March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE

SAARC Cultural Centre NEWSLETTER March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1

News in Highlight

SAARC Literary Award and Ceremony 2018 Page no. 04

The Preparatory Meeting of the SAARC Culture Capital SAARC 2018 in Page no. 06

International SAARC International Women’s Day 2018 Women’s Day Page no. 01 In 2018, The SAARC Visit of the Senior Director Cultural Centre celebrated the SAARC International General of SAARC Division Women’s Day in collaboration with of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the SAARC the Department of Cultural Affairs in The music and the singers enthralling the on the 8th of March 2018, audience Cultural Centre at the Auditorium of the District was filled to its maximum capacity Page no. 07 Secretariat in Kalutara. “A Mother’s with over 650 ladies, comprising of Song: An aesthetic journey through mothers, daughters, grand mothers Announcements in search of the Rhythms from all walks of life and age groups. of love” was the SAARC title on It was a day of celebration for women Page no. 08 Women’s Day and the program was but also a strong reminder that designed to communicate solutions women have the power to change the to societal evils through the medium world. of music and song. The auditorium www.saarcculture.org 1 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1

Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara, the the Senior Director General Senior Director General of of the SAARC Division of the the SAARC Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Sri Lanka addressed the Sri Lanka was the Chief Guest gathering with insightful at this occasion. Mr. Munir messages to women, uplifting Ghiasy, the Charge d’ Affairs the moral of the audience and from the Embassy of Islamic enthusiastically welcomed by Traditional drummers & dancers ceremonially leading the Republic of in Sri all particpants. Chief Guest & Guests of Honor to the Auditorium Lanka and Mr. Intisar Sulehri, the Press Attaché from the Ms. Anusha Gokula Fernando, High Commission of the Director of the Department in Sri Lanka represented of Cultural Affairs in Sri the SAARC Member States. Lanka conducted “A Mother’s The welcome speech was Song: An aesthetic journey delivered by Mr. U.D.C. through South Asia in search Jayalal, the District Secretary of the Rhythms of love” by Chief Guest Ms. Y. Gunasekara Senior Director General of for Kalutara. Mr. Wasanthe communicating current social the SAARC Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affaairs in Kotuwella, the Director of problems faced by women and Sri Lanka accompanied by Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella, Director the SAARC Cultural Centre providing solutions through SAARC Cultural Centre & Mr. Intisar Sulehri of Pakistan High Commission and Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara, traditional culture using songs

Ms. Anusha Gokula Fernando Director of the Department of Culture & Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella Director SAARC Cultural Centre A part of the audience gathered to Celebrate the Women’s Day lighting the ceremonial lamp

Chief Guest Ms. Gunasekara of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Lanka, Guests of Honor Ms. Fernando, Director Department of Culture, Mr. U.D.C. Jayalal District Secretary Kalutara with Ms. Bindu Urugodawatte Deputy Director Research and Dr. Soumya M. Chavan Culture Specialist Programmes of the SAARC Cultural Centre

Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella delivering his Welcome address by the District Secretary Mr. U.D.C. Jayalal insightful speech 2 March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE and music. It was an enjoyable to use it in the modern day. and educational experience, which The SAARC International Women’s opened the eyes of the audience and Day 2018 concluded with the delivery Editorial urged them to take a break away of vote of thanks by Ms. Kishani The Year 2018 dawned for the from the rat race of life and actually Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara, Deputy SAARC Cultural Centre with the think about love, happiness and Director Programmes of the SAARC blessings of the 54th Programming family. Ms. Fernando used songs Cultural Centre. Committee approving our familiar to all and payed particular activities for the year. The attention to the words and messages confidence, encouragement and brought out through the songs. She support of the Member States highlighted the the fact that in this towards the activities of the SAARC age of information there isn’t much Cultural Centre uplifted our moral difference between rural and urban and motivation, increased our communities and for the women to enthusiasm to forge ahead at full be aware, in this rapidly changing speed. world to pay attention to the The first quarter of 2018 was very traditions. Ms. Fernando was able busy for the SAARC Cultural to get the audience to re-evaluate our Centre with the SAARC Literary cultural norms and values, intangible The melodius voices of this duo was enjoyed Award on 26th January in Galle, by all heritage, traditions, customs and how Sri Lanka; Preparatory Meeting for SAARC Culture Capital 2018 in (13th to 14th) February in Bhutan; SAARC International Women’s Day celebrations on 8th March in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. The new Senior Director General of the SAARC Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka, Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara made a courtesy visit to the SAARC Cultural Centre.

