Roopa Chaya, artistic photographs show in Tokyo

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

PHOTOGRAPHY: Lal Hegoda, the well-known photographer says that photography is the extraction of minute details of the big picture with the use of a camera. It is an illusion which is part of reality.

Hegoda's latest exhibition titled "Roopa Chaya", which is now on at the JICA Global Plaza in Tokyo, Japan, will conclude on December 28.

The goal of this event is to acknowledge the Japanese society's cultural beauty and contemporary issues of Sri Lanka through photography.

Another aim is to develop friendship between the two nations and to relate the JICA development activities of the island. The theme also includes a display of rehabilitation efforts of Sri Lanka in conflict areas and after the tsunami.

"The idea of this exhibition came up after former Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka, Akio Suda, saw one of my photographs. I aim to present a broader view of human life through Roopa Chaya," Hegoda explained.

The exhibition will be organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). For the past few years the agency has been playing a leading role in supporting the social development efforts in Sri Lanka together with the Government.

With its inception in Sri Lanka in March 1982, JICA launched several Japanese grant aid projects, which include the Sri Jayawardhanapura Hospital, Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, National Institute of Education, Plant Genetic Resource Centre and the Dental Faculty of the University of Peradeniya, and the teaching hospital of Peradeniya.

"Roopa Chaya" is held in Japan to concide with the tsunami's second anniversary.

'Mathura Strings' fourth year in succession

Review by P.N. JEYASEELAN MUSIC: It was a cool and soothing breeze that blew at the CSI Church on Saturday December 2.

The Christmas breeze was ushered in by Mathura Strings; an ensemble formed in his mothers' name by Isaac Kulendran, the well-known western violin teacher. This programme, which was presented for the fourth year in succession, was a great success, judging by the standard of music.

The theme of the programme was "Praise the Lord... Praise Him with strings and flute" from 150th Psalms.

The programme began with a pleasing rendition of "Christians awake, salute the happy morn." From this item onwards, the congregation listened with pin-drop silence - they were obviously over-awed by the melodious blending of the strings.

Isaac Kulendran, who always takes special care in teaching the Juniors, devoted the first segment of the programme to them, Mewan Dabare, a fresher for "Ushering in Christmas Breeze" gave a good account of himself in the solo "Unto us a Boy is born", by playing bold strokes with his bow on the violin.

Ruth Anketell's soprano solo "Oh little one sweet" was really sweet. Ramesh P. Ganohariti who was played "Who is He on yonder stall" displayed good technical command of the instrument.

Amila Jayawardene who played "Go tell it on the mountain" lived up to her reputation of having gained a whopping distinction in her music exam, by producing good tone out of her violin.

Indumini Siriwardana was in a class of her own when she sang "Oh Holy Night". Her voice and breath control were good and her long notes were well sustained. Another remarkable performance was Rosana Kulendran's Andante from "Eine Kleine Nachtmusile". She and her accompanist, Premila Perimpanayagam, acquitted themselves creditably well.

It was hard to pick out the best out of the rest of the pieces. All pieces were evenly balanced. Special mention must be made of the Mandarin Chinese Carol, which seemed a big hit with everyone.

Also noteworthy was the reading of the message of peace in Tamil by a Sinhala pupil and the Sinhala message by a Tamil pupil. Yaveen Yatawara's 'Cello supplied good foundation for the harmonious strings

I observed that the congregation sang with great enjoyment the songs that were meant for them.

I thank Isaac Kulendran for this wonderful programme and hope he would continue his good work.

Sarath and Kumara to release CDs

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

MUSIC: Two CDs, Rahasaki Aderay by Sarath Weerasinghe and Rathriya by Nalaka Anjana Kumara, will be released at Sudharshi outdoor stadium on December 27.

Born in Weyangoda on Spetmber 24, 1956, Sarath was educated at Weyangoda Maha Vidyalaya where he displayed his talent for singing. The first opportunity to display his colours came his way at the age of 12. He took part and won the first place in a youth singing competition. Thus, he began his career in the music scene.

With the help of Rohana Dharmakeerthi, Sarath released his own songs Me Athbavayae,Dedi Havadi, Hichchi Nage and Seetha Andure (with Malini Bulathsinhala) in 1986. Me Athbavayae, Obai Obey Sina Podi, and Sayuru Tharanga are the albums he had released up to date.

After a period of hibernation Wajira Mahakanumulla motivated Sarath to release another collection of songs. Sarath wishes to express his gratitude towards Nalaka Anjana Kumara, Rohana Dharmakeerthi, Hector Suraweera, Susantha Madhuraperuma, J. C. Gunathilake, Norbert Thalamahara, Wasantha Rohana, Somadasa Sooriyaarachchi, Swarna Goonawardana, Janaka Liyanarachchi, Somarathne Millane, and Chandra Jayasinghe for their help towards releasing his new CD.

Nalaka Anjana Kumara was born in Anuradhapura on July 18, 1966. He is a past student of Harischandra Vidyalaya and the Anuradhapura Central School. Nalaka made a name for himself as a creative music director at the age of 14 when he composed the song Obata Waram Nathi for Karunarathne Diyulgane.

He had also directed music for other well known vocalists like Janaki Sumithra Dissanayake, Jayathilake Bandara, and M. Dayani. Furthermore he had composed music and taken part in the singing in the highly acclaimed film Anura Chandrasiri's "Rajjumala".He had also taken part in international tours with W.D. Amaradeva and Gunadasa Kapuge.

Rathriya marks his debut to the scene as a vocalist and Nalaka expresses his gratitude towards Keerthi Dhamasiri and Rohana Dharmakeerthi.

Kanthi Ranchigoda:

Twenty five years of dance

CELEBRATION: Kanthi Ranchigoda celebrated 25 years of her career as a dancer with a spectacular show featuring 150 dancers performing a wide variety of dance excerpts from her previous productions. The items ranged from ballet to modern dancing to free style, hip-hop, tap dancing and jazz.

The younger dancers' took part in the ballet performances featuring water babies, butterflies as well as a Christmas item.

The much looked forward to show captivated the audience with the performances standing out for the grace of the dancers movements as well as the excellent costumes and choreography.

Flashback ended on a spectacular note with the performance of the Can Can.

All proceeds from the show will go to the Society of Uplift and Rehabilitation of Leprosy patients (SUROL), a cause Ranchigoda has been associated with for the past 20 years.