Ranga Madhura

Sandhya Bamunawita's Ranga Madhura will be staged at Bishop's College auditorium, Colombo 3 on October 22 at 6.30 p.m. It marks the 40th anniversary of her Arangetram.

Sandhya Bamunuwita, an exponent of Bharata Natya commenced her preliminary training in dancing as a student of Visakha Vidyalaya, at the tender age of seven years. She held her Arengetram under the late Kamala Jayathilake, when she was 11 years old. Thereafter she was trained by Miranda Hemalatha, former Director of Aesthetic Education.

Sandhya has held many public performances in aid of Preethipura Homes, Leprocy Hospital and Sri Lanka Council for the Blind.She established Ranga Udanashramaya in 1981 where she imparts her knowledge and experience in dance.

Seventeen of her students have held their Arangetram.

Arthi Rathi

Arthi Rathi (Bhava-Vibhava), a film directed and produced by Alfred F. Seneviratne will be premiered at the National Film Corporation cinema, Tharangani shortly. The proceeds from the first two weeks of public screening will be in aid of the Ranaviru fund. The film will be shown in Canada, USA, UK and Australia.

Arthi Rathi gives a deeper meaning in many interpretations. The film is based on the theme of (sexual) desire that arises with lust and subsides when the need is fulfilled. The story is woven around a bhikkhu who leaves the temple to serve his country as a soldier. The focal point of the story is that he comes across a widow who he befriends and eventually falls in love with her. When the widow's daughter finds out the affair, he realises the gravity of his mistake and leaves his new found life and takes on the robes to follow Buddha's footprints. The film explores in depth emotional struggle, lust and self - realisation.

Alfred Seneviratne is a graduate of Toronto International Film School in Canada. This is his first production released by his own company.

Children's Day and the Shankar's International Children's Competition

A painting, drawing and writing competition for children organised by the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC), Colombo to mark the Children's Day, which falls on November 14 every year, coinciding with the birthday of Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, will be held on November 12 from 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m at J.D.A.Perera Gallery, 46 Horton Place, Colombo 07.

Children who are interested in participating may register their names with the Centre (Tel. 011-2684698, Telefax 2684697, e-mail [email protected]) and are requested to come to the gallery at 9.30 am on November 12. The entries done by children on that day would be sent to New Delhi for the Shankar's International Children's Competition 2012.

The Child

The Child, a film directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (2005) French /English subtitles will be screened on October 22 at 3.30 pm at Alliance Francaise de Kandy.

A return to Sri Lanka

The British Library/British Council exhibition entitled 'A return to Sri Lanka' , will be held at the Kandy City Centre (opposite Mobitel) from October 24 to November 6.