CULTURAL DIARY

Spellbinding dot art

by Omar Rajarathnam

A n art exhibition entitled Balgo showcasing contemporary art of the indigenous Australian community was held on February 15 and 16 at the J.D.A Perera Gallery, Colombo 7. Organised by the Australian High Commission, Colombo, the paintings which exemplified the unique form of dot art spellbound many art enthusiasts.

Australian High Commissioner Kathy Klugman

An exhibit

Balgo; a community from far northeast Western Australia are known for their distinctive regional styles in aboriginal art. The paintings contain vivid colours, strong designs and complex layered dotted images. The artists from Balgo are considered by many critics as the most innovative and aptly expressive of their land and culture. Balgo is also the ceremonial hub for indigenous clans of the adjoining deserts hence their paintings are an amalgam of multi-desert culture which makes it diverse, varied and sought after creations.

The paintings which were on display at the Balgo exhibition were difficult to admire at first sight due to its intricate dot patterns, but reading the explanation adjacent to the painting certainly broadens viewer imagination and trains them to admire this rare form of art. The manner in which the paintings link to their culture and norms took many present by surprise but the prominent selection of colours enables easier interpretations and makes the painting decorative yet communicative.

Opening the exhibition, The High Commissioner for Australia, Ms Kathy Klugman said, none of you might be sure if these paintings will strike a chord in you but they are expressive and rich in culture. The exhibition aptly coincided with the third year anniversary of the pan Australian apology to its indigenous population.

The painting by Pauline Sunfly, far left depicts a country called Liltjin, found south of Balgo near salt lake of Wilkinkarra (Lake MacKay). The lines in the painting are the dry creek beds which flow into the lake during the wet season

The picture on the left by Miriam Baadjo shows her uncle's country. It involves a story about Tjitji Kutjarra (two children) who have camped. There is an area nearby for women only which is believed to have been formed by women's tears. Maparn (healing powers) are contained in some rocks found here.

A flamboyant Chinese New Year

by Omar Rajarathnam

True Chinese Culture lit up the Tower hall in Colombo, on February 10 where Chinese nationals living in Sri Lanka, cultural enthusiasts and various other guests gathered to celebrate the Chinese new year.

Balancing act

A colourful dance item

China is home to one of the most diverse cultures in the world which predominantly follows Buddhism and Taoism. From masculine martial art acts to feminine dance routines that highlights elegant silhouette this culture has something to offer to those with an incline to any form of art. Each year has a symbolic animal that rotates through a cycle of 12 animals namely rat, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. This year will symbolize the rabbit. The New Year celebrations which span across 15 days began on February 3 this year.

The Xinjiang Dance opened the show, this typical Chinese folk dance is passionate, brisk and natural, just like the temperament of ethnic groups in Xinjiang, a city which spans across borders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The dance resembled traces of Pakistani and Indian culture too. The female dancers had flawless expression and synchronisation but the male dancers need improvement on their facial expressions. Xinjiang dance is about how people enjoy their dynamic life and that needs to be portrayed by the male dancers too.

The face changing act followed suit, the art associated with the Sichuan opera, a province in China was an enthralling experience to the audience. A blink of an eye made them miss the face change of the performer who even got off stage to perform some of his changes among the audience. The act was a unique form of art indeed and the performers discipline deserved an applause.

Taiji boxing is the essence of ancient Chinese civilisation and a type of Kungfu skill. The coordination of the Taiji performance must be commended as it managed to provoke even the most subdued self-defense skills of the audience where music and enactment was consistent throughout the act.

The dance of peacock along the riverside stole the show. This dance is popular among the Dai minority ethnic group which has a history of combining prayer and entertainment. They believe that a peacock represents a spirit of good luck and happiness.

The melodious re-enactment of peacock behaviour was a treat to the eye and an educational routine that portrayed typical movements of a peacock. The costumes were perfect and so were the female dancers with immaculate synchronization. The detailed choreography was commendable and facial expressions of the performers throughout the dance resembled a true peacock in a four female anatomies.

The finale of the night was a fusion of martial arts and dance. The shaolin martial arts, a combination of Kungfu and Wushu descends from the Shaolin monastery.

The act signified the perseverance and self-dependence of the Chinese peoples and exemplified their incline to dance, art and nature. The performance was magnificent, colourful and very well orchestrated.

Although the night was filled with a variety of performances, the Chinese Dragon dance was missed out, it is certainly an act that identifies Chinese culture among other nationalities and an opportunity to see a dragon on a Sri Lankan stage would have undoubtedly soothed one's artistic adrenaline.

Cultural events at ICC

Sitar recital Dr. Nirmala Kumari Rodrigo, Lecturer at the University of Visual and Performing Arts will present a Sitar Recital at the Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo 7 on February 22 at 6 p.m.

Festival of Carnatic music

In honour and memory of Saint Thyagaraja, the Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo will hold a festival of Carnatic Music - 'Sri Thiyagaraja Aaradhana' at the Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo 7 on February 25 at 6 p.m.

Mahajana Pothpola

A book exhibition and sale entitled Mahajana Pothpola, organised by Rasakalasa magazine will be held at the Public Library auditorium, Colombo 7 from February 24 to March 1.

Rekha Dahasak

Artist Waskaduwe Mahinda Sagara

An exhibit

Rehka Dahasak, the 6th exhibition of paintings by a veteran artist Waskaduwe Mahinda Sagara will be held at Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from February 26 to February 28.

The exhibition is made up of over 150 oil paintings. Mahinda Sagara is an artist who draw pictures for newspapers such as Janadina, Janasatiya, Riviresa, Dawasa, and Lankadeepa.

Soundarie on “Celeb Chat”

Soundarie David

The driving force behind the ‘Soul Sounds’ Soundarie David Rodrigo takes centre stage on Prime Prime TV’s “Celeb Chat” at 9.30 pm on Monday 21 February in a heart-to-heart chat with host Kumar de Silva

Colombo Colombo at Elphinstone

A scene from the play

Indika Ferdinando's Colombo Colombo which received seven awards including Best Play of the Year at the National Theatre Festival 2010, will be staged at the Elphinstone Theatre, Colombo 10 on February 24 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. Colombo Colombo represented Sri Lanka at the South Asian Women's Theatre Festival 2010 and the Kathmandu International Theatre Festival 2010.

A scene from the play

Sergeantge Nandamma

Sando Harris' rib-tickling comedy Sergeantge Nandamma will go on the boards at the Elphinstone Theatre, Colombo 10 on February 25 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.

The cast includes Sando Harris, Chanchala Warnasuriya, Susila Kottage, Nandana Hettiarachchi, Kapila Sigera, Somachandra, Savindra and Nayana Sudarshani.

The play is produced by Chanchala Warnasuriya and directed by Sando Harris.

There will be two repeat show at the Town Hall, Alawwa on February 27 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.

Gabbara Minisa

The Muhurat ceremony of Sriyantha Mendis, stage play Gabbara Minisa was held recently. Popular actors such as Sriyantha Mendis, Kusum Renu, Sarath Kotalawala, Vasantha Vittachchi, Malkanthi Jayasinghe and Sujeewa Priyalal at the ceremony.