Pruned Vineyards

Prasad Abu BAKR

PAINTINGS: An exhibition of charcoal drawings by artist Kingsley Gunatillake was held recently at the Alliance Francaise de Kandy auditorium.

A kind of a statement from his travel diary, the artist says that it was brought out as an exhibition to also make a statement of why he was fascinated by the French landscape beside the fact that he has always loved his own country and its beautiful scenery.

"Why didn't I paint the landscape of my own country?" asks the artist who was the heart and soul behind restoring the ruined wall murals of the Dalada Maligawa, which was extensively damaged due to a terrorist attack in 1998.

He cites reasons such as mass graves, barb wire fences, human bombs, displaced people in schools and temples, kovils and churches.

The endless chaos in this country are amongst the many reasons why he is not fascinated by the landscape of his own country any more.

The French vineyards drawn by Gunatillake shows that they are, in his eyes; not merely a sight to be held as landscape alone.

The artist has made a kind of a pattern folder out of what he has seen while passing through the vast land that is one of Europe's biggest and famous wine producing countries.

"The unconventional patterns are spread to the horizon until almost invisible. Like a field of iron rods, bursting out of the earth, melting and twisting.

A cold that does not tire. Smell of earth that is warmed by the gentle sunlight falling upon it," are some of the observations made by the artist with regard to his fascination by what he saw during his travels through those vineyards of the French republic.

Though not seen in what he has sketched, the artist says that it was not only the visual impact that made him create these works but also the feeling that was created by the vast space that surrounded him during his stay there, in 'Bassier' in the South of France.

The small house he lived in, the pleasure of walking through seven eight miles along those vineyards, undisturbed by polluted city happenings, wonderful French cuisine engulfed by its wine culture combined by the hospitality of friends created an unforgettable impression in his mind, said the artist of his recent living experience away from home.

Kingsley Gunatillake is an artist of the moment. He almost always gets influenced by his immediate surroundings. His sensitivity to his immediate surroundings has always shown in his works during the past.

During the period he spent restoring the ruined wall murals of the Dalada Maligawa in Kandy, the artist's adopted home, he used that experience to create a series of works which he used as an exhibition immediately after he completed his work at the sacred temple.

As a full time working artist, Gunatillake has held a number of exhibitions both here and abroad and has sold his work to many buyers from all over the world.

His work can be cited in many important private collections and galleries sitting next to famous artists of international stamping.

Coming from probably an artistic family (with a famous elder brother renowned for his magnificent skills in water colouring) Kingsley Gunatillake's work has always come out as a refreshing experience to the on-looker.

They have not necessarily stopped at refreshing one's experiences alone but has remained as memorable ones too.

Sujatha Bodhu Bathi Gee Saraniya - 2006

The commemoration of the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi was certainly a proud moment for Sujathians who displayed their talents, in the wonderful performance of Bhakthi Gee in the school premises, on the eve of Vesak.

Sujathians did perfectly fine, starting with the pre-school kids and Year one students, all the classes participated.

There was thrill and joy marked on the innocent faces of the kids. Kids were seen really enjoying on stage.

Their colourful costumes in a variety of light shades added glamour to the event. Songs depicting various events of the life of Buddha were sung beautifully by them, having garlands, white and pink lotuses candles and oil lamps in their hands.

The full responsibility for the 'Bakthi Gee Saraniya' was shouldered by Amitha Wadisinghe the veteran music teacher with the co-operation of the staff, fully committed to the task.

A novel feature to be admired was that apart from her composing the kids songs herself, she had selected the age-old Vesak Bakthi Gee originals which are considered to be a legacy by the Bakthi Gee loving Buddhists.

The songs were presented in the most appropriate and meaningful way emphasising the Buddhist culture and moral values.

The entire school premises went gay with beautiful decorations, Buddhist flags and bright illuminations. There were Vesak lanterns on display in the classrooms. The recital was held in the open air on a platform, specially constructed for the occasion which put them at ease in their performance.

The stage was serenely decorated with lotuses, and punkalas according to tradition giving prominence to conventional religious ideas.

After the formal procedure, the principal, W. M. K. Mahinkanda welcomed the gathering emphasising the service rendered in nurturing the children in Dhamma education. The audience, mostly parents who watched their children with appreciation, thoroughly enjoyed the show.

Another attraction was the final event - the most splendid performance by the members of the staff, all clad in white. The presentation directed by Amitha was wonderful.

The chief guest Dayarathne Ranathunge, attached to the University of Aesthetic Studies, highly impressed by the programme, said that the involvement in activities of this nature from childhood will inculcate, moral values and devotion to religion in children which is so essential in the present social set-up and thanked the Managing Director for his dedicated service to Sujatha Vidyalaya. Finally their grateful thanks were offered to all those who made their contribution to make the event a success, including the parents for their hard work.

The programme came to a close with the school song and showers of blessings on the Managing Director for the ever increasing patronage provided throughout.

- Rupa Banduwardena

Colombo Vivekananda National School completes 80 years

THE Colombo Vivekananda National School which was established in 1926 by Vivekananda society completes 80 years of yeoman service in the sphere of education.

