Cultural DIARY

Suddek Oba Amthai For Peradeniya Annual Drama Festival

Suddek Oba Amathai (A white man addresses you), arguably one of the most innovative theatre experiments in recent times will be held at Sarachchandra Open Air Theatre Peradeniya at 6.30 pm on February 21 for the Annual Drama Festival organised by the Arts Counsil of Peradeniya University.

The play features exceptional performances that include Jayalath Manoratne, Nalin Pradeep Udawelage and Madani Malwattage. Music is provided by Lalith Wickramaratne. Rohan Samaradiwakara is in charge of the set while Ranga Samarakoon handles lights.

The play is written by well-known author and columnist, Udayasiri WIckramaratne while the production is managed by Susil Wickramasinghe.

Crafts in action 2011

Manel Gamage, a well-known arts and crafts teacher together with her students is holding "Crafts in Action 2011" an exhibition of Arts and Crafts at the National Arts Gallery today from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

A past pupil of Museaus College Mrs. Manel Gamage had introduced a variety of new embroidery techniques to Sri Lankan women such as blackwork, Asisi embroidery, Kashmiri work, Chamakthi Embroidery, Ari work, Needlepoint, and many other techniques. She was trained in Canada, England, Singapore and Australia. She has been teaching Arts and Crafts for the last 20 years for over 20,000 students. Together with the Ministry of Education she trains O/L and A/L home science teachers. She has published nine books in different embroidery techniques and they are written in very easy to follow steps and methods which enables women to learn embroidery from the very beginning without the aid of a teacher.

Introducing a unique new embroidery technique is a characteristic of her exhibitions. This year she will be introducing wall hangings done using totsuka embroidery and canvas work. Each exhibit is individual, unique and has its own originality with a well blended colour scheme which she is known for.

The main goal of this exhibition is to give her students a chance to display their work, secondly this would be a great opportunity for women who wish to be self-employed in this field.

Prashan holds art exhibition in London

Sri Lanka's renowned artist, now domiciled in the UK, Prashan Deepthi Kumara Perera held his maiden painting exhibition in London on February 4 to mark the country's 63rd National Independence Day anniversary.

The one-week exhibition was held at Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre, London under the patronage of president of the Buddhist Centre Ven. Galayaye Piyadassi Thera.

A large number of Sri Lankans, who are domiciled in the UK including some officials of the Sri Lankan embassy also attended the opening ceremony.

Prashan said he displayed about 40 paintings including the Buddha, several ancient kings of Sri Lanka and former national leaders who fought to regain the country's independence on February 4, 1948.

He also displayed a painting of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Prashan Deepthi Kumara, hails from Bandaragama.

He started his artistic career when he was only seven years. Even as a child he had painted nearly one thousand portraits of eminent personalities such as Dr. Lester James Peries, Pani Baratha, Tony Ranasinghe, Victor Ratnayaka, Latha Walpola and W.D. Amaradeva.

Wildscreen Festival opens on February 17

Twelve environmental filmmakers from the UK will be coming to India and Sri Lanka from February 14 to 18 as part of the British Council organised Wildscreen Festival. The festival will showcase free screenings of wildlife and environmental films from across the world, some of them winners of the Panda Awards, nicknamed the green OSCARS(r). Sri Lankan documentaries will also be screened as part of the festival.