Cultural Diary

Launch of 'Asamath Rajje'

Kamal Perera's 'Asamath Rajje' and 'Thiranda Kadan' will be launched at the public library auditorium, Colombo 7 on Wednesday, October 28 at 3 pm. Transport Minister Dallas Alahapperuma will deliver a talk on 'Asamath Rajje' and Prof. S. Thillainadan will share his views about 'Thiranda Kadan'. Both books are Godage publications.

Expressions of rustic life

Priyanthi Perera

'Thambapanni' will be Priyanthi Perera's third art exhibition comprising paintings and artwork reflecting Buddhist philosophy and Sri Lankan rustic life. The exhibition will be held at the National Art Gallery on October 24 and 25 from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on both days. A former student of St.Clare's, Wellawatta, Priyanthi's interest and versatality in art saw her move into becoming a teacher of art in her school. Her strong belief in S. Mahinda Thera's verse

Thou art born to this world

To serve the nation

So why do thou hesitate

To do so.

inspired her to spread her talent to the young students of the school. "My oil paintings for this exhibition will reflect Buddhist philosophy portraying Prince Siddhartha, Vesak, Bhikkhuni, Kusa Pabawathi, Ambapali and such themes. The Sri Lankan rural life paintings of village homes, kiri mawa, eventide are some of the many themes chosen by me", reveals Priyanthi who is also highly talented in creating unique handicraft uses basic materials, such as sand paper, fabric, padding, leaves and arecanut husks portraying traditional aspects of Sri Lankan life, which will be displayed at the exhibition. Her talent in art has passed on to her daughter Prashanthi Sulakshana Perera a Grade 7 student of St. Lawrence's School Colombo who will also be exhibiting some of her paintings at this exhibition.

Exhibition of photographs

The 37th annual exhibition of photographs by The National Photographic Society of Sri Lanka will be held on November 23 at 4.30 p.m. at National Arts Gallary, Colombo 7.

'Sundara saha Sobani'

R.R. Samarakoon's latest adolescent novel, 'Sundara saha Sobani' will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall, Ven. S. Mahinda Mawatha, Colombo 10 on Tuesday, October 27 at 10 a.m.

Samarakoon is an award-winning author who wrote several other novels such as 'Ge Kurullo', 'Sanda Eliya Kaluvarai', 'Akalanka', 'Loku Akka' and 'Sundara'. He also scripted 'Kelani Palama', 'Ahasin Vetuna Minissu' and 'Kaputu Bo' for the stage.

'Sundara saha Sobani' is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.

"Balloth Ekka Be" at YMBA, Borella

Two special shows of the hilarious comedy Balloth Ekka Be written and directed by Ravindra Ariyarathna will be staged at the Borella YMBA today (Sunday) at 6.30 p.m.

Dham Nalu Rasa

A religious cum cultural event "Dham Nalu Rasa" directed by Ravibandy Vidyapathy will be held, as part of the thirty year celebration of Dharmavijaya Foundation, at Kularatne Hall in Ananda College Maradana on November 1 .

I, You and We

An exhibition of Sculptures titled "I, You & We" by Manoranjana Herath willbe held at Barefoot Gallery from October 20 to November 1, 2009.

Festival to mark 7th birthday of Namel Malini Punchi Theatre

A series of events including staging of drama, music shows have been organised to celebrate the 7th anniversary of Namel Malini Punchi Theatre in Borella. The celebration include Musical Show (October 22) by Rohana Shantha Bulegoda, Ananda Senarathne and Priyanwada Madhubhashini, Namel Weeramuni's Nattukkari at 6.30 p.m. on October 23, screening of award winning 12 short films of the young generation and Asithi Ameresekera's short film 'Erase" (free of charge) on October 24, B.A.W Jayamanne's " Kapati Arakshakaya' at 10.30 a.m. ( October 25) , Sirisena Wimalaweera's " Dingiri Menika" at 2.30 p.m. (October 25), Titus Thotawatte's "Hara Lakshaya" at 6 p.m. ( October 25) and Seminar on ' Why we go to theatre " at 2.30 p.m. on October 25. Premasiri Khemadasa's Opera "Agni" will go onboard on October 26.

A Tamil play -Prahanjan's "Muttai" directed by Kumar and presented by Krishna Kalayathanaya will be staged at 6.30 p.m. at Punchi Theatre free of charge.

On October 28, Local and international award winning documentaries will be screened at 6.30 p.m (free event) and the celebration concludes with the staging of Tennessee Williams' " The Outcry" with Mark Hager and Hashini Somawardene at 7.00 p.m. on October 29. The play was directed by Namel Weeramuni.

Hindi hits of yesteryear

Six melodious Hindi hits of yesteryear were launched by Vijitha Rohana Enterprises of Super Market, Nugegoda recently.

Songs sung by stalwarts of the Indian music scene such as Mukesh, Mohammed Raffi, Mannade, Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor, Thalath Mahmud, Latha Mangeshkar and Asha Bonsle to all time favourite films like Geeth, Abhiman, Ek Pool Do Mali, Pardeshi, Madumathi and Aaradana have been compiled in this collection.