• 'Family Harmony' novel work
• Serendib flag fluttered and faltered
• 'Parasathu Malak':
• Knuckles range bares its secrets
• Lata's songs smell sweet
• European Market picking up
• 'The Beer Hunter' tours Sri Lanka
• Cutting Edge at Trans Asia
• KAW sheds no tears
• Love knows no bounds

'Family Harmony' novel work

'Family Harmony' a concert organized by the Old Girls association of Methodist College, Colombo, will be on on June 24th at 7.30 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.

This concert will have the novel concept of featuring Old Girls and their families, who will perform vocal duets, chamber ensembles, and violin and piano duets.

The main performers at this concert are Karsha and Godwin Sathianathan of Michigan, who are both violinists in the Lansing Junior Symphony Orchestra, and have given several recitals. They will be accompanied on the piano by their mother Suganthi. (nee Anandanayagam).

Other performers are Radhika and Suren Watson (sister and brother duo) on vocals. Neluka Seneviratne and Shanthi Dias on a piano duet. Suhadini and Shameendra Perera on violin and clarinet respectively (sister and brother duo) accompanied by their mother on the piano. Minoli Goonewardena accompanied by her husband Sriyan (vocals) and also the Methodist College Choir is scheduled to perform.

Great masterpieces from Haydn's "Allegro Moderato", Mendelssohn's "Solo Andante" Panchelbel's "Canon in D", Schubert's "Ave Maria", Chopin's "Bevolotionary Etude", Vivaldi's "Concerto in A Minor" and many are scheduled to be performed.

The tickets are priced at Rs.250/-, Rs.200/-, Rs.150/- and Rs.100/- Balcony tickets are already available for sale in the school office.

Serendib flag fluttered and faltered

By Kumaradasa Wagista

'Ran Muthu Duwa' (RMD), the first local colour film not only created a sensation among filmgoers but also introduced several talented new faces into the film industry. It was also the first local feature film to have underwater scenes.

This film was produced by Serendib, an outfit which made a lasting contribution to the film industry. Sir Arthur Clarke, Mike Wilson and Sesha Palihakkara formed this film producing company Mike Wilson wrote the screenplay, photographed and directed RMD. Titus Totawatte edited it. Tissa Liyanasuriya wrote the dialogues and worked as the assistant director.

Earlier on the initiative of this sci - fic writer Sir Arthur, Mike Wilson cranked two underwater non commercial short films, 'Beneath the Sea' was one and the other was titled 'Buoy Beneath the Sea'.

While shooting underwater scenes for these two short films in Trincomalee near the famous Koneswari Kovil, Mike Wilson found a box 'pettagama' full of Dutch coins, a canon and a triangular shaped bottle containing soda water also belonging to the same period, according to informed sources.

Mike Wilson had also said that he saw remnants of the Koneswari Temple lying under water.

Sesha Palihakkara was the prime mover to form Serendib with the view to produce commercial feature films.

As Mike Wilson was an expert in underwater photography it was natural that their first feature film comprise underwater scenes. "Therefore the story and screenplay was based to accommodate underwater shots. RMD story theme was to do research work on valuble hidden treasures underwater in the ocean" production sources revealed.

In the film there was a scene of Gamini Fonseka, Shane Gunaratne and Joe Abeywickrema entering Colombo Museum Library and referring to a few books which gave a clue that there are valuble items of a shipwreck lying in the deep sea. This scene was created to incorporate underwater shots in the film.

There were many attractions in RMD. The songs and musical score was one of them.

'Paramitha', 'Pippi. . . pippi. . ', 'Galana Gangaki' songs tuned by Pundit Amaradeva and rendered by Narada Dissasakera and Nanda Malini mesmerised filmgoers of the time. Sri Chandraratna Manawasinghe penned the lyrics.

Gamini Fonseka and Jeevarani Kurukulasuriya the colourful young lovers brought extra colour to this technicolour film. Tilakasiri Fernando, Vincent Waas, Austin Abeysekera. and many more artistes played.

