4th January 1998

Come, taste that vibrant variety

Chamathkar. as the name suggests, it's a lovely place. A beautifully laid out gallery where one can enjoy contemporary paintings, observe the latest trends in pottery, woodwork and bronzeware and pick up a typically Sri Lankan product to adorn one's home. A fine selection of well crafted, elegant and beautiful things greets you at this spacious gallery down Polhengoda road.

Seasoned as well as upcoming young artistes display their work at Chamathkar. Sculptor Sarath Chandrajiva's pottery and terra-cotta creations are a treat and offer a wide selection. So is Anoli Perera's bronzeware and Ajith Perera's clay pottery work. Paintings of over 30 contemporary artistes are exhibited.

The collection of North Indian wood and stone carvings add variety. So does the cast aluminium and cast iron garden furniture and garden lighting.

The display of products is tastefully done. There is a lot of space for one to move round and have a good look. And as you walk round, you meet well-known personalities through Sarath's sculptured heads.

The man behind Chamathkar is Harold Peiris who has spent many years giving a hand to fresh talent through the Contemporary Art and Crafts Association of Sri Lanka. This is an extension of his efforts.

"Come. Browse around and experience a new concept in home beautiful products. Be surrounded by the simple luxury of tasteful products in their vibrant variety," is how Harold likes to introduce his venture which is just about five months old.

It's certainly well worth a visit. It's a tasteful experience.

The oldies are back

Music of the old days is now enjoying a resurgence. When the Department of Cultural Affairs organised an exhibition at the Art Gallery the other day depicting the gramophone era, at least 30 collectors brought their priced possessions. There were many early models of gramophone (still playing) which provided a convenient form of entertainment during the early part of the century. Collections of 33 RPM records gave a glimpse of the type of songs our early singers sang.

The visitors to the exhibition also found that 36 songs in their original form were available through two audio cassettes. Titled Visira Gee they had been released by Visira Kala Sangamaya, an organization devoted to the preservation of music forms, literature and paraphernalia belonging to the bygone era.

Among the early singers featured in the cassettes are Allen Ratnayake, H W Rupasinghe & Rukmani Devi, Eddie Jayamanne, M K Vincent, Ananda Samarakoon, Mohideen Baig, Kingsley Jayasekera, Rohita Jayasinghe and R A Chandrasena. Early songs of Amaradeva (then W D Albert - Sigiriye Situwam), Latha Walpola (Jesuthuman), Dharmadsa Walpola (Me Saumya Ratri), H. R. Jothipala (Robin Hood Wage), Vincent de Paul (Mal Mal Mal) and Susil Premaratne (Roo Rese Andina lese) are also included.

Acting as patrons of the Sangamaya are Professor Sunil Ariyaratne & Narada Jayakody. Anton Augustine Jayamaha is president, M D Wijayaweera secretary, Nihal Peiris vice president and Lakshman Fonseka treasurer. Secretary Jayamaha can be contacted at Bogamuwa, Kalagedihena.

A fitting tribute

Panhindaka Gee Asiriya is a regular programme presented by Lakhanda & ITN featuring prominent artistes in the music scene - singers, lyric writers and musicians. It was fitting that on the eve of X'mas, Father Marcelline Jayakody had selected the programme.

At 96, Fr Jayakody could still remember the early days vividly. He spoke of how, in 1949, he trained 100 students from Musaeus College to sing the National Anthem at the request of the then Finance Minister J. R. Jayewardene who wanted him to do the job since composer Ananda Samarakoon was in India at the time. "It was a task I undertook most willingly," he said. He also remembered how old Peterite Lester James Peiris approached him in the early 50s (Fr Jayakody was a teacher at St Peter's then) to compose songs for Rekawa. "I was waiting for such an opportunity and jumped at the idea," he said.

Arisen Ahubudu and Professor Sunil Ariyaratne spoke about his clever use of the language. He was a master at the choice of the most simple words and he used such words in a most meaningful manner, Ahubudu pointed out. He gave many examples. To Sunil Ariyaratne, Fr Jayakody is Fr Gonzales (creator of Sinhala carols) reborn. He brought a new meaning to carols making them get closer to non-Christians who were able to appreciate and enjoy the tunes and the words.

To illustrate Fr Jayakody's versatility Nanda Malini lent her voice singing Nelum Pipeela and the Muthukumari tale where his clever use of the words Kinchi Pinchi Punchi Panchi (to describe a calf) made it a memorable song.

Several singers paid tribute by singing original numbers composed by him. Sisira Senaratne and wife Indrani sang the evergreens from 'Rekawa' (Olu Nelum Neriya Rangala & Vesak Kekulu), Latha Walpola the lilting lullaby Sigri Landakage, and Angelline Gunatilleka. A choir rendered some of Fr Jayakody's Nattal Gee.

Good news

There is the good news that veteran dramatist Sugathapala de Silva is slowly but steadily recovering from his recent illness.

Back from hospital he is now at home under the care of his wife who gratefully acknowledges the concern of so many well wishers who wished Sugath well and helped in many ways during a difficult period.

Continue to Plus page 7  *  Stealing a little bit of his soul

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