Ms. Anusha Gokula Fernando taking the audience through the journey of “A mother’s song” The newest member of our staff, the Culture Specialist for Programmes Dr. Soumya Manjunath Chavan has become a valuable contributor to the SAARC Cultural Centre. The nitty gritty of planning our events and activities kept us chained to our computers but the support of the team at the SAARC Cultural Centre enabled us to carry out our Deputy Director Programmes of Mr. Munir Ghiasy of the Embassy of Afghanistan the SAARC Cultural Centre Ms. planning quickly and effectively. with Mr. Intisar Sulehry of Pakistan & Mr. Wasanthe Kishani Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara Kotuwella of the SAARC Cultural Centre delivering the vote of thanks The next quarter is going to be eventful and interesting with the 8th annual SAARC Film Festival to be held in Sri Lanka, Inauguration of the SAARC Culture Capital in Thimphu, Bhutan and SAARC Handicraft Exhibition and Workshop in Bhutan in May/June. We look forward to carrying out our Cultural activities and hope you enjoy them as much as we do in organizing them. A section of the audience - Editors 3 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1

Mr. Najibullah Manalai of Afghanistan receiving the first SAARC Literary Award from the Chief- Guest Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Finane & Mass Media with Mr. Hemaka De Alwis Sponsor of the Galle Literary Festival.

South Asia is the home for some SAARC Literary Award and of the World’s best-known Epics, Stories and Poems which created Ceremony 2018 an integral part of culture of the th Region for centuries. The culture 26 January 2018 at the World Heritage City of Galle of South Asia is brightened by its literature and literature in turn has enriched song, dance, handicraft, and all other aspects of culture. Literature reflects culture and the norms of the society. Contributions of literature to the society is immense – it relaxes, Mr. Hemaka De Alwis, Chairman of Fairway Holdings the enchants and enrich the minds, sponsor of Galle Literary Festival accompanying the Chief Guest, Hon. Mangala Samaraweera Minister of Finane & takes the reader to a different Mass Media world away from problems and stress. Therefore, the SAARC Cultural Centre will honour a literary figure of the Region through the SAARC Literary Award. The SAARC Literary Award The SAARC Literary Award was approved by the 9th Governing Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella Director SAARC Cultural Centre th accompanying Mr. Manalai to the Award Ceremony Board and the 54 Programming Committee Meeting of the SAARC. The SAARC Literary Award was initiated to recognize the key literary persons of the Region to Director SAARC Cultural promote South Asian literature Centre Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella and writers, to review new trends with Mr. Intisar Sulehry of Literary enthusiasts & writers Pakistan High Commission in writing and to understand new 4 March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE

Mr. Najibullah Manalai with Ms. Tenzin Yangchen (Bhutan) & Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella Director SAARC Cultural Centre