With the success of RMD Serendib made their second feature film 'Getawarayo'. with Gamini Fonseka, Sobini Amarasinghe, Nilmini de Silva (Sherene), Joe Abeywickrema, Carl Gunasena, Jeevarani, Tony Ranasinghe to name a few in its cast.

The story was based on a village youth (Gamini) coming to Colombo in search of greener pastures. His fiancee was a girl (Sobini) from the same village In Colombo he gets employment in a boatyard. While working there he falls in love with a mod Colombo woman (Nilmini). As his visits to the village gradully stop the village girl visits him in Colombo. But he ignore and neglects her. She goes back to the village and agrees to a proposal brought by her parents. The young man finally loses both women and is left alone.

K. A. W. Perera wrote the screenplay and dialogues .

Mike Wilson and Tissa Liyanasuriya directed it. Sesha Palihakkara produced 'Getawarayo'

The musical score was provided by Pundit Amaradeva. Lata Walpola sang the award winning song ' Sihina Hathak Meda' penned by Madawela S Ratnayake. 'Arachchi Borrichchi' a group song led by Rohitha Wijesuriya 'Swarna Vimamaya' were the other songs that are even popular today. . Titus Totawatte edited 'Getawarayo' also.

'Sarawita was their third film. It was also directed by Tissa Liyanasuriya. Joe (played the main role of the betel seller) Wally Nanayakkara, Sobini, Jeevarani, Jessica Wickremasinghe and many other artistes starred in it. This film exposed the unseen side of slum life. 'Sarawita' was produced by Sesha Palihakkara and unfortunately it was the last film to be produced by Serendib.

While this film was being made Mike Wilson made 'Jamis Banda', for Serendib International. It was advertised as the first local James Bond film. Gamini Fonseka and Liz Perera played the main roles. Later Sesha

Palihakkara directed another film titled 'Lakseta Kodiya' for a new film company named Saradapani. Titus Totawatte made 'Chandiya' while Tissa directed 'Punchi Baba', Malini Fonseka's debut film which was followed by 'Narilata' . Later he joined the Government Film Unit (GFU).

'Parasathu Malak':bloom of sweet love

'Parasathu Malak' being screened on Swarnavahini on Monday's. deal with at a work site in the South. where workmen from various parts of the country work and live in a locality popularly known as 'wadiya'.

Nilmini runs a small boutique which serves the workmen with their daily needs. Driver Jagath is a regular visitor to the boutique. This man behaves like a playboy who develops an affair with Nilmini. Although Jagath takes the affair lightly it's not so with Nilmini, as she takes it seriously.

Bandara is a man of the village who joins the workforce. He comes to know of their affair and advises Jagath not to play with the future of Nilmini as she is in a bad plight. Jagath fumes over Bandara's advise, and resigns his job. He goes to his village.

Nilmini impressed by Bandara's good qualities marries him. As time goes on Nilmini conceives meanwhile Bandara is drowned. Hearing Bandara's death Jagath returns to the work site in order to help Nilmini who has given birth to a child. But Nilmini rejects Jagath.

Work in the site is now over. The workmen return to their respective villages, But Jagath remains with the intention of marrying Nilmini and being the father to her child.

Cletus Mendis, Nadika Gunasakera, Vijeya Nandasiri, Daya Alwis, Priya Ranasinghe, Lal Senadira and many other artistes play in this teleserial.

'Parasathu Malak' is scripted by Daya Alwis and directed by Tilak Wehalla. G. Nandasena has cranked the camera while Laxman Wijeskera has provided the musical score. Sri Lal Hemantha Rajakaruna has produced this tele serial.

Knuckles range bares its secrets

By D.B. Kappagoda

Prof. P.G. Cooray's book - the Knuckles Massif, A Portfolio, throws much light on the Knuckles mountain range. In his work Prof. Cooray, details some interesting details hitherto least known to most of our readers.

