2017 | Issue No. 3
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SAARC ART March 2017 Issue No. 3 I Editorial Board Director: Mr. Wasanthe Kotuwella Deputy Director (Programmes): Mrs. Kishani Jayasinghe - Wijayasekara Culture Specialist: Dr. Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai Programme Officer: Mr. Karma T. Wangchuk IT: Ishan Amaraweera Designed by: Prem Dissanayake - FASTads Printed by: FASTprintery (Pvt) Ltd SAARC Art - Issue 3, 2017, March SAARC ART March 2017 Issue No. 3 1 Message from the Director t gives me great pleasure to of Painting was organised by Iannounce the publication of the SAARC Cultural Centre in the third issue of SAARC Art collaboration with Department Magazine from SAARC Cultural of Cultural Affairs, Ministry Centre (SCC). of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Across the year 2016- the SAARC Affairs, Sri Lanka from October Cultural Centre witnessed several 2 to 6 at the Ape Gama premises events and programmes. The Battaramulla, Sri Lanka. This Centre successfully celebrated exhibition was to honour the International Women’s Day on occasion of Gandhi Jayanti being March 8 in collaboration with observed as World Non-Violence the Indian Cultural Centre with Day and more than 900 paintings performance of the play- Baawre were received from various schools. Mann ke Sapne by the all-women’s The winners were felicitated at theatre group from Kolkata the occasion of the celebration (India)- The Creative Arts. The of the SAARC Charter Day-on SAARC Artist Camp took place December 8-held at Hotel Ramada in Thimphu (Bhutan) from April with cash prizes and certificates. 25 to 28, 2016. The Film Festival The photographs of the same was held between June 1 to 6 at are available online- http:// the National Film Corporation saarcculture.org/gallery/32nd- Cinema Hall, Colombo. This was saarc-charter-day. Bangladesh a success with a Masterclass at the having being chosen as the SAARC Russian Cultural Centre with jurors Cultural Capital, 2017- the from Russia, South Korea and Director and the Deputy-Director France. A Handicrafts Exhibition (Programme) attended discussions & Symposium in Colombo was about the cultural programmes for held at BMICH in collaboration SAARC Cultural Capital in Dhaka with Shilpa Abhimani or National (Bangladesh) between November Crafts Council from November 24 to 25. Welcoming the new year- 2017- the SAARC Cultural Centre 17 to 20. The SAARC Exhibition 2 SAARC ART March 2017 Issue No. 3 calendar was printed in December Dr. Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai has an independent style of ballet and distributed with a welcome penned down our concept note. or dance drama in Sri Lanka. note in January- earlier this year. We have an article by Lyonpo And last, but not the least, Thakur S. Powdyel- former distinguished theatre personality Our programmes gave us an Education Minister from Bhutan from Bangladesh- Dr. (Ms) Samina opportunity to meet with many on culture and its interpretation personalities from across the Luthfa speaks of her interest in the modern global world. SAARC nations and this issue of and famous play Khona and the Honouring the lovely creations the SAARC Art is a reflection of importance of theatre and oral the same as we begin a journey of of the school children and their traditions in the modern global highlighting the significant aspect awarded paintings, this issue world. contains the pictures of the of Intangible Cultural Heritage We at the SAARC Cultural Centre through our magazine. This issue paintings and the prize distribution look forward to keep holding all is dedicated to understanding ceremony. An interview of Ms. planned activities in the year 2017 the concept of culture and the Ramanjit Kaur, an actor and with the same tempo bringing the art-form of theatre. We have two creative director of the all-women people of South Asia together, new appointments starting from theatre group- The Creative Arts January, 2017- Deputy-Director based in Kolkata (India) highlights forging brotherhood and spreading (Programme)- Mrs. Kishani an innovative attempt through the richness of culture and the Jayasinghe – Wijayasekara from Sri stage production. Maestro Mr. forthcoming issues of SAARC Art Lanka and Culture Specialist- Dr. Ravibandhu Vidyapathy, famous promises to surge forward with the (Ms.) Lopamudra Maitra Bajpai percussionist from Sri Lanka writes same notion of unity ’ about the significant influence from India. The issue has an Ayubowan introductory note by Mrs. Kishani of Rabindranath Tagore on Sri Jayasinghe – Wijayasekara. As we Lankan dance forms- leading Wasanthe Kotuwella begin with a fresh start, to the gradual development of Director 3 The World is a Stage of Creation and Wonder By Kishani Jayasinghe - Wijayasekara Deputy Director (Programmes) SAARC Cultural Centre, Colombo SRI LANKA International Operatic Soprano; LLM (UK); LLB (UK); PGDip/Masters; ARAM; LRAM; DipRAM (UK) very once in a