Arts

Magnificent aspects of life

"35 originals prints" by Robert Doisneau

by Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

The photographic exhibition "35 tirages originaux" ("35 original prints") by Robert Doisneau will be held from 2nd to 23rd July at Alliance Francaise de Colombo.

Robert Doisneau was born in the suburb of Paris, all his life he kept attached to his origin. He studied engraving but his first job has been photographer. He worked for the Renault Car Company during several years before being fired for being constantly late.

Several years after he joined the Rapho Agency in which he stayed his entire carrier. He is considering like one of the member of "l' cole de Paris", group of humanist photographer.

His work is mainly dealing with human subjects in Paris and suburb.

His friends and models was for example the poet Jacques Prevert, the cellist Maurice Baquet.

He is one of the few to have practiced photography full of humour and generosity.

Philippe Salan who has been Doisneau's printer for many years, will present the photo exhibition of master photographer of the 20th century: Robert Doisneau (1912 -1994):

"As you already know, after my modest exhibition in June, I shall leave the walls of the Alliance Francaise de Colombo in July to one of the great masters of 20th century photography: Robert Doisneau", Philippe Salan.

Robert Doisneau's exhibition at Alliance Francaise de Colombo is unique and outstanding because it is the really first time that this kind of exhibition takes place in Colombo and because it shows original prints. The opening of the 2nd July will welcome the printer and the French Ambassador as guests of honour.

Robert Doisneau is one of France's most noted photographers. He is best known for his street photography of Paris, his most famous being `Kiss in front of the Palace of City Hall' (1950).

Doisneau's work has been enormously influential on many photographers and film directors. Doisneau's work contained a distinctive sense of humour as well as a deep empathy for his subjects.Robert Doisneau was born in 1912 in Gentilly near Paris. He studied engraving and lithography and went to work at lettering and advertising photographs in 1930. He began working for Andre Vigneau in 1931 and then joined the Renault factory in Billancourt in 1934 as an industrial and advertising photographer.

Doisneau was fired in 1939 for being consistently late and joined the Rapho Photo Agency taking some of his first professional street photographs. With the outbreak of the Second World War he was called upon to serve in the French Army for a year before fighting for the Resistance until 1945.

At the end of the war he joined the Alliance Photo Press Agency but returned to Rapho a year later. In 1949 he joined Vogue as a fashion photographer where he remained for three years before going freelance.

Robert Doisneau died in 1994. "I've never examined why I take photos. In truth is that it's a hopeless struggle against the idea that one will die.It's something I'm more prepared for... I try obstinately to stop this time that is passing."

Upanda Maranaya :

Comedy with a difference

by Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

Upanda Maranaya (Death on Birthday), a Sinhalese comedy written, produced and directed by Nalaka Vithanage will go onboard at Lumbini theatre at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on July 12.

Though the play is woven around a politician and series of incidents, the dramatist has skillfully raised issues on the hones and integrity not only of the politicians and officials, but also the efficiency of those institutions.

It seems that once sacred institutions have lost their accountability to the masses and the corrupt officials have turned them into money spinners.

Although the pivotal character in the play is the politician, Nalaka has used other characters such as an actress, private secretary to the politicians to highlight the corruption and the malpractices on the part of officials whose survival is dependent on their crony politicians.

He has also exposed the nexus between politicians and artists.

The story is woven around politician Nilaveera, his mistress Saroja, a popular actress, his wife Anoja and his private secretary Subasinghe.

A series of events are triggered off when a bomb exploded in a five star hotel at a function where Nilaveera was to be the chief guest. Subsequently, it turned out that Nilaveera was, in fact, at his private residence with his mistress Saroja.

The play proceeds with unfolding scenes when politician tries hard to escape from being detected with his mistress.

Though it is a comedy, the play Upanda Maranaya raises series issues with regard to the integrity of social institutions and persons who occupy important positions in the society.

"Share The Joy", a Patchwork and needlecraft competition

The 17th consecutive exhibition competition entitled `Share The Joy', organized by Daisy Vittachi, a pioneer in the craft field, was held at the JR Jayewardene Cultural Centre, Colombo recently.

Students of Daisy Vittachi's School of Hobby Craft and from her Hobby Craft branch schools, totalling 15, from islandwide took part. As in the past years, some stunning items with intricate designs with vivid colours were on display.

Special displays of quality quilts, Brazilian, hand and ribbon embroidery, paper-tole, cross-stitch, bedroom and dining room projects were on show.

Those with an interest or even a little knowledge of sewing will appreciate the efforts of the ladies who have spent much time to produce such brilliant results just from scraps of cloth which only goes to show how accomplished and artistic our ladies are.

At the exhibition many ladies, children and even men with notebooks or even scraps of paper taken up by these works tried their hand at copying various designs. Most spent hours at the exhibition, reluctant to leave the dazzling displays.

Many more meet to swap ideas and designs and discuss new techniques they came across or learnt. They are very passionate about their hobby which brings them is much joy and satisfaction.

The organizer is very happy to mention that so many ladies, by exhibiting their items at this competition, have been able to secure orders, which has helped them to start their very own businesses at home. This is an ideal situation for many ladies who do not want to go out to work for fear of disruption to their family life. Furthermore, they are able to earn an income by doing something they love.

"Dummalawarama" at Kekirawa

"Dummalawarama" directed by Ranjith de Alwis will go on the boards at the Kekirawa Central College, in aid of the Divisional Secretariat Executive Association on Saturday, July 11, 2009 at 3.30 and 6.30 p.m.

The cast will be Gamini Hettiarachchi, Sanath Wimalasiri, Manohari Wimalatunga, Upul Weerasinghe (Upul Mama), Anura Srinath, Anura Mapitigama, Tharaka Adikari, Roshana Ondanchi and Upali Keethisena.

Visharadha Edward Jayakody will be the music director.

Revelations at Lionel Wendt

The concert titled, *THE* *REVELATIONS IN CONCERT "Celebrating 15 years of Music and Fun"* will be staged on today at the Lionel Wendt 7.00 p.m.

The Revelations conducted by Sanjeev Jayaratnam brings further honour to Sri Lanka by becoming the world's 6th ranked male vocal choir and the only choir from Asia to do so, according to the latest rankings released by Music Mundi!

In 2007 The Revelations brought honour and glory to Sri Lanka by becoming the only choral group in Sri Lanka to win a *"Gold Medal" **- "Champion of the Asian Choir Games"* and *"Champion of the Asian Open" *at the Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia in November 2007.

Thereafter `The Revelations' crowned their success at the Asian Choir Games by being the only choral group in Sri Lanka to win a *"Gold Medal"* and be titled *"Champion of the World Choir Games"* not once but twice over. They also won a *"Silver Medal"* at the World Choir Games held in Graz, Austriain July 2008. The World Choir Games had 20,000 participants comprising 441 Choirs from 93 countries.

Ishan de Lanerolle, President, The Revelations, said a concert will be staged by them to celebrate 15 years of providing uplifting and joyful music to appreciative audiences in Sri Lanka and overseas.

RC

Drama Festival

NariBena, `Jasaya saha Lenchina', `Madhura Javanika' and `Gajaman Puwatha', four popular plays by Dayananda Gunawardena, will go on boards at the Lionel Wendt Theatre from July 10, 11, 12 at 3.30 pm and 7.00 pm.

RC