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Art in short
Sam’s Story gets Penguin recognition
Having earned State Literary Award as well as Gratiaen Prize, Captain
Elmo Jayawardena is no stranger to the Sri Lankan English literature.
 His
most popular literary work, Sam’s Story, has been published under
Penguin logo, following praise from many quarters across the globe.
Sam’s Story clinched the Gratiaen Prize in 2001. The book was initially
published by Vijitha Yapa, then by Marshall Cavendish, Singapore in 2004
and Penguin India in 2009.
It has been translated into Sinhala with the title Sameege Kathawa as
published by M D Gunasena. It has been made into a movie as well
starring Sanath Gunatileka, Manik Kurukulasooriya and Jagath Chamila.
Other works by author include ‘The Last Kingdom of Sinhalay’ (State
Literary award 2005) and ‘Rainbows in Braille’ (shortlisted for
Singapore Literary price in 2008). Profits of all these books go to
CandleAid Lanka, approved charity, feeding some poor family.
First winner of the Gratiaen award Carl Muller said:
“A vastly sensitive and gripping experience of the “other” within and
without the context of the “one”. The natural response of native
intelligence to forces that claw out for primacy puts the traumas of a
sunburnt island into the sensibilities of the uneducated narrator. The
effect is startling and, about all, near surrealistic; wholly absorbing”
It is a story told simply and with genuine concern, said Romesh
Gunasekara.
SM
Two books on astronomy
  Anura
C. Perera is a renowned and a tireless writer in the ‘60 s who took
measures to popularise Space science and astronomy through articles
published in many newspapers and magazines in the country.
Two new books by this Award Winning Science Writer ‘Astronomy-Is your
answer correct?’ and ‘Space Science-Is your answer correct?’ are
published and distributed by Sarasavi Publishers.
These two books will help you to enhance your knowledge about Space
and Astronomy and test the knowledge thus obtained.
The books are richly illustrated with rare visuals and complete with
hundreds of questions on history of the two sciences and answers on the
two subject to give the reader step-by-step explanations of the
developments over time.
Anura C. Perera is a member of a number of renowned Science and
Astronomical Societies in the world.
He is currently arranging to introduce a new scientific concept
suitable for ‘Sinhala New Year’.
Ekamath Eka Rateka script launch
 Popular
actor Sanath Gunatilleke who launched his first screenplay Sisila Gini
Ganee will launch his second attempt, the script of his maiden movie
Ekamath Eka Rateka (Once Upon A Time).
The event will take place at the BMICH on September 19. The book is a
Sarasaviya publication.
“Not many screenplays of movies have been printed as books. Our
scripts may not be perfect but this is an attempt at setting an example
to others who are interested in the subject,” Gunatilleke commented on
the subject. – RJ
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Bhadraji |
Felicitating Bhadraji
A felicitation ceremony in appreciation of the prolific writer and
artist Bhadraji Mahinda Jayatilaka will be held in Kandy at the Asgiriya
Maha Vihara-Pirivena Hall on September 16 at 10.00 a.m.
The organizers state it is purely an admiration of the writings and
creations of Bhadraji’s books based on Buddhist thought-the critical
studies in translations and originals plus the novels based on Prince
Siddhartha and Lord Buddha’s life and incidents. Bhadraji has already
published over 20 titles.
Bhadraji is a winner of Sri Lanka’s State Literary Award for best
translation: 2007 ; The Sri Lankan Sarvodaya National Award 2007 and the
D. R. Wijewardana Award for the best novel in manuscript form. He has a
M.Sc postgraduate degree from the Woodbury University-USA. Bhadraji is a
permanent president of USA from 1973. Bhadraji Rasika Hawula-The
Admirers of Bhadraji has organized the event.
Two new CDs from Nanda Malini
Visharada Nanda Malini will launch two new CDs titled Dedunu Paya and
Mahagiri Arane comprising a number of popular film songs at the BMICH on
September 19 at 11 a.m.
The albums will comprise 16 melodious hits each. These songs have not
been included in the previous two CDs of film songs which she launched
some time back. Songs like Dedunu Paya Pata Wetenawa, Hengum Wisira Dasa
Athe, Ada Pamanak Nowe Apata, Kinchi Pinchi Punchi Panchi and Handa
Hawun Hade will be included in the CDs. She hopes to present the CDs to
eight film directors: D.B. Nihalsinghe, Wasantha Obeysekara, Dharmasena
Pathiraja, Somaratne Dissanayake, Bennett Ratnayake, Vimukthi
Jayasundara, Prasanna Vithanage, Inoka Sathyangani, and Ashoka Handagama
at the launch.
In addition Sihina Nelum Mala a musical event in memory of the late
vocalist Dharmasiri Gamage will also be held. Around 17 vocalists will
perform. All are welcome. – RJ
‘Swarna Pusthaka’ a tribute to the literati
One of the key highlights of September aka the month of books is
probably the ‘Swarna Pusthaka’ awards ceremony which is due to take
place at the BMICH on September 18 at 5.30 p.m. this year.
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Encouraging local
writers to enrich the
country’s literary scene |
Five Sinhala novels which have been penned in 2008 will compete to
top the list. The ‘Swarna Pusthaka’ award which had been dubbed Sri
Lanka’s richest literary prize is awarded each year by the Sri Lanka
Book Publishers Association (SLBPA) and goes hand in hand with the
Colombo International Book Fair.
Prize monies totalling Rs. 750,000 including the grand prize of Rs.
500,000 and Rs. 50,000 each to the authors of the five short-listed
novels will be presented at the ceremony. The award is presented with
the goal of encouraging local writers to enrich the country’s literal
scene with meaningful creations.
The five novels short listed this year had been chosen out of 76
pieces of literary work. The jury is chaired by Professor Tissa
Kariyawasam.
Contenders for ‘Swarna Pusthaka’ 2009
Sathyakama by Kathleen Jayawardena (M.D. Gunasena)
E Pura Rejayoo Eya by Chandrasiri Palliyaguru
(S. Godage and Brothers)
Andakara Tharakawa by Karunadasa Sooriyaarachchi
(Dayawansha Jayakody and Company)
Podu Purushaya by Sunethra Rajakarunanayake
(Sarasavi Publishers)
Bora Thel by Ven. Batuwangala Rahula Thera
(Sadeepa Prakashana Mandiraya) |
