Let the magic begin!

Ever imagined a world where no evil exists? Perhaps only in fairytales, you may reply. But even then there is always the wicked witch of the west, the big bad wolf or Cinderella’s mean sisters to spoil the fun. Based on some of the best-loved fairytales, “Fashion Fantasy”, a production of dance, drama and song presents to us a fantasyland where all is good, with the message that there is hope even amidst disorder.

Organized by the Sri Lanka Muslim Women’s Conference (SLMWC) along with other peer groups to raise funds for the construction of a rehabilitation centre for women, the production is part of “Flights of Fancy”, an evening of entertainment on November 19 at 4 p.m. at Waters Edge.

“The theme of our production is that of co-existence,” says Ms. Jezima Ismail, President Emeritus SLMWC. The acts feature characters such as Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Thumbelina, fairies, Red Riding Hood, Cinderella’s sisters and Alice in Wonderland. “Even the usually evil characters such as the wolf and the witch are portrayed as good and moral,” Ms. Ismail said. Even Cinderella’s nasty step-sisters become good, adds Nazima Kamardeen, coordinator of the drama items.

There is also the story of Aladdin, who travels around the world on his magic carpet and witnesses love and joy everywhere. However when he lands in Sri Lanka he is terrified and disturbed by all the violence and cruelty. He wants to leave immediately. “Then he sees the lovely rainbow, not with its usual pot of gold, but rather with its pot of hope, signifying that there is hope even amidst turmoil,” Ms. Ismail says.

The participants are all students, ranging from 5 to 23 years. The dances will be performed by the Kanthi Ranchigoda Dance Work Centre. Another dance item based on the different ethnicities of the country would also be performed. A sing-a-long and stalls featuring a variety of merchandise- jewellery and food items by tsunami affected women will be an added attraction.

Throughout the years SLMWC, an umbrella organization of many Muslim organizations in the country has worked towards alleviating poverty while promoting self-reliance among women.“The main focus of SLMWC is the underprivileged and less-fortunate people of the country,” Ms. Ismail explained. This particular project aims to provide support and guidance to the disturbed women, children and families affected by war and natural disasters or subjected to abuse, by providing them a safe home or a rehabilitation centre, which is to be constructed at Kohuwela.

One section of this institution will be devoted to helping widows, divorcées and traumatized women through facilities such as counselling and vocational training. The other section would feature a transition house.“We have already built a training centre where programmes for self-employment are conducted for women and we hope to develop this further and provide other training facilities as well,” Ms. Ismail added.