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TV Times

Nalini’s ‘Avarjana’ at BCA
By Melina Jaimon
Swarna Nalini Mihiripenne is the choreographer and director of “Avarjana” a dance programme to be held on the October 26 at the Bishop’s College Auditorium.

Hailing from a strongly influential musical family, she is the youngest Mihiripenne. She started off her career as a vocal music teacher, and then eventually was forced by her brother to study dancing. Thereby she went off to North India - Indira Kala Sangeeth University to read a degree on Kathak Dancing.

She received a gold medal for academic excellence specially awarded to foreign students. This was achieved while she was travelling back and forth to India in between teaching dancing at Holy Family Convent ,Bambalapititya.

Basil Mihiripenne her eldest brother remains to this day her guru, she praises him and thanks him for helping her achieve great heights in her career due to his never failing encouragement. Swarna remember fondly the 5.00 am exercises her brother used to make her do, such as fundamental exercises and ‘Navarasa’ facial expressions.

The starring role in her brother ballet Sebaliya woman warrior brought her fame as an actress. She claims meeting her husband, Ranjith Gunawardena on the set of Sebaliya as one of her most memorable memories. To this date her son remains her strongest critic.He views her shows and identifies the weaknesses in them.

‘Avarjana’ was first staged last year in commemoration of the centenary year of Holy Family Convent. It is a dance programme renewing the bonds of unity between the past and present pupils of the school. The training of the programme was difficult due to the varying ages of the participants which range from 18 to 40.

Music and dancing was inbred in her, there was no denying the talent within her. She says, “For as long as I can, I will continue to work in the arts stream”.

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