Breathe the regional breeze on the Streets of SAARC

Ruwini Jayawardana

On November 12, you will have a not-to-be-missed opportunity to walk the "Streets of SAARC" and enjoy the region's exotic sights and flavours, all without even leaving Colombo.

Just walk into the Cinnamon Grand, Colombo after dusk and the region will be yours to explore, thanks to the SAARC Women's Association's Sri Lanka chapter which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in a novel way.

This line up of events is organised as a further step in promoting cultural integration, better understanding, friendship and harmony between the women of seven nations - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

A dazzling display and sale of traditional handicraft, exotic food, dance and music items will give the guests an unforgettable taste of the region.

President and project chairperson of the Project Committee, Prabha Nair Nagalingam, commented that a raban player trying his hand at a throbbing pace, an astrologer reading palms, masked comedians, a vegetable vendor, a florist, a stilt walker, a fire eater and a man with a monkey that would perform tricks would provide some of the entertainment.

Of Indian origin though born in Sri Lanka, Nagalingam became the first woman president of the Kerala Samajam, a society for Malayalis in Sri Lanka, in 1993. Later in 1998, she was invited by Rohini Yoheswara (the treasurer of the Association) to join the SAARC Women's Association.

The SAARC Women's Association was formed in 1996 to promote friendship and culture of women in the SAARC region by women in Karachi. The project achieved success and branches were formed in the other member countries including in Sri Lanka.

"As I began participating in various activities and interacting with women from other countries, I achieved a sense of myself - that I retain my dignity as an Indian, not just appearance but the knowledge of my culture and a conviction in my identity as an Indian and a Sri Lankan," says Prabha.

The SAARC Women's Association holds functions depicting certain traditions and culture of the region every year. Through these events the Association raises funds which they contribute to community development projects.

Previously, the committee had granted scholarships to 27 young women in order to encourage them in aesthetic studies. They helped the community centre in Mt. Lavinia for a feeding programme and providing classroom facilities and medicine for their medical programme.

This time the focus is on helping the elderly in the South, North and the East of Sri Lanka by providing them with optical supplies, hearing and walking aids and wheelchairs. They also wish to fund operations for better eyesight for the needy.

"Our goal is to achieve friendship and harmony through cultural activities as there should be no barriers to appreciating art.

Women have a key role to play in these projects. That is why we have had events like a competition for women short story writers, a bridal show and a South Asian Charity Bazaar. Elders need care but most of all they need companionship in the last stage of their life," says Mano Candappa, the Association's past president.

Cultural and National Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Mehmood Mandviwalla and Saeeda Mandviwalla will grace the event along with representatives of the Diplomatic Corps.

Dwelling Sri Lanka Style

Anushka Nanayakkara

DESIGNING: Thick lime-washed walls, tall windows and doors, terracotta or granite tile floors, open pavilions and varandas, courtyard gardens, elaborately carved furniture and vibrant handlooms. These define Sri Lanka's distinctive architectural style.

In the broadest senses an architect is a person who translates the user's needs into the builder's requirements, a person involved in the planning, designing and overseeing of a building construction. In today's world interior designing and architecture are top favourites of women who have a passion to design and decorate their houses.

An architect should thoroughly understand the designing, building and operational codes to omit the challenges that come across. Channa Daswatte is an exclusive architect and interior designer who does magical wonders in the world of designing.

He believes that the goal of designing is to make an enhanced environment.

"Sri Lanka Style" the book authored by Channa Daswatte showcases over 30 of the finest traditional and modern dwellings in Sri Lanka. Get ready to feast your eyes on the private homes, retreats and resorts showcased in this book that have been built in a distinctive style.

Photographs of the book is by eminent Sri Lankan photographer Dominic Sansoni, a photographer who leaves theory and application aside and believes capturing the best through the lenses. He has reflected history and glamour of the beautiful structures.

"Sri Lanka Style" is a collaborative product of Periplus Group, Singapore.

These 30 properties have been designed by Sri Lanka's most creative architects and interior designers, including the world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. Daswatte was trained under Bawa.

These houses demonstrate the essentials of the Sri Lankan lifestyle-spaces open to the environment and simplicity of disposition of space and decor-and contribute to a palpable sense of peace and discipline. In addition, there are practical design ideas that can be applied anywhere in the tropics.