Eye for nature
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
A great photograph is a full expression of what one feels about what
is being photographed in the deepest sense, and is, thereby, a true
expression of what one feels about life in its entirety - Ansel Adams
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Pradeep |
Photography is not only a profession or a pastime but it is a form of
art and a skill. Not many are able to capture the splendors of nature
and memories into a stamp size negative or a postcard size screen and
develop it into the colourful and chiseled work of art which finally
turns up before our eyes. It is only those with rare talent and
immeasurable passion for the art who go to any extreme to capture an
exceptional moment in the course of life and nature to a still image.
With years of experience at nature photography as the official
photographer for Silumina's Rasaduna magazine Pradeep Pathmaperuma had
ventured many a mile through thick and thin to excel in the field. The
talented photographer who worked under Dharmasiri Gamage, the pioneer
and editor of the Navum Mawathaka Charikawa travel series which had
unraveled in Rasaduna for nearly three years said that the tiresome
journeys on foot, loaded with camera equipment and backpacks and seeking
out the best angles to capture natural sights on lens shaped his career.
He had recently come up with a set of small booklets titled Sirilaka
Aasiriya. The numbers amount up to 30 books, each on a specific subject
and comprising coloured pictures of Sri Lanka's natural and historical
sites. There are even a number of booklets with varieties of flora and
fauna and a special set which brings to light some of the country's
traditions and customs. 'Golden Temple, Dambulla', 'Frescos', 'Anuradhapura',
'Tissa Rajamaha Viharaya', 'Ruhunu National Park', 'Botanical Gardens,
Kandy', "Folkdances, Sri Lanka', 'Udawalalwe National Park', 'Sigiriya',
and 'Butterflies of Sri Lanka' are some of the topics he had included in
the books.
Interestingly each of these books also includes a brief but
informative description on each of the places, traditions or customs or
animals. The books are handy to carry around on your ventures as they
are as small as your palm but rich with information.
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Three of Pradeep’s booklets |
"The books are quite popular with nature lovers and tourists. Ten
more books are in the editing process. They deal with topics like
Minneriya National Park, Hortan place, Kaudulla National Park, Duwa Raja
Maha Viharaya and Muthiyangana," the old boy of St. Matthew's college,
Dematagoda, revealed.
However Pradeep's first career had not been behind the lens. Rather
he had started off on stage as a playwright, directing stage plays. His
first drama Sangavini Nidhan took off in 1989. He followed it up with
three more: Chandra Megha, Kalpantha and Nuwanaka Mahima.
He had exhibited his photographes at a number of exhibitions,
starting off with Seya Sithuwam Roo at the National Arts Center in 2000.
In 2003 showcased more work in an exhibition titled Kalathisi Asiri in
Polonnaruwa. Ruhunu Pura Asiri took shape in Tissamaharama in 2004 and
Senkadagala Asiri happened in Kandy in 2007. Last year he held
Padavipura Asiri in Padaviya.
He aims to showcase Athugala Asiri in Kurunegala before the end of
the year.
Speaking to Daily News 'Artscope' the nature enthusiast related that
one of the goals of his mission is to bring up a generation of nature
friendly youngsters. He conducts lectures at school on the topic.
"If any school wishes to invite me to conduct lectures on the
importance of preserving nature, I will be happy to do so. Nature is not
only a feast for our eyes but it is also our saviour," he stressed the
importance of preserving natural beauty.
He recently held an exhibition in Mahidol University, Thailand, as a
response to an invitation extended by the Thailand Ambassador of Sri
Lanka Professor J.B. Dissanayake. 'Pearl of the Indian Ocean', the
exhibition displaying around 300 coloured photographs comprising the
best of Sri Lankan natural wonders unfolded last August.
Pradeep is also the president and founder of the Nature forest
Association. He can be contacted on: 011 2531826 or 12\12, Vivekarama
Mawatha, Wellampitiya. |
