Kala Pola 2009 kicks off on Jan. 25
by Ananda Kannangara
One of the most celebrated events in Sri Lanka's cultural calendar
the `Kala Pola 2009' will be held on Sunday, January 25 along the
pavement of Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7.
The `Kala Pola' which is annually conducted by the George Keyt
Foundation under the patronage of the John Keells Group will commence
from 10.00 a.m.
According to the organisers, this year's `Kala Pola' will feature
over 250 artists and sculptors who will be given the opportunity to
display their creative talents to local and foreign visitors.
President, George Keyt Foundation, Cedric de Silva at a media
briefing said the main objective of holding such an event was to help
our own artisans who need to display their works to a large number of
local and foreign buyers.
Director, John Keells Holdings, Sumithra Gunesekera said the
`Kala Pola' will give our local artists an opportunity to earn an
additional income while encouraging them to develop their inborn
talents.
"We believe that nurturing the art is essential to preserve the
society and therefore it is our responsibility to keep the local arts
alive,".
"Kala Pola" artist Sudath Abeysekera said the state patronage is
lacking for artists and sculptors whereas our own authorities give lots
of prominence to singers, film, teledrama and stage actors, musicians as
well as sportsmen and women.
He, made a humble request to state authorities to give the due
recognition to artists and sculptors as well like in other countries.
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