Vivacious Vistas
Athula brings picturesque beauty via Poetic Images:
Photograph: a picture painted by the sun
without instruction in art.
- Ambrose Bierce
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Waterfall |
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Novice monk
sweeping |
One can't help 'oohing' and 'aahing' over the images.
They are pictures from some of the island's most scenic locations,
artistically captured and frozen as stills overtime. These mind-blowing
pictures are now
preserved in their original form as images in Athula
Disanayaka's third exhibition Roopa Kavya (Poetic Images) which will
be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery, Colombo, from March 24 to 27
Nature's beauty is no alien element for Athula. The talented
photographer who hails from Damana, Ampara, had been in contact with
nature's wonders from childhood. This motivated him to capture these
fleeing moments on camera.
"Digamadulla was developed civilization during the Anuradhapura
period. This is evident by all the archaeological discoveries in the
past decades. The area comprises immense beauty and includes features of
a typical rural village with the tank, paddy field, temple and school.
This beauty inspired many literary virtuosos like Maya Ranjan, Dr R L
Spittle and R L Brohier in their work. Maya Ranjan's work was especially
inspiring. He had described the forest and village vividly. He had
taught at our school in the late 1940s. He wrote Digamadulle Aascharya
and Mage Rajjya during that time," said the old boy of Damana Maha
Vidyalaya.
Athula had pursued further studies at Prince of Wales College,
Moratuwa, and Gamini Maha Vidyalaya, Ampara. He did his BA in Mass
Communication at Colombo University before embarking on a career in the
media field. He started off as a provincial correspondent by supplying
photographs for Lake House newspapers, Dawasa and Divayina.
He recalls the times when the Government cinema sector brought mobile
film vehicles to the village. Villagers had crowded round to watch the
documentaries and short films unfolding on the screen. These were
brought as an added treat during the harvest season.
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Walking
monks |
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Athula
Disanayake |
"Such experiences nurtured my thoughts. These and my photographic
knowledge came in handy once I became a program director at Sri Lanka
Rupavahini.
"Most of the scriptwriting was done by the director. He needs to tell
the cameraman exactly what he wants. Still photographic knowledge holds
an important place in this task," Athula explained.
He had directed a number of award-winning programs like Watarawuma
and Udarata Menike: A train journey to the hill country. The unique
program which explores the countryside and interesting places near the
railway tracks was co-directed by Mayuri Wanaguru.
"I have directed diverse programs in Rupavahini but now I have made
documentaries my forte. I hope to make more programs to entertain the
viewers as well as provide them with mind boggling topics and
knowledge," Athula said.
Speaking about Roopa Kavya has said that he had already held two solo
exhibitions: Praba Sithuwam in 1990 and Ira Mala Yata in 1993. "Roopa
Kavya includes landscapes, village life and graphics. It comprises
around 100 black and white photos and coloured images. I have tried to
entwine poetic imagery into the pictures by snapping the objects at a
certain angle," Athula explained on how he put together and named the
exhibition.
In addition to the exhibition a DVD comprising 500 Sri Lankan
landscapes will be launched at the event. It is the first time that such
a product can be purchased from the market. "Those who buy the DVD can
use the pictures in web designing, magazines, calendars, brochures,
leaflets, newspapers, wall papers, books, book covers, posters, book
marks, power point presentations and thesis. A 112 page book which
depicts the beauty of Sri Lanka, titled Miraculous Island in the Indian
Ocean will also be launched," he said adding that he uses program
directing, photography, writing and graphics for his creations.
Athula will launch his website soon. His photographs are available on
www.athulaart.blogspot.com and Facebook.
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