Thala Mala Pipila

A scene from the drama

The Colombo Chapter of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya will stage Jayalath Manoratne’s award-winning play Thala Mala Pipila on August 6 at 6.30 pm at the Mahanama College Hall.,’ Colombo 3. The cast will include Lal Karunaratne, Ratna Lalani, Sampath Tennakoone., Sarath Chandrasiri, Vasantha Vitachcchi, Ajith Lokuge, and Jagath Benaragama.

Chamber Music Society performs the Concert for the 150th anniversary of the Unity of Italy

The Chamber Music Society of Colombo and the Italian Embassy in Colombo, will present an evening of Italian music to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Unity of Italy, ranging from the late Renaissance to the early 20th century.

The main composer is Vivaldi, represented not merely by two concerti (not the “Four Seasons”) brimming with his amazing vitality, but also by an opera sinfonia from his middle period. The sounds of baroque brass, so rare in Colombo will shake the rafters of the Lionel Wendt to music by Domenico Gabrielli, Giovanni Gabrieli and Claudio Monteverdi - all of whom are better known for their vocal works.

Respighi keeps one foot in the baroque for his Ancient Dances and Airs, and the two dance-like selections entitled Italiana and Siciliana are no exceptions. Another highlight will be the highly influential Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 by Arcangelo Corelli.

Great figures of the baroque such as Bach, Handel and Purcell arranged music by these Italian masters, and were obviously influenced greatly by them, especially noticeable in their writing for strings.

Rarities by Alessandro Scarlatti and Artemio Motta complete a musical feast worthy of the Medici family of Firenze (Florence), for centuries Italy’s greatest patrons of the arts.

The Ensemble of the Chamber Music Society is led by its Artistic Director, Lakshman Joseph de Saram.

Vavuniya campus annual research session-2011

The Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna has called for research papers from university academics and researchers to be submitted at the Vavuniya Campus Annual Research Session-2011 which is to be held on November 16, at the auditorium of the Campus. The theme of the Annual Research Session 2011 is “Emerging Opportunities for Development of the Regions”

The Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna was established with the upgrading of the Northern Province affiliated University College conducted its first Annual Research Session in November 2008. It holds the fourth session in this series in November 2011. The Sub themes of the session are as follows: Accountancy &Finance, Agriculture, Aquaculture, Computer Science, Economics, English Language Studies, Environmental Science, Information and Communication Technology, Library &Information Science, Management, Mathematics and Statistics, Natural Science, and Social psychology.

In addition to the presentation of papers on the above sub themes, there will be popular talks on current issues. Those who are interested in submitting the abstracts and extended abstracts are requested to send them to the “The Convener”, VCARS 2011, Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna, Park Road, Vavuniya on or before August 8.The date for registration is scheduled in between October 21-31.The paper to be presented at the session will be included in the “Proceedings” and the papers selected by the reviewers will be published in the “Journal of Science and management” of the Campus (JSM).For more information, researchers are requested to visit www.van.jfn.ac.lk.

13th Godage National Literary Awards ceremony

13th Godage National literary Awards Ceremony will be held on September 7 at J.R. Jayawardhane Cultural Centre, Colombo 07.

The honorary awards, certificates and cash will be presented for the best novel, short story and poetry published in Sinhala, Tamil and English and for the teen novel published in Sinhala in 2010. Further three new creative talented contributors will be awarded for their Literary works in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Three senior Literati representing three languages will be awarded with "Divaman Pranama" lifetime achievement for their literary contributions.

The awards ceremony will be chaired by the Emeritus Professor A.V. Suraweera. The keynote address will be delivered by veteran critic Darshana Medis. Considerations of literary works for the last round will be announced shortly.

Aguvana

Nirmal Rajapaksa

Aguvana is a thriller by Nirmal Rajapaksa. The film is woven around a story of a youngster accidentally landing on a strange planet full of monsters. Nirmal hopes to use the latest state-of-the art 3D technology and talented cast for the film. Young actors as well as technicians, particularly, those who wish to make a career in the field are requested to send their applications to Cine Ru Youth Club, No 374, Makola.

Balaporoththu Novu Nivahana

An exhibition of paintings entitled Balaporoththu Novu Nivahana samaga Valbihivu Kalagaraya by Wasantha Namaskarage will be held from August 1 to 5 at Suvanda Malkinithi Art Gallery in Nihanda Mitiyawatha in Beliyul Oya.

Sithuwam 2

“Sithuwam 2”, the second solo exhibition of paintings by Dileepa Gunatilake will be held from August 5 to the 7 , from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Gallery, Colombo 07.

Dileepa Gunatilake is a self-taught artist who had a keen interest in painting since childhood. She improved her talents by using different media. She had won awards in many art competitions during her school years and practised painting as a hobby until she finished higher education. Presently she is a Bachelors and Master's Degree holder in Biology and Plant Biotechnology from Colombo University.

Over the years she had drawn her inspirations from her surroundings. Her versatility ranges from portraits to fine art oil paintings or illustrations to modern art. She also practises digital art techniques. Dileepa has strong passion for beauty and diversity of nature.

Though most of her paintings are imaginative, they are close to nature, highlighting the beauty of wild-life, trees, waterways, and livelihood of people. She enjoys using any kind of medium such as pencils, pastels, graphite, charcoal, acrylic , oil paints and also shoe wax/polish.

She has exhibited her work at several art galleries and restaurants in New Zealand while studying in Auckland. Her paintings are among many private collectors in other countries as well as in Sri Lanka.

Dileepa’s first solo exhibition ‘Sithuwam’ ,which was held in August 2010 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery was a great success and it inspired her to hold ‘Sithuwam 2’ this year. Her works also on display at ‘www.dilartgallery.com’

Thatu

Jayasekara Aponsu’s famous stage play Thatu will go on the board at Tower Hall theatre in Maradana on August 7 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m.

Thirty-five years of Ahasin Polowata

The thirty fifth commemoration of the production of the film Ahasin Polowata directed by Dr. Lester James Peries and the felicitation of the artists associated with the production of the film will be held on August 2 at the Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Auditorium at 5.00 p.m. The book entitled ‘Ahasin Polowata: Kalakami Arthapathiya- U W Sumathipala ’ will also be launched at the ceremony.

Master class workshop on film direction

Bengali film maker Buddhadeb Dasgupta

Asian Film Centre will conduct a Master Class on Film Direction from September 11to 17 in Colombo. The priority will be given to the persons who are already engaged in film direction.

The workshop is conducted by renowned Bengali film maker Buddhadeb Dasgupta.

A retrospective of Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s films will be held from September 11 to 16 ( Except 14) to coincide with the workshop.

The details of the Master Class on Film Direction could only be obtained by mail from Asian Film Centre, 118, Dehiwala Road, Boralesgamuwa 10290.

Owl on the Street

Rajitha Dissanayake’s play Bakamuna Weedi Basiy ( Owl on the street) will be screened at Lionel Wendt theatre at 7.00 p.m. from August 4,5 to 6 .

Owl on the street uses penetrating black humour to shake up society made dump, and reduced to apathy and inactivity by dominant ideologies.

As he did in previous plays Weeraya Merila, and Apahu Herenna Be, Dissanayake deals with contemporary socio-economic situations.

By using intelligent penetrating humour, the play pierces the façade of happiness maintained by a society that refuses to admit its incredible sadness. The Owl on the street reminds people that they can think and they must think.