Capturing the face of France

Nostalgie chapter two to unfurl this weekend:

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Kumar de Silva

Multitasking should have been his middle name. An award-winning television personality, former newspaper journalist and Kumar de Silva had been there and done it all.

Kumar’s link with France is inevitable. He is fluent in French and English, and had hosted and produced the ‘Bonsoir’ series for 15 years. He had joined the French Embassy as a de-facto Audio Visual Officer and also penned the biography of Lester James Peries titled ‘Lester by Lester’.

Last year he proved his skills in an entirely new field with his maiden photographic exhibition ‘Nostalgie’. The stunning black and white images which had frozen some of France’s beauty in time enthralled many.

“France is the country which brought the rich language of Moliere and Racine, the colourful vistas of Monet and Renoir, the music of Bizet and Offenbach, down to the passion of Piaff, the diversity of its cheeses and wines, the magic of the movies, all this and much more,” said the Colombo-based Public Relations and Media Consultant unraveled his thoughts on what France means to him.

The success of ‘Nostalgie’ inspired him to launch the second series this year. ‘Nostalgie02’ will open at Harold Peries Gallery, Lionel Wendt Arts Centre, on June 30 and July 1, 10 am to 7 pm.

Q: How different is ‘Nostalgie02’ from ‘Nostalgie’ which you presented in 2011?

A: This is the sequel to ‘Nostalgie’ and thus a continuation of the photographic journey I began last year.

Q: How many images are there in ‘Nostalgie02’ and did you choose these images under a specific theme?

Nature takes over. A village off Montpellier

No to viagra!

Cathedrale de Champagne 01

Fr. Dom Perignon (1638 - 1715) who gave his name to champagne

Auvergne specialities in Paris

Genie de la Bastille where the revolution took place

A: I’m planning between 25 to 30 photographs under a general theme. No, there isn’t a specific theme. As the blurb says “Nostalgie02 takes visitors through random scenes of Paris and across different parts of France”. But let me add that this is not the much-favoured rose tinted vision of France, but rather one that presents the country as it is.

Q: How has Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Doisneau's work influenced you?

A: Greatly. It was my exposure to their body of work that inspired the black and white photographer in me. I don’t claim to be a great photographer but if the public likes my work, then I should be happy, shouldn’t I?

Q: Why do you prefer to work with black and white photography instead of colour?

A: To me, it is an escapist route from the reality of everyday life. I find greater depth and a strong character in the hundreds of shades of gray that a black and white photograph presents, as opposed to a colour photograph. There’s both a harsh surrealism combined with a soft lyricism. It’s the juxtaposition and the freezing of time in this paradox which I find appealing.

Q: What should a view possess for you to feel like photographing it?

A: Ah, that’s a very subjective thing. I have this strange affinity for the trilogy of fore, mid and backgrounds which I’ve done with a series of Parisian street lamps. That’ll be a separate “online exhibition” which will be presently hosted on my website (www.kumardesilva.com) which I’m also launching at the exhibition inauguration. ‘Nostalgie02’ is specifically a focused study of places and situations which careful attention given to composition and the ‘framing’ of the shots.

Q: What's your favourite ‘Nostalgie’ moment?

A: A few Christmas eves ago, I spent a couple of hours at the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The ambiance was fabulous with the fading sun lighting the stained glass windows, the smell of incense in the air, the hush-hush of people praying and the Mass sung in Latin. It was a truly fascinating and memorable experience and greatly appealed to the former-Christian in me. I stood in a corner watching the wax drip from the candles and the smell of burning wax fill the air. There was one which very, very slowly bent in two. It took some time and was literally in slow motion and that’s ‘The Fallen Candle’ which you’ll see at the exhibition.

Q: How was the response to ‘Nostalgie 2011’ and did that motivate you to hold this year's exhibition?

A: Last year was an experiment. I actually wanted to test myself and gauge myself as a photographer. What better gauge than a mixed public. The response was very encouraging given the fact that vast majority of them were non-Francophone. So here I am …. me voila ….this year.

Q: You got your media training in Paris. What is the most helpful advice you were given which helped you shape your career?

A: Television training to be more specific, facilitated by the Embassy of France in Colombo and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 25+ years ago, television in Sri Lanka was still in its relative infancy and learning stage. The cameras were fixed, tightly fixed on their tripods and they never moved. We all spoke to fixed cameras. This was ideal for the news bulletins but certainly not for other programmes.

“Make the camera move,” I was told. “Treat it like a friend. Talk to it, flirt with it and include it in your presentation”. That’s something I learnt for life. At every recording thereafter I consciously endowed it with personae and make it an extension of myself. This, I believe contributed hugely to the success of all the programmes I’ve hosted on television. It’s a strange but simple formula indeed.

Q: What is so interesting about ‘human behavioural patterns'?

A: The human being is a strange creature and covered with layer upon layer of pre-fabricated veneers.

There are times when these layers slip off and you get a peek into the person who lies beneath. This is often possible at unconscious and unguarded moments. There are plenty of them and that’s what I like observing.

Q: What are your links with the Alliance Francaise de KOTTE ?

A: I have very close ties with the Alliance Francaise de KOTTE. As you know, the international parent body which is the Fondation Alliance Francaise, based in Paris, has only four branches in Sri Lanka. They are the Alliance Francaise de KOTTE, KANDY, JAFFNA and MATARA. With fully experienced teachers and the latest pedagogical methods, these are all linked to the global network and offer certificates and diplomas which are recognised internationally. I'm proud to be associated with the Alliance Francaise de KOTTE as we continue steadfastly in our endeavours to further promote and popularise the French language and culture in Sri Lanka.

Q: Any special thanks?

A: Yes of course to the Alliance Francaise de KOTTE for presenting this second annual exhibition, to Canon Metropolitan for coming forward as Sponsor of this event and to the Lionel Wendt Arts Centre for all its support and solidarity. Merci beaucoup!

Mussels ready for a white wine soak

Q: What else are you working on these days?

A: I’m almost at the end of ‘Irangani’, the story of Sri Lanka’s terribly unassuming yet iconic actress. I’ve been a great fan of hers since my childhood.

Collaborating with her on this project was a truly a humbling experience. Stage and screen apart, it was also a lesson in life and living. The lady turned 85 recently and hopefully her story will hit the bookshelves this year.

And then I get cracking on ‘Sumitra by Sumitra’ – the life story of this film maker whose cinematic journey began more than half a century ago when she first joined the set of ‘Sandeshaya’ as a young Assistant Director to Lester James Peries.

Known for her keen aesthetic sensibility and sensitivity with which she portrays the feminine condition, Sumitra Peries is perhaps the worlds only qualified woman film director to date