‘Vadakkin Vasantham’ brings light to budding artistes

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

The entrance

(Above and below): Vasantham Waruka the welcome dance by students of Jaffna Ramachandran College

It was hard work that brought spring to the North. The effort was to bring equal place for the budding artistes of the Northern Province.

‘Northern Province Governor G.A. Chandrasiri warmly welcoming the guests at the occasion said the ‘Vadakkin Vasantham’ cultural show was a historical event. The majority of the participants belonged to the future generation and a few from the past. “The Government is committed in creating a new environment where the people would be able to pursue their own cultural values and traditions. To inspire the already depressed people” ‘Vaddakkin Vasantham’ cultural show was staged at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Hall, with the participation and guidance of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa along with Northern Province Governor G.A. Chandrasiri and other distinguished guests.

Meeting the young artistes, dancers, musicians and choreographers, was the best chance to get a glimpse of how the future would hold for the North and the East despite the bitter past.

“The Provincial Ministry of Education with its Secretary Illangovan organized this event and through coordination with all these districts selected the best artists of this area,’ S. Pathmanadan, the Event Coordinator from Jaffna said. Pathmandan greatly enjoyed working with the young as he is a Retired Principal of Palaly Teachers’ Training College. “I worked there from 1983 to 1999,’ Pathmanandan said proudly.

All were proud of their efforts. The event was mainly coordinated by the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils - sponsorship, media all had to be streamlined to make this an unforgettable evening. The aspiring youth, especially the younger generation showed views of a bright future as it was evident with the recent election results of the North and the East.

S. Pathmanadan, the Event Coordinator

The massive stage was set for over 500 artists from Jaffna, Vavuniya and Mannar. A beautiful world was created for these primary students, who were running around with great enthusiasm. The few days of hard work and rigorous training in their own township brought novelty to their lives.

Gayathri studied for her degree in fine arts in Trichi, India. She has studied for her Masters in Madras and for the Masters of Philosophy in Punjab for the past six years. After finishing her studies she has came back to Jaffna to start her own centre, Jathilayah Performance Arts. She hopes to become a visiting lecturer at the University of Jaffna. Strongly guided by her father, Fermious who is also a veteran artist.

Shashiharan

In her dance performance she would be depicting the good and bad sides of the five elements of the earth,” Fermious said explaining about his daughter’s achievements.

The event started with ‘Vasantha Nirthyam’ choreographed by Suriyalanie Weerasingham a mix dance of traditional Tamil, Sinhala folk dances. It said loud and clearly, “Spring comes to North, big relief to mind, let us rebuild what we lost,” through the gestures of students of the Nirthyan Nikethana of Vavuniya. “I have come to Colombo for several dancing competitions with my students several years ago but this event is extra ordinary. It is an over whelming experience for me and to my young students,” Suriyalanie said gleaming with happiness over this novel experience. Suriyalanie is the Principal of Madukanda National School in Vavuniya.

Suriyalanie Weerasingham with Kasthuri, Piyumi, Tharika and Jenandan

Jenandan, still waiting for his G.C.E. Ordinary Level results is one of the main dancers in Suriyalanie’s ‘Vasantha Nirthyam’.

“I’m studying in English medium in school and dancing is my hobby,” Jenandan said.

Studying Bharatha Natyam and Kandyan dancing for five years 13 year old Piyumi Krishanthi and Tharika Mihirangani added the beauty to the touch of Sri Lankan dance. “We like to dance, act and work together with our Tamil friends and we hope to continue with this peaceful situation,” the two aspiring young girls said.

Vasanthak Kavadi performed by students of Vembadi High School, Jaffna

“I made lot of friends within these few days with students of other two districts and we are very happy to be living in peace with everyone,’ said Kasthuri, a Tamil student of Suriyalanie, joining with her two friends Piyumi and Krishanthi.

Shashiharan from Mannar who performs in ‘Grammeya Wasantham’ said, “We must thank President Mahinda Rajapaksa for all his efforts to bring us peace.”

The entire event brought full of aspirations for these young ones.

Yet the future generation’s aspirations are not filled with terrorism or extremism. They just want to better their lives.

Yet with the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, which is solid and clear, the future of these young men and women would not be affected by evil elements. Let there lives be bright and colourful as depicted in ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ cultural show.

The difference causes a conflict. A vivid moment of Vannap Porvaigal by Kalanilaa Performance Arts, Vavuniya	The finale