Peoples and Events

Light a lamp with us

As the tiny flames try to dispel the darkness, the hope of the association is the safe and speedy return of those missing in action. The pooja is also to remember and honour those who have sacrificed their lives, to show appreciation to the disabled for the sacrifices they have made and for peace.

Gathering together with family and neighbours or joining others at a common venue, in 10 minutes of prayer, is a powerful plea for peace. AFSMIA appeals to all Sri Lankans to join them in making this a success. In Colombo, a gathering has been organised in front of the Town Hall.

Those who have not purchased their lamps could do so at the venue, by coming in a few minutes early. They are also available at 52/1, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7, 47/1, C.W.W. Kannangara Mawatha, Colombo 7, 340, Park Road, Colombo 5, Arpico Showrooms, Titus Stores and Food City.

President's Fund: beacon for the poor

By Roshan Peiris

Adults request for help to take treatment abroad for kidney transplants and the like. Appeals are made to compassionate people to donate generously as often the sum needed is as high as four to five lakhs.

Recently many have asked just how one can get money from what is called the President's Fund. This humane project was initiated by the late President J.R. Jayewardene by means of the President's Fund Act, said Bradman Weerakoon who as a senior civil servant served five Prime Ministers before retirement.

The late President Jayewardene felt that poor people should not feel neglected and hopeless with no future just because they had no money for treatment. 

Anyone who feels that he/she or a child must be taken abroad as the only single hope of a cure could apply to the President's Fund.

A form which is available at the President's office or Secretariat has to be filled and returned to the President's Office.

After that Mr. Weerakoon said, "there is a routine to be followed." A copy of the form is sent to the Area Representative or to the Divisional Health Office or the Government Agent of the area of the applicant's home. Meanwhile another copy is sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Health.

The Area Representative would verify the statements made in the form. The Health Ministry would report whether the patient has to be taken abroad for treatment and whether it could not be done locally. 

The Health Ministry has to send a certificate about the medical aspects of the treatment and testify to the veracity or otherwise of the medical certificate attached to the application form by the person needing treatment. 

In the case of minors the parents have to sign and account for the certificate. Once all these details have been checked out and found accurate, the President would approve the release of funds for treatment amounting to as much as Rs. four to five lakhs. Mr. Weerakoon also specified that the person who takes treatment abroad has to provide receipts of the expenditure in detail.

Review

A delightful and delirious evening 

This time around the two combined to treat a packed audience at the BMICH to what will be for many who were fortunate to hear them perform last Saturday, an unforgettable experience indeed.

When the artistes trooped in with their supporting cast of two lady thampura players and Pandit Chaurasia's nephew Rakeesh whom he said was more son than nephew to him - as supporting flautist, the entire atmosphere changed. All that waiting was forgotten and there was a prescience of things beautiful to follow. 

Pandit Chaurasia introducing his team said one of the thampura players was a local girl, the other Susumeetha, an Indian whom he said, was also an accomplished flautist. 

"But I won't ask her to play today because you will then only be listening to her and not to me!" he said, drawing laughter from the audience and creating an immediate rapport with them which lasted throughout the concert. Next saying today (Saturday) being a special day - Zakir Hussain prompting him and signalling a V for Valentine- he said he would begin the night's concert with an evening raga creating a tranquil and romantic mood. Zakir Hussain speaking briefly called himself humbly an accompanist to Pandit Chaurasia whose playing on the long bamboo flute was surpassed by none in the whole world.

Then followed a musical feast whose savour was bound to last a long time into the night and for days later whenever one recalls the perfect control and fluency of the magical sounds of the flute blown by the Pandit with Rakeesh supporting and even taking over from time to time, blending harmoniously and rhythmically along with the thampuras monotonously humming in the background like a gentle wind. After this it was all trance and delight to those like me, but doubly so for those who were into a knowledge of the intricacies of Indian classical music. As Ustad Zakir Hussain gets going at top speed he fits more perfectly controlled notes into the beat than is humanly possible. No wonder he has been described as a musician of terrifying, Paganinesque virtuosity. One soon realizes that he is much more than the mere accompanist he claimed to be. 

