Saundarya Abhimani to felicitate best of local talent
Jayanthi LIYANAGE
Saundarya Abhimani, organised by the Visual and Performing Arts
University, will fete the alumni, lecturers, and undergraduates of the
university who received Sarasaviya Film Awards recently. The award
ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on February 24 at the
University.
|
During a recording session |
Seasoned actress Malini Fonseka and University Grants Commission
Chairman Gamini Samaranayake will be the chief invitees to the occasion.
Prof. Sanath Nandasiri, Prof. Amara Ranatunga, Dr. Dayaratne Ranatunga,
Victor Ratnayake, Rohana Weerasinghe, Bandula Wijeweera, Lakshman
Wijesekera, Kulasiri Budawatta, Rajini Selvanayagama, W.D. Ariyasinghe
and Dharshani Chandrasena who are alumni of the University, will be
special invitees. Veteran film critic Gamini Weragama will deliver the
key oration.
Professor Kottegoda on Saundarya Abhimani
"There had been a misconception among the public that the Visual and
Performing Arts University did not produce productive and quality
graduates. The idea behind the Saundarya Abhimani Award Ceremony is to
dispel this fallacy," Visual and Performing Arts University Vice
Chancellor Senior Professor Jayasena Kottegoda said.
Since the institution became a fully-fledged university in 2005,
various transformations have been effected.
"By Saundarya Abhimani awards, we hope to encourage the next
generations of undergraduates to perform better in their studies."
The program begun with film awards will later be extended to drama,
tele-drama, music, dance and related fields in which those associated
with the University are recognised as award winners.
During the annual festival held by the University, award winners from
2005 up to the present will be felicitated.
Steps have been taken to collect profiles of personalities associated
with the institution since its origins in 1890 and present their story
in book form.
Another book to be published is the "History of Visual and Performing
Arts."
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Edward
Jayakody |
Dharmapriya
Dias |
Saumya
Liyanage |
Dulani
Anuradha
Pictures by Tennyson Edirisinghe |
"We have designed 20 new subject systems," said Prof. Kottegoda. "A
four year special degree in cinema will begin this year. It will
encompass acting, directing, lighting, scriptwriting, voice training and
camera directing. Our degree programs are not broad-based but
specialised in dance, drama, music, sculpture or art.
The University is committed to providing the academic foundation to
study these areas in depth."
'Moving Shadows' a CD, containing 16 songs composed by Prof.
Kottegoda was launched last year. The endeavour brought alumni of the
three Faculties of the University - art, music and dance - together. |
