Colours of the Indus - fashion extravaganza

FASHION: Colours of the Indus, a fashion extravaganza by leading Pakistani designer Shaiyanne Malik will unfold at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo on April 23, in the Oak Room at 7.30 p.m.

The show is part of the Cinnamon Grand's promise of indulgence, this time around from the haute couture world of fashion and design.

Some of Pakistani's top models will take to the ramp in unfolding Shaiyanne's traditional and trendy designer creations. The show is co-sponsored by SriLankan Airlines.

Shaiyanne Malik is a name synonymous with Pakistani Fashion WorldWide. A lawyer by qualification and a designer by choice, her passion for colour, fabrics and embroideries made her abandon the humdrum of the courtroom and enter the glamorous realm of couture.

A perfectionist by choice and a designer by right, she has a style that is inimitable. Shaiyanne plays with colours without any inhibitions and works effortlessly with vibrant hues using the craft of ancient embroideries to work her magic into ensembles fit for royalty.

Her resplendent recreations of bridal and formal wear have brought her name and fame at home and abroad.

Having been in the fashion industry for over a decade, her exploits have led her to hold fashion shows in major cities of the world.

Acting as a brand ambassador for her country she portrays the positive image of Pakistan on the fashion runways of the world, highlighting an ancient culture steeped in history and a rich heritage.

Shaiyanne works from two outlets in Karachi, one carries her couture and bridal line while the other her pret and formal line. She also has outlets in Dubai, Canada and New York.

In Tune

"We're here to stay"

MUSIC: The screaming mobs, the alluring lights, 50 decibels of pounding drums and the raw energy that flows within each individual that eventually transcends into the entire crowd with a deafening roar.

"Throngs of people were head banging to us and on my guitar solo, a fan jumped on stage with us. It was at the 2006 Rock Saturday performance and my most memorable concert", recalls Rakitha Gamage, the lead guitarist for Fallen Grace.

It was the screaming fans that mesmerized Shivantha Beddewela, bassist for the band. "It was a concert called Faith held at Viharamahadevi Park. Despite the heavy thunder showers, there was a sea of heads closing in and around the stage, all chanting 'Fallen Grace' in unison".

For Sohan Ratnaike, the lead vocalist, it was a fire burning inside him that he reminisces. "Our first ever performance at an Interact show was one that'll stay with me for life. When we got on stage, the crowds were booing and eventually left. At that moment, I was struck by a fierce determination to get them back to our shows one day." And today, he relates that story to the Daily News and his friends with a smirk on his face.

Symbolized by an image of a fallen angel to showcase the over-powerment of good by darker forces, Fallen Grace shares a universal dream with many a band. However, as far as the band maybe from their ultimate goal, Fallen Grace has a vision to conquer the local market, an urge to experiment with their music and a firm fixation for better and more frequent performances. The guys possess both the necessary talent and passion to accomplish their ambition as Sohan Ratnaike, lead vocalist, says "We're here to stay".

"We might record Sinhala rock songs", says Sohan turning to his rather surprised band mates. "Might", he repeats. After several changes in the original band line-up, it was in late 2005 that Fallen Grace defined their sound. "During our jams, we start strumming the guitar, play a few rifts and we come up with a tune", Rakitha enacts with an imaginary guitar. The lyrics are then composed by Sohan elaborating on the dark yet un-satanic aspect of life.

With musical influences ranging from Lamb of God, Dark Tranquillity and Megadeth, Fallen Grace is a band glued together by friendship based on mutual interest in music amongst many subjects. A name suggested by the lead guitarist's brother, Fallen Grace introduces a new sound to Sri Lanka.

A combination of doo metal and melodic trash is a specialty that Fallen Grace hopes to get Sri Lanka addicted to as they plan to enter 2006's biggest musical event, TNL Onstage.

To a country that is barely tolerant of original English heavy metal music, Sohan and his buddies face many obstacles on their long road to success. "We're not giving this up", though, was his unfaltering reply to the harsh reality tumble.

With guidance from Rock Company and Suresh (vocalist for Stigamta), Fallen Grace, being the youngest heavy metal band within their circuit, is currently committed to their education. However, commitments to releasing an EP this year is also top on their list.

The recording for 'Hersey (Do We Believe?)' is scheduled to commence in May and if interested in funding or sponsorship of the upcoming EP, please contact Sohan Ratnaike on 0779 222797.

My father is my mentor - Janak Premalal

by K.A. Perera

JANAK PREMALAL, a well-known drama actor and a producer of a series of plays namely 'Abuddassa Kolama', Raja Kapuru", "Suriyakgrahana", "Rajagahe Naguma" and "Sakwala Kelabila" has been staged throughout the island except in Batticaloa and had brought international fame to Sri Lanka.

The script writer of all these stage-plays is his father Sirisena Premalal.

He was a graduate teacher and retired from service but he spends his leisure profitably engaging in literary activities and writing plays to be staged by his son, Janak Premalal.

In 1981, he produced a children's play which won the first place in the all Island school drama competition.

The name of the play was "Gumu Gumu". Another play which he won the first place was "Hisata Sevanak" appreciated by teachers and students in schools.

His son Janak Premalal is a household name among those who watch teledrama in the television.

'Abuddassa Kolama' is a very popular stage-play which had won all the awards in a drama competition conducted by the Youth council.

The chief awards were given for best script production, actor, actress music make-up and background which had won the applause of the on-lookers.

Raja Kapuru was also won three awards for best dancing, costume and script.

