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| Sunday, 23 October 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Arts Desha Nethru Award for Catholic Priest
This event organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage marked yet another step in recognising the contribution made by fifteen award winners in the cultural and literary fields. Fr. Benedict Joseph received his award from the Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapakse. It was significant that a Catholic priest was designated for this prestigious award this year and it is also a fitting tribute to one who has already won high recognition here and abroad for his accomplishments in the field of media. He has been a renowned figure in the OCIC - UNDA Asia organisations for twelve years, during which period he served two terms as its Vice President. UNDA Asia recognised his services with a special award given in New Delhi in 1995. OCIC Sri Lanka too made special recognition of his services in the field of Sri Lanka media by offering a special tribute to him in 1997. He is also the recipient of the Kalasuru Award presented by the National Catholic Writers' Association in 2004. Father Benedict has served the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation as a Producer and Committee Member. As the Editor of the Gnanartha Pradeepaya, he was very forthright, unbiased and independent. Sanda Langa Maranaya : Entertaining yet intense theatre experience Sanda Langa Maranaya by Kaushalya Fernando bagged eight awards, including the most prestigious award "The Best Play of the Year 2005" at the recently concluded National Drama Festival 2005 organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage. The other awards won by the play are, Best Director, Best Adapted Script, Best Original Musical Score, Best Choreography, Best Supporting Actress, Best Costume Design and Best Debut Direction. The play will go on board on October 29 at 3.30 and 6.30 pm at Ratnawalee Balika Vidyalaya Auditorium. The show, the latest theatre production by LCYTO is organised by the Teacher's Association of the school to raise funds for the school's welfare activities. 'Kandulu Diyawela Vetunath' by Somdasa Wijeratna 'Kandulu Diyawela Vetunath Paa Mutata Obey - Epaa Kandulu Pagannata Ea Kandulu Mage' - 'Tears that drip down may fall at your feet, but never, never trample them because they are the tears of my own'.
This song is sung by Visarada Jayamini Attanayake, a young vocalist of the modern order who released "Mata Kiyanna Avasara" (permit me to say) a compact disc created on her own, a few days ago. It is now available on VCD too. The veteran music Maestro Rohana Weerasinghe together with Jayamini Attanayaka herself composed music for this cassette while the lyrics were written by Ratna Sri Wijesinghe, Yamuna Malani Perera, Shantha Kumara Vithana and Thanuja Dharmapala. Life and soul Jayamini Attanayake is a past pupil of Pushpadana Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy. She loved music and dancing from her early childhood. She combined her life and soul together in a big way to realise her dream of music. By now she has completed her Bhathkanda Sangeeth Visarada Examination as well as the Ghandarva Final. After passing out as a Fine Arts graduate of the Aesthetic Faculty of Kelaniya University, she began her professional career as a music teacher. 'Tolerance ... "I do not like the noisy music styles of the present day. They are not appealing to my taste. I have studied classical music. I appreciate and love classical music which enliven human feelings. This is a unique service a musician can render to mankind. Classical music brings about tranquillity to human mind and the bliss of concentration which is sublime. This is why I am attracted to classical music." observes Jayamini. Jayamini devotes her leisure hours to compose music and play musical instruments. "Tolerance, patience, sensitivity, creativity and controlling my thoughts are the assets I have earned out of music. "The satisfaction I receive out of teaching music to little children is a reward by itself", comments Jayamini. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Among those who were honoured at the annual National Literary Art
Festival held recently was Rev. Fr. Benedict Joseph, former editor of the
Gnanartha Pradeepaya. 
This is a popular song we hear over the television channels and the Lak
Handa Radio so often these days. 