Chief Guest Hon. Mangala Samaraweera with other A section of the audience at the SAARC Literary Award Guests of Honor areas of literature in the Regional Afghanistan by the Minister of to western audiences regarding and International arenas. The Finance and Mass Media, Hon. oriental mysticism, bringing both SAARC Literary Award will be Mangala Samaraweera and Mr. cultures closer together through presented alphabetically to a Wasanthe Kotuwella, the Director the language of literature. Mr. writer from each Member State, of the SAARC Cultural Centre Manalai is an avid supporter and commencing with Afghanistan for amidst a gathering of writers of a promoter of Afghan literature 2018. international calibre and literary within Afghanistan and created enthusiasts of Sri Lanka. the “Golden Reed Prize” an annual The SAARC Literary Award literary award presented to a Ceremony was held in conjunction The first ever SAARC Literary literary personality in Afghanistan, with the Galle Literary Festival, Award winner, Mr. Najibullah thereby promoting literature and the largest International Literary Manalai was nominated by supporting and giving recognition Festival held in Sri Lanka. SAARC the Honoured Member of to other writers. During the last Literary Award ceremony was Afghanistan. Mr. Manalai is a decade, Mr. Manalai has worked held at the World Heritage City versatile writer of poetry, narrative tirelessly to promote reading in of Galle on 26th January 2018. fiction, newspaper columnist, Afghanistan not only through Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, the translator and a political analyst. his own publishing but with Minister of Finance and Mass He is multilingual and he writes promotion of other writers and Media, was the Chief Gust at the in Pashto, Dari (Farsi), French and authors, publishing of audio event. The inaugural SAARC English and he brings western books to bring literature to those Literary Award was awarded philosophy to Afghan readers in who cannot read. to Mr. Najibullah Manalai from their own language and writes

Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, Minister of Finance and Mass Media, Hon. Wijepala Hettiarachchi Member of Parliament, Mr. Hemaka De Alwis Chairman Fairway Holdings, Mr. Wasanthe Ms. Anoja Wijesekara, former Sri Lankan Kotuwella Director SAARC Cultural Centre and Mr. Geoffrey Dobbs founder of the Galle ambassader to Indonesia in discussion with Literary Festival Mr. Manalai

Mr. Intisar Sulehry of the Pakistan High Commission with Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella & Ms. Kishani Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara of Ms. Kishani Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara of the the SAARC Cultural Centre SAARC Cultural Centre with Mr. Manalai Mr. Intisar Sulehry with the other important guests 5 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 The Preparatory Meeting of THE SAARC CULTURE CAPITAL 2018 in Bhutan 12th - 13th February in Thimphu, Bhutan

The Preparatory Meeting The Government of Bhutan Karma T. Wangchuck, Chief ambience. The programmes, invited the SAARC Cultural Programme Officer of the Royal events, functions and activities of Centre to attend a preparatory Privy Council, Ms. Lhamchu, the SAARC Cultural Capital 2018 meeting to plan the SAARC Driglam Officer of the Driglam were deliberated and an expert Culture Capital in Bhutan. The (Etiquette) Division of the working group was established meeting was held from 12th to 13th Department of Culture, Mr. to prepare the list of programmes February in Thimphu, Bhutan. Kunzang Delek, Chief Archivist such as Food Festivals, Nature The Meeting was chaired by of the National Library and Walks, Art Exhibitions, Mr. Karma Weezir, the Director Archives, Ms. Nagtsho Dorji, Educational Seminars, Musical General of the Department Chief Architect of the Division for Events, Dance Festivals, Film of Culture in Bhutan and the Conservation of Heritage Sites, Screenings, Costume Parades, SAARC Cultural Centre was Ms. Tshering Choki, Archivist Talent Shows, Competitions for represented by Mr. Wasanthe of the National Library and Children etc., all of which will Kotuwella, Director and Ms. Archives, and Mr. Sonam Tenzin, showcase the culture and the Kishani Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara Cultural Officer of the Division traditions of South Asian Region Deputy Director Programmes. for Conservation of Heritage Sites and Bhutan in particular. participated in the discussion. Mr. Dorji Norbu, Director The locations for events General of the National Library Discussions were held regarding discussed included the Clock and Archives, Mr. Khenpo the locations for the SAARC Tower, the Buddha Point, the Phuntsho Tashi, Director of the Culture Capital and different Textile and Weaving Museum, National Museum, Mr. Kunzang venues for the various events the Craft Bazar, the Takin Zoo, Thinley, Principal of the Royal of the Culture Capital. The Changangkha Lhakhang Temple Academy of Performing Arts, Ms. location, duration and activities and other historical and cultural Utsha Gurung Conservator of the of the Inauguration, Closing monuments to be associated Division for Cultural Properties, Ceremony and other activities with the Culture Capital. The Ms. Kuenzang Choden, were discussed at length and Inauguration Ceremony will be Officiating Chief Curator of the the suggested locations visited held on the 31st of May 2018 in National Textile Museum, Mr. to understand the size and Thimphu.

