Shani captures world in Piano Forte

Ruwini Jayawardana

She came, she performed, and she conquered. This is the story of Shani Diluka Abeygoonaratne, the stunning young pianist, who visited Sri Lanka recently. Both Shani and her husband, well-known cellist Eric Maria Couturier, flew to the island on being invited by the Alliance Francaise Colombo and the French Embassy. On her stay she held three concerts in Colombo, Kandy, and Matara. The standing ovation proves beyond any doubt that Shani is a world-class concert pianist.

Born in Monaco to Sri Lankan parents, a large period of Shani's life was spent in a bicultural background. Her father, Gilbert Abeygoonaratne, is a banker at the HSBC in Monaco while her mother, Shivanthi, had been employed at the Fairmont hotel. Shani's sister Rika is an executive in Monte Carlos.

Rika too is a very talented pianist but unlike Shani, it had not been her wish to take up piano music as a profession. The Abeygoonaratnes had been living abroad for nearly 40 years but soon hope to return to their home in Nugegoda.

Shani's rendezvous with music began by being chosen for a programme initiated by Princess Grace Kelly for the exceptionally talented children for music. Thus, she was admitted to the Prince Rainier III Academy of Music and she was able to pursue her education on music parallel to her normal academic studies. Later, she joined the Conservatoire of Nice and both her educational institutions awarded her first prizes for her gift in piano music.

Though Shani took up Political Science as a subject, her passion for the piano led her in the path of success which made her a rising star in Europe today. 1997 saw her gaining admission to the National Superior Conservatoire of Paris, working with Georges Pludermacher and Francois-Frederic Guy and winning the first prize again. She further completed the third cycle of "Prefectionnement" under the guidance of Marie-Francoise Bucquet, Nicolas Angelich and Bruno Rigutto.

"My love for music was born out of my school. I was composing a lot since I touched music and it became a passion for me," Shani said, speaking in perfect English with a delightful accent.

Her first concert had been at the age of nine. At the age of ten, she faced her first television programme. Today her early spark of talent has matured into sophistication, artistry and virtuosity.

Young, beautiful and enormously gifted Shani had gained recognition at both national as well as international level. She has been nominated to represent Yamaha music and had won grants for foundations such as Prince de Polignac, Natexis-Banque Populaire, Wilhelm Kempff , and Holland Music Sessions "La Fondation Concertante". Recently she has been prestigious enough to be selected as one of the six pianists to attend the famous International Piano Academy of Lake Como presided by Martha Argerich.

Shani is a strict believer of Buddhist philosophy. She had kept in touch with her religion on her frequent visits to Sri Lanka.

"Just think about what you feel and be honest with yourself. You do not need to come on stage to prove that you are the best. You are just serving the composer the best way you can. Concentrate without getting excited," she advised referring to her motto in professional life.

"Buddhist philosophy helps me a lot in my essence of music. Many of my colleagues get very excited before going on stage to perform. They are amazed at how Eric and I manage to remain so cool.

True, we have to prove that we are good at every moment but we must not forget the aim of doing music. So this philosophy is a big help in preparing us to achieve a form of detachment from the surroundings."

According to Shani, she had met her husband, Eric Maria, through music and Buddhism. The couple is celebrating their third wedding anniversary this year.

"We both have very independent careers. We started a concert together after marriage and it became a great success. About 90 per cent of the time we play separately but at least once a month, we have concerts together. Our marriage is like a symbol of our life of music and the relationship between France and Sri Lanka," she smiled. German music compositions are high up in Shani's list of favorites.

She loves 19th century compositions, especially works of composers like Ludwig Van Beethoven and Robert Schumann. The language in this era is deep and has a lot of expressions, she says.

The most memorable moment in Shani's career is when she played at the famous Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. It is well known that all the famous musicians had played at this great hall and Shani had had the opportunity to perform there three times. She also considers recording the Grieg Concerto and lyrical pieces of Grieg's piano in Norway as a great achievement. his piece of work will be released as a Mirare/Harmonia-mindi recording in January.

"One life is not enough to play the piano. My daily routine is packed between practices, playing concerts, traveling and conducting classes. I have been playing in Sri Lanka for almost 15 years. I can honestly say that this is the best concert I have ever had because the hospitality, organisation and respect for the art were at a high level," she said when asked about her present tour of Sri Lanka.

After Sri Lanka, she and Eric Maria have concerts planned in Vienna, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and Norway. However, Shani hopes to hold another concert in her motherland late next year or early 2008.

Like a magician, she brings to life her compositions, carrying her audience on the wings of music to the realm of eloquence-where one can 'feel' her works. Shani Diluka is undoubtedly the "greatest talent of her generation" as the Piano Magazine appropriately dubbed her.

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Eid Fitr; festival of prayers and donations

Hathoon Sheriffdeen

FESTIVAL: Eid Ul Fitr is the first day of the month after Ramazan, which is Shawal the 10th month in the Islamic calendar. Eid festival is a festival of donation which Muslims donate their 'sadhakathul fitr' a donation for the poor before the start of 'thakbeer' the prayer after the declaration of festival (the time when the crescent moon is sighted).

