Flashback: dance, dance and more dance

Ruwanthi ABEYAKOON

DANCE: Working, working and working! That's what we do most of the time. We are busy running here and there trying to put things straight. Daily News Teen came across some youngsters breaking away from their tight schedules, adding joy to their lives and people around them.

The students of Kanthi Ranchigoda Dance Work Centre presents Flashback, an evening of Free Movement Jazz, Ballet and Modern Dance.

This dance show which began yesterday will be held till 10th at the Lionel Wendt. Around 150 students will participate in this dazzling show moving their bodies to the rhythm.

Flashback reflects the 25 years of the dancing life of Ranchigoda. Picking up the numbers of the past she has trained her students to present them with a new concept.

"There is a lot of variety. It is interesting because it is a different era. I am sure my students will have good memories after the show," Ranchigoda said.

Michelle Joseph who has been under Ranchigoda for 10 years expressed her ideas about the show. "It is amazing. There is a lot of variety. We started practising about a year ago but we finalised only a month ago. I love dancing and will continue it," she said.

Shiyani Saranapala is another student who finds pleasure in dancing. "Our days are hectic and dancing is a good way of relaxing. It gives you the opportunity to forget the stress and enjoy. Dancing is difficult but we don't consider it a burden. We enjoy doing it," she said.

Both Shiyani and Michelle are taking part in 12 items. " We really get along with others. There are around 150 students of all age groups. They are enthusiastic and we are working towards one common goal. It is easy to get along with each other when everyone concentrates on one goal," they explained.

"We learn patience when dancing. Children get exposure through dancing and it gives a lot of fun. We are working hard and we try to make time to do our best at the show. I'm sure the show is going to be a success," said Hashani Jinadasa.

Dina Pesumal had started dancing three months ago. "Practising with the girls is extremely fun. We learn from each other and don't do just the routine steps but try to feel the music and move to the rhythm. Everyone's excited about the show and it's been motivating us to dance our best," she said.

These energetic youngsters together with their instructor invite you to take some time off from your busy schedules to watch them perform a sprightly dance.

French style, Lankan smile

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

FRENCH CULTURE: Among the many students following French at the Alliance Francaise de Kandy are many teenagers. Many of these teens follow French as they like the language, while some like to go to France.

Making our way around the premises and glancing into the classrooms, we came across several teenagers who are members of the Alliance Francaise.

Yet they are from different schools and areas in the Central province. With friendly smiles and enthusiasm, they did not hesitate to have a tete-a-tete with Daily News Teen.

Dhanuka Bandara, 18, from Intermediate 4 volunteered to express his opinion first. He is a student from Sylvester's College, Kandy, and said he took up French because it was one of the subjects included in the Advanced Level Arts stream.

"I like French literature and culture in particular. It is a very interesting subject and a very beautiful language. French words sound very musical to my ears," he said.

Dhanuka had read a few French books during his two years at the Alliance Francaise. He is especially fond of L'identite, the French novel by Milan Kundera. He enjoys writing poetry and had taken part in reciting poetry at poetic evenings organised by the institute.

"I got the opportunity to communicate with many foreigners as a result of being able to speak in French. I have taken part in many activities held by the Alliance. I took part in a drama called Blanche Neige, the French version of Snow White," recalled Rushika de Silva, 18, from Mahamaya Girls' College, Kandy. She is also from Intermediate 4 and said she loves watching French films, especially the Asterix series.

Another girl who dreams of visiting France is Oshadi Abeygunasekera, 17, from Beginners 2. She is a student from Hillwood College and her goal is to become a fashion designer.

Crystal Baines, 17, is from Good Shepherds Convent, Kandy. She is talented in sports activities, especially netball and swimming.

She writes poetry and had composed a poem of her own titled Je demande au dieu (I ask god) especially for one of the poetry evenings at the Alliance Francaise. She believes that it is an advantage for people to learn another language because they would be able to benefit from it on various occasions.

"I adore French cuisine and fashions," admitted Lakmini Grant, 18, a student from Girls' High School, Kandy. "I like Bouillabaisse which is a kind of soup."

Sachiththa Hewapathirana, 18, said French is a language which has high recognition worldwide. He is a student of Trinity College, Kandy, and enjoys reading French comic books such as Asterix et Obelix.

Buddhika Ranasinghe, 18, is another fan of the "Asterix et Obelix" series. He is a member of Kingswood College, Kandy. He knows how to speak a number of languages besides French.

Maheshi Abeyrathne, 18, got the opportunity to taste French cooking. She confessed that she had once taken part in a French cuisine competition held for French day at Hillwood College and had won first place.

"I made a kind of sweets using pastry and dates. The judges gave us the recipes and we had to prepare the food. A number of schools took part in this contest and it is an occasion which I will remember forever in my life," she said. Maheshi is an active student from St. Joseph's College, Kegalle.

Dhananjani de Silva, 17, is from the beginners class. She is a student at Puspadana Girls' School. Dhananjani engages in creative writing and said she would encourage all her friends to take up learning French. She expressed the wish to become a lawyer.

