesting story to tell.

"While in Sri Lanka, I never even imagined I would be able to play a meaningful tune on the piano. In Rome we moved in to a house which had a piano no one ever used, till one day I found myself paying close attention to a queen concert in which the movement of the pianist was clearly shown while performing Bohemian rhapsody, I just went over to the piano and sat there trying to follow the music, and the effort paid off well." Shawn began his career as a musician in Rome performing in various concerts since the release of his first solo work "Wandering in Dreams". He is also a member of a rock/heavy metal band in Rome.

On a final note I asked him how he would define the music he composed. "There isn't a particular definition to the music I make. My first CD single includes three tracks which are Epic - instrumental. But I don't stop there. I compose all kinds of music, and my songs are not just rock or heavy metal, no classical or pop, all of it together, and all of it comes straight from the heart."

I think most of the time people are scared of the fact that sometimes they are living only a dream, but life is too precious and too short to be wasted on worrying too much, it's great to be aware of the fact that it's only a dream, but yet wanting to keep wandering on.... for dreams are what we want our life to be and we should never stop believing in them, it keeps our hopes alive, no matter what may come".

Shawn hopes to release his CD singles "Wandering in Dreams" in Sri Lanka in the near future.

Clancy's: First Irish Pub in Sri Lanka

By Sanath Weerasuriya

'Clancy's, Lanka's first ever Irish Pub and Restaurant, will be opened on November 22.

'Clancy's is located nearly 4920 miles south east of Dublin, the capital of Ireland, here in the heart of Colombo.

'Clancy' located at the old 'Cyclone' venue at CH & FC club will swing into action with lots of Irish beer and food specialities with live music for dancing.

The brainchild of this venture is Nalin Abeyratne who is supported by his Irish wife Annette.

"At Clancy's there will be no strangers. Only friends, who just haven't met yet", said Nalin Abeyratne, a master mariner by profession, who finally decided to hang his sea boots after 25 sailing years to settle ashore.

The nautical touch to the place is proof that the seawater in an old sea dog's blood is inseparable.

His ever-supportive wife, Annette, who always wished for a little bit of Ireland, home away from home, has been the motivation for this project. So it's family business after all.

Pub culture is the main feature that is so pronounced in Ireland and now spread around the civilized world.

'Irish pub culture does not merely reflect drinking. While the pub is an important focus of Irish social life, it is an egalitarian place where all classes and nationalities can mingle and enjoy the art of conversation over a few drinks with a range of clientele and the diversity of their interests,' Nalin Abeyratne expressed. There is an easiness, a sense of bonhomie which, apart from the drink, can prove intoxicating,' said Abeyratne.

It will be everyone's local meeting place where booze flows, the music is good, and the conversation sparkles and dancing may be involved. Fine dining, bar counter, meals, good music and theme nights in a warm and friendly atmosphere will be the main feature at Clancy's which is due to open doors for lunch and dinner from November 22.

Sunday brunch followed by jazz sessions are dates to note. Quiz nights, singalong sessions (hooley nights), comedy nights, darts, live band music, weekend dancing, greyhound racing on the canvas track, gaze on to the big screen for your favourite sports action or simply savour the atmosphere of this exciting meeting place, will be some of the attractions at Clancy's.

For the gourmet specialist yet ignorant, a seven-course meal in Ireland means a six pack and a boiled potato.

If you are looking for Black Beer with a white head or better known as Guinness the world over, chilled and poured to perfection then "Clancy's" will be the place to be. Watch out for the hostess carrying beer mugs which have the handle within - designed in Dublin for easy stacking.

Grand finale for 'On Stage'

On November 17, everybody was kept on their toes by '2 Him', 'Kreb's Cycle', and 'Ranidu Lankage'. They were the last group of performers looking for a chance at that Rs. 100,000 worth Grand Prize. On November 24 will be the final judging when all the finalists get together at My Kind of Place for a final jam session and to let the judges see what they are made of.