To end Pandit Chaurasia and Ustad Zakir Hussain moved into a folk raga and so concluded a delightful and delirious evening for all that day, a never to be forgotten one. 

Ustad Zakir Hussian thanking the audience said Pandit whose name begins with a Hari after the legendary Hari Krishna the god who had a host of 16,000 lady admirers was still on offer. And on that jolly note we parted company with the maestros and their companions whom we hope we will be able to see and hear again

-Hussein P. Saibo

A rare concert; more please

A gala concert at the Russian Centre organized by Ms. Olga de Livera to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Independence in Sri Lanka was held recently. 

This was sponsored by Motorola for the Cultural Ministry under the patronage of the Cultural Minister and Ms Lakshman Jayakody.

The programme commenced with young Serala Athulathmudali singing Danno Budunge accompanied by Mano Chanmugam and three fellow artistes, on two pianos. 

This was a reflective rendering, which brought the concert into focus. This was followed by three well known artistes, Ramya de Livera - piano, Ananda Dabare - violin, Dushyanthy Perera - cello perform in Chopin's Piano Trio (1st Movement). 

Next was a vocal item - the Flower Duet from 'Lakme' by two sopranos, Menaka de Fonseka Sahahandu and Tharanga Gunatilake. There was a refreshing change when a young boy Randika Gunawardene performed Yanni's Acroyali.

He was able to vary the tone to make the piano sound orchestrated, very convincingly. A well controlled ensemble played the 1st Movement from the Quintet in C Minor Op. 32 by Luis Spohr. Lalanath de Silva- flute, Ananda Premasiri- Clarinet, Manilal Weerakoon - French Horn, Nalaka Perera-Bassoon and Gayathri Attiken - piano displayed the variety of tonal shading on wind instruments blending with the piano. 

Two young pianists Sonia Wickremasinghe and Kamalini Samarakoon performed the Norwegian Dance duet by Grieg which was delightfully phrased bringing in an element of folk song dance. 

Mano Channmugam not only showed his spontaneity by compering, but, by playing Dilhani and Mangala Motha with Neomal de Alwis, Yohan de Alwis, Pradeep Seneviratne on two pianos improvising naturally in the Western idiom.

The Merry-An Singers dressed in their cloaks of red and white gave a superb lift to the programme when they burst out in the part- singing the 'Saints go marching in'. Mignone Fernando joined in next to sing her own composition 'proud to be Sri Lankan.' 

This was for me a nostalgic moment bringing tears to my eyes. Her personality on stage was unique warm and sincere. Another two piano arrangements of Brazilian works was enjoyed by the audience.

Later Niranjan de Silva on organ and Soundarie David on piano improvised on popular themes–Fusion Condition . This was a treat which no doubt the audience enjoyed.

The final item Blue Danube conducted by Dayananda Fernando with a 30 member orchestra and an organ played by Shyama Perera showed very clearly the versatility and skill of our musicians.

I must mention especially the compere whoe entertained all at the show with his natural flow of witty comments. 

A concert of this calibre is so rare that a repeat would be appreciated.-Shantilal Silva

Competitions

Art Exhibition and Competition

The closing date for entries is March 11, 1999. 

The aim of the competition is to encourage art among children and to make them more acquainted with their own culture and tradition. 

The contest is open to children born between 1983 and 1994. The contests will be in three age groups - 

(a) 04-06 years
(b) 07-11 years
(c) 12-15 years

The contestants are free to select the size and the subject. The work has to be original work and only one entry will be entertained.

The use of any technique and material is permitted. The works should have been completed between 1997 and1998. Entries which have already been displayed at other exhibitions or competitions will not be accepted. 

The entries will not be returned. The entries should include the following information, on the reverse. 

Full Name, Age, Sex, Nationality, Title of the work, Full Address. 

Outstanding works will receive special prizes, Gold, Silver, Bronze, medals will be awarded to the 1st three winners, respectively and selected works will receive honorary diplomas. 

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