Award-winning photographer marks golden jubilee

Many people in society are born with talents, but some others have no inborn talents. They learn things and for that they have to sacrifice their lives for a long period.

A felicitation ceremony to mark the 50th year of Henry Rajakaruna's photographic career will be held at the Mahaweli Centre Auditorium, Colombo 7 today at 10 a.m. under the patronage of Kelaniya University Photographic Society's Dr. Uditha Gunasekara and Jayantha Chandrasiri. A book containing the photographs of Henry Rajakaruna will also be released.

- AK

Samanalayaya goes to Dehiwala

Shedding light on the talents of the differently-abled young persons of Sunera workshops in various regions, the finals of the 'Samanalayana 2012' (Field of Butterflies) will be held at S.D.S. Jayasinghe Hall, Dehiwala on August 24 at 3.30 p.m.

Samanalayaya Drama Festival is the key event in the Sunera calendar, organised to showcase the creativity of Sunera participants from its workshops around the island.

The annual drama festival is gaining momentum every year as it becomes an event much looked forward to by the participants, their families and the public. As in every year, the regional performances of the Samanalayaya 2012 were held successfully where workshop participants had the opportunity to showcase their skills in dancing and drama to a public audience made up of their friends, family and the community from their locality.

The recently concluded 10 regional performances showcased the talents of over 1000 differently-abled participants from about 28 Sunera Foundation performing arts workshops spread across the country.

The regional performances were evaluated by a panel of jury and the best four plays were selected for the finals in Colombo.

Italian-Sri Lankan film festival

The Italian Sri Lankan Film Festival will be held in the third week of October in Colombo.

The festival will comprise screenings of Italian feature films and short films, and Sri Lankan feature films related to Italy and Sri Lankan short films. An important feature of the film festival is workshop Sri Lankan young filmmakers, especially for short filmmakers. The workshops will be conducted by Italian filmmakers. The objective of the film festival conducted by the Italian Embassy in Colombo is to encourage young Sri Lankan filmmakers. Sri Lankan filmmaker Boodee Keerthisena is coordinating the festival on behalf of the Italian Ambassador Fabricio Pio Arpea and the deputy of the mission Gianluca.Rubagotti.

'Beats of Heart' concert at Bishop's College

Popular singer Nirosha Virajini's music academy 'Beats of Heart' will hold its concert and graduation ceremony at the Bishop's College auditorium, Colombo 3 on September 2 at 6 p.m.

Forty students will participate in the concert.

'Life and Smile of Colour'

An exhibition of oil paintings and sculpture titled 'The Life and Smile of Colour' by Geetha Senewiratne which opened at the National Art Gallery, Colombo 7 yesterday will continue today and tomorrow from 9 am to 7 pm.

Educated at Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, Geetha started her painting career at the tender age of ten years, creating works of art was her childhood hobby which later turned out to be her occupation. She also does line drawings, sculpture, pottery, book illustrations and interior decor.

She held her first solo exhibition of paintings in 1973. Thereafter she held solo exhibitions in 1976, 1977, 1981, 1985, 1986 and 1988 at the Samudra Gallery, Lionel Wendt and the National Art Gallery. Geetha also held painting exhibitions in New Delhi, Osaka and Bulgaria.

- AK

Gamini to sing at Jothi's musical shows

Gamini Pathirana, a popular 'A' class Radio vocalist and music director has been invited for a series of musical shows in foreign countries.

On the invitation of expatriate Sinhala associations, Gamini Pathirana will leave the island on August 23 to participate in musical shows in Denmark, Malaysia and Brunei to commemorate the late popular singer H. R. Jothipala.