The Finals will kick off at 9 p.m. so you better get there early. The winners of the two categories of pop/rock and country/folk will each walk off with Rs. 100,000 worth of sound equipment from Swedish Trading Audio Visual (Pvt.) Ltd., and two cellular phones courtesy Celltel Infinity.

After the judges have made their decisions and the winners chosen the night takes a turn with last year's winners of On Stage - Independent Square. The after show party will definitely go on with the best music in town dished out by the TNL, Lite and My Kind of Place DJ's. So, if you want to hear some of the best Sri Lankan amateur talent in action, come to On Stage at My Kind of Place, Taj Samudra. On Stage is sponsored by Swedish Trading Audio Visual (Pvt.) Ltd., Carlsberg Bitter Lemon The Cafe @ Inter.net and Celltel Infinity. The official venue is My Kind of Place, and the official newspapers are the TV Times and the Daily Mirror.

Realism crowns Pathiraja's work

By Susitha R. Fernando

Undoubtedly Dharmasena Pathiraja was the pioneer in making realistic films with the political-related themes.

Beginning with being one of the script writers for the "Hanthana Kathawa" his journey till now has helped to enrich the cinematic experience of the filmgoer. He had discussed through his films politics, youth unrest, problems of unemployment and many other social issues of our time.

His classic feature films include 'Ahas Gauvwa' (1974), Eya Dan Loku Lamayek (Coming of Age/ 1977), Bamaru Avith (The Wasps are Here/ 1978) Ponmani (Younger Sister/ 1978), Para Dige (Along the Road/1980) and Soldadu Unnahe (Mr. Soldier/ 1981).

This novel approach could be seen not only in his works for the silver screen but also in productions for the small screen like 'Maya Mandeera', 'Ella Langa Walawwa', 'Nadunana Puththu' and 'Kadulla'.

During his school days at Dharmaraja College in Kandy, he had been interested in all forms of art and literature. Entering the Peradeniya University in 1963, Pathiraja showed an active interest in the film society.

Directing an award winning film 'Sathuro' (Enemies) in 1970 he introduced himself to the film world.

Credited with introducing a critical, experimental, alternative cinema to Sri Lanka, based on a politically conscious social realism, Pathiraja's approach to the cinema was different to that of contemporary film makers.

This much experienced film maker who by all standards ranks with the best in the country gave candid and forthright answers on his journey of film making and about local cinema.

Asked what influenced him to divert from the traditional film making and to go in search of a differenet, theme Mr. Pathiraja said

"While the development of cinema was taking place in other countries the development of art and literature in Sri Lanka was very slow at that time. I watched Rai's films but I was more attracted to the Eastern European Czechoslovak and Polish cinema. What I wanted was to introduce more realism to the medium of film in Sri Lanka".

When asked what the audience response was to the new style of cinema he said, " The audience did not accept me",.

"The reason was that they were not ready for this kind of film. This happened not only to me but to some other film makers who jumped out of the beaten track of film making at that time.

"Belonging to some other tradition, my films did not go in line with the formula that was accepted by the strongly traditional audience", he said.

As a result some of my films were gatewise utter failures and in fact the producers did not want to join in my directions. This was the main reason that I had to be silent for around 15 years from 1980 to 1994 without making a film,".

"There were times where I was invited to do films according to the formulas requested by producers but I had to give them up as an independent film maker," Pathiraja who made few films on strong themes said.

When asked what he would think about his past he said, I really had a struggle that was going against the audience.

Asked whether any development in appreciating art among the audience could be seen, he said starting from the 80s throughout the last two decades there has been a spiritual and cultural deterioration in our country not only in regard to films but also in other forms of art.

Pathiraja's has helped to broaden the spectrum of the medium of teledrama with the award winning works like 'Kadulla' and 'Ella Langa Walawwa'. Not being limited to conventional stories around family problems he discussed broader themes of historical and political importance with his few directions.

