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| Sunday, 1 August 2004 |
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'Dialogue with nature' at BMICH by Kaminie Jayanthi Liyanage
"The deep levels of human life are fundamentally different in nature from surface manifestations. They transcend time and space, and for that reason, attempts to measure them by means of ordinary spatial and temporal standards will probably not bring us very close to the true nature of life force itself." So says Dr. Daisaku Ikeda in his book "Choose Life - a dialogue", authored with Arnold Toynbee, Koraes Professor of Byzantine and Modern Greek language, literature and history in the University of London. Together, they ask the question : will humankind choose to salvage his destiny by a human revolution in thinking and morals? How can he practise this ideal "citizen's diplomacy"? Perhaps, by the belief that human-made evils can have a human-made cure, and maintaining faith in the essential oneness of humankind and the universe.
In the quest for such a day-to-day "nirvana", Dr. Ikeda, the third President of Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the Tokyo-based and the largest lay Buddhist organisation in the world, has dialogued with many political and intellectual leaders across the world to discuss the challenges facing humanity. It is this vision, acquired through his wonderful affinity and interchange with all that is nature and human, that he releases in his poetry and "writings of peace" made by his camera. "Photography is philosophy's drawing. Photography is the art of transmitting moments of life, its dreams and vivid changes," Dr. Ikeda describes his own photographic art in verse. His photography exhibition, named 'Dialogue with nature' is presented in the island for the first time by the Sri Lanka Chapter of SGI, at the B.M.I.C.H. from August 1-8. The exhibition has travelled round the world, giving its viewers an opportunity to experience the Ikedian terms of "peaceful dialogue" with one's surroundings and one's ownself - "It is the light which eliminates the dark shadow of violence; it is the sword of peace which cuts the synergetic ties that binds distrust to hatred to war; it is the wings that bring people together and carry us over the walls of confrontation and social disintegration." A couple of eminent personalities supporting the philosophy of Dr. Ikeda had this to say about him: "Dr. Ikeda is in the process of discovering the common human outlook which will bring harmony among all communities in the world, irrespective of race or creed," remarked Kalakirthi Edwin Ariyadasa. "His spiritual mechanism for this is to conduct long dialogues with outstanding intellectuals." Among them are the Soviet statesman Mikhail Gorbachev and America's premier scientist and peace activist Linus Pauling. "By this searching, he hopes for a common world for humankind to emerge. The reason for all his activities is to add value to society." Prof. Chandrasiri Palliyaguruge, University of Kelaniya, commented that "Dr. Ikeda's message is to preserve environment and nature for future generations and he has published many books with that aim." Among them are Before it is too late (co-written by Aurelio Peccei), Search for a new humanity (with Josef Derbolav), On being human: where ethics, medicine and spirituality converge (with Rene Simard and Guy Bourgeault), Unlocking the mysteries of birth and death: Buddhism in the contemporary world and Symphonic poems with nature. Paul Dias, Director General, Soka Gakkai Lanka Buddhist Association, condensed Dr. Ikeda's ideology with, "His goal is to create a borderless society and a global system of education giving equal education to all sections of society." Born in Tokyo on January 2, 1928, Dr. Ikeda is also the founder of Soka education system from the kindergarten to the university which includes the Soka University of America and Soka Women's College. He also founded the Fuji Art Museums, the Institute of Oriental Philosophy, Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research and the Boston Research Centre for the 21st Century. SGI has joint links with the Soka University of Japan and the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. In 1983, Dr. Ikeda won the UN Peace Award, among 17 other UN peace awards and 23 National Orders. He has been awarded honorary doctorates and professorships by 160 universities around the world and honorary citizenships and golden keys to 365 cities. He also won the Order of Andres Bello in the First Degree (Bolivia), Leonardo International Award (Italy-Leonardo Club) and International Leo Tolstoy Gold Medal (Russia). His religious and social vision is based on Nichiren Buddhism, founded by Nichiren, the 13th century Japanese Buddhist leader and reformer who thought that all people have the potential for enlightenment. SGI, which is a value creating society, believes in promoting peace
through culture and education and has a membership nearly 10 million
across different nations. Festival of theatre for young ones Lanka Children's and Youth Theatre Organisation (play house in Kotte)
headed by Somalatha Subasinghe, veteran playwright, theatre The festival consists of Punchi Apata Then Therai (we know it now), Toppi Welenda (The hat seller), Himakumariya (snow white and seven dwarfs) and Walas Pawula (Three bears and Goldilocks) based on folk and fairy tales adapted by Somalatha Subasinghe to bring a relevant meaning and knowledge to Sri Lankan children. The plays will be staged at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on all three days. The mission of the play house in Kotte is to reach a wider audience through theatre tickets priced at affordable rates for an average family, while exposing them to a high quality theatre experience. The Lanka Children's and Youth Theatre Organisation (LCYTO) is very grateful to all the establishments who have offered sincere support and express its special appreciation to Ceylon Biscuits ltd., the manufacturers of `Munchee' and Ceylon Cold Stores Ltd. (Elephant House) who have generously offered their sponsorship for this festival. Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. will have its Munchee scholarship awards for economically backwards students too in conjunction with the last day of the festival. The schedule of the festival is as follows: August 06 : We Know it Now and The Hat Seller August 07 :Hima Kumariya August 08 ; Walas Pawula. 'Queen of Hearts' by Ananda Kannangara Popular teledrama actor Vijaya Nandasiri's latest play 'Queen of Hearts' (Harata Rejina) will be staged at the Elphinstone Theatre on August 4 at 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm.
According to Nandasiri there is a great demand for Sinhala stage shows from Sri Lankans living abroad, and he has plans to stage a show in a foreign country in the near future. Vijaya will leave for Australia on August 5, following an invitation received from a Lankan society. 'Queen of Hearts' comprises Vijaya and his wife Devika Mihirani, Ananda
Wickremage, Rodney Warnakula, Sarath Chandrasiri and Nawanjana Mihirani.
Music will be provided by M.R. Choolasinghe, while there will be a
spectacular dance recital from Channa Wijewardana dance troupe. 'Reflections' at National Art Gallery Joannie de Silva, or better known as Joannie, is an unusual artist who does her painting on mirrors with beads, cord, coloured sand and gravel, stones, fabric and glass paint. What she turns out are beautifully crafted mirrors, that are both colourful and unique. Some of Joannie's work can be viewed at the National Art Gallery where Joannie will be holding her very first exhibition of mirrors. Aptly called 'Reflections', the beautiful mirrors will adorn the gallery walls from 12.30 p.m. on August 7 for two days. Having a beautiful mirror to grace any part of one's home - be it the dining room, living room, bed room, landing, bathroom or any other area in the home is a great enhancement to the surroundings, believes Joannie, who also practises the art on T shirts. |
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director and
actress, will hold the annual festival of theatre for young ones for the
fifth consecutive year from August 6 to 8 at the Elphinstone Theatre.
The drama is based on a play by Plotus, a Roman dramatist and the story
is woven around a woman who pretends to the world that she has not only
beauty but also wealth and has a God deserting his goddess and coming down
to earth to see how the people on the earth are leading a luxury life.