At present, Janak is a teacher attached to Vidyaratna University College, Horana.

Mr. Premalal has developed his latent talents on his own efforts producing a large number of children's plays during his teaching career of thirty-five years.

His devoted service for children in the field of development of aesthetic concept of education has motivated to inculcate taste for drama.

His recent play is 'Sakwala Kelabila" which depicts the environmental pollution where all the inhabitants of the word are subjected to suffer.

Environmental pollution is depicted in the stage-play due to garbage, waste, air, noise, nuclear and light.

Senior dance professional turns 86

DANCE: Owen de Abrew is a senior dance teacher who has been promoting English Ballroom and Latin American dances since the early fifties turns eighty-six on April 22.

In 1954, he won an open four-dance Standard Ballroom competition, having been trained by Carl Cooke, a British qualified dance professional.

Soon after De Abrew commenced teaching dancing he has been concentrating more on Ballroom dances.

The Owen de Abrew Dance studio trains students for medal examinations through the Ceylon Amateur Dancing Association, the controlling body for Ballroom Dancing in Sri Lanka.

He also trained students for competition dancing and through his efforts Owen presented the first couple in Sri Lanka to compete at a World Dancing Championship in the USA, Dushmantha Karannagoda and Manoji Samararatne.

In 1989, De Abrew received an award for his outstanding contribution to ballroom dancing in Sri Lanka from the National Association of Teachers of Dancing, UK. John Delroy, Fellow and Examiner - NATD and Ten Dance World Champion presented the Award to him.

His next move was to promote his son Ravi de Abrew in the teaching profession. Ravi was trained by Toni Fernandez, a British qualified dance professional and in 2000 became the first Second Generation Ballroom and Latin American dance teacher in Sri Lanka.

In 2004, Owen had completed fifty years as a dedicated teacher of dancing.

The Ballroom Dancers' Federation International (BDFI), Sri Lanka, felicitated him at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo on August 1, 2004.

The trophy was presented to him by Yvonne Saunders, Fellow and Examiner of International Dance Teachers' Association, UK on behalf of BDFI, Sri Lanka.

Owen also compiled the Saturday night weekly program, Ballroom of the Air, for many years over the SLBC.

Taking Sri Lanka to the world

NEWS WEBSITE: Sri Lanka's premier news brand, News 1st, takes on the world with the launch of www.newsfirstonline.com, the channels online news portal. Now Sri Lankans throughout the world can log on and experience News 1st through this ground breaking website.

MTV Channel's flagship news brand "News First" has been launched on the world wide web on www.newsfirstonline.com. The launching ceremony took place in Colombo recently.

www.newsfirstonline.com is the only Sri Lankan television news website which offers the channels news bulletins streamed online. The premier news brand takes this leap into cyberspace backed by one of the most professional news rooms in the country.

The website offers streamed news bulletins in all three languages, as well as up to the minute news stories and snippets. The news covers local, international, business and sports news.

With an annual subscription set at just $15.00, the website is bound to attract the Sri Lanka's expatriate community, who currently do not have access to such a news service. The site uses the latest technology to ensure the streaming is seamless and uninterrupted. (Press release)

New book on Science of Teaching

Author: Rev. Fr. Camillus Fernando
Publication: Godage Publications, Colombo 10

Rev. Fr. Camillus Fernando, Lecturer of Buddhist philosophy, Epistemology, Political Science and Economics in the Department of Philosophy at the National Seminary, Kandy, will be launching his book on science of teaching in Sinhala and English on 24th of April at 3.30 p.m. at St. Peter's College Hall, Colombo 4.

Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis, the Archbishop of Colombo, the Chancellor of the University of Colombo and Venerable Prof. Bellanwila Wimalarathane Thera, Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardenepura will be the chief guests on the occasion.

Prof. J.B. Dissanayake and Prof. Sunanda Mahendra will speak on Science of Education and new trends in education.

Cherio Sergeant

'Cherio Sergeant' the comedy featuring Sando Harris will be staged on 20th to 23rd of April 2006 at Ampara in aid of the Welfare Society of STF. It continues on 30th April, at Kadawatha, KCP hall, and on 6th May at Manawilla, Galle. On 7th May it takes place at Rambukkana Town Hall.

There will be 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. shows for schoolchildren and the public. The cast comprises Rohana Weerasinghe, Deshan Amerasinhe, Milinda Perera, Chaminda Elpitiya, Lesley Ekanayaka, Pathmasiri Gamage, Dimuthu Chaminda and Eric Francis. While acting the lead role, Sando Harris directs as well.

Miruthanga Arangetram of Selvan S. Ammalan

The miruthanga arangetram of Selvan Sivagnanaranjan Ammalan, (student of Hindu College, Colombo) and disciple of Miruthanga Vithuvan "Kalabhooshanam", A. Vickraman, will be held on Saturday 22.04.2006 at 5.30 p.m. at Wellawatte Ramakrishna Mission hall, Colombo 6.

Prof. S. Chandrasegaram, Faculty of Education, University of Colombo will be the chief guest and T. Muthukumarasamy, Principal, Hindu College, Colombo, will be the guest of honour.

 Selvan Ammalan is the son of Mr and Mrs. Sivagnanaranjan, Aluthmawatha, Colomobo 15.

Exhibition of clay work

The Embassy of Japan and Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts will hold an exhibition of contemporary Japanese clay work at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo 7 from April 22-25. The exhibition hours are from 10 a.m. 7 p.m.