In response to a question whether he would continue as a teledrama director he said "I have no idea of making any teledramas because the medium had become so cheap that they cannot even be called "soap" and they don't know what is "soap" and how to make "soap".

Talking about film directors and their directions which were internationally acclaimed at foreign Film Festivals during the recent past, Mr. Pathiraja said the individual attempts of young film makers like Prasanna Vithanage and others are very interesting. They have got their own style close to highlighting the Asian aspect in culture.

"The film is a cultural product, and people like to see something different always," he said.

"In fact now it is not European film but the Asian films dominating most of the international film festivals specially Iranian films. Other cultures like that of Taiwan and China play major roles in the world cinema today," he explained.

"There is an appeal for Asian films at these festivals" Mr. Pathiraja added.

Asked about his view about the restrictions put on the films by the authorities he questioned "how can film directors exist with these restrictions?". "I don't believe in the allegation that the country's image is disturbed with any work of art," he said.

Though past his tender youthfulness this experienced film makers themes are always close to the youth and their problems. This was proved in his direction of 'Ahas Gavuwa' and 'Bambaru Avith'.

Thus he would talk on similar themes once the post production of Pathiraja's latest film "Mathuyam Dawasa" (Some Days in Future) is over. Revolving around two youths the film discusses the existing problems of youth, unrest, unemployment, school dropout and how their fresh youthfulness gets wasted when they try to achieve things that runs counter to the standards laid down by the establishment. This is the eternal problem not only in Sri Lanka but right through the world.

'Varanaya' portrays social upheavals

The story begins with the murder of a family by a rebel group. The surviving three children find themselves lonely and helpless.

Rajapakse's gang had raped the elder daughter Dinili on the same night, when her parents were murdered. Finally Dinili became a prostitute after she was snared by Mudukku Some, another underworld figure.

Rajapakse became a powerful underworld leader with the support of politicians. Surangika, sister of Dinili is found suffering from an incurable disease.

Bandara, who is a kindly Policeman living close to Dinali's house, had three sons. Bandara resigned his job after he received a note from the rebel gang. After leaving the job the Bandara's family found it difficult to run their life. Bandara's youngest son, Ranjith failed to find employment due to his lack of English. One of his brothers was at a university and the other working. His income was not enough to run the family. After some incidents Bandara's elder son, who is involved in the activities of the rebel group was sent to a rehabilitation camp.

Ranjith joined a political party and was killed by an armed gang. Subsequently his mother also dies leaving behind her husband and a son. Later Surangika gets married to the only son of Bandara. After the marriage Surangika dies at child birth.

Rajapakse, who knew all secret incidents during the terror period was murdered by his rivals. The secrets get buried with him. Dinali finally returns to her home with a child and a disabled husband.

What will happen to her future with her disabled husband and child. What will be the future of Bandara, who is alone with his son? Find the answers to these from the film.

Varanaya was produced by Dr. Shantha Loku Bandara. The main roles are by Cletus Mendis, Wijeratna Warakagoda, Ratnavali Kekunawala, Muree Samarasinghe, Priyantha Lalith, Gamini Wijewardane, Priyanka Samaraweera and Gihan Fernando.

Listen to original Eminem 

This week in the Original Music Competiton, we feature this popular singer, who shot to fame last year.

Welcome to the summer of Shady. Where a very blond, white-trash homeboy from Detroit named Marshall becomes the king of hip-hop. It's like something out of science fiction.

Eminem's 1999 triple-platinum major-label debut, The Slim Shady LP, was a shot in hip-hop's arm, the grand entrance of a hurricane dressed as a Detroit kid with major-league skills. 

On The Marshall Mathers LP, he hits you with the lyrical complexity and detailed narratives of Biggie, the hilarious, is-he-kidding-or-not button-pushing of Howard Stern, the disaffected angry-white-boy-ness of Fight Club and the fearless, kill-me-if-you-can energy of Tupac. He has a macabre imagination to rival Satan's and an incredible ability to create new rhyme patterns.

