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| Saturday, 16 August 2003 |
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"Painted Garden" The Gallery in the hills
Their Daughter felt that the collection deserved to be exhibited and opened "The Painted Garden", the gallery in the hills of Kandy.
One can spend hours reading the comprehensive collection of art books ranging from the Old Masters to Folk Art, from the Classical to the Avant-garde. It is truly a treat to both mind and soul.
It offers an opportunity to experience local life with home cooked food both Sri Lankan and Western. One of its unique advantages is it's proximity to the Hantana Forest with it's lush vegetation. Forest bordering walks with birdsong in the background is an added attraction.Located just 2.5 k.m. from Kandy town "The Painted Garden" is an ideal base to explore the delights of Kandy and its many charms or as a convenient stopover on your way to the Ancient Cities or to cooler climes of the Central Hills. Further information on The Painted Garden can be obtained from [email protected] or [email protected]. ######### Rhythms of Serendipity by Prasad Abu Bakr
Sri Lanka has worked itself up to being a number one tourist destinations over the years, but beside planning elaborate sight seeing tours to the visitors we have actually never set our minds on showing them the magnificent cultural heritage we possess, in the field of performing arts which is widely accepted as good enough to stand up against any other from our neighbouring countries. In this aspect The Ministry of Cultural Affairs together with Sri Lanka Tourism has come up with a concept to promote in form of entertainment our own song, music and dance on a regular basis to travellers arriving in the country. The programme which was inaugurated in June at the Elphinston Theatre in the presence of a distinguished gathering is already being highly acclaimed within the travel circles. Eventhough a large number of traditional dances representing different regions and the multi-ethnic races in the country are in existence they have been recently reduced to appearing only at annual Peraheras held by Temples and a few cultural pageants that travel overseas. Some of these dances, especially the low country dance forms which are necessarily connected to various rituals widespread in the past, were performed not necessarily to entertain but to cure various illnesses especially of a contagious nature. Through `Rhythms of Serendipity', this once a month event, most of these dances and rhythms connected to them, featuring extensive drumming methods and various other dance forms will be exposed to the visiting tourists on a regular basis, which were otherwise only seen at long intervals through events organised by tourist hotels. With a view of showcasing different aspects of our cultural activities, the programme is enhanced by a Puppetry performed by leading artistes alongside other performances. Exposing tourist to a country's heritage and the historical aspect to its performing arts has been an important piece of itinerary the world over, it is refreshing to note that we have woken up to this fact eventhough in a later stage with the wide participation of The Ministry of Cultural affairs and Sri Lanka Tourism which are two major hubs of our tourism promotions, serving a dual purpose, the major one being re-vitalising our performing arts, while enhancing the tourist industry at large. Performance dates are scheduled for August 16, September 20, October 04, November 22 and December 27. All being Saturdays of each month at the Elphinstone Theatre between 7.00 p.m and 8.00 p.m. Tickets priced at Rs. 100 are available at The Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Odel, Crescat Boulevard, Barefoot, Cricket Club, Gallery Cafe and at all leading Hotels. |
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Produced by Lake House |
The Painted Garden was the residence of the late Tissa Wijeyeratne
(Barrister at Law-Inner Temple) and his wife Visakha, the reputed Artist.
Having returned to Sri Lanka after serving as Sri Lanka's Ambassador to
France, Switzerland and UNESCO, they set up their home in the salubrious
Hantana Mountain. The house was decorated with the many oil and
watercolour paintings Visakha did during her years in Paris, Switzerland
and her native Dry zone of Sri Lanka.
Set in the windswept slopes of the majestic Hantana mountain the house
has elevated lawns and the rooms command a green view. The lounge area is
furnished in laid-back style and houses the extensive collection of oils,
watercolours, line drawings and painstakingly worked tapestries.
"The Painted Garden" has on offer two comfortably furnished
rooms for art loving visitors to Kandy. It has a well-equipped modern
pantry and contains the charm of a private residence, with all
contemporary creature comforts.
Addressing a long standing need not only for the tourism sector but
also for the traditional performing arts at large, which in recent times
were virtually dying.