The intro has described the Knuckles mountain range as, "the most ragged, spectacular and breathtaking mountain scenery."

The area surrounding is cut off to reach this mountain range. One has to travel from Rangala along the estate road and the other is along the Hunnasgiriya Loolwatta road. It is through the latter route that one can get a fine view of the Kehelpothdoruwegala range and of the main range to Corbet's Gap.

The most spectacular view of the central part of the mountain range could be viewed on the way to Mimure. Another view could be seen from the Laggala patana. The road from Rattota to Illukkumbura is where views of the northern part of the Knuckles range could be sighted.

Along this route the sight of Gombaniya Peak from the northern side, through the trees could be sighted. This Laggala area was uninhabited over 50 years ago.

It is now the value of this mountain range for its beauty and natural vegetation has been realized by the authorities and people. Some parts have been encroached by the cardamom cultivators. It is still inaccessible and remains an area little known to the people.

The name Knuckles is used to refer to the Knuckles Massif, the Knuckles range and the Knuckles peaks. The Knuckles Massif covers an area of 90 sq. miles and over 3000 ft. above mean sea level. It is part of the central highlands separated from the main highlands by the Dumbara Valley.

The spectacular peaks in this mountain range are Gombaniya (6248 ft), Yakunegala-Kirigalpotta (5403 ft), Dotulugala (5164 ft), Kalupahana (5341 ft), Lakagala (4234 ft), Kehelpothdoruwe Gala (5016 ft). There are two peaks over 6000 ft and at least 12 peaks between 5000 ft and 6000 ft and 7 peaks between 3000 ft and 4000 ft and also 14 peaks between 3000 ft and 4000 ft. In short the Knuckles range consists of 35 peaks rising over 3000ft.

There are several rivers flowing from all sides of the mountain range. The headstreams have formed almost semi circular, vertical walled basins such as Mimure Oya, Kalu Ganga and Kote Ganga.

The Kalu Ganga has been described, "a wide, funnel like amphitheatre cut into the (Kalupahana) saddle, marked by a series of convergent streams, which unite to flow down a narrow, steep channel, dropping 1000ft in about a mile."

This description could be applied to all the basins in the mountain range.

There are "clefts" or deep, narrow river valleys such as Teligam Oya, Maha Oya and Heen Ganga. Many of these rivers have followed fault lines and they have common characteristic landforms, such as gorges, steep sided valleys, potholes, waterfalls and steep gradients.

The mountain range has a variety of plant and animal life. Animal life is diverse as its climatic conditions. It is the home of the elephant, sambhur and the purple faced monkey and the leopard. The mountains and their environs are the natural habitat of many species of reptiles, amphibians and winged insects.

There are 21 endemic bird species and the mountains provide a refuge for numerous migratory birds.

Some of the birds include yellow eared Bulbul, (Kaha Kondaya), yellow fronted Barbet (Mukulang Kottoruwa), brown capped Babbler (Parandel Kurulla), duskey blue Flycatcher (Gini Kurulla), the Ceylon Lorikeet (Gira Malichcha), Ceylon Hill White Eye (Mal Kurulla), Spotted Wing Thrush (Wal Avichchiya) Ceylon Jungle Fowl (Wali Kukula), Ceylon Grackle (Sela Lihihini), Layards Parakeet or emerald collared Parakeets (Alu Girawa) Ceylon Whistling Thrush, Ceylon Wood Pigeon (Maila Goya).

The yellow eared Bulbul, fills the air throughout the day with its insistent carolling or chatter," as bid watchers like to call it.

Prof. Cooray said, "a combination of extreme and abrupt climatic variations and topography has resulted in a complete sequence of vegetational types in the Knuckles Massif."

The name Knuckles has been derived from the view of a clenched fist at the end of an outstretched arm. The ancient villages of Mimure, Kaikawala and Galamuduna supplied the Kandyan kings with honey.

As Elsie Cook had said, the Knuckles region should be declared a study region for research and protected from trophy collectors. By declaring Laggala area a Nature Reserve or Study Park, vegetation, animal and bird life and other features of natural life could be preserved for posterity.

