Green living!

Senali S Perera

"The human life you are born to is the most precious opportunity you have got," says Sunanda Weerasinghe, the author of 'Nivahal Deshiya Krushi Arthikayak Godanagamu' a book that will teach you how to enrich your lives with fresh, green gifts that Mother Nature has bestowed on us. "The level of intelligence of the mind to see through the veil of Maya and even get a glimpse of the reality is truly precious."

Childhood

Weerasinghe, the vice President of Sri Lanka Food Processors Association and Chairperson for Cleaner Dining programme conducted by the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association and the public Health Department of Colombo, had a lively childhood in the sea belt.

Sunanda Weerasingha

She was taught to adore Mother Nature and to treat her with the faithful devotion she deserves. "At age twelve, I remember walking in the compound with my father when he told me while showing me a handful of soil that the soil you can take in this cupped hand is what is walking now, originating from the same earth, nourished by the same earth and buried in the very same earth one day," says Weerasinghe. "I saw him paying homage to the rising Sun, and to the well that gave us clean water. This environment created enormous respect within me to Mother Nature. All I have created and the awards I have won nationally and internationally are the creations of this true love and respect towards Mother Nature."

Her book is guidance to a healthy life that springs from the nutritious food that is grown in your own garden, by your own hands. "I have traveled to Thailand as the vice president of the Sri Lanka Food Processors Association. I saw clusters of families do the farming.

They export the harvest to Japan and thus, their children are given scholarships in Japan," says Weerasinghe. "There is definitely something in it for us to learn.

Attention should be given to such programs." According to Weerasinghe, "The misuse of pesticides and chemical fertilizer is the main problem we face in Sri Lankan farming. This is done insensitively."

Weerasinghe states that the food -fruits and vegetables- you find in the market today are grown with extra pesticides and chemicals. Thus, she brings forth the obvious importance of organic farming and growing your own food. 'Nivahal Deshiya Krushi Arthikayak Godanagamu' sheds light on this more often than not overlooked issue. "We are blessed with natural resources we need. What people need is guidance," she says further.

The Eastern Province accepted her creation with open arms, requesting Tamil versions of the book. "I request that some company or willing person would come forward to print more copies of the book and publish it among Eastern and Northern farmers," says Weerasinghe. The book truly deserves the attention and the people deserve the guidance the book provides to a healthier living.

Weerasinghe not only speaks the words but also sets a good example through her food processing company 'Supersun' - healthy, pure vegetarian food products that lead you 'towards a healthier body and a peaceful mind.' The products include food from desserts to soy protein milk and 'meatless meat'. The milk contains nutrients and amino acids that fish and meat contain so that when you consume soy protein milk, there is no need to include fish or meat in your meal. It's pure vegetarian, it's hundred per cent healthy. She won a green award from SAARC for the vegetarian company concept.

Receiving the victories she deserves, she continues to pave the path towards a healthier living.

Weerasinghe completed 'Nivahal Deshiya Krushi Arthikayak Godanagamu' with the contribution of Dr. Sujatha Weerasinghe. She had been inspired when Sujatha Weerasinghe helped a young boy grow banana of which the cultivation was later extended to two acres.

The boy was successful and the two ladies got together to give a guiding hand to persons like him who might change their lifestyles, befriending Mother Nature.

Sunanda Weerasinghe has gifted the society with more of her creativity and guidance. 'Arahath Magga Arahath Pala', a Sinhala translation of the book with the same title by Thai monk Ven Ajahn Maha Boowa Thera discusses his meditational experiences. For children, she wrote "To Thine Own self Be True" a book that shapes the mind of the child like transforming a lump of clay into a strong, beautiful vase.

Guidance

Weerasinghe's upcoming creation 'Be a Lotus' ('Puthanuvani Diyaniyani Vanna Nelumak Madin Mathuvana') speaks to the young generation. Again, the book is guidance to a better lifestyle. Say you want to make lunch sheet at home? The book tells you how.

The committee of Sri Lanka Food Processors Association

Have you ever imagined that the simple banana leaf that we see everyday can be turned into a useful lunch sheet? The book also encourages drying fruits and vegetables and preserving them.

There's more. 'Puthanuvani Diyaniyani Vanna Nelumak Madin Mathuvana' will guide you towards a more self-sufficed life. The authors of 'Puthanuvani Diyaniyani Vanna Nelumak Madin Mathuvana' include Sunanda Weerasinghe herself, Dr. Sujatha Weerasinghe, Dr. Chandima Vijebandara, Dr. Jagath Vansapala, Dr. D. P. Athukorala, Nutritionist Niranjani Wikramasinghe and Journalist Rasika Solangarachchi. The book is a store of knowledge.

