* Time for festivals
galore once again!
* A rare happening
for a rare man
* For him it's
always on a Tuesday
Time for festivals galore once again!
Festival time continues. Two of the most
popular events will take place in the coming week. One is the Sarasaviya
Film Festival and the other the Sumathi Tele Awards.
The Sarasaviya Film Festival celebrated its silver jubilee early
this year. And on Friday next awards for the best films in 1997 are being
given.
A brand new award is being presented this year. Titled Sarasaviya
Vishwa Keerthi Sammanaya, it goes to Nita Fernando who was adjudged
the Best Actress in the Singapore Film Festival a few months back for her
performance in Pavuru Valalu. Hereafter any local film personality
recognised at an international film festival will receive this award.
Since its inception in April 1963, the Sarasaviya Film Festival
has made its mark as the most eagerly awaited awards presentation.
A rare happening for a rare man
 A
stamp to honour someone within two years of his death is a rare
happening in our country. Usually it takes many years. Last week the Philatelic
Bureau released a stamp to honour Professor Ediriweera Sarachchandra who
died in August 1996.
Deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs, Professor A V Suraweera himself
expressed his surprise at seeing the stamp out so soon. (The Cultural Ministry
had submitted four names for this year's release of 'Distinguished Personalities',
out of which two had been selected - great scholar Venerable Kotahena Pannakitti
Nayake Thero was the other).
Professor Mendis Rohanadheera in a brief introduction on Dr Sarachchandra
at the release of the stamps, described him as "a total artiste -
dedicated and committed" quoting from the Rajaguru's song in Maname
- Udula Karavana Avidu Gananduru Pathala Nena Yuthu Vemi Mama Nisayuru
- composed by Dr Sarachchandra.
For him it's always on a Tuesday
For popular book publisher Dayawansa Jayakody,
Tuesday is not a "bad day". He always plans his book launches
on Tuesdays.
I asked him why. "People are free on Tuesdays. There are no weddings
on Tuesdays. Neither are there funerals. People don't bother to fix any
activity on Tuesdays," he said. So his invitees find it quite convenient
to come.
Judging from the success of his operation, auspicious or otherwise,
Tuesday has not created any problem. He bats on regardless!
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