Meeyo Nathuwa Be at Borella

Meeyo Nathuwa Be, a hilarious drama written and directed by Keerthi K. Rathnayake, will be staged at the Namel Malini Punchi Theatre at Borella on July 29 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m.

The cast includes Ravindra Yasas, Madini Malwatte, Sudharshana Bandara, Keerthi K. Rathnayake, Mahesh Umagiliya, Ishara Wickramasinghe, Sumith Warnakula, Chamari Nisansala, Nayana Malithi, Ruvini Dilanthi, Devran Levera, Aruna Sri Kasun and Chanidu Theniya.

Suba saha Yasa comes to Negombo

Siman Nawagaththegama's Suba saha Yasa will be staged at the Negombo Town Hall on August 2 at 8 a.m. and 10.45 a.m.

The cast includes Sriyantha Mendis, Nihal Fernando, Kusum Renu, Samadara Ariyawansa, Kumara Thirimadura, Amaradasa Thalgahagoda, Wasantha Wittachci, Thiwanka Nayomi, Rathna D. Nambuge, Upul Mahanama, Premakumara Dassanayake, Sujeewa Priyalal, Nimal Jayasinghe and W. Namal.

Simple themes in 'Darkness into Light'

'Darkness into light' did not receive the heavy hype that it should have had. Simply because the artist Yasmin Buckman was too modest by nature to make the usual splash. The exhibition was held at the Sapumal Foundation and the 30 paintings reflected her penchant for abstract landscapes, animals and figures.

"From my school days I was interested in art and my teachers were Vinitha Fernando and Fareed Uduman. I learnt to select simple themes that will tug at the heartstrings of the viewer. I found that earthy colours especially raw amber expressed and aroused emotion.

"Apart from the conventional oil on canvas, I used acrylic on goat skin in the 'Flying Dove' and 'Mangrove' (Collage), acrylic on velvet in the painting of 'Refugee Girl'. Velvet brings out the light and dark effectively. For The 'Bold Horse' and 'Fish' I used acrylic on Bark Cloth. Most of all I consider my best art work the subject 'Darkness Into Light' for which I used the palette, this was an oil on canvas painting," said Yasmin Buchman.

Semage's Art Gallery open throughout the year

“A picture says a thousand words”. You will remember this well-known saying whenever you see a painting done by an artist. Arts and crafts, contemporary art, art exhibitions, art galleries and now even art fares are the related phenomena when we discuss art in our country. Here art galleries play a major role to promote art among the public and private art galleries are a common sight in the developed world.

There is such a private art gallery in Sri Lanka which is very popular among local and foreign art lovers. It is “Semage's Art Gallery” put up by “Kalasuri” Jayasiri Semage. It is at Lilian Avenue, Station Road, Mount Lavina.

It is on par with private art galleries found in Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, France, Italy and Germany. Jayasiri Semage who shot to fame from a humble newspaper illustrator to veteran painter has made it a point to display most of his acrylic, water colour and oil on canvas paintings at the art gallery.

The gallery is open throughout the year.

'The Father of Sri Lankan abstract art in retrospect'

Alliance française de Kandy will hold an exhibition of works (paintings and sculptures) by Dr. H.A. Karunaratne -'The Father of Sri Lankan abstract art in retrospect” from July 20 to 30.

The exceptional exhibition is presented by Mr. and Mrs. Shamil Peiris from selected works by the Artist in their collection. The chief guest at the opening ceremony on July 20 at 7 p.m .will be A. Natarajan, Assistant High Commissioner of India in Kandy.

Dr. H. A. Karunaratne is one of the most senior artists in the field of Visual Arts in Sri Lanka. Karunaratne’s formal academic art education begins at Govt. College of Fine Arts. In 1952-1958, he had trained under great art masters J. D. A. Perera, David Paynter and Stanley Abeysinghe.

H. A. Karunaratne won a scholarship from the Japanese Government in 1959.

In 1965 he won another Fullbright scholarship and studied in Pratt Institute in the USA on graphic art.

In 1962 he joined the Institute of Aesthetic Studies, Art and Sculpture Dept., University of Kelaniya and retired in 1986.

He held several exhibitions from 1956 nationally and internationally. His works are displayed in many galleries and private institutions. H. A. Karunaratne holds a doctorate from the University of the Visual and Performing Arts.

In February 2012 H.A. Karunaratne was recognised as an eminent and distinguished outstanding artist by the Ravaya Newspaper Group.

Weeraya Merila comes to Negombo

Rajitha Dissanayake's Weeraya Merila (The hero is dead) will be staged at the Negombo Town Hall on July 21 at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m.

The cast includes Priyankara Ratnayake, Dharmapriya Dias, Shyam Fernando, Prasad Sooriyarchchi, Dayadewa Edirisinghe, Sampath Jayaweera, Samadhi Laksiri, Gihan de Chickera, Dilini Sandeepika and Nalin Lusena.