"Children are better navigators than the adults to change the society," says Weerasinghe. "The change should start within the people. It is not entirely the responsibility of the authorities". Finally, Weerasinghe's true words conclude that "divinity is within each and every man. It just has to be unfolded."

SOSL's first concert in Jaffna:

Music from around the world

The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka performed its first concert in Jaffna on November 17, at the Veerasingham Hall. The concert was organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan as part of the Embassy's celebrations of the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.

Nobuhito Hobo, the Ambassador of Japan making his speech in Tamil

The concert commenced with a speech in Tamil by Nobuhito Hobo, the Ambassador of Japan. His speech was warmly applauded by the audience who were surprised to hear him speak in Tamil.

The theme of the concert was "Music from Around the World". The orchestra, conducted by the Japanese conductor Keiko Kobayashi, performed music from Austria, Germany, France, Italy, U.S.A., Japan, India and Sri Lanka.

The Clarinet Soloist Ado Kihara, from Japan, gave a rousing rendition of the third movement of Weber's Clarinet Concerto. His performance elicited great interest from the audience who was, no doubt, familiar with the Nadaswaram, the wind instrument used in carnatic music. The Tamil music of A.R. Rahman "Kadhal Rojave" & "Malarkale Malarkale" was loudly applauded. Sunil Shantha's "Olu Pipeela" was well received too. The programme included "Song Lines", a piece composed by the well known Japanese contemporary composer Eiji Suzuki, based both on a Sri Lankan and a traditional Japanese folk tune. The composer wanted to show through his music the harmonious blending of cultures and his desire for world peace. Mr. Eiji Suzuki was present at the concert and was warmly applauded for his composition.

The audience, showed a keen interest when the different sounds of the orchestral instruments were demonstrated to them with an explanation given in both English and Tamil. This, along with brief introductions to each piece of music, enabled the audience, which comprised of students, teachers, bankers and the general public to gain a greater understanding of the orchestral instruments and the music that was being performed.

The Veerasingham hall was filled to capacity with over 900 people that night. The audience interacted with the orchestra throughout the programme. A student from Chundikuli Girls School, Jane Madusha Selvaraja, was given the opportunity to "conduct" the orchestra. She received rapturous applause. Ms Selvaraja said she "was very happy as it was a good experience" for her.

Enthusiastic audience

During the performance of Gershwin's popular "I Got Rhythm" the audience joined in the rhythmic clapping which was part of the music score. At the final encore of Johann Strauss Jr's "toe tapping" Overture to Die Fledermaus, the audience spontaneously broke into a steady clap in time to the music.

The applause from the audience was loud and appreciative throughout the concert showing their sensitivity to good music, when well performed even if in an unfamiliar idiom. At the end of the concert, responding to the rousing applause and requests for encores, the SOSL performed a piece of music written especially for the SOSL by the Japanese composer, Eiji Suzuki, titled "Greetings".

Many people requested the Orchestra to come back and perform again. Some of the comments received from the school principals present were "We would like the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka start a Jaffna Branch", " The event gave entertainment to all as well as educated", " We were very happy to listen to the music by A.R .Rahman for his two popular Tamil compositions 'Kadhal Rojave' and 'Malarkale,Malarkale'"," We would like you to conduct this kind of programme at least once a year as it will provide entertainment for children, teachers and the general music loving public."

A bank executive commented "We felt it was a new experience for us. It completely differs with the formal music program which we were used to see at this part of the country. I hope this is a first such program in our surrounding area. We enjoyed the different countries music and live musical action."

Yet another bank executive wrote that "It was really a mind blowing event to witness. I came with my family and friends and they too were thrilled. My naughty little son who never sits in a place watched the whole concert attentively. During those two hours we forgot that we are in Jaffna. It was really nice to see a Japanese Gentleman delivered his speech in Tamil and a Student was called to conduct a Song. It would have definitely made an impact on the school students who were there more than 50% of the audience. At this juncture I want to say a big thank you for the whole team for that wonderful evening and kindly request you to continue to support the peninsula people with such great events."

The Musicians of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka were equally moved by the packed hall and gave an inspired performance that evening. As remarked by one musician "It was truly a magnificent happening. The audience response was terrific. The concert showed the SOSL's spirit of music making. The players are thrilled, not only about the music but the whole trip.Ó

The Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka thanks all its sponsors, Asia Capital, The Embassy of Japan, Japan Foundation, Toyota, Colombo Dockyard Plc, Itochu, Mitsubishi Corporation, Taisei, Maeda and Mr Chandra Mohan for their sponsorship, without which this concert would not have been possible. Mrs. Sharmini Wettimuny, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the SOSL stated, "We are delighted that we were able to share our music with the People of Jaffna, who filled the huge Veerasingham Hall to capacity and showed their appreciation through enthusiastic applause. We also value their comments given after the concert. We hope that we will be able to return to Jaffna for more concerts in the future".