while, something school educated and therefore the world beyond the shores of our Eamazing comes along...If one privy to the best education in paradise island of Sri Lanka. It is lucky enough to be at that perfect the country, in many ways, came in the form of a pursuit for place at that perfect moment then for nary a cent. I have spent legal prowess. I was a student of something truly special happens thirteen years totally immersed Law, being educated in the ways of and you get to witness it...but if in everything life had to offer and complex jurisprudence in England one is truly blessed, they get to be a was fortunate enough to represent and despite becoming a Master part of this golden moment... my country in the arts and in of Law, found it never really... My journey with the SAARC sports internationally. Being able got me. A sequence of fortuitous Cultural Centre is also to enjoy every minute of it, even accidents and coincidences lead nothing short of being one at that early age, was an added me to a world renowned singing such serendipitous and special boon. The end of a comprehensive teacher, who re-ignited a passion occurrence. Born and raised in and exhilarating school career, and started a fire which to this day Colombo, I was entirely National triggered an interest in exploring burns furiously and ferociously 4 SAARC ART March 2017 Issue No. 3 and inspired a true Sri Lankan girl and allows one the confidence to our common cultural heritage to take on the world of western always find the ability within, to to strengthen the fabric of our theatrical classical music: Opera. develop and nurture a wholesome social and cultural landscape and environment for creation and further reinforce the bonds that Studying the intricacies, mysteries artistry. tie us together as the South Asian and utter brilliance of the voice, Region. To build bridges, enhance classical music, theatrical arts and Despite all of this however, this cultural understanding within and exploring the sheer passion and particular golden moment in foster greater appreciation for the heightened visceral senses that question came not in the form of embody the performing arts, has unique and yet unifying aspects of intellectual examination of statues South Asian Culture. been the most fulfilling journey. and often arcane legal precedence Being a lawyer, satisfied an almost within the hallowed walls of the The theatrical experience, clinical and logical side of my legal system, nor the visceral embodying and satisfying the character and mind, but to have infusion of centuries of world visual, oral, emotional and the opportunity to give-in to the class operatic excellence upon the intellectual senses is an almost artist within, meant opening up legendary stage of the Royal Opera perfect tool with which to spread to a world of colour and eclectic House, but rather, from the eclectic, this understanding and tolerance sensations that truly symbolises the vibrant and diverse realm of the of diversity in real time and with very essence of being an artist. The the positive energy which only a hunger to devour culture in all its SAARC Cultural Centre, in my very live performance can bring. To forms and to brighten and enhance own home town of Colombo. experience our individual artistry, the very landscape of one’s everyday Joining the SAARC Family was at that present moment, in the life with all the glittering gems it has another one of those serendipitous to offer is indeed a rare privilege. ‘now’, and with almost immediate accidents that I firmly believe - as dissemination and absorption, is Being an artist, I was involved we Asians often do - was part of in all aspects of theatre from one very strong argument in favour my destiny. Having spent almost singing, dancing, acting, personal of the power of culture perhaps two decades away from the shores interaction, building characters, even more importantly, the power I call home and returning to serve exploring subtext and creating of truly experiencing that culture. not only my country but our entire stories through an experience like South Asian Region, was surely... It was no accident that William no other. written. To do so as an artist Shakespeare claimed "All the Having had the fortune/grit/ability and an international facilitator World is a Stage". It is in fact to win the single place afforded & administrator within my field as accurate a statement as one to a soprano on the Young Artist of expertise in the arts, was an could find. Upon that stage and Programme at the Royal Opera undeniable boon. within the boundaries of all its House in Covent Garden, which characters and colourful feast of is internationally renowned as the The very existence of the SAARC sensual delights, one finds that pinnacle of excellence, tradition Cultural Centre (SCC) is a art, culture and literature truly and training in the operatic world, cause for great celebration and has no boundaries, no limits, no was a life changing experience.