DN page 16 Features/events monday, april 23, 2012 Excelling in handicrafts Wehelle Piyathilake Kusa-Paba love Maharagama special correspondent A disabled war hero who sacrificed his right foot in the battlefield shows his traditional handicraft tal- legend in Surrey ents in Dumbara Rata mat weaving craft. He is Saman Yapage from It is indeed, a great pleas- Thalagune, Ududumbara. ure, to hear of Sri Lankans, His piece of Dumbara Rata living abroad who have not craft was adjudged as the forgotten their mother best creation in the 2011 country, and are playing the handicrafts competition role of goodwill ambassa- and exhibition organised dors, and doing an incredi- by the Craft Council and ble service to add lustre to won the most outstanding the motherland. Its with silver award. Saman Yapage at his handloom great appreciation that we His father, grandfather express our sincere grati- and ancestors, especially lost his right foot. In 2003 tude to those, who take an his great grandmother, Yapage took to his tradi- active interest into promote Thikirivani, were the pio- tional Dumbara Rata Hand- integration and harmony neers of the Dumbara Rata icraft. Now he had won within our community craft. many awards for his abroad, and support initia- Dumbara Rata master crafts. tives, within the communi- has a long He had devel- ty to promote cultural history. It oped the craft to diversity. runs to the many other This is one such promi- era of angles. Formerly nent personality, well- Kuveni. Dumbara Rata known in literary and social According craft was meant circles, a teacher and prin- to the legend only for mat cipal of schools who has of Queen weaving utiliz- confirmed her stature as a Kuveni after ing new tech- veteran dramatist, using A scene from the drama marrying nology Yapage such strategies, and making Vijaya the King created table a significant contribution, a huge motivation, to those Vesak. Abroad, she lives in rience for her to train awarded to the role of of Lanka, he had mats, door to further illuminate the around her. An ardent lover Canada, she renders an youth, who are unable to Kusa, portrayed by Viraj deserted Kuveni and window prestige of our country. She of culture, heritage and his- exceptional service to the read, write or talk the Chanaka, and the Best from her Queen- curtains, is Irangani Kalutanthri, an tory, her artistic creations, Sri Lankans, who live dis- mother tongue-Sinhala, but Actress award was for the ship and expelled chair decora- arts graduate of the Univer- reflect her sincere devotion tanced from the cultural she still enjoys working role of Pabavathie, por- her from the Pal- tions, wall sity of Peradeniya, with a to it. She has a few out- background of Sri Lanka, with them, getting the trayed by Amanda Fernan- ace. She had hangings - Post Graduate Course in standing dramas to her providing them with an script written in English do. Lalith Malalasekera as departed to the The masterpiece which and many Drama from the University credit, such as Kuvanna, Le opportunity, to display with training to get the cor- King Madhu, Anusha Wije- jungle when her won the most Routstandata craft more A creation by Yapage in of Colombo. She has been Nayo, Kusa Natakaya, their talents and capabili- rect pronunciation, no mannaas Kudee, Chithra Yakka relations had ing Dumbara H things. Dumbara Rata craft awarded honorary titles of Lama Donkaraya, Daskon ties, on the public platform. doubt with a heavy western Fernando as Queen killed her for at the National Yapage Desha Kala Keerthie Kala Pramila, Dayaka Kandulu She has produced a consid- accent, yet getting them to Seelavathie, Tilak Bandara, destroying the yakka faces Bhooshane, for her out- and Dutugemunu, her mas- erable number of Sinhala the required target. The as Potheguru, displayed dynasty. Her corpse every challenge with standing contribution to terpiece. She produced stage dramas, in some prov- most recent production was their acting ability well. was set to fire. utmost courage and perse- this field. She is also, an Dutugemunu in 1979, lay- inces in Canada. Vesak Kusa-Paba in Surrey 2011, Kusa Paba melodies were In the ash of her body verance. He is never dis- ardent disciple, a pupil of ing emphasis on the impor- Kalum for Ottawa, Glimpse based on the popular Love by Prem Atukorala, from there was a set of patterns. heartened over his past. late Professor Ediriweera tance of national unity and of Lanka for Vancouver legend, in the Kusa-Jata- Sri Lanka, photography by This place was named as He never thinks of his lost Sarathchandra and with her harmony. Kusa-Paba, was 2002, Pride of Lanka, for kaya. A 2 1/2 hour play, Sanka Dissanayake, music Aluwaligoda. (This is to foot. accomplishments, we can yet another successful crea- Edmonton 2005, Kusa- which kept the audience direction by Dr Sarath Jaya- say a heap of Ashes). The The past is dead and say, she has lived upto his tion, based on the well- Paba for Calgary 2007, spell bound, throughout, wardene. people had used those pat- gone and the present is expectations. known Jataka story, pro- Light of Asia, in English, enjoying the lovely melo- Melodies sung by Kris- terns for Dumbara mat with us. We should do She is tremendously com- duced in 1972, in Sri Lanka for the International Bud- dies, the beautiful cos- hanthi Jayawardene, Dilani weaving. what we can do for society. mitted to youth activity, and at present, a popular dhist Congress 2007, Abhi- tumes, and the episodes, Kasturiarachchi. The script The handicraft artist The future is smiling. with a