Eminem could be the Axl Rose of hip-hop, a rage-filled, drug-addled, homicidal, charismatic talent and bona fide megastar. The Marshall Mathers LP is a car-crash record: loud, wild, dangerous, out of control, grotesque, unsettling. It's also impossible to pull your ears away from.

To enter this contest, all you have to do is to answer the simple question on the coupon and send it to the address given below.

The address is "Listen to Original Music Contest, No. 22, C/o Maharaja Entertainments (Pvt.) Ltd., 330, T.B.Jayah Mawatha, Colombo. 10. 

Tel: + 941672425-8, Fax + 941699070. E Mail: me @ lgo.lk 

All the entries must be originals from the TV Times and no photocopies or faxes will be entertained. 

All correct entries will be drawn by a panel of judges. The entries should reach the above address by November 28, the latest. 

The decision of the judges will be final and the names of the winners will be announced in The Sunday TV Times accordingly. 

Here are the winners of contest no. 30.

The winners of two Sony Original CDs are Shamini Veronica of Dehiwala and A.N.M. De Silva of Mt. Lavinia.

The two audio winners are Priyankara Perera of Wattala and W. Duminda Sri Samarasinghe of Urapola.

The 10% gift vouchers go to Dinusha Rubesinghe of Dehiwela, Chamila Nilushie Hewage of Biyagama, Chalini Wijesiri of Kandy,Chinthaka M. Warawita of Mulleriyawa New Town, Dilkushi Senanayake of Panadura and Irfan Fouze.

The Poster winners are S. Marietta Wijesinghe of Wellampitiya,Charles H. Samarawickrema of Dehiwela, Clifford Hayman of Kadawata, M.J. Alphonsa Miranda of Mt. Lavinia, Bernadine Perera of Wattala and Navarhnage Thushara of Kapuwatte.

Lanka's first travel manual in five languages

By Sanath Weerasuriya

This will be the first most comprehensive travel manual on Sri Lanka, which will benefit the country in a tremendous way and create a worldwide awareness on its tourism structure and on the people of Sri Lanka.

'The Sri Lanka Travel Manual' is published by BBS Publications, which is a project with BOI approval.

This Travel Manual cum Directory will be published in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. 

It is a user friendly with easy classfication and interesting layout. It contains 13 important sections on various aspects of Sri Lankan tourism with 50 sub sections.

The estimated number copies to be printed is over 20,000 in four languages and with the option for 5000 in Spanish.

The target areas are Europe, Middle East, East Asia, North America and will be represented at all important tourism fairs like WTM (UK), Fitur (Spain), BIT (Italy) etc.

The English publication will be out next week and the editions on other languages will be out in December. CD Rom and the Web site will be created in January 2001.

This manual will be an ideal and invaluable tool for tour operators, travel agents, tourism school students, business investors, hoteliers and all holiday makers and travellers around the world.

The Confifi hotel celebrated its 30th anniversary recently.

The award ceremony for the employees of the Confifi hotel was also held at Eden Hotel.

The picture shows an employee of the Group K. Pathmasiri Hewagama receiving a trophy, certificate and cash award of rupees five thousand from the chief guest Sabine Ogle, a guest at the hotel.

Tourist Board makes Lanka popular

These groups have been flown in by the national carrier SriLankan Airlines while their stay here has been arranged by the Ceylon Tourist Board with the support of the local travel trade.

Dr. Nithipoom Navarath and his television crew from the Thai language TV programme, "Open To the World" arrived in Sri Lanka on November 9. Sri Lanka will be featured in this one hour prime time TV programme aired every Sunday night on Thai TV. Also a television crew from Japan arrived in Sri Lanka on October 28, to film a programme on windsurfing and watersports in Sri Lanka for the Japanese traveller. 

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