Gamini's photo exhibition now on in Greece
 Gamini Wasala who arrived in Greece in 1989 for a job in
the naval field soon took to learning the art of photography. Now making
use of the experience gained from over 15 years, he is displaying a
large number of photographs taken in Sri Lanka and Greece at an
exhibition in Greece from March 2 to 15.
Gamini is also an explorer of Greece and has been able
to photograph rare places as well as scenic locations in Greece while on
his tours.
 Gamini Wasala, who is the only foreigner to obtain full
membership of the Hellenic Association of Photography, has submitted his
photographs to competitions held in Athens too.
The SriLankan Airlines office in Athens has provided
full sponsorship for this exhibition.
Gamini has also worked as a volunteer officer at the
Athens Olympics held in August 2004. Incidentally this is also the first
photographic exhibition held by a Sri Lankan in Greece, says Gamini.
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Tea in the First Sense
Photography and art expressions of Ceylon Tea
 Dilmah Tea, the symbol of Pure Ceylon Tea in over 90
countries around the world, will unveil 'Tea in the First Sense', which
is yet another innovative endeavour by Dilmah, in their indefatigable
mission to promote the world's finest tea, around the globe.
'Tea in the First Sense' is an art and photography
exhibition featuring tea plantations in Sri Lanka, and will be launched
on March 8, at the Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo.
The art and photography project, which was commissioned
by the MJF Group, will subsequently see the exhibition travel overseas
utilising the Dilmah brand's extensive global distribution network, and
will be viewed by a high-profile audience in all its destinations.
This project, which is a visual consequence to the
development and launching of the 'History of Ceylon Tea' website (www.historyoftea.dilmahtea.com),
captures through both, brush and lens, the endearing character and charm
of the Sri Lankan tea plantations.
The paintings are by Sri Lankan
artist Edwin Batawala, whose depictions of rural life combined with the
aesthetic settings of the tea country, is every bit as refreshing, and
yet simple, as a cup of tea itself.
The photography is by Czech father and son team, Zdenek
Thoma and Michal Thoma, who have worked extensively in Asia including
the tea growing regions of China and India, as well as Japanese gardens
and the world of Tibetan Buddhism. The exhibition will open to the
public on March 11, 12 and 13 from 9am to 8pm at the Trans Asia lobby.
There has always been a hidden meaning in a cup of tea.
It has become a pause in the whirlwind of life, a companion in moments
of solitude and meetings with friends alike, refreshment for body and
mind.
After water, it is the most widespread beverage on
earth, and it is no exaggeration to say that it has influenced not only
the lifestyles of numerous people, but also the history of many
countries. With each cup of tea you touch on history and the present,
every scent unites you with people living in times past and times to
come.
The story of tea begins in China. Tea has accompanied
the Chinese almost right from the dawn of their history, and they
regarded it as the most refined of beverages. For Tibetans, tea with
yak's milk became a way of surviving their endless journeys on the
enchantingly beautiful but inhospitable Himalayan planes.
In Japan the
drinking of tea took a distinctive and cultivated form in the remarkable
tea ceremony, in which every action, every movement has an exactly
defined role and philosophical significance. In India and Sri Lanka
there were the colourful and rugged adventures of ambitious men who set
forth to unknown destinations to clear the forests and plant tea.
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Music in the garden: beneficiary concert for tsunami victims
Friday, March 11 at Goethe garden 7.00 p.m. German
Cultural Centre, 39, Gregory's Road, Colombo 7.
It was a spontaneous and great idea to take
representative musicians and dancers from Sri Lanka, Indonesia and South
India to Germany to arrange a tour through the country.
It was thought, initially, to counter-play the
stereotype picture of destruction and misery in the perception of the
Western world, particularly in Germany by making the audiences aware of
the richness and high quality of the culture persisting in these areas.
After long struggles about time frames and finances,
other commitments of the artists, availability of halls, logistics etc.,
it became clear, that the project couldn't take shape. Instead of
cancelling it altogether we proposed to the musicians to consider a
concert under similar premises in the garden of the Goethe-Institut,
which they thankfully accepted. This program is organised with the
collaboration of Piyasara Shipadhipathi, Ravibandu Vidyapathy and
Pradeep Ratnayake.
All artists will perform free of charge; all revenue
will be given to refugees identified by this institute to be used for
meaningful projects in the months to come. To this high quality
performance you are all cordially invited and the small entrance fee
will benefit people in need. (Press release)
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Mobile Theatre starts its journey with Jana Karaliya drama festival
A festival of drama created by 'Jana Karaliya' Mobile
Theatre group, will be held in the 'first ever' Mobile Theatre in Sri
Lanka installed at the Nomads Ground Colombo adjoining John de Silva
Memorial Theatre from March 10 to 15 daily at 6.30 p.m.
The play Charandas adapted by Parakrama Niriella from
the play Charandas Chor by the Indian writer Habib Tanvir will be
performed on March 10 and 11.
The play Andara Mal created by mobile theatre group
through improvisation and the play Seetambara Pata written by Mangala
Senanayake will be performed on March 12.
The Tamil productions of the
same two plays by the names of Erukkalam Poo and Mayappattalei
respectively will be performed on March 13. The Jana Karaliya production
of the Russian play The Dragon by Yevgini Shwarts translated by Cyril C.
Perera will be performed on March 14 and 15.
This drama festival will be held with the assistance of
the Ministry of the Cultural Affairs and National Heritage. After the
Jana Karaliya drama festival, a drama workshop will be held in the
Mobile Theatre in order to create a new original play. After the Jana
Karaliya festival in Colombo, the Mobile Theatre will go to Anuradhapura
starting its journey.
It will be installed in front of Anuradhapura Central
College and the drama and theatre programs covering the entire
Anuradhapura district will be conducted from there by Jana Karaliya in
collaboration with Vanniye Wedikawa Cultural Movement. |