novel approach, with creation abroad. Kusa Paba mana Lanka for Toronto unrolling on stage, in a and direction by Desha Kala Saman Yapage was a sol- Smile with the future that her innovative programmes, was last shown on May 29, 2009. Shadows of Life for beautiful setting. Keerthie, Kala Bhoooshane, dier in the Army Special should be the attitude of an to encourage youth partici- 2011 in Surray in commem- Surrey in 2010, Kusa-Paba The cast displayed their Irangani Kalutanthri, and Task Force. In 2002 was he artist, he said. pation. Even abroad, with oration of our greatest for Surrey 2011. Its some- talents, extremely well. The presented by the Can Lanka succumbed to a landmine Yapa is an artist from the her great work ethic, she is national Buddhist festival times, an entirely new expe- best actor award was Theatre Company. attack at Alimankada and bottom of his heart. …

American Graffiti (1973) will be Sarashi Samarasinghe screened on April 24 at 6pm at the American Centre, No 44, Galle Road, Colombo 3. (Running Time: 110 min- This week’s ‘Cultural Diary’ brings you details utes) ' paean to early '60s about several other fascinating events happen- youth culture boasts a cast of future stars ing in the city. Take your pick of stage plays, that includes , Richard Drey- fuss, Cindy Williams, Paul Le Mat, exhibitions or dance performance and add , Mackenzie Phil- colour to your routine life. You can make merry lips, and Harrison Ford. Follow the lives, loves, and misadventures of a group of and enjoy the adventures or sit back, relax and Balloth Ekka Ba at Lumbini friends one summer night in '62, in enjoy a movie of your choice. Make a little space Modesto, Ca., as they prepare for the theatre uncertainty of life after high school. Look to kick into high gear amid the busy work sched- Balloth Ekka Ba, the for Suzanne Somers, Kay Lenz, and Kath- ules to enjoy the exciting events happening at most popular stage April leen Quinlan. Features a definitive early rock 'n' roll soundtrack. drama written and direct- Seating is limited and is first-come, first-served. venues around the city. If there is an event you ed by Ravindra Ariyar- would like others to know, drop an email to athne which is loved by 28 Taxi many audiences will [email protected] (Please be mindful stage on Saturday (April 28) at 3.30 The movie,Taxi(1998) by Gérard Pirès to send only the essential details). Have a pleas- and 6.45 pm at the Lumbini thatre, will be screened on Tuesday, April 24 at Colombo 5. 3pm and Wednesday, April 25 at 6.30pm ant week. Balloth Ekka Ba will be starred at Alliance Française de Colombo, 11, with renowned artistes such as Barnes Place, Colombo 7. Wijaya Nandasiri, Roshan Pilapiti- Daniel is a reckless car driver. The for- Lecture on Butterfly Fauna duced by Jeewaka Gunadheera and ya, Gihan Fernando, Kumara Thiri- mer pizza delivery man is now a taxi the music will be composed by Navar- madura, Saman Hemarathna (Leela- driver and knows how to escape the most of Sri Lanka athna Gamage. sena) and Anusha Dissanayake. sophisticated radar. The 39th lecture of the Tickets for the show will be availa- Music will be by Shantha Peiris, Yet one day he crosses paths with Emi- April National Trust-Sri Lanka ble at the Sarasavi bookshop, Nuge- background creations by Luvoline lien, policeman flunked for the eighth by Dr. Michael Van der goda, Sadeepa bookshop, Borella and Vandawall and stage management time in his driver's license. To keep his Poorten on The Butterfly at the entrance. will be by Asoka De Soyza and cab, he accepts the deal for him by Emil- Fauna of Sri Lanka will 26 For inquries contact 0711 367708 Shantha Udayakumara. ien: help dismantle a gang of bank rob- be held on Thursday or 0777 367708 The costumes will be designed by bers who scoured the branches of the city (April 26) at 6.30 pm at the Hatton Gihan Fernando and Demal Fer- on powerful vehicles. National Bank (HNB) Auditorium, nando. The movie is most suitable for mature 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, No. 479, The lighting effects will be by audience and is subtitled in English. T.B Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10. Upali Weerasinghe and make up will (Entrance to vehicles from Deans be by Saman Hemarathna. Iqbal Road) 'Balloth ekka ba' is produced by Asle J.Lanka computer training Iqbal(2005) by Nagesh Kukunoor will be screened on April 25 at 6.30 institute while Jude Srimal is the pm at the National Film Corporation Cinema Hall,303,Bauddhaloka main organizer. Mawatha,Colombo 7. (Running Tickets are available at Sarasavi Time:2 hour and 12 minutes) book shops, Nugegoda and Maha- The Film is a story about ragama, Sadeepa book shop, Borella determination, hardwork and and at the Lumbini theatre. an unending passion to become a pace bowler in the National Cricket team. "When the heart begins to think like the head... that is when real success is achieved," says coach Naseer- uddin Shah to his special stu- dent, a deaf-and-mute boy who strives to become a national cricket player. Umathusanwarusawa at the The world of Nagesh Kuku- Tower hall noor's latest film is a mellow one April of basic and valuable emotions. The latest drama direc- This is not the first film where tion of Somapala Gunad- the director has dealt with the heera, Umathusanwaru- 28 ambiguous world of adolescent sawa will be staged at the dreams. Unlike Kukunoor's Tower hall theatre in Maradana on 'Rockford', 'Iqbal' rocks to a rus- April 28 at 3.30 pm and at 6.30 tic and heartfelt raga-rhythm. p.m.Umathusanwarusawa is pro-