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Emeritus Professor Kusuma Karunaratne informed me that they have nominated my name for the award at the beginning of the year. She requested me to send a list of the activities I was involved in. They chose to felicitate me for my service done to the acting and music scene.

Bunka means ‘tradition’ in the Japanese language and once I got to know that I have won the award I felt quite elated. Bunka is now a part of the precious items that I have gathered in life. The realisation of my responsibility for the arts industry also dawned with the award.

Most artistes of your generation are striving to become popular by constant releases and appearances. You do not go along with this category but whatever you churn out after lapses are purposeful in aesthetic progress to the music and acting scene. Comment.

Art is not mere entertainment. That is what I have been brought up to believe and it had become my ideology. It is a mode of instilling positive ideas to the society. Though many have entered the scene and have achieved over-night popularity we haven’t lost out place in the trade because we engage in bringing out creations which inspire the public.

Awards such as the Bunka helps encourage and promote individual talent. I hope debutants are motivated to bring forth worthwhile creations to the scene once they realise this maxim.

I learnt oriental music under my father, Siripala Samarasekara, and later Malini Bulathsinhala. I studied western music under Marianne David and Maestro Khemadasa and also trained on how to take both streams of music parallel to each other. I took to oriental music once again during my streak at the University of Visual and Performing Arts. Khemadasa Master encouraged us to be updated on the local as well as international music scene.

It is not difficult to study both genres of music though at the beginning it is always confusing to grasp both styles but once you take up breathing techniques and vocal training which are handed down to us by western music, you can refer those and balance them with North Indian music. What is important is that you train in the correct form of techniques.

You were the lead singer for most of Master Khemadasa’s operas and creations. Are you continuing to take part in his creations?

Yes, we will be performing Agni on December 7 at the Lionel Wendt at 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Many more shows are scheduled for the future. I was a student of Master for 20 years and he had gifted many talented youths to the field. It is possible to continue staging his work because they are very eager to continue with his mission.

During a brief period you gave voice for old hits like Mangala Dinayae Rasa Madupanae, Seepada Ahuna and Raena Gira Joduwai under the maestro. Didn’t this restrict your true talent?

I agree. There are some episodes in life that should have never taken place just like there are those that should have taken place. This is one such instance in my life. Master’s aim was to make his students recite the old songs as a lesson.

I was still schooling during the period and could not take decisions on my own. We were always in the mindset to obey our mentors so that is why I lent my voice for those songs. Later when many such opportunities came my way I declined.

I am against people achieving fame and money by singing past hits which belong to others.

That is the greatest injustice done to youths these days. Debutants are put in a rank of superstars by the media by making them sing what belongs to another or by imitating them. They are unable to make an identity for themselves. I reject such programmes. It is ok to use old hits in the initial stage of the competition to recognise their talent but once it is done it is necessary to hold workshops and give them backup to form their own identity through new tracks.

I play the lead role in Sarath Dharmasiri’s forthcoming film Suvisi Vivirana which will be screened in January. It is a significant role for me because I get to display an ample amount of talent in vocals and dance. It involved up country dance as well as low country dance along with folk songs. I feel fortunate to be chosen for the character. Professor Mudiyense Dissanayaka trained in the dance techniques.

I was involved in several programmes on Rupavahini, Sirasa Tv and Swarnavahini but gave up the job due to my busy schedule. Currently I am involved in the Buddhist programme, Therani Gee, telecast on Poya days on Rupavahini.

It involves singing the theri gee that is handed down by female Buddhist monks in Pali and Sinhala while compering. I also get to portray characters like Kisa Gothami and Prajapathi Gothami during the programme. It helps develop a discussion among its viewers.

I hope to launch my latest CD, Sanda Pahan Rayae in January. It will include 16 songs and duets with Kasun Kalhara, Nanda Malini and W.D. Ariyasinghe. Sundara Magic Kari and Nethu Kandulali Inuwa which are popular these days will also be included in the CD along with Sanda Pahan Rayae.

Maha Polova Madhyayata Giya Gamana to be launched

Jinendrawansa de Silva’s Maha Polova Madhyayata Giya Gamana will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall, Ven. S. Mahinda Mawatha, Colombo 10 on December 2. Maha Polova Madhyayata Giya Gamana is the authentic Sinhala translation of Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Centre of The Earth”. The book was originally written in French in 1864. It is considered a classic. The book is a Dayawansa Jayakody Book Publication.

