‘Youthful’ Efforts

Manilal Weerakoon, conductor substituted by Ajit Abeysekara:

Billed as the 'Young Soloists' Concert', once again, the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka outdid itself with the most un-orthodox concert programming. Four soloists, three performing concertos and a vocalist singing excerpts from opera and operetta. Making matters more complicated, two of the soloists were pianists, thereby inviting the obvious comparisons. The conductor Manilal Weerakoon was substituted by Ajit Abeysekara .

Full Story

Focus on the politics of aesthetics

The topic of politics and aesthetics has generated, over the years, a great interest among Sri Lankan literary and art critics and cultural intellectuals. It has been explored at different levels of critical engagement and sophistication. A thinker, who has in recent times, contributed significantly to advance this conversation is the French philosopher Jacques Ranciere.

Full Story

First anniversary of Montage :

Looking back on a trodden path

This week 'Montage', the Literary and Cultural Supplement of Sunday Observer marks its first anniversary. It is time for us to look back on the trodden path that laid through a hostile terrain. At the time, we commenced 'Montage', Sri Lankan literary scene was saddled with many issues virtually threatening the very existence of Sri Lankan literature in English and Sinhalese literature.

Full Story