"I have to travel long hours from Kurunegala to attend my classes at the Alliance Francaise," Venubashini Ekanayake, 18, a girl from Maliyadeva Girls' College said.

Alliance Francaise celebrates its 40th anniversary next year. The institute offers its students language classes ranging from the beginners level up to the diploma stage. The first three year exams are organised by the Alliance Francaise de Kandy itself and is of the same standard as those of the European context.

The fourth year includes the "Diplome de Langue", the fifth year the "Diplome Superieur" and the sixth year the "Diplome de Hautes Etudes", which is done only at the Kandy branch in Sri Lanka.

Alliance Francaise de Kandy holds a number of annual events such as workshops for Advanced Level students, a poetry week, a reading week, cultural activities and French celebrations such as the "fete de la musique" and the French National Day on July 14.

"Our first aim is the dissemination of the French language. We hope to build friendship between Sri Lanka and France. We wish to exchange certain positive aspects from the cultural side such as literature, philosophy, painting, and cultural activities to cultivate the mind of our students," explained Milinda Welgolla, the director of studies at the Alliance Francaise de Kandy."

We are proud to say that both students who received the best results in the Advanced Level Arts stream in the previous two years, Chathurika Senanayake and Madhavee Fernando, are students of our institution. Barana Waidyathilake another one of our students achieved second place in the world in the London O\L examination" he said.

Pictures by Gamini RANASINGHE

Money alone does not bring happiness

THE topic which states 'Money does not bring happiness' is one which has two frames of references. These two frames do not contradict each other but runs in parallel paths which would never meet.

In this world of rising economy, money or financial status plays an unique and important role in lives of every human being.

Money has become an important need no matter what life style we follow. The definite need for money could never be considered as unwanted or useless. But the problem is whether money could drive us to a real path of content.

Therefore money alone would never bring happiness to humans. Money is just a markatbale commodity which developes the social status around the world and which gives a certain quality to human lives.

At the same time, there are various needs, values which can't rely on money. Things such as spirituality, human values and good health could never be bought for money, because these things which governs humanity are priceless for eternity.

Such situations which can't be priced would give us more happiness than anything. Therefore I firmly agree that money alone does not bring happiness.

But this does not mean that money cannot brings happiness. There are numerous ways which money brings joy to us in our day to day lives. Just imagine of a situation where you get a rare opportunity of going shopping with Rs. 50,000 in your hand.

This would rather be a bit shocking and amusing at first but it could never be false if you are an obedient daughter or a son of a rich businessman or a politician.

Imagine yourself shopping alone with three or four friends in the most popular and extravagant shopping malls in Colombo. Picture yourself fitting on a glamorous dress.

Then imagine yourself on a salon seat with a pretty young lady behind you treating your hair. When it's time for lunch you pop, into the most expensive hotel with your friends to tempt your taste buds. But now Rs. 40,000 of your half lakh has vanished off in no time.

'Don't forget that there will be an evening dance floor with tickets priced at Rs. 3,000 per head." This kind of super treatment obviously should be measured in terms of (nothing else, but) money!

But as mentioned in the theme there are certain things that money would never ever give us.

The parental love which a child experiences from small days could never be measured in terms of wealth.

The sharing, understanding, love, care, sympathy, happiness, joy, content, warmth, gratitude and respect which vibrates in a family unit could never be measured by money.

This similar experience could not be explained using my weak words. This should be identified in occurrence. Let's consider a loving conversation between a young daughter and a mother. Sharing an experience of romance with your sibling, planning the future of the family with your spouse etc.

These are some beautiful sweet little experiences that any poor person could experience. The words of this loving discussions are not only words but thoughts aimed at another's heart. Can money, (bits of varnished paper) ever witness such a sacred experience.

Not only such experience, there are more unpriced things in a person's life.

Picture yourself with any of your loved ones amidst a beautiful green lawn with a silverfish stream of water flowing beside your feet. Imagine listening to the silky little song which the stream of water murmurs in your ear. You sit easily watching the beautiful tiny cherubs singing soft little hymns which carries you into a world of astonished beauty.

Think of the kind simple little feeling which you gain when tiny five petal soft flowers drop onto your lap. You continue sharing some sweet little words with your companion inhaling. The fragrance of the flora around you.

The simple argument here is "can you ever value this experience in terms of money", the response is nothing different than "no" or "never".

The final conclusion is that "money is a limited concept that benefits our lives, partially. It's just a day to day item in a person's life." Money should be given it's particular place not anything beyond it or not anything below it. Using money meaningfully would value our lives as well as our society.

Demethri Igneshiya Berman, Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya (1993-2004), Lyceum International School, Wattala (2005-2007)

Art contest winner

WINNER: H.D. Pawani Malshani of Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda won the second place in the Western Province Schools Junior Art Competition - 2005, Western Province Chief Minister Reginald Cooray was the chief guest.