Channel One MTV will telecast the following movies in December

It’s Christmastime in the ‘hood, and those crazy cousins, Craig and Day-Day, have finally left the security of their parents’ homes and moved into their own apartment. But a ghetto grinch breaks into their “crib” and steals all their presents—and the rent money hidden in their stereo speakers!

Craig and Day-Day’s only hope of avoiding eviction before Christmas is to take jobs as unarmed security guards at a local strip mall, where they learn some comic lessons about the true meaning of the holiday season.

Two low-level American crooks head to Australia, where they match wits with a kangaroo (who appears to have an intellectual edge on his pursuers) in this broad comedy. Charlie Carbone (Jerry O’Connell) is a hairdresser from Brooklyn whose best friend, Louis Booker (Anthony Anderson), scrapes together a living moving stolen merchandise.

Charlie’s stepfather, Sal Maggio (Christopher Walken), is a crime kingpin who has loaned Charlie a lot of money and wants to know when he’ll get it back; Sal’s not especially fond of Louis, especially after he and Charlie accidentally lead the police to a storehouse of burgled goods owned by Sal.

Charlie owes Sal a big favor, and Sal wants Charlie and Louis out of his hair for a while, so Sal sends them to Australia, where they’re to deliver a large amount of cash to a mysterious Mr. Smith (Marton Csokas).

Leo Burnett Solutions Inc.’s (LBSI) ‘Leo Art’ initiative launched its second season for the year on November 26. Featuring paintings and sculptures by a talented group of young undergraduates from the University of Visual and Performing Arts, ‘Leo Art’ is an ongoing programme initially launched in June this year, to commemorate the agency’s ninth anniversary. The initiative is designed to encourage local artists and to foster creativity in fine arts.

Held at the LBSI premises, this venture provides artists a space in which to express their creative ideas in painting and sculpture. The ‘Leo Art,’ ‘Artists-In-Residence’ programme gives upcoming local artists the opportunity to display their work, as well as an area to work in. Here, artists will also be able to collaborate with agency teams on commercial projects and be seen and appreciated by a wider audience.

Once again featured in the second showing of ‘Leo Art’ are three contemporary artists and a sculptor whose featured work received much acclaim from the visitors to the first season of the initiative.

Pramith Geekiyanage, an award winner at the Young Contemporaries Visual Art Exhibition, says that his current focus is on paintings of figures of the human body. In his work, he usually features himself, coloured in earthy tones and highlighted with bold strokes of black. A native of Chilaw, this young artist specialises in Design at the University of Visual and Performing Arts. Each painting displays his artist’s commitment to depicting the most minute details of the human body.

In his work, artist J.C. Rathnayake from Polonnaruwa, aims to portray the wonders of the universe in abstract form. Through the use of a special blend of rich colours and a washed-out colour technique, he creates a variety of imaginary landscapes.

Inspired by the stillness of the dark, his paintings feature moonlight as a contrast to the darker hues of the night.

Much of his work has been featured at a number of group exhibitions at galleries across Colombo. Commenting about ‘Leo Art,’ Ratnayake says that the future can be bigger for both-the artists featured and the initiative itself.

Sathyajith Ranganatha, hailing from Maskeliya, has always been intrigued by the art of sculpture.

This young sculptor has obtained awards from the State Art Festival and the University of Performing and Visual Art. His work has been featured at a number of locations around Colombo. His creation of a six ft. Buddha Statue in Rantembe is testament to the stunning work he is striving to produce. His range of work is wide and varied, and includes figurative and abstract sculptures. Interestingly, his abstract work also features home gardening tools.

Hailing from Kadugannawa, artist Sanjaya Senavirathna’s paintings evoke sentiments of happiness and fun through his use of bright and vibrant colours.

He hopes to infuse thoughts of love and happiness into the conscious of the viewer with his free and unrestricted style of art. His work has been appreciated by audiences around the country, and has also been featured at a number of solo and group exhibitions.

Speaking about the ‘Leo Art’ initiative, Senavirathna says, “Leo Art has given me a chance to showcase my talents to a different and new audience. Leo Burnett being a creative breeding ground seems to sync well with my artistic endeavours.” ‘Leo Art’ will be open to the public on weekdays and weekends from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. This ongoing venture with a purpose to keep art alive in Sri Lanka is a must-see for art lovers.

Dushyanth and pradeep for South Asian Super Star

Talented vocalists Dushyanth Weeraman and Pradeep Rangana will represent Sri Lanka in a contest to find the South Asian Super Star.

Ten contestants from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will compete for the title.

