‘Power of Shakthi’ on February 24, 25

Waruna Padmasiri

‘The ‘Power of Shakthi’, Sri Lanka Shakthi awards’ will be held at the Kadiresan Hall, Colombo on February 24 and 25 at 6.30pm. ‘Shakthi’ is a divine energy, a metaphor for women, a force that unifies.

Ultimate Shakthi is in unison. Shiva and Shakthi can never be divided,said renowned musician Shrimathi Shoba at a press conference to promote the ‘power of Shakthi’ musical and dance extravaganza. In the spirit of healing the scars of war, ‘Sri Lanka Shakthi awards’ will be held for the first time ever organized by the Hindu Women’s Society, president of the society Sivanandini Duraiswamy said.

The Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam (Hindu Women’s Society) will celebrate its 82nd anniversary this year. The organisation was formed in 1930 with the aim of protecting the Hindu religion and the Tamil language during the British colonial period.

The institute has since prospered and has become a powerful vehicle for women in Sri Lanka and provides valuable services to women. One of it’s biggest success stories is the Hindu Ladies College in Wellawatte. One of the biggest girl’s schools in the country. The Hindu Women’s Society also conducts a school of music and dance, a hostel for students, an elders home, a hostel for working women, a yoga center and a religious education institute.

The ‘Sri Lanka Shakthi awards’ will be presented during the “Power of Shakthi” musical and dance extravaganza. Celebrity singers, dancers and models from Sri Lanka ,Chennai and Bangalore will perform at the event. They include Sri Manu Mitha, Jaylakshmi, Ajeesh and Aneesh, Chandralatha and Anuja Ayer.

“Though the war is over, the scars of the war remains to be healed” Duraiswamy said. The funds raised at the event will help over 250 children from displaced families, presently studying at Hindu College. This will be in the spirit of healing and looking after the younger generation. For more information visit www.mangaiyarkalagam.org or call 0112504225