Musical instruments presented to traditional artistes
The preservation of traditions sustains them in society.
When the world is moving in a rapid pace with the growth of technology
very few think about preserving these traditional arts. When everyone is
taken away by the fascination of technology, some brave artists haven't
given up their hope in fighting the dominance of other modern
entertainments.
Sokello Shanmugam Villadipattu kulu is one such group of
artistes who are retaining the traditional art amidst great difficulties
but the presentation of musical instruments by the Sunethra Bandaranaike
Trust and Public Address system proved to be a boost to these artistes.
Variety of entertainments was organized by the Sokello
Shanmugam Villadipattu kulu at Colombo Tamil Sangam Sangrapillai Hall to
honour and pay their gratitude to the Sunethra Bandaranaike Trust.
Villadipattu which is commonly known as Villupatu is an
ancient Tamil art originated in the 15th century in Tamil Nadu. It later
extended to the northern part of Sri Lanka. Sokello Shanmugam is one of
those eminent artistes who are trying to preserve these arts left behind
by our ancestors.
The program was filled with spicy events including
dramas and dances. Dramas were performed by some exceptional artistes
from the North. The dances which took away the audience by their stage
co-ordination and performance were performed by Annammal Ladies College,
Wattala.
The program began with the "Mangala isai", some
harmonious music which was then followed by the welcome speech. The
special guests were welcomed by Tamil greetings sung by some artistes.
The traditional lamp was lighted by the guests and the
stage was left over to the trustee of Mayurapathy Sri Badrakali Amman
Kovil Ponn Vallipuram and later to the Literary Secretary of Colombo
Tamil Sangam T. Gopalakrishnan.
These erudite personnel of the Sri Lankan Tamil Society
praised the Sunethra Bandaranaike Trust for sponsoring the ethnic Tamil
artistes with musical instruments as a boost for preserving a
diminishing art. Several other speeches were given by S. Devarajah, and
R. Nadarajah, the chief executive officer of Pan Asia Bank.
The musical instruments were presented and donated to
the Sokello Shanmugam troupe by the Sunethra Bandaranaike trust and
public address system and enthusiastic followers of the arts. The ex-M.P.
for the Gampaha Electorate S.D. Bandaranayake was honoured with "Pearl
of Sri Lanka".
The highlight of the program was the traditional art
forms which were staged on that occasion. They were enjoyable and
colourful mainly because they were performed by some of the exceptional
and outstanding local artistes. The items that stood out brilliantly
were "Karagam", "Kavadi", "Dummy Horse dance" and Peacock dance which
looked so elegant and attractive.
The "Kaviranjan Kathai" (story) was told through
bow-song by the Sokello Shanmugam troupe as usual with a blend of music
and comedy. The Dance Drama which was choreographed by Mrs. Ilankovan
Selvarani, the dance teacher of Thendral Dance School exposed the hidden
talents of the younger generation.
The comedy drama which was performed both in Sinhalese
and Tamil simultaneously by T. Shanmuganathan and Madulgiriya
Wijeyaratne was hilarious as it fitted so much with the life of ordinary
Sri Lankan tamils.
The Sathiyavan Savithiri drama was one of those
eye-capturing events which depicted a part of the story with the
traditional style of presenting dramas.
Karthiga Rukmanykanthan
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