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| Sunday, 21 November 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Splendour Through the Lenses
The exhibition will be opened by Dr. D. S. A. Wijesundera, Director, Royal Botanical Gardens Peradeniya at 6.30 p.m. on November 19. Art educationist and eminent photographer Bulathgama, who hails from Ratnapura has worked at the Times of Ceylon Group of Newspapers and the Independent Newspapers Group as a Press Photographer and a provincial correspondent. The articles and photographs he contributed were mostly on themes connected with culture and Buddhist activities. His love for photography surfaced while a student which led him to form a Photographic Society at Sevali College Ratnapura.
Since 1967 Ananda has been registered as a photographer for Ceylon Tourist Board. Sinhala and Buddhist Encyclopedia and publications of the Ministry of Buddhist affairs have chosen Ananda's creative photographs to enrich their publications. He was also responsible for organising the 'Buddhist Heritage' Exhibition in collaboration with the National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka to mark the ceremonial opening of the New Wing of the Dalada Maligawa when H. B. Uduravana was functioning as Diyawadana Nilame. ################ As I see It lecture series : In the Beginning was the Word Well known film and literary personality Tissa Abeysekera will address the public in the 'As I See It' lecture series organised by the Trustees of the Lionel Wendt Theatre. The title of his talk is 'In the Beginning was the Word - then came the Image.' He believes that 'the word either written or spoken has been man's primary instrument of communication, whether it is for exchange of ideas, expressing our feelings and storing or imparting or receiving knowledge. However, with the birth of the moving image the advent of television, the internet and transborder satellite communications, the hegemony of the word is being challenged'. Abeysekara is a distinguished writer having won the prestigious Gratiaen Prize for his novel 'Bringing Tony Home' in 1997, and has recently published another bestseller 'In my Kingdom of the Sun and the Holy Peak'. He has also published several books in Sinhalese. In addition, he is also well known in the world of film and television, and is currently the Director of the Sri Lanka Television Training Institute in colombo. The 'As I see It' lecture series was begun a few months ago and has had eminent citizens such as the Rev. Fr. Mervyn Fernando and Sarath Fernando as its earlier speakers. The subject matter of these lectures are topical and relevant to the people of Sri Lanka, and have drawn much interest from the public. Tissa Abeysekera's talk will be held at the Harold Peiris Gallery, Lionel Wendt Theatre (upstairs), on Monday, November 22, at 6 pm. All are welcome. ################ Ultimate musical experience November 24 and 25. The concerts to be held at the Galadari Hotel The EUCO gave its first concerts in 1981 and has since gained a worldwide reputation as a musical ambassador for the European union. The Orchestra performed in Sri Lanka in 2001 and 2002. The EUCO's visit to Sri Lanka is organised and sponsored by the European Commission, Galadari Hotel and Jetwing Travels. Tickets for both performances are now on sale at the Galadari Hotel. ################ Critic's corner A royal performance Royal College, Colombo has come a long way towards a National Musical tradition, as evidenced when East and West SAGA was staged at the BMICH on November 4.
The hard work put in by the modest Music Director Visharad Asoka Pushpakumara had gained fruition as was evidenced in the well conducted show. Apparently every instrumentalist was trained by him and it bore evidence to the wealth of talent in the school. The selection of songs were appropriate and pleasing to the ear. The sound technician could have done better had the orchestration not drowned the voices. The programme opened with a Sarasavi Pooja and a playlet choreographed by Mrs. L.D. Samaranayake, where the dresses and decor were reminiscent of a theatrical production at Convent Garden in London. The many actresses were, I am told, boys of the school draped in rich attire. The stage lighting was appropriate and the back stage drops were exquisitly painted. I felt the smoke machine could have been used much less as it made the scenes look gloomy. Another playlet 'Re Chat' was appreciated with great applause from the junior school. The surprising package of National Dances and singing from our Colombo School was exquisite. Credit for training these youngsters goes very much to the teachers responsible. The attire and colour of the costumes added extravagance to the whole show. These dances from a Premier Colombo school equalled the dancing capabilities of outstation schools who are more adept at traditional dance forms. Colombo or not, Royal have set a very high standed at this show, which is a spur to reactivate the 'Performing Arts' among all island schools. A programme of four hour duration kept the audience on their toes and I am sure everyone went home very proud of the children's performances. - Dr. Mahinda Tennekoon ################ Colombo Trio in concert An evening of enjoyable and emotionally stirring music will be performed at 7.00 pm on November 28 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre, by three well known artistes of classical music. The event is organised by Goethe Institut, Colombo.
A wide range of interesting and unusual works covering Baroque to Modern periods by Beethoven, Brahms and Fanny Mendelssohn, will be performed as solos and trios. A modern composition by Hans Werner Henze will also be performed for the first time in Sri Lanka for this special evening. Ananda, Ramya and Dushy are active members of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka. Just last month the audience was treated to the Brahm's Double concerto, with Ananda and Dushy featured as soloists with the orchestra. As individuals they have excelled in their respective instruments and gained top level standing, a precondition for outstanding chamber music performances. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Alliance francaise de Kandy will hold 'Splendour Through the Lenses' an
exhibition of selected works of eminent photographer Ananda Bulathgama
from November 19 to 26 at its Gallery, No. 642, Peradeniya Road, Kandy.
He has won many awards and certificates of commendation for his
visually stimulating creative photographs submitted for Photographic
Exhibitions, organised by Ceylon Tourist Board and Provincial Photographic
Associations.
and
Bishop's College Auditorium respectively includes music from Mozart, Bach,
Haydn, Telemann, Albinoni, Nielsen and Dvorak. Guest Director of the EUCO
will be Mark Gothoni who will also perform solo on violin. Other soloists
include Mark Paine and Samuele Bertocci on horns and Jesus Garrigues and
Arco van Zon on oboes.
This performance had the semblance of a professional outfit. The songs
of Mega artists like Rohana Weerasinghe, Edward Jayakody, Nirosha Virajini,
Nelu Adikari were backed by the College Orchestra.
This piano trio consists of Ananda Dabare (Violin) Ramya de Livera
Perera (Piano) and Dushy Perera (Cello). They came together in 1993 and
have performed frequently covering wide repertoire for piano trio and
other combinations. In 2002 they performed Beethoven's popular Triple
Concerto with the Symphony Orchestra which was a great success.
