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| Sunday, 11 July 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Creating a new theatrical tradition Namel and Malini Weeramuni, with Punchi Theatre bring forward another
'first' in Sri Lankan theatre The Fourth Floor for eight The objective of the theatre and the new production is to create a new theatrical tradition as well, says Weeramuni, Director. Introducing the emphatic dramatic tradition, The Fourth Floor is candid when it comes to its message to the society. However, Weeramuni believes that it needs to be done with discipline, tact and style. That is the art and the creativity, he points out. The Fourth Floor cast includes Daya Tennakoon, Lucian Bulathsinghala, Chaya Nammuni, Rishwan Mohammed, Seneviratne Bandara and Anoma Jinadasa. Costumes - Malini Weeramuni; Stage design & management - Upali Attanayake and Suneth Deshapriya; Music - Jayantha Alahakoon, Lighting - Pabath Manohara of Punchi Theatre. ***************** Golden oldies with Vijaya Corea Radio, somehow, never lost its magic despite the initial thrill and grandeur of television, the audio-visual electronic medium. You could close your eyes, sit back and relax, enjoying what your ear picks up provided, of course, you are listening to what you like ! In this context, after many years, the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation has, in recent times, hit the bull's eye. SLBC Chairman, Hudson Samarasinghe being a product of the medium, even though of the Sinhala Service, saw the immediate need to provide a boost to the English Commercial Service, which is no longer alone, but in a competitive environment. He put his thinking cap on, remembered his old friend and former Director General of the SLBC,Veteran Broadcaster, Vijaya Corea, whose record on radio as a presenter, news reader and compere is unmatched. In the mid seventies, Vijaya clinched the award for the most popular radio presenter consecutively in every public popularity poll that was ever conducted. With much persuasion, the old friendship finally availed and the evergreen media personality agreed to return to the airwaves every Tuesday night at 9.30 for one whole hour. Thus, the programme titled "Just You and Me" began a few weeks ago. The passage of time has revealed that numerous listeners have had this radio date carved out in their diaries. Listeners have been heard to exclaim: "This is unique." "This is different." "This truly tug' at the heart strings." Vijaya Corea comes on the air saying: Let it be .... "Just You and Me" ... just like it used to be. He does not mention the titles of the songs nor the names of the artistes. Instead, he focuses on the thrust of the song in its meaning with the accent on the lyrics. What is captivating is that, as the content of the programme comprises Golden Hits that everybody loves, it affords the listener an opportunity to play a kind of 'guessing game' as his voice gets into the ambit of making the introductions to each song. If you are familiar with the lyrics, you are a winner in the game but if not, it leaves you in a moment of fascinating quest! The beauty of the lyrics and the magic of the melody make Tuesday nights on the SLBC (95.6 FM) at 9.30 a priceless hour for 'Just Vijaya Corea and you.' ***************** Brush strokes
A teacher by profession, Sreemathie after obtaining a BA (Hons) from the University of Jayawardenepura and a diploma in education pursued her talents in art under the guidance of Kalasoori S. P. Charles. Her first exhibition was held in 1993. She further improved her brush strokes under the tutelage of M. D. S. Gunatilleka, an experienced art teacher and instructor Sreemathie enjoys painting landscape in and around the Kandy city as well as the movements of various characters she meets in her every day life. ***************** A Plea for 'Peace' through the eyes of a child by Indira Dahanayake 'Plea for Peace' an art exhibition reflecting the devastations of war from the perspective of youth was held at the National Art Gallery, Colombo last week. The exhibits carried a simple-message through crayons and pastels water colours, that the pre-requisite to build a healthy nation was 'Peace'. A multi ethnic panel of six judges comprising prominent art instructors and education officials from across Sri Lanka spent five days at Giragama in late May selecting 10,000 works that were exhibited at the art gallery in Colombo. The exhibition was supported by the USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) in partnership with the Aesthetic Teacher's Training College in Giragama, Kandy, the Teachers Training College in Palali Jaffna, the All Ceylon Art Education Professionals Association and the Ministry of Education. Inaugarating the exhibition Dr. Carol Becker, Country Director, US Agency for International Development (USAID). 'Art she said is a conversation and these thought provoking images are timely contributions to the dialogue of peace'. Most of the exhibits by artists aged 12 to 13, reflected moments of fear and tales of woe, go and emerged as a plea to the outside world to free them from the clutches of war. Ayodhya Ushani from Newstead Girls College, Negombo, showed how the North and South tackled the issue of peace with a coin, one side depicting the North appealing for Peace, and the other showing the South hastily praying for Peace. M. B. Medawatta's painting which won a junior outstanding award depicted two crossed machine guns. A very touching but appealing work of art of a tortured child's mind was displayed by a lonely child seated inside a barbed wired patch of land that had no shelter. There were tears running down from his eyes - the words Amma (mother) and thaththa (father) were boldly written on the picture. Perhaps the pictures depicted an orphaned child without shelter, that had left him a destitute as a result of the war. A top prize of Rs. 5000 and a trophy was awarded in each of three age categories, with ten medallists per category receiving a cash prize of thousand rupees each. ***************** 'Everything but.....' (the kitchen sink) An exhibition of contemporary British kitchenware organised by The British Council will be displayed at the Barefoot Gallery from July 15 - August 1. Travellers with bulging suitcases packed with something for every eventuality are often asked 'Did you pack everything but the kitchen sink?' which gives this exhibition its title 'Everything but...' For included in the exhibition are a variety of exhibits, ranging from traditional ceramics and production ware to some of the most innovative designs produced for dining and food preparation in the UK. Although appears to be a mere exhibition of kitchenware, there is also a good deal of humour incorporated into some of the exhibits displayed. For instance, a young design group have cleverly transformed snooker balls into salt and pepper containers whilst another designer has 're-invented' a mundane object - the cat bowl, made not with functional plastic, but with classic bone china. The exhibition will feature exhibits of over twenty five UK designers. The exhibition will be opened to the public on weekdays and Saturday from 10 am - 7 pm and on Sundays from 11 am - 4 pm. |
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consecutive days
which will be staged from July 15-23. Tickets have been priced reasonably
low in a bid to create a spectator friendly theatrical culture, says Namel
Weeramuni.
Miss K. M. Sreemathie Herath will hold her second solo art exhibition
on July 15, 16 and 17 at the D. S. Senanayake public library hall in Kandy.
