Cultural Diary

Exploring Shakespeare in Jaffna

The Linguistics and English Society of the University of Jaffna, with the sponsorship of People's Bank (University Branch), organized the Shakespeare Seminar 2010 on April 26 at the Library Auditorium with a view to widening the academic space for Shakespeare studies in Jaffna. Students from the University of Jaffna, Teachers' Training College, College of Education, Advanced Technical Institute and schools participated in this seminar with great enthusiasm.

The seminar was presided over by Ms. Canista Arthie Denicius, the Secretary of the Linguistics and English Society. Prof. K. Thevarajah, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, in his address, highlighted the importance of conducting this seminar in Jaffna. Prof.N. Gnanakumaran, Dean, Faculty of Arts, encouraged the Linguistics and English Society to organize more such events in the future. Dr (Ms) Subathini Ramesh, Head of the Linguistics and English Department and Patron of the Linguistics and English Society congratulated the organizing committee and highlighted the innovative linguistic elements in Shakespeare's work. Dr (Ms) Amirthanjali Sivapalan,

Senior Lecturer in English Literature and Senior Treasurer of the Linguistics and English Society said that this event would help students of English literature in Jaffna and outlined the events that were to follow.

The seminar began with the presentation of M. Thiruvarangan, Assistant Lecturer in English Literature, on the history plays of Shakespeare. His paper focused on the question of rulership in the Renaissance and its representation(s) in Richard II, Henry IV and Henry V. This presentation was followed a by a group presentation on the thematic and structural aspects of Shakespeare's sonnets by Ms. Tharuni Suntharalingam, Ms. Riophilla Alfred, Ms. Lavanya Paramanathan and Ms. Vinotha Paramasamy who are currently reading for a special degree in English Literature at the University of Jaffna.

A discussion on four Shakespearean plays-Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Othello and A Midsummer Night's Dream-was held after the presentation on Shakespeare's sonnets. The participants were divided into four groups, and each group was asked to discuss selected aspects of one of the four plays. After the discussion, one member from each group presented the summary of the discussion. It was encouraging to see that even school students were able respond to the various forms of marginalization Shakespeare's plays deal with.

In fact, a GCE (O/L) student amazed the audience by drawing their attention to the conflict between Jews and Christians in The Merchant Venice. As the final event of the academic session, Dr (Ms) Amirthanjalie Sivapalan made an interesting multi-media presentation on the life and work of Shakespeare. Alluring visuals illustrating Shakespeare's life, family, his theatre and scenes from some of his plays were included in this presentation. The presenter made the point that the various anecdotes about Shakespeare's life could open up new avenues to elucidate his work.

Ms. Arumugam Vanathy, the President of the Linguistics and English Society, proposed the vote of thanks. Questionnaires were distributed to the participants at the end of the seminar. Their feedback indicates that the participants have found the program useful and interesting.

Some have mentioned that the seminar provided them with an opportunity to brush up their knowledge about Shakespearean literature, familiarize themselves with Shakespeare's history plays and learn more about Shakespeare's life. Many participants have requested the Linguistics and English Society to organize seminars in the future, especially for those who take English Literature in the GCE (O/L) & (A/L) classes.

It is remarkable that the Linguistics and English Society has organized many events since its inception for the betterment of the student community, despite the trying conditions in Jaffna. The members of the Society are optimistic that they will able to conduct more workshops and seminars in the days to come too.

Bridget Halpe fifty years a music teacher

This year Mrs. Bridget Halpé reaches 50 years of music teaching. She has been dedicated to music since she was 6 years old, regularly updating her knowledge by practical training and research both here and abroad. She holds the L.R.A.M. in pianoforte performance of the Royal Academy, UK.

To honour her achievement her senior students have joined her family and friends to present Concertaid X - Magnificat! We have named this concert Magnificat! because it celebrates the dedication and contributions to musical culture of Bridget Halpé and the other music teachers of this country.

Bridget Halpé is also a well-known choral director, directing the Peradeniya Singers, successors to the University Singers of the University of Ceylon, and the Kandy Junior Singers - a group she founded five years ago - besides readily giving advice and training to schools which ask for her help.

The Peradeniya Singers have always given their concerts in aid of worthy charities or on invitation to participate in special occasions such as the Bach/Handel Tricentenary, the Golden

Jubilee of the University of Peradeniya, the second centenary of the French Revolution, the ceremonial reopening of the rebuilt Central Bank building and most recently the fiftieth anniversary of Cuba's establishment of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.

Composing music for lyrics in plays has been another of her activities - she wrote original music for the Dramsoc production of Shakespeare's The Tempest and for the Sinhala translation of Lorca's Blood Wedding by Hemamali Gunasinghe as well as for extracts from Shakespeare's As You Like It and A Midsummer Night's Dream presented at the annual Schools' Shakespeare Competition. She also worked with Prof. Sarachchandra on his request to compose counterpoint for the ragadari music of Jayantha Aravinda for the play Pémato Jayati S?ko.

A notable innovation in her teaching has been the use of traditional Sri Lankan songs in the section in the singing examination syllabus which requires a Traditional Song. She accompanied each song with a translation of the original into English for the information of the examiners.

It has been noted that in her teaching Bridget Halpé pays careful attention to all aspects of musical knowledge and performance. She has developed a compendium of musical theory for the use of her students and she directs her performance students in the writing of their programme notes. She is engaged in research and analysis making a structural evaluation of the Forty-eight Preludes and Fugues of J.S. Bach.

All proceeds from this concert will be used to set up a Trust Fund to help once active music teachers who are no longer able to make a living from teaching because of various disabilities and are in difficult circumstances. They once did great service to their communities instructing young people and fostering musical culture but cannot do so any longer.

There will be guest artistes like Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan, Ravibandu/Samanthi duo, Ramya de Livera Perera and Soundari David Rodrigo. The concert also includes premiere performances of contemporary works. Concertaid X-Magnificat! will be presented in Kandy at the E.O.E.Pereira Theatre University of Peradeniya on the 5th June at 6.30pm and at the Lionel Wendt on June 13th at 7.00pm

Exhibition of paintings

Exhibition of paintings by Chamari Thapaswarage will be held from Junre 3 to June 6 at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from 9.00 a.m to 7.00a.m.