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| Saturday, 8 February 2003 |
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Chitrasena Kalayathanaya Aeshie, who delivered the vote of thanks at a felicitation ceremony held in honour of dance maestro Chitrasena on his 81st birthday, broke down halfway choked with emotion.
The audience at the BMICH Committee Room B which comprised a select band of intellectuals, fond of the arts, were visibly moved by this experience. Among them were Dr. Sunil Kothari from India who delivered the keynote address and Prof. Carlo Fonseka. Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne delivered special lectures. Aeshie is the grand daughter of Chitrasena. She had every reason to weep when she reminisced on the Chitrasena School of Ballet (Kalayatanaya) which her grandfather and grandmother had built up through hard work. The Chitrasena Kalayatanaya had been the centre of new forms of arts and culture from the 1940s to the 70s. It began in a rented house gifted by philanthropist Sir E. P. A. Fernando. The Kalayatanaya building situated a few yards away from Kollupitiya junction had been the oasis of contemporary innovators who searched for new vistas in the aesthetic field. Chitrasena and Vajira introduced a new creative dance form based on indigenous dance to these young artistes. The Kalayatanaya had been frequented by renowned personalities like Ananda Samarakoon, Sunil Shantha, W. D. Amaradeva and Somabandu Vidyapathi. It had been a source from which famed ballets like 'Karadiya', 'Nala Damayanthi' and 'Kinkini Kolama' and musical creations like 'Etha Kandukara' and the National Anthem were born.
Chitrasena and Vajira represented Sri Lanka as Cultural Ambassadors taking their Ballet ensemble to all parts of the world for special performances. In the mid 1980s, like a bolt from the blues, the Chitrasena family and the country at large were deprived of this Kalayatanaya in a cruel and inhuman manner. The Sunday Island of 27th January had this to say about the tragic loss of the Chitrasena Kalayatanaya under the heading 'Why did they destroy Chitrasena's house ?'. If it was anywhere else in the world they would never have destroyed Chitrasena's house. It was a monastery (Kala Ashram) where pioneers of the stage, music, dance and art sectors met for almost 40 years. Seventy year old Chitrasena may be our only link between two epochs, namely the period of direct British rule and the period during which our indigenous culture were subjected to the colonial mentality. However much we boast about our ancient splendour we are a nation which does not honour and respect history properly. If not we would never have flattened Chitrasena's house. Two years later an article in the same paper under the pseudonym 'H.G.R.' stated thus - What happened to Chitrasena Kalayatanaya? Forty years means a long period. During this period the house has changed hands several times. A malicious conspiracy made Chitrasena quit. Threatening acquisition, government representatives gave Chitrasena 48 hours to leave. The UDA threatened to acquire the house. He was unmoved. There was harassment. The water supply was disconnected. The shed with a thatched roof which served as the open air theatre where a 'kankariya' had been held the previous day mysteriously caught fire. The fire spread menacingly towards the side of the house. Chitrasena's car which was parked inside the shed was a burnt wreck. All hell broke loose. Chitrasena carried his mother, who was paralysed, in his arms to safety. Finally the house had been sold behind his back. Chitrasena was paid compensation and had to leave. Another article referring to this tragedy said Chitrasena was deprived of not only the home but his soul. Chitrasena and his troupe was stranded in the cultural wilderness. Nearly 20 years have lapsed since this cruel experience. Chitrasena, Vajira and their talented family held their school together by conducting classes at several venues. But they did not get a venerable home (kalayatanaya) again. Five years ago President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga donated a plot of land situated at Park Road, Colombo to them. During her youth President Kumaratunga had learnt ballet dancing at the Chitrasena Kalayatanaya. Now an effort is being made to build a new Kalayatanaya on this plot of land. Building a new Kalayatanaya is a herculean task which would involve an expenditure of at least Rs. 10 million. The foundation solicits generous contributions from arts enthusiasts and the public to accomplish this task. The loss of the Chitrasena Kalayatanaya is a national tragedy. Many tears like those shed during the felicitation ceremony would have flowed down the cheeks of arts enthusiasts over the years. It is now high time to recompense for those tears. From an article by Bandula Padmakumara published in the "Silumina". ################# The Guru at Majestic Cinema An exuberantly comic tale of clashing cultures " The Guru " will be screened at the Majestic Colombo and Regal Kandy from next week.
But good fortune can arise from strange places as the hero, Ramu Gupta(Jim Mistry) discovers when a catering gig at a Socialite's (Marisa Tomei) birthday party catapults him into an extravagant version of the American society.Mistaken for a spiritual healer, Ramu becomes an overnight celebrity with the city's elite hanging onto his every word - no matter how absurd. The trouble is, he is also falling in love with one woman (Heather Graham) who knows the real source of ihs seemingly profound insights. Now, Ramu must choose between his newfound notoriety and his love for a woman who accepts him as he is. This romantic comedy is directed by Daisy von Scherler Mayer (Party Girl, Madeline) from a screenplay by Tracey Jackson. ################# A Netherlands film to mark Valentine's Day " I love You Too," a Netherlands film will commence screening in the town from February 14. Presented by the Winson Films, this 97 minutes long colour film will be the first Netherlands film to be screened in Sri Lanka on a commercial basis. Directed by Ruud van Hemert " I love You Too " was screened at the Netherlands Film Festival held in Sri Lanka last year. The cast comprises Antonie Kamerling, Angela Schijf and Beau van Erven Dorens. Distributed by the CEL Circuit, the film will be first screened at the New Olympia. |
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Produced by Lake House |
The film revolves round an Indian dance teacher in Delhi who embarks
for New York City in pursuit of fame and fortune - only to wind up working
as a waiter in an Indian restaurant.
