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| Sunday, 27 October 2002 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Homeless in paradise "Once upon a time, these lush green plains were full of life. A place where man and beast shared the land, feasting from its bounty. The plains were the kingdom of the majestic bison, which was respected as the source of life and food for our forefathers. Today, the bison are but a few, and our forefathers - no more!" This seems to be what the present day Red Indian community of what we now know as America might seem to think, if they were to gaze into the horizon of the haunting plains where man and beast once lived in co-existence. This could even become the story of the majestic Sri Lankan Elephant one day. Homeless in paradise, a painting exhibition by Nirmala de Alwis represents a familiar story as seen through her eyes. This is the sad story of the Sri Lankan elephant. How long before our elephant becomes a story or even a myth of a bygone era? The wild elephant is just one animal that is facing the danger of extinction. There are more. I'm sure not many would have the fortune of seeing a rusty spotted cat, a beautiful loris or even an innocent hare in the wild" says de Alwis. Throughout our history, elephants have fought battles being a vital part of religious festivals and added colour to our culture. They have been very much a part of our history, but look at their plight today. Elephants were always respected and protected by our forefathers, but now they are put down as if they are a menace that has to be dealt with. "What makes this island a paradise in the first place is the fact that it has so much diversity, and the animal kingdom is diversity. We must take those first steps to protect the greatest asset in it, that is facing its darkest destiny, lost and confused in this blissful land of ours," she says with real heartfelt emotion. The exhibition will be open to the public on November 2 and 3 from 10 am to 7 pm at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery. *************************** Rukmani Devi memorial concert Rukmani Devi Swarna Gee, a musical concert to commemorate the 24th death anniversary of the late popular actress and versatile singer Rukmani Devi will be held today (27) at 6.30 pm at Lumbini Theatre, Colombo. Up and coming artiste Sriyani Dissanayake along with Ishak Beg, W. Premarathne, Suneth Walpola, Uresha Ravihari, Ranil Mallawarchchi and Priyantha Fernando will perform at the concert. Music is by Ernest Soysa and the show will be compered by Hemasiri Halpita. This concert to commemorate Rukmani Devi is in aid of the welfare society of Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Urban Council organised by the Sri Narthana Kalayathanaya. (A.G.) *************************** Young German pianist performs with sextet The Florian Ross Sextet comprising two tenor saxes, trumpet, acoustic bass, percussion and with the leader playing piano will give a jazz concert at the Hilton Colombo on Tuesday, October 29 at 7 pm. The concert a presentation of the Geothe Institut, Colombo is the first of two jazz concerts that will be staged this season by the Institut. Pianist Florian Ross' knowledge and versatility in jazz, according to critics, is extremely wide considering his age - a young thirty years. His music radiates warm colours and elegance and his technique of his left hand synchronizing with the acoustic bass lends a beautiful rhythm to his expressions. A winner of the Thad Jones Competition of the Danish Radio big band in 2000, Florian Ross has written music for the Metropole Orchestra, the Vancouver Jazz Orchestra, Joe Lovano and the Irish Radio Symphony. At present he heads the jazz department at Johannes - Gutenberg - Universitat in Mainz. *************************** One man exhibition by Segar Segar, Sri Lanka's contemporary impressionist artist who has pinned his paintings in art galleries around the world is holding his twenty fourth 'one man exhibition' at the Bishop's College auditorium on November 4 and 5. On display will be many of his well known drawings among which are the 'Tea Plucker', 'The White Robe', 'The Confused Composer', 'Ploughing', 'Woman with a Lamp' as well as religious paintings for which Segar is acclaimed for. According to a critic the artist has over the years matured though still rather irrepressible and modest about his abilities and achievements. Segar has always shown a keen awareness of social issues and this is reflected in his paintings on display, and is well known for his admirable explorative attempts in this field. *************************** Sanda Sisilai by Anjana Gamage Completing thirty years in the field of music is a milestone and Presidential award wining musician Sarath Wickrama will be in concert to celebrate the event. Sanda Sisilai will be held on October 30 at 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm, at the Elphinstone Theatre. Sarath who began his music career as a play-back artist with the Fortunes, later contributed his talent towards many tele-dramas and films. He won the best music award at the Presidential Film Awards in 1998 for the film "Ragini". "I have created a symphony using the Gajaga Vannama, Onchili Varam and Daru Nalavili Gee. Along with this creation I would like to present four original songs done for my new CD. My main aim is to do the final recording in India and to launch it there. But since the cost is high I am presenting this musical show - "Sanda Sisilai" to raise some funds" says Wickrama. *************************** Felicitation ceremony by ANTON NONIS A ceremony to felicitate the well known artiste, Melroy Dharmaratne, who has contributed much to the music industry for over a period of 35 years, has been organised at the Colombo Public Library on November 1 at 4 p.m. Well known mediaman, Dharmasiri Gamage, will be the guest of honour at the occasion. The event titled `Three Decades of Hit Songs, will feature the release of two cassettes and compact discs which include songs such as Gangawai Mahamuhudai, Mal Ethano, Punchi Punchi Tharaka, Mai Gaha Yata, and also Christmas melodies like the Punchi Huratala, Bethlehempure and many more, together with one of his latest novels titled, Aadara Devola. A host of top rung singers will pay their special tribute by singing Melroy Dharmaratne's hit songs. |
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