'Artlink 2007': linking four cultures

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

PUPPET SHOWS: Three cultural institutions - the British Council, Goethe Institute and Alliance Fran‡oise, together with the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts and the Museum of Traditional Puppet Art in Sri Lanka have organised "Artlink 2007".

This is a puppet show, which brings together four cultures of puppetry: Sri Lankan, English, German and French. Three European artists are in the process of conducting workshops at the Puppet Art Centre, Piliyandala, from January 6 to 16.

Apart from these three foreign artists, 15 Sri Lankan puppeteers: Vipula Gamvari, E. Percy, G. Savindra, G.A. Sanjeewa, P.N. Sanjeewa, L.P. Bandula, D.P. Chandralatha, G.K. Chinthaka, W. Vimalasiri, L.P. Norbert, L.G. Lal, L.P. Seebert, E. Sunny, L.P. Charlet, and L.P. Vialet, from areas such as Ambalangoda, Horana, Piliyandala, Vatugedara, Yakkala, Papiliwela, Kalutara South, Mirissa, and Payagala will take part.

Sri Lanka's puppetry scene has a long and colourful history. It could be traced back to over 400 years and is traditionally handed down from father to son. Thus, there was only a limited space for external influences.

"Artlink 2007" is one step towards the answer to this problem. It provides the opportunity for beneficial interaction between workshop members and the three European puppeteers.

The focus is on areas such as techniques of storytelling using puppets, music, dramatisation, action and tension controls, climax and situation designs.

Out of the three foreign artists, Ewan Hunter (UK), is an artist, puppeteer and theatrical performer. He had also taken part in the plays "Shock headed Peter" and "The wolves in the walls". He had worked with UZ productions, the NVA Organization, The Scottish Ballet, The Scottish Opera and the BBC.

"It has been a very broad learning experience. Though I have visited Sri Lanka in 2004, I returned again not knowing what to what to expect," he related.

"The traditional puppetry is very strong here. It is important that this strength is retained. However, it would be interesting to see the Sri Lankan puppeteers trade their original work as well because they have a great ability to improvise and learn quickly," Ewan advised.

Hunter had been involved in the Hikkaduwa International Children's parade in 2004. He had also participated in the Glasgow festival with Prasantha Wadu Mesthige, an artist from Dodanduwan. Alice Theresa Bohm (Germany), is a teacher at the "University of Music and Dramatic Arts", Stuttgart. She had built her first marionette when she was 16.

Alice had presented several solo puppet shows. One of her shows "3-Hieroglyphen-1 Solo fur 2" had been performed in a number of countries such as Poland, Austria, and Luxemburg.

Alice commented that the Sri Lankan puppeteers are able to express themselves well through their puppets. She was especially impressed with the traditional designs of the Sri Lankan puppets with their grand clothes and accessories.

Clement Peretjako (France) writes his own shows and also creates, repairs and adapts his own puppets. He had obtained several diplomas in puppetry and theatre arts from French universities.

"My visit to Sri Lanka had been a wonderful experience. The Sri Lankans are very spontaneous. The French tradition in puppetry is different from the Sri Lankan form in several ways. I believe the four cultures benefited from this workshops as we shared our experiences, expertise and ideas," he commented.

Clement is also an artistic director of a company, which produces and promotes European poets and poetic events. He is a master of shadow puppetry.

"We usually hold puppet shows during the Vesak and Poson season. Our puppets are made using wood, nylon and jute. A puppet, which demands a lot of work while carving and dressing like kings and queens, costs between Rs. 4,000 and 5,000.

There are several forms of puppetry in the world. Some of the well-known forms are string puppetry, shadow puppetry, hand puppetry and water puppetry which is found in Vietnam," informed Vipula Gamvari, a Sri Lankan puppeteer from Ambalangoda.

The centre for the workshops, Museum of Traditional Puppet art in Sri Lanka is the home of around 36 puppets. Traditional puppets, which depict the Jathaka stories such as Sirisangabo Natya, and Wessanthara Jathakaya, and puppets representing certain forms of arts such as the Naga Raksha, are present. The museum includes several puppets from Germany and Czechoslovakia as well.

"Our museum is open to the public six days of the week, from Monday to Saturday. We present one dance scene - the Sarasvathi dance - for those who visit the permises," stated P.S.W. Abeygunawardana, the chairman of the Traditional Puppet Art Museum.

Apart from the strikingly hand carved puppets in various colourful garments, showing off different aspects of statuses and cultures, another interesting fact about this museum is that it relates to the audience details of the oldest book regarding puppetry art found so far in Sri Lanka, the Ahelapola comedy, a publication of the Lakrivikirana in 1870.

Though this book was written in Sinhala, the original version is in Germany and had been translated to German.

Two puppet shows will be held with the participation of the three European artists and the Sri Lankan puppeteers. A puppet show marking the conclusion of the workshop will be held on January 16 for residents of Piliyandala.

The shows will be conducted at the Open Air Theatre, Viharamahadevi Park, at 10.00 a.m. (school show) and 6.00 p.m. (public show) on January 18.

This show offers its viewers to encounter Sri Lanka's own ancient tradition in puppetry as well as foreign cultures in the form of puppets brought from the three foreign countries. Both the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Education have supported this project.

Entrance will be free for children below 18.

Pictures by Palitha GUNASENA

Thilak 'Peeps into the Past'

EXHIBITION: Thilak Palliyaguruge, Vice President of the Executive Committee of the Alliance Fran‡aise de Kandy will be holding his 12th Solo exhibition of paintings at the Auditorium of Alliance Fran‡aise from January 19 to 26.