Lata's songs smell sweet

Various individuals engage in various forms of leisure time activities which are popularly known as hobbies. Even those who are involved in the art field do have their own collections which at times even fetch money.

Stamp hobbyists enjoy this privilege.

Many of our readers may not know that Asia's song queen Lata Mangeshkar is an avid collector of perfumes.

"It has been my hobby for the last 55 years'she told Indian media recently. She is not aware of the number of perfume bottles that has accumulated during the last five decades.

However a large collection of perfume containers of all brands of perfume manufactured all over the world are said to be among this lot.

Not knowing of the song queen's hobby of collecting perfumes, a leading Indian cosmetics entrepreneur thought of getting her consent to name their latest perfume product for the last millennium. after her.

Lata has chosen her scent from 20 different perfumes of specially created fragrances.

The new fragrance named 'Lata' will be launched on Lata Mangeshskar's 70 th birth anniversary Sixty one ingredients including sandalwood, jasmine, rose, vanilla, oakmoss, are a few of them.

European Market picking up

By Ishan Sheriffdeen

European tourists to Sri Lanka, a segment once badly affected by negative publicity, is said to have bounced back combating such issues unfavourable, industry sources claim.

According to recent interactions with European tour operators, it has been evident that, most tourists are not shaken over by terrorist activities in Sri Lanka. The British clients in particular who have had second thoughts about touring the island, are quite optimistic now, analysts believe.

Violence do occur around the world, and it seems that tourists world over are getting adjusted to face these issues more wisely. I doubt, terrorism would be an obstacle for the world tourist industry in future, says Leslie Francis, Manager, Gulliver's Travels (part of Serendib Group of Companies).

Travel agents do a lot of promotions overseas (besides the Tourist Board), and the need for a specialized promotions company does not arise, he added.

Monarch Airlines

"Somak Holidays" in UK, a number one operator in out bound traffic specially for the Kenyan market, is represented by Gulliver's Travels in Sri Lanka.

Though "Somak Holidays" was present in Sri Lanka about four years back, the performance has not been satisfactory as expected (mainly due to issues pertaining to airline seat allocations) initially. However, a boom particularly in the British market supported by the commencement of Monarch Airline flights to Colombo, kept Somak operations alive.

"Since Monarch arrived, there has been a tremendous growth in European tourist traffic into the country (as our national carrier itself could not largely cater to this growing market segment). This airline which commenced operations to Colombo last year, is at full capacity and has also increased frequency in arrivals per week at present. The British now lead the European tourist arrivals table to Sri Lanka, once dominated by the Germans", Mr. Francis pointed-out.

Attractions

"The Europeans do prefer to tour the Southern part of Sri Lanka, mainly due to its beautiful beaches. The beaches of Negombo too are now being recognized for its scenic beauty".

In the meantime, certain tourists are quite eager of seeing the East Coast (which is presently out-of-bounds). The prospects are tremendous particularly in areas such as Pasikudah, Trincomalee (Nilaweli beaches) and ArugamBay, tour operators say.

Different tour programmes are being offered by different companies including the "classical tour", which covers the Cultural Triangle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and the Southern Coast. Many tourists are given the opportunity of sampling tea from the hill plantations, visits to archaeological sites and national parks, go bird watching and finally enjoying the sunny beaches.

Mr. Francis has been in the industry for many years, specializing in the European travel/tourism areas. He is presently concentrating on promoting Sri Lanka in East European markets, and negotiations are said to be underway with Travel representatives in Bulgaria and Hungary.

Other issues

Due to intense competition from other destinations in South Asia, the tourist industry has been lobbying for export status to sustain profitability and fund refurbishment, after considerable losses in the past. We need more hotels, if we are to cater to the increasing inflow of tourists into the country. Refurbishments are necessary specially for the old hotels, in order to maintain accepted standards and be competitive internationally, Mr. Francis emphasized.

