The Grieg Piano Concerto: A ravishing performance
Although she is a French citizen, Shani Diluka’s DNA is 100% Sri Lankan. Diluka’s pianism is blessed with a magical quality that few other artists possess. When she performs, her persona undergoes radical change and one gets the eerie feeling she’s communicating with the soul of the composer! Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor was [...]
Thomia: Making of a magisterial tome for the School by the Sea
The ‘School by the Sea’ has had a momentous influence on the social fabric of our country. From S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia (before that at Mutwal), evocative of Eton and Harrow and the British public school tradition, have emerged men who were to steer the fortunes of Lanka in many a sphere. It is [...]
Creativity to the fore at interactive exhibition on gender issues
The issues surrounding gender inequality and discrimination have been highlighted in recent decades, but often just using statistics and facts. However, UN Women decided to do things differently in this exhibition organized for International Women’s Day now on at the Lionel Wendt. Instead of just giving the statistics of female participation in Parliament, their exhibition [...]
Letters to the Editor
Motorists, beware of thugs who use gimmicks to extort money On Sunday, March 2, I was in my car with my wife, driving from Moratuwa to Mount Lavinia. Shortly after Katubedda junction, at about 8.30 a.m., two riders on a motorbike came from behind and banged a fist on the car and beckoned us to [...]
Greg Mosse: From cosy mysteries to futuristic thrillers
Greg Mosse may not have bedazzled the world of popular fiction like his wife Kate, but he has made a tidy name for himself with six cosy mysteries, in the style of a body being found at a country vicarage (set against the early 1970s – with cream teas and dowager ladies and the sunny [...]
The Shark Binder: Inter-racial love in the time of colonial Sri Lanka
Gamini Akmeemana’s novel ‘The Shark Binder’ is a fascinating study of life in British-ruled Ceylon of the 1920s. It is also a fascinating hypothesis of inter-racial love between a young, idealistic Frenchwoman and a Lankan Tamil pearl diver. I call this a hypothesis because inter-racial love resulting in marriage would have been very difficult, if [...]
Annual lectures on the Bhagavad Gita by Sunandaji
The message of the Bhagavad Gita is eternal, universal and scientific. The Gita presents the fundamental principles of life applicable to all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, race, gender or age to enable one to live a dynamic life with peace of mind leading oneself to the ultimate human perfection of self-realisation. Chapter VII of [...]
Early Buddhist texts and sustainability
Dhammic Diplomacy for a Sustainable World – a lecture by Don de Silva will be delivered on March 15 at the Maitriya Hall, Mettarama, Lauries Road Colombo 4. Organised by Servants of the Buddha, the presentation is based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and what the early Buddhist texts (Tripitaka) say about sustainability. Drawing [...]
Art endures not in galleries but in hearts of those it inspires
A. Mark, believed that art should not be an elite pursuit—it should belong to everyone. An artist who persevered through impossibly tough times, he inspired others to do so. An exhibition of his work happening this week in Mannar will be a long-overdue recognition of an artist who shaped generations, proving that art endures not [...]
Saved by comedy!
Known for playing incisive comedy roles for over 40 years in Bollywood, television and theatre, 67-year-old Ratna Pathak Shah’s love of the performing arts has not been crushed by decades in the industry. The spirited Indian actress speaks with intensity and enthusiastically shares her experiences even of learning to ride a motorbike for her upcoming [...]
“Dreamscapes” – The surreal world of Salvador Dalí at Sky Gallery
From March 13-23, the Sky Gallery of the Fareed Uduman Art Forum will present Dreamscapes –showcasing the surreal world of Salvador Dalí. Featuring meticulously reproduced masterpieces by the legendary artist, this is a rare opportunity for art enthusiasts to step into the dreamlike realm of one of the 20th century’s most iconic and enigmatic figures. Dreamscapes will [...]
Painting sessions, new addition to Poya Market
Since its inception in January 2024, the Mount Lavinia Hotel’s Poya Market has been dedicated to supporting small businesses and showcasing locally-made products from handcrafts, jewellery to household items, clothing, plants, and organic vegetables. The upcoming market on Poya Day, March 13, coupled with its Vegan Lunch Buffet will see an exciting new addition this [...]