The competition will comprise five to six rounds in which a contestant will be eliminated at the end of each session. ‘Romance’, ‘Soft Rock’, ‘Hard Rock’, ‘Film Songs’ and ‘General’ are some of the themes for each round.

The inauguration for the event was held at Kolkata on November 25. The competition is currently in progress.

Neethi Ranga

With the presentation of the colourful ‘Neethi Ranga 2008’ by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka on November 15, the Elphinstone Theatre, Maradana turned into pleasantly surprising venue with a difference.

Out of the distinguished gathering of eminent lawyers that were present, a live performance of Latin American dances were presented to an enthralled gathering by Krishantha and his wife, Ashoka Dharmatilleke from the Mount Lavinia Bar, Geethanjalie Sumithrarachchi from the Kandy Bar and Manoja Jayaneththi also from the Kandy Bar.

Torana’s new releases

Torana Music Box recently launched its latest collection: two CDs by Sri Lanka’s nightingale Latha Walpola, Kasun Kalhara’s newest album, a DVD comprising Prasanna Vithanage’s films and Sunil T. Fernando’s production Weda Bari Tarzan 2.

After a brief pause talented vocalist Kasun Kalhara Jayawardene kick started his latest album made up of 14 foot-tapping tracks. Titled Romantic Operawa, the album includes melodies composed by Kalhara, Mahinda Bandara, Nadeeka Guruge, Aishantha Peiris, Isuru Kumarasinghe, Romen Mendis and Akila Suren, Chaminda Ratnasuriya, Upul Shantha Sannasgala, Aruna Kithsiri, Lakmal Dhanushka Weerasiri, Sandya Aapa Senaviratne, Nadeeka Guruge, Charith Senadeera, Romen Mendis and Namal Jayasinghe have penned the lyrics. Kasun recently held a concert ‘Kasun Kalhara: unforgettable Live in Concert’ in which he sang some of his past hits and a few songs from his new album.

Pem Nelaville and Obata Mama Aadarai, two CDs which include well loved songs sung by veteran vocalist Latha Walpola are also available to her fans. The CDs include 30 hits like Pokuru Pokuru Mal, Hima Renu Watana, Hinehanna Romeo, Premaye Chandraya, Mangala Dinayae, Pipena Puman, Doi Doi Doi, Lokae Jeewath Wannata, Dedunnen Eha and many more.

The CDs were launched to coincide with the 75th birth anniversary of the vocalist and encompasses duets sung with Sangeeth Nipun Sanath Nandasiri, Susil Premaratne, Victor Ratnayake, T.M. Jayaratne, Greshan Ananda, Eshak Beg, Rukantha Gunatileke, Rajeev Bastian, Ravindra Randeniya, Suneth Walpola and Amith Walpola.

Sisila Gini Gani (Ice on Fire), Anantha Rathriya (Dark Night of the Soul), Pawuru Walalu (Walls within), Purahanda Kaluwara (Death on a Full Moon Day) and Ira Madiyama (August Sun) directed by Prasanna Vithanage comes in DVD format.

The recently screened Sunil T. Fernando production Weda Bari Tarzan-Mathi Sabayata-2 starring Tennyson Cooray, Pumi Purasinghe, Ananda Wickramage, Susila Kottage, Chathura Perera and Janesh Silva comes in DVD as well as VCD format.

Directed by Sunil Soma Peiris and Sudesh Wasantha Peiris, the movie includes music directed by Heshan Sudatta Perera.

National Dance Awards 2008

The National Dance Awards 2008 took place at the John de Silva Theatre on November 27 under the patronage of Minister of Indigenous Medicine Tissa Karalliyadde.

Chairman of National Dancing, Ballet and Puppetry Panel Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi, President of Arts Council of Sri Lanka Pandula Endagama and Director of the Departmant of Cultural affairs E.M. Abhayaratne were also present. It was an evening of colour and traditional dance. Our photographer Ruwan de Silva was there to capture these memorable moments on and behind the stage.

Kids’ talent bloom with Pipena Kakulu

Pipena Kakulu, a children’s art exhibition and a festival to celebrate Children’s Day was held recently.

The event was organised for its fourth successful year by the Pipena Kakulu Children’s Society. the children’s art exhibition took place at the National Art Gallery on November 19 under the patronage of American Ambassador Robert Blake. Daily News photographer Saman Sri Wedage was there to capture these enthralling moments.

First place in the year 13 category	First place in the year 12 category	First place in the year 9 category

First place in the year 9 category	First place in the year 8 category	First place in the year 4 category
First place in the year 2 category	First place in the nursery category