'The Beer Hunter' tours Sri Lanka

Michael Jackson, the pre-eminent authority on beers the world over, will soon be in Sri Lanka to participate as one of the chief guests and judges at Culinary Art 99, the annual food and beverage competition organized by the Chefs Guild of Sri Lanka which is being held at the BMICH this month. Internationally recognised as the leading author on beer, his books on beer, travel and spirits are available in 15 languages and have sold over 3 million copies.

Jackson's tour- de- force of brewing and cooking in Sri Lanka is being sponsored by Lion Stout, a drink he crossed sea and mountain to taste during his last visit here. Brewed by the Ceylon Brewery Ltd., Lion Stout has the distinction of holding 4 Monde Selection International Quality Awards. More impressively, Lion Stout was selected as the most outstanding product ranked amongst all beers in the world, and was presented with the supreme Monde Selection "Gold Medal with Palm Leaves'. It is the most popular and widely consumed stout in the country - it's nutritional and energy giving qualities are constantly cited by loyal consumers - and it is also exported to England, Germany, France, Switzerland and the Levant to a similar audience of appreciative drinkers. "With so many distinctions to the brand, a further fillip to Lion Stout is its endorsement by Michael Jackson. Not only is it one of his favourite stouts, but he has consistently featured it in his award winning books on international beers", said Mr Suresh Shah - CEO of the Ceylon Brewery Ltd.

During his stay here, Jackson will officiate as a judge at Culinary Art 99 and a special Stout Cocktail competition which will be one of the highlights of the main event on 26th June (Jackson is a professional beer judge at the Great American Beer Festival and a regular panelist at the Great British Beer Festival). His visit will also include presentations on beer and food to several notable organizations across the country including the Sri Lanka Chefs Guild and the Hotel Schools Association.

Curently Michael Jackson is a Director-at-Large of the North American Guild of beer Writers and the first Chairman of the British Guild of Beer Writers. Indeed beer industry and beer connoisseurs from around the world owe a great debt to Michael Jackson, since without his desire to write about beer, its origins, variations and appeal, the resurgence of the speciality beer segment might not have occurred, the American microbrewery movement might never have have been launched, homebrewing would have been left as a closet industry, whilst beer in itself would never have achieved the level of respect it now enjoys.

Amongst Jackson's many awards is the Institute for Brewing Studies' First Achievement Award, while in 1994, Crown Prince Phillipe of Belgium presented him with the Mercurius Award for Services to the Kingdom in recognition of his writings on Belgian beers. Additionally he has lectured on beer at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC and is a guest lecturer at Cornell University in New York. His award winning television series 'The Beer Hunter' which has aired on Channel 4 [UK] at prime time, PBS as well as over the Discovery Channel, has been seen in over 10 countries whilst being available on CD ROM.

He is a columinst to the food section for "The Independent' London, and is a regular contributor to 'Food & Wine', 'Travel & Leisure', 'The Washington Post', 'The Sunday Times' [London], 'Country Living', 'Homes & Gardens', The Field', 'II Vino', and many other newspapers and magazines.

Cutting Edge at Trans Asia

'Cutting Edge' is an exclusive culinary experience for those who are connoisseurs of Grand Cuisine and for those who can discuss the finer points of gastronomic delights.

The first such adventure began at the Noblesse, Trans Asia's restaurant which is the epitome of fine dining when the marriage of an unusual combination of ingredients and culinary flavours turned out to be a delightful surprise. Especially the daring combination of the Chilli Chocolate Ice cream.

It was just a few of you who had the rare opportunity. However now it's your turn to explore the wonders of "Haute Cuisine" the work of a great chef; a skiful expert and a perfect artist in love with his work, Augustus de Hoedt who counts over 20 years of experience in this field of cuisine in Sri Lanka and overseas.

His passion is blending herbs and spices to transform the mundane to an exotic culinary creation. A Master in Fine Dining.

