Performance by Prabhu Amar Priyo

Performances by Prabhu Amar Priyo Amar, a combination of Manipuri and Kathak dance forms, organised by Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo will be held in Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Jaffna from November 22 to 28.

The performance in Colombo will be held at 6.30 p.m. at the Bishops College Auditorium, Perahera Mw., Colombo 03 on November 22. The performances will be held to mark the 150 th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.

Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore had a fairly strong association with Sri Lanka and his three visits to Sri Lanka in 1922, 1928 and 1934, left an abiding imprint. His last visit in 1934 was perhaps the one which left the deepest impact.

Apart from laying the foundation of Sripalee ("Where beauty reigns') in Horona, Tagore also presented a dance drama Shaapmochan, in Colombo in which he himself played a role. The dance-drama was so popular that it was extended to three performances in Colombo, and another three performances in Jaffna. The Ceylon Press in May 1934 had acclaimed Shaap Mochan (Redemption) as "a feast of dance and song and music" and "Greatest within Living Memory" and there was a review of the play in Daily News by S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, who was to become the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka later.

"Shaapmochan" is being re-staged in Sri Lanka by Indian Council of Cultural relations (ICCR) sponsored troupe of Ashimbandhu Bhattacharjee and Bimbavati under the title Prabhu Amar Priyo Amar as part of its celebrations for the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore.

This play has a historical and cultural relevance to Sri Lanka because Tagore, with his presence, speeches and performance of Shaap Mochan, could generate a cultural revival in Sri Lanka.

The personality of Tagore, as well as his musical and theoretical ideas, influenced the intelligentsia of Sri Lanka, leading to a number of artists later going to Santiniketan and returning to make a deep impact on the cultural scene after imbibing the great Indian tradition.

Tagore's visits and his extensive interactions with artists and literary personalities of Sri Lanka indeed significantly contributed to the country's cultural resurgence, inspiring artistes, dancers, and singers to develop their genres to classical forms.

Prominent Sri Lankan artists such as Ananda Samarakoon, Chitrasena and Sunil Shantha attended Visva-Bharati University, and they were greatly influenced by their association with Tagore. On the other hand, Tagore was himself impressed by Kandyan dance and mask dance of Sri Lanka; and it is said that he adapted some elements of those dances in his later choreographic productions.

Ashimbandhu Bhattacharjee was initiated into the world of dance and music at a very tender age.

Lecture on 'Social Realism in Literature'

A lecture entitled 'Social Realism in Literature' will be delivered by Madeleine Wightman on October 24, at 5:30 p.m. at the ICES Auditorium, 2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8.

Madeleine Wightman has a Master's Degree in French and Hispanic Studies from Aberdeen University in Scotland. Her thesis was "Politics and Popular Culture in Modern Latin American Fiction". Having returned from a study period in Mexico, and whilst, studying for the Masters, she tutored undergraduate students in the analysis of Literature and Film.

Madeleine also writes for the Guardian (UK) and has a regular column in the Sunday Observer (Montage) section on literature and film. She continues to have a keen interest in literary movements from a variety of different countries and eras.

The Shankar's International Children's Competition

The Shankar's International Children's Competition, 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 and 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 the Indian Cultural Centre, 16/2 Gregory's Road, Colombo 07.

Ahasai Oba Mata

Newton Gunasekara's Sinhala novel Ahasai Oba Mata (latest edition) was relaunched at Dayawansa Jayakody Bookshop, Colombo10 recently.

Gunasekara is the author of Dada Keliya, Maru Katharaka Upan Puthe, Ran Kenden Banda, Sakura Malak, Miringu Nadiya, Sandagiri Arana, Sara Saha Suba and Pavanak Vee Ennam.

Ahasai Oba Mata is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.

'Seventieth' art exhibition at Lionel Wendt

M. Chandrapala's 15th solo art exhibition entitled 'Seventieth' will be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7 from October 28 to 30.

The exhibition will be opened by Prof. Albert Dharmasiri on October 28 at 3.30 p.m.

Deyyoth Danne ne

Deyyoth Danne ne, the comedy featuring Wijaya Nandasiri and directed by Sarath Kulanga will be staged at the Lumbini theatre Colombo 5 on October 25 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m.

The cast includes Wijaya Nandasiri, Sarath Kulanga, Kumara Thirimadura, Ananda Athukorala, Sadda Uthpalakandage, Thushari Gunarathne, Tharaka Upendra, Bandula Fonseka, Sudarshana Krishantha and Duminda Sandaruwan.

Easy Grammar

A. H. Lakmali Dias launched her Easy Grammar for grade 3 recently.

The author is an English teacher at Good Shepherd's Convent, Kotahena.In 30 lessons the book covers core skills in grammar, speech, reading, writing and spelling of English.

Easy Grammar is a Susara publication.

[BOOK LAUNCH]

Sasara Serisara

Thilaka Kudahetti's latest book Sasara Serisara will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Bookshop, Colombo 10 on October 25 at 10 a.m.

Kudahetti is the author of Raga Viraga, Kulagei Vilanguva, Durga Tharanaya, Neela Desa Pura, Sansara Bandana, Bharatha Yogin saha Isivarayin Samaga, Piramida Bhuthayin Egyptu Sannasin ha Manthrakaruvan Samaga and Ajan Cha Hamuduruvo.

Sasara Serisara is the Sinhala translation of Dr. Brian Weiss's Only Love is real. It is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.