This exhibition will be opened by the Ambassador for France in Sri Lanka and Maldives Michel Lummaux, on Friday January 19 at 6.30 pm.

Thilak Palliyaguruge had been associated with the Alliance fran‡aise since 1977, when his third Solo exhibition of paintings was sponsored by Alliance Fran‡aise. His 10th and 11th exhibitions were also sponsored by Alliance Fran‡aise in 2000 and 2003.

This qualified art teacher in English and an architectural and landscape designer by profession had been involved with paintings since his school days.

Winning school prizes and awards in open Art Competitions, he was also responsible in conducting Art Workshops organised by Alliance Fran‡aise, since he joined the Executive Committee and also by the Department of Cultural Affairs.

In recognition of his work and services in the field of Art, he had been honoured by the state and by number of associations and foundations in Sri Lanka.

In discussing about his paintings Dr. Nandadeva Wijesekara, an eminent authority of art, states thus:

"The style of paintings of Thilak Palliyaguruge leads to preserve abstract thinking cleverly expressed in sure lines and paint. The themes are simple, rural drawn from everyday life of rural community for the most part.

The subjects selected are portrayed with certain sureness both of light and colour. Idealism has influenced the artist to some extent"

He is planning to establish a Mini Art Gallery at his residence at Kundasale.

Humanity brought out in 'Sapiriwara'

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

TELE DRAMA: Sapiriwara is the latest tele drama directed by Sumith Rohana Thiththawelgala, the maker of Sasara Suvahas and Sanda Gira. Unlike his previous two tele dramas, the director has taken a different approach to the society in his recent creation.

Sapiriwara includes a storyline which is an example to our society. It is a tele drama which the whole family is able to watch together," stated Karuna Weerakkody, the producer.

The character of Yasohamy (Malini Fonseka) dominates Sapiriwara. Though misfortune seems to accompany her throughout her life, Yasohamy possesses nerves of steel in facing the obstacles which cross her path.

Firstly she is orphaned at a very young age. She is burdened with looking after her younger brother, Jayasekara (Douglas Ranasingha). After helping him to attain a worthy status, she is forced to move away from him for his own betterment.

Yasomahy gets married and has two children, Chandana (Sumith Rathnayaka) and Raja (Asela Jayakody).

However her devotion towards her brother leads towards her own break up in marriage. A stream of tragedy, comedy and romance follows revolving around the life of Yasohamy. What is her plight? This question remains to be answered.

"This story examines human relationships in depth. Issues like humanity, brotherhood and maternal love come out through this theme. All these characters are taken from contemporary society.

An especially heart-warming fact about the story is Yasohamy's treatment towards her abnormal child, Raja. I propose to show the audience this touching side of life," said Sumith Rohana Thiththawelgala, the director of the tele drama.

Sumith added that unlike most of the present teledramas, which bring out humour through dialogue and the act of laughter (included in the script for the characters themselves); his creation presents the comic element along with the flow of incidents.

Even the romantic scenes have a certain depth embedded into them and are not the typical calf-love type of romances found in most contemporary dramas.

"Shooting started in August 2006. All the artists supported me and the rest of the crew. Both Maureen Charuni and Asela Jayakody dedicated a lot of their time and strength for their roles. All those who had the chance to see scenes in the tele drama agreed that Malani is quite suitable for her role. She took up her character superbly," Sumith added.

A striking fact about this tele drama is that it was shot in around a 100 locations in Negombo. Sumith said that about 35 actors and actresses contributed to the film. Malani Fonseka, Douglas Ranasingha, Maureen Charuni, Janaka Kumbukage, Himali Sayurangi, Asela Jayakody, Richard Weerakkody, Sumith Rathnayaka, Nirosha Illeperuma, Samanthi Lanerolle, Sarath Dikkubura, Neil Alles, Kumara Siriwardana, Quintus Weerakoon, Prasanna Fonseka, Nilangani Perera, Jananja Gunawardana, Manel Wanaguru, Wasantha Pali, Vinoja Nilanthi, Mapalagama Wimalarathna, Chaya Sanjeewani, Sanath Dikkumbura, Camillus Yapa, Jagath Manuwarana, Vijaya Ranjan, Dhanushka Iroshani, Palitha Lokupothagama, and Maneesha Namalgama are among the presenters.

The producer of this tele drama is Karuna Weerakkody. M.A. Gaffoor handles the camera while make up is by Hemantha Gamage.

The art director is Asanga Neelawathura. Lalantha Jayakody is the editor. The assistant directors are Keerthi Rathnayaka and Apsari Nadeesha Ranasingha. W. Nishantha, Wasantha Pali and Udaya Shantha work as production coordinators.

"We have to add the final touches to the teledrama before finding a suitable channel to release it. The budget will be of concern because we spent a large sum in bringing this tele drama together. There will be a theme song and I hope to get veteran Nanda Malini to sing and Rohana Weerasinghe to handle the music," Sumith explained.

"Our industry needs government assistance. It is evident by the way the channels recruit the teledramas in the line up. Therefore most of the high quality teledramas with meaningful social messages have not been given recognition. This is a pitiful state," he expressed.

Arunalu Kirana, another teledrama of Sumith, will be telecast soon. He has also directed a film named Thambapanni which includes around 120 scenes but only two scenes in Sinhala. "This film revolves around the destructive activities of the LTTE. Most of the dialogues are in Tamil.

It is in the process of being granted a 100 per cent loan facility," he said.Sumith hopes to release Sapiriwara as soon as he is able to find a television channel, which is able to provide the requirements he has in mind.