KAW sheds no tears

By Kumaradasa Wagista

The grey haired septuagenarian film maker K. A. W. Perera possessing a truck load of experience in filmdom is getting ready to release his 24 th. film 'Undaya' (Bullet).

K. A. W. as he is popularly known among film personalities entered films as a dialogue writer in 'Rekawa', the film which is considered today a watershed in local films. Since then to the present times he has graduated as a film director and producer.

Going down memory lane he outlined the many ups and downs he had to go through over a timespan stretching to achieve this position during a little over four decades.

He is proud that throughout his film career none of his films were tagged as 'adults only'. "You needn't have an adults only tag to achieve box office success in a film. This tag only keeps away family audiences from entering cinema halls" he said with a chuckle

During this time then Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike took the initiative in forming the State Film Corporation (SFC) presently the National Film Corporation (NFC) thus nationalising film distribution. and the importation of foreign films. It was not difficult for the (SFC) to function smoothly as operations had to be done in keeping to state policies.

A move to grant funds to undertake film production too was initiated.

With the change of government in 1977 open trade policies were introduced. Vital changes were made in the industrial and trade sectors to suit the liberalised economic policy of the government.

But the Film Corporation functioned in the same old pattern without paying any heed to the dynamic economic changes that were taking place.

"It is this round peg in a square hole concept of SFC that was responsible for the present crisis in local film industry" he pointed out.

With liberalisation, loans were granted freely to anyone who applied for a loan. Some of them misused loans. Some produced films which crashed at box office levels. Over production was another obstacle. Some of these films will not see the light of day. Meanwhile doorstep entertainment was introduced. with the advent of television. Televising cartoons containing terror and violence polluted minds of children. "These things happened as there is no accepeted national policy set for the electronic media" he maintained.

He is grateful to Mrs Bandaranaike for granting loans through the People's Bank for film production. "Earlier I directed films for independent producers and film production companies for a fee. After the loan scheme commenced it was possible for me to produce my own film and stand on my own feet. " he says.

He advocates a change in all three segments of film making, mainly production and distribution. "But it should be beneficial to all sections of those involved in the local film industry" he warns.

Narrating a tale of woe he says "Undaya' was previewed and allowed by the Public Performances Board (PPB) in July 1993. It is to be released five years after PPB approval. "However the theme is yet not outdated " he said. Releasing 'Undaya' was impossible as he had no resources to print copies and conduct the advertising campaign. "Finally I placed my cards before the President. She understood my plight and recommended a soft loan of Rs 1. 5 million. But NFC was sleeping over the files and the loan was delayed. I appreciate President's Media Consultant pointing out the delay in granting me the loan this at a meeting where the President presided. " he said. "I am thankful to the President for considering my plea to recommend me for a loan to release my film"

K. A. W. is not at all discouraged and doesn't find fault with anyone. "I would be failing in my duty if a children's film is not made by me. My next attempt is to make a film upholding our fast disappearing good values and identity. "Explaining "he said "it was a difficult task as additional care has to be exercised in a film for children. It would be done with the blessings of the Education Department.

K. A. W. also intends to introduce a few new faces in his intended children's film.

Love knows no bounds

Very often love affairs between film actors and models are seen not to materialise.

But the exception is the love affair between Hollywood film actor Greg Kinnear and former hotel model Helen Labdon in England.

Miss Labdon who was born and bred in London embarked on a career as a writer while being a model. Kinnear hosted the TV comedy series 'Talk Soup'. He made his motion picture debut opposite Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond in the remake of 'Sabrina'.

Greg Kinnear earned an Oscar nomination as the gay neighbour of Jack Nicholson in the 1997 comedy 'As Good As It Gets'.

The love affair between the two grew after they were introduced by close friends in Los Angeles. They had been together for some time and decided to marry.

Reportedly the marriage ceremony was a simple one attended only by their close relatives and friends in Sussex, England.

Greg Kinnear is best known for his performance as the gay artist who lives next door in 'As Good As It Gets'.

Return to Mirror Magazine Contents