Arts

Wala Patala: Lives caught up in a whirlwind of politics

by Ranga Chandrarathne

'Wala Patala' is a story that revolves around villagers and their lives caught up in a whirlwind of politics. Schoolmaster Batuwatte is a man with a vision to develop the village with the help of the youth. He maintains a close relationship with a young Tamil doctor at the village hospital.

However, he is involuntarily caught up in a political conflict as a result of the power-crazy village council member Jayasundara who plans to disrupt the Hospital Committee meeting resulting in Jayasundara being manhandled.

Jayasundara carries on his political project in the village with the help of a businessman Martin, Police and the Assistant Medical Officer, Delgoda. The other characters such as Sumana, Amerapala and their seven months old baby are also caught up in the political and economic system where they are reduced to mere tools at the hands of these forces.

The film will give the Sri Lankan audience an insight into the villagers and their lives and the political and economic forces that played a pivotal role in defining the collective destiny of them.

This film is directed by Wijitha Gunaratne and the cast comprises Gamini Hathtotuwegama, Jayalath Manoratne, Palitha Silva, Dulika Marapana, Jayani Senanayaka, Deepani Silva, Saumya Liyanage, and Nalin Pradeep Uduwela. The film is produced by Kashapa Gunaratne and Nelum Gunaratne on behalf of Kashapa Theatre and Film Lights.

A tribute to Jith Peiris

An evening of song and dance will be held on November 21, 2006 at 7.00 p.m at the Bishops College Auditorium as a tribute to Jith Peiris. Mary Anne Singers, Noeline Honter, Shanelle Fernando, and Rickey Bhahar, Natasha Ratnayake, Upeka, Khema and Ravi Bandu will perform at the concert which is being organised by Maeve Martnstyne and Senaka de Silva.

(R.C.)

Romantic musical for the whole family

'Jaan-E-Mann is, one of the most impressive Hindi movies which is now being screened in the EAP circuit including Savoy Cinema, Wellwatte.

This marks the entry of Shirish Kunder as a director into the Hindi cinema, who is also an accomplished professional editor. Jaan-E-Mann is imported to Sri Lanka by Janitha Marasinghe on behalf of Janitha Films. It was also Janitha who was responsible for bringing Hindi hits like Krrish and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

The film features Slaman Khan, Skshay Kumar and Preity Zinta along with Anupam Khre in a hitherto unseen role. Anu Malik gives music to lyrics by Gulzar. The film which is certainly not a triangular love story will cater to the diverse tastes of the audience and it is a family movie which is full of fun and frolic.

(R.C.)

French ensemble in Sri Lanka

The visiting French ensemble 'Bahasabe' will perform on November 2 and November 4, 2006 at the Barefoot Gallery Colombo and in Kandy. In addition to providing an excellent opportunity for Sri Lankan music lovers to taste authentic French music, it also avails the opportunity for Sri Lankan artistes to meet the band. The event is organised by Alliance Fran'oise Colombo.

Bahasabe is an 'on stage' band, born to perform on small or medium sized stages. The band has gained experience through numerous performances in Paris and other regions of France with the desire to have a warm and human contact with the audience.

The voices, the Guitar, the Accordion, the String Bass and Percussion feeds the repertoire through which Bahasabe expresses its willingness to share and the music is a mix of tradition and modern.

(R.C.)