To mark this glorious occasion the principal Mrs. P. Balakrishnan, staff students and members of the school development society have made elaborate arrangements to hold an educational exhibition for three days commencing from 3rd August to 5th August 2006.

The exhibits in relation to science and Technology, Information Technology, Social studies, English, home economics and health and physical education will be displayed at this exhibition.

In fact, it is a well deserved timely and beautiful gesture an the part of the entire staff for having organised this type of exhibition which is very beneficial to student population to enrich and enhance their knowledge in science and technology.

The school which had at its inception only 25 students and two teachers in 1926 has now moved forward positively responding to the needs of the students.

The school has become one of the leading schools in Sri Lanka providing education for more than 3,000 students assisted by more than 100 dedicated and committed teachers in the teaching profession.

Years, nay decades have rolled by and the achievement of Vivekananda school is indeed remarkable especially when one remembers that it was founded at a time when Sri Lanka suffered three centuries of western conquest multi faceted in its manifestations politically, economically, culturally and psychologically.

The success of the Colombo Vivekananda National College lies not merely in the academic achievements nor in extra cuticular accomplishments but mainly in producing useful citizens of high moral standard.

The entire staff of this college should be highly commended for there unstinted co-operation, propound assistance they rends to the principal for the success and progress of this college.

Undoubtedly, Colombo Vivekananda National College today stands not merely as an institution, but also as a resident tradition and an indomitable spirit destined to remain strong and sound for millennium.

- "Kalabhooshanam" Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

Ruwan's caricature among the best

THE caricature submitted by Ruwan Tharaswin of Sri Lanka was among the best selected cartoons in the Haifa 11th International cartoon contest sponsored by Caricaturist Association of Israel and Ministry of Transport with the co-operation of the Haifa Municipality, held in Israel.

The theme of the contest was "Transportation and safety traffic". One thousand two hundred artists from 60 countries around the world submitted their work of art to the contest.

The prize winning cartoons were compiled and printed in a booklet including Tharaswin's cartoon.

In this cartoon he indicated that there is no protection from the traffic and its emission by depicting the world as a human skull.

Tharaswin attached to Dinamina Editorial of Lake House has won 1st place awards, merits awards and honourable mention awards 16 times from international cartoon contests held in countries such as West Germany, America, Israel, Japan, Switzerland and Iran. This is his 17th achievement.

Memorable Mother Mary Emma Rose

Shyamala Devi KARUNAKHARAN

There is no room for the word 'no' in her life. If something is too hard for her to accomplish then it turns out to be a challenge which she, one way or the other ensures to achieve.

She is an epitome of achieving things in hard times. Life has never been so easy for her right throughout, yet she has made every single step forward in her life a success.

Mother Rose, as she was popularly known in school was the beloved and cherished Principal of Kotahena Good Shepherd Tamil Girls' School for two decades. During her stay in school, Mother influenced the lives of many students by her valuable preaching and teaching.

In memory of her completion of 50 years services in religious profession and her dedicated services to the school the old girls of Kotahena Good Shepherd Tamil Girls' School felicitated her with a special mass at St. Lucias Cathedral recently.

Born in 1935 in Negombo, the popularly known Little Rome of Sri Lanka, Mary Roselin had her primary education at Welihera Roman Catholic Tamil School and her secondary education at Negombo St. Mary's Girls' School.

She had a niche for religious life in her young days and sensed the call for the religious profession.

In accepting this she was ordained as a young Shepherdian nun in 1956 pledging to adhere to humbleness, virginity and obedience.

While being a nun she was sincerely committed to her mission. Since the time she took over as the Principal at Kotahena Good Shepherd Tamil Girls' School in 1974 she had dedicatedly served to her utmost, bringing the school to the standard, it is now.

She initiated the participation of the students in the inter-school Tamil cultural programmes and sports activities.

She would describe her stay in Kotahena school as `the days I was crucified and resurrected' meaning the obstacles she confronted and the subsequent achievements.

Many of us in school adored her because she was a strict yet a loving nun and was very faithful to her divinely duties. She never hurts anyone. She would remember her students by their names even after a decade. She is so close and dear to our hearts even now.

Although she retired from school in 1996 formally after serving for 22 years, she continued her services as a translator in divinity, a Tamil teacher at Borella Bishop House and a counsellor for prisoners in prisons.

However her concerns for the poor and the aspiration to serve them and the forsaken victims made her opt to go to Vavuniya.

Amidst old age, ailment and country situation Mother Rose, adhering to her pledge to uphold her divinely services, is at present in Vavuniya assisting the misled young pregnant women to have a peaceful and healthy confinement. She also encourages and advises these desperate young mothers on the hope for a better future.

Her sincere, much-admired services were rewarded when the Bishop of Mannar, Rayappu Joseph recognized them and got her a convent built at Poovaramkulam in Vavuniya recently to discharge her duties without any hassle.

Today she is a proud Mother after having produced thousands of students who have excelled in various spheres in the island and overseas who would willingly and gratefully attribute their success in life to the humble, modest, strict but straight upbringing they acquired under the direction of this unforgettable Principal Mother Mary Emma Rose.