History says the two Muslim festivals are brought in practice when Prophet Mohamed Alaikhi was in Mathina and the people at Mathina used to celebrate two sports festivals. He introduced the two festivals, Eid-ul-fitr and Eid-ul-Adhha which are more exciting than the sports festivals.

On the Ramazan day Muslims wake up early and take a bath after reciting thakbeer they wear new clothes specially men white dress, women and children colourful dresses. After breakfast they go to mosque and pray and listen to the Eid sermon.

Though Eid is a festival of prayers and donations Muslims celebrate it according to their own ways and family customs. Muslim women wear henna on their hands, decorate their houses and cook delicious dishes on that day. They start their meal with dates and vermicelli with milk. Biriyani and Watlappam are the main dishes for Sri Lankan Muslims. Apart from this, various dishes are served on the day of Eid.

In the evening they visit relatives and share their happiness by greeting each other saying 'Eid mubarak' (happy Eid) and share gifts and enjoy every movement. Eid Mubarak!

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Problems of Thyroid Gland

Anushka Nanayakkara

HEALTH: Consultant Physician and Senior Lecturer in Medicine, Dr. Senaka Rajapkse talks about the problems relating to thyroid gland.

What is the thyroid gland and what is the purpose of Thyroid gland?

Thyroid gland is an organ, which situated in the front of the neck. In normal people it is not prominent, unless the person is very thin. It produces the thyroxin hormone. Thyroxin regulates a person's metabolism rate. It is the 'hormone of life'. Iodine is required to produce thyroxin.

What are the problems that occur in with the thyroid gland?

There are several problems. The simplest is which the gland becomes larger, and visible as a swelling in the front of the neck, called a goiter. Simple goiters are sometimes caused by lack of iodine in the diet. The thyroid gland can produce less thyroxin than required: this is known as hypothyroidism.

Sometimes the thyroid gland becomes over-active, and produces excess thyroxin; this is known as hyperthyroidism. Rarely, cancers can develop in the thyroid gland.

What are thyroid nodules?

The term thyroid nodule refers to any growth of thyroid cells into a lump within the thyroid. Most thyroid nodules do not show any symptoms. Rarely, a nodule can cause pain, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, hoarseness, or hyperthyroid symptoms.

What causes a thyroid nodule?

The main cause of a thyroid nodule is thyroid cancer. Fortunately, cancer occurs in less than 10 per cent of nodules. Most nodules are harmless or non cancerous. There are several causes of benign nodules: colloid nodules, follicular adenomas and thyroid cysts. Autonomous nodules, which produce excessive amounts of hormone, can occasionally lead to hyperthyroidism. We do not know what causes most non-cancerous thyroid nodules to grow.

How is a thyroid nodule diagnosed?

Most nodules are discovered during an examination of the neck. Or the patient might notice it. Blood tests of thyroid hormone (thyroxin, or T4) and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) are usually normal. Specialised tests are necessary to determine whether a thyroid nodule is cancerous. Patient may be asked to undergo a thyroid fine needle biopsy, a thyroid scan, and/or a thyroid ultrasound.

What is a thyroid fine needle biopsy?

This simple procedure is done as an outpatient, and patients usually return home or to work after the biopsy without any ill effects. Usually a pathologist will use a very thin needle to withdraw cells from the thyroid nodule. The cells are then examined under a microscope. A benign (noncancerous) result is found in 50 to 60 per cent of biopsies. A definite cancer is found in about five per cent of biopsies.

A suspicious result, which is found in about 10 per cent of biopsies, may lead to further testing (a thyroid scan) or surgery. In up to 20 per cent of biopsies, there are not enough cells to make a diagnosis. These nodules may be re-evaluated with a second fine needle biopsy.

What is a thyroid scan?

A thyroid scan uses a small amount of a radioactive substance. Usually radioactive iodine to obtain a picture of the thyroid gland. A "cold" nodule means that the nodule is not functioning normally. Cold nodules could be cancerous. A patient with a "cold" nodule must undergo fine needle biopsy of the nodule.

A "functioning", or "hot", nodule means that the nodule is taking up radioactive iodine to a degree that is either similar to or greater than the uptake of normal cells. The likelihood of cancer in these nodules is very low.

What is a thyroid ultrasound used for?

Thyroid ultrasound, which uses sound waves to obtain a picture of the thyroid can determine if a nodule is solid or cystic, i.e., containing fluid. Cystic nodules are usually harmless. Ultrasound test can be used to keep an eye on benign thyroid nodules to see if they are growing.

Thyroid ultrasound also can be used to localise the nodule and assist the placement of the needle within the nodule during a fine needle biopsy. Ultrasound is especially helpful if the nodule is hard to feel.

How are thyroid nodules treated?

An experienced thyroid surgeon should remove all thyroid nodules thought to contain a thyroid cancer. Benign thyroid nodules need to be watched closely, with at least annual examinations. You may be given thyroid hormone suppression therapy to try to shrink the nodule.

Next article will discuss other thyroid problems.