Variety

Satravindu Students’ Literary Festival:

Going from strength to strength

Today most eyes are focused on the mechanism of making money. They are too poor to give even a bit of water to quench the thirst for art in their hearts. Their golden time is wasted. Some don’t even know what literature is.

A maximum of 720 hours was named as the literary month to make such people aware of literature. Many literature-friendly people do their best to help those who are not familiar with the subject. They gain only the self-satisfaction of making literature more colourful.

A lub-dub sound of literature was emitted from a reputable school in Polgolla - Shastraravinda Piriven Vidyayathanaya. It was in the form of a students’ literary festival titled ‘Satravindu’. This has laid a strong foundation for students to build up on their knowledge and talents in literature.

When ‘literature’ felt the need to stand up in this school the first brick was laid by the Parivenadhipathi of the school, the Most Venerable Rambukwelle Pannasara Thera and a small group of teachers, in September 2006.

Their aim was to make the students aware of the value of literature. In the beginning they held an art exhibition, a book exhibition and many literary competitions for students, rewarding and honouring the winners with certificates and prizes.

The Satravindu Literary Festival 2007 was more advanced. There were many exhibition halls organised by the school’s students in conjunction with external companies and departments. In 2008, all the sections of Vidyayathanaya extended their cooperation to make the exhibition even more colourful.

However, it seemed as though the evil eye had fallen upon the school, because on December 1, 2008, the Parivenadhipathi , Most Venerable Pannasara Thera bade goodbye, completing the final step in the cycle of life.

The institution got a new life with the appointment of the new Parivenadhipathi Venerable Dunukedeniye Kusala Thera. Everybody got together and carried out their duties and responsibilities well, more than they did before, to honour the late Parivenadhipathi who dedicated so much to encourage the literary talents of students.

Under the guidance and advice of the new Principal Thera, Satravindu, the literary festival was organised and revived. A special committee too was appointed for literature.

There were many special events presented by the Shastraravinda students during the past five years. “Siwuraka Waruna” which was presented by the bhikkhus of the evening school, and explained how significant the preparation of the robe was. There was also a newspaper exhibition where very old newspapers from ancient times of Sri Lanka were on display. During some years, renowned people in literature, such as artistes and professors were invited to conduct programmes for students. Every exhibition and event held was of great significance to the students of he institution, because they learnt something new from them.

This year, September 29 to October 1 was named as the Satravindu-students’ Literary Festival 2011. Everyone in the institution prepared for it with great enthusiasm. They were all like bees in a hive. Once again, another chance to show their colours (on the basis of their talents), in the field of literature had come their way.

All the exhibition halls were very creative and educational. The Astro presented by the English medium unit enlightened the public about the mysteries of the universe.

The exhibition halls on rocks by the Art section and herbals by the Ayurvedic section were mind boggling.

A visit to the e-Commerce exhibition hall showed the visitors how far technology had developed for the well-being of the business world. The beauty of science was highlighted by the hall presented by the Science section.

Nobody could beat the exhibition hall presented by the evening school bhikkhuss. They exhibited how Prince Siddhartha made his body to suffer, through self motification, which in Pali is known as Aththakilamathanu Yoga, on the way to the great Enlightenment.

It was awarded ‘the best exhibition hall’, title by the votes of the audience. The art exhibition of the students transported everyone to another world. The Agricultural Department’s exhibition hall proved highly beneficial to most visitors as they displayed new technology used in the field.

An award ceremony for the winners of literary competitions was held with special guests invited for the occasion.

With this the literary festival came to an end. But the impact it made on the students of Shastraravinda institute will last for a long time. Everybody is looking forward to Satravindu 2012.

Today a huge building housing a great institute stands proudly, thanks to the first brick laid by a dedicated person. The people who become future custodians have not only to improve its facilities but also keep the institute alive, forever.

Then all of us can spend our time under the shadow of it, and enjoy the beauty of literature.

P. P. H. S. M. Priyankara,
Grade12ES.
Shastraravinda Piriven
Vidyayathanaya,
Polgolla.

Children’s teledrama producer bags prestigious Bunka Award

Nalaka Swarnatilleke the creator of highly popular children’s stage and teledramas Dangamalla, Anne and Mama Wenama Malak received the Bunka cultural award for his unique talent and contribution in promoting children’s drama via the tri mediums stage, television and radio.

Nalaka began children’s creations from his days at Lakhanda radio in 1999. His first work was a programme based on an adaptation of a Japanese children’s novel. Then came his most popular creation Dangamalla in 2000 which was initially a radio drama.

Dangamalla stage drama won him many awards at the State Children’s Drama Festival in 2003.

became a TV sequel in 2006 and was enjoyed by children as well as adults leaving the characters in the drama still fresh in their memories. The Dangamalla teledrama too won him an award at the State Tele Awards.

His latest creation Mama Wenama Malak stage drama which won the best actress and best supporting actress awards at the State Children’s Drama Festival this year, is successfully staged in theatres islandwide.

For over 17 years the Japan–Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund has presented Bunka annual awards to organisations and individuals on the basis of their outstanding and ongoing creative activity in culture and arts.

In addition to his work in promoting children’s drama, Nalaka opened a performing Art Academy recently with a view to giving aspiring children, future singers, dancers and performers an opportunity to develop their talents.

- Manjula Fernando