6 March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE Visit of the Senior Director General of SAARC Division of Senior Director General Ms. Y. Gunasekara with Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella in the Ministry of Foreign discussion Affairs Sri Lanka, to the SAARC Cultural

Mr. Kotuwella with Mr. Jude Chandimal Research Officer at Centre the SAARC Division of Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Director Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella with Ms. Gunasekara Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella introducing the team of SAARC Cultural Centre to Senior Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sri Ms. Gunasekara Lanka Ms. Yasoja Gunasekara, the Centre, Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella Deputy Director Programme Senior Director General of the and held a brief discussion on the and Ms. Bindu Urugodawatte, SAARC Division of the Ministry activities of the centre. Deputy Director Research further of Foreign Affairs made a courtesy elaborated on the activities of A short movie regarding the call to the SAARC Cultural the SAARC Cultural Centre progress of construction of the Centre with Ms. Buddhi Herath during the lively discussion proposed SAARC Cultural and Ms. Nuwanthi Jayasuriya which followed. Ms. Gunasekara Centre at Nawimana, Matara and (Assistant Directors) and Mr. Jude and her team were presented a presentation of the activities of Chandimal (Research Officer). with publications of the SAARC 2017 and 2018 was shared with Ms. Gunasekara and her team Cultural Centre at the conclusion Ms. Gunasekara. Ms. Kishani were warmly welcomed by the of the discussion. Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara, Director of the SAARC Cultural

Mr. Kalum Bandara (Finance Officer SAARC Cultural Centre), Mr. Jude Chandimal (Research Officer Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Ms. Nuwanthi Jayasuriya (Assistant Director Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Ms. Buddhi Herath Ms. Gunasekara in discussion with Ms. Kishani (Assistant Director Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Dr. Soumya Chavan (Culture Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara and Ms. Bindu Urugodawatte Specialist Programmes SCC) Deputy Directors of the SCC 7 SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE March 2018 | Vol 8, No. 1 Announcements

th The 8th Annual SAARC Film Festival will be 8 SAARC Film held from 22nd to 27th May 2018 at the National Film Corporation Cinema Hall in Sri Lanka. A Festival wonderful opportunity to understand the South Asian culture through the medium of Film. Admission is Free and all are welcome.

Call For Papers (CFP) for the Seminar on SAARC Seminar on “Hindu Cultural Trails Celebration of a Timeless Tradition – Gods and Goddesses, Pilgrims and Hindu Cultural Trails Prayers, Temples and Texts” is available at our website. Deadline for the submission of abstracts is 30th May 2018.

Call for proposals for the SAARC Research Grant SAARC Research for further Research on Hindu Cultural Trails is available at our website. This is an opportunity Grant on Hindu to carryout research on Tangible, Intangible or Popular Cultural aspect of Hinduism for the Cultural Trails academics and scholars of the Region.

The Inauguration of the SAARC Cultural SAARC Culture Capital 2018 will be held in Thimphu, Bhutan on 31st May 2018. A delightful array of events Capital are planned to highlight culture of South Asia.

The SAARC Handicraft Exhibition & Workshop SAARC Handicraft will be held in conjunction with the SAARC Culture Capital in Thimphu, Bhutan on 31st May Exhibition & Workshop to 1st June 2018

Executive Editor SAARC Cultural Centre Wasanthe Kotuwella, Director No. 224, Bauddhaloka Editorial Team Mawatha, Colombo 7, Bindu Urugodawatte, Deputy Director – Research Sri Lanka Kishani Jayasinghe-Wijayasekara, Deputy Director – Programmes Tel : +94 11 2584451 Sewwandi Marasinghe (Intern) Fax : +94 11 2584452 Email : [email protected] Layout and Design Web : www.saarcculture.org Ishan Amaraweera, Computer Operations Officer Published by ISSN 2579-2423 SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka 8