‘Nihalsinghe Purogami Theveni … Esa’ to launch at BMICH Cinema has 12 at 3 pm. Though he February always been launched several books close to his between 2010 and 2013, heart. This is Nayanajith has spent three 12 no surprise years scripting his ninth considering work. The Tuskegee Airmen his background. As the “Film has yet to be rec- son of seasoned journalist ognised as a subject for The Tuskegee Air- and former ‘Sarasaviya’ the university degree. It is men (1995) will be SARASHI SAMARASINGHE Editor A D Ranjith mostly taught as part of screened on Feb- Kumara and renowned Mass Communication ruary 12 at 6 pm This week’s `Cultural Diary’ brings you details about several other songstress Damayanthi though it is a globally rec- at the American Jayasuriya, Nuwan Nay- ognized topic in the world. Centre, No 44, fascinating events happening in the city. Take your pick of stage anajith has been familiar One of the reasons for this plays, exhibitions or dance performance and add colour to your Galle Road, with the local and global Theveni Esa’ (Nihalsing- is that there is no research Colombo 3. (Run- routine life. You can make merry and enjoy the adventures or sit arts scene from his tender he: Pioneer of the Third done on film in Sri Lanka. ning Time: 111 back, relax and enjoy a movie of your choice. Make a little space years. Eye), a biography and I felt that it is part of my to kick into high gear amid the busy work schedules to enjoy the Treading along familiar critical study of the sea- duty to probe into the mat- minutes) Based exciting events happening at venues around the city. If there is an territories once again Nay- soned director and film ter, fill the gaps and make on a true story, event you would like others to know, drop an email to eventcalen- anajith has taken steps to industry pioneer. The way for the subject to be The Tuskegee Air- [email protected] (Please be mindful to send only the essential bring forth his ninth book book launch will take place brought to university edu- men chronicles details). Have a pleasant week. ‘Nihalsinghe Purogami at the BMICH on February cation,” he explained. the experiences of the first African-American fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Using Hannibal Lee (Laurence Fishburne) as a focal point, the ‘Elavalu Guna’ ‘Ravana’ at Lumbini theatre movie follows the airmen from their initial training at Tuskegee, Alabama, through their ‘Ravana - at the February 12 at 3.30 pm and 6.30 with many others. Music will be to be launched February breath of love,’ the pm. by Lahiru Madivila. combat assignments during World War II. Rajakeeya Panditha latest direction of The cast will include Saman ‘Ravana - at the breath of love’ Featuring fascinating vintage military planes February William Alwis’s ‘Elavalu young drama maes- Malalasekera, Samantha Parana- will be organised by the Leo and exciting air-combat footage, the film Guna’ (fourth edition) 12 tro Akhila Sapumal liyanage, Vijitha Bandara, Ste- Club of Mahanama College, also depicts the racism encountered by the 12 will be launched at will be staged at the phan Dilruk, Jayampathy Guruge Colombo. Tickets will be availa- pilots. In one example, the airmen are forced Dayawansa Jayakody Lumbini theatre, Colombo 5 on and Prabhath Mahendra along ble at the gate. to give their seats on a crowded train to Ger- bookshop, Colombo 10 on man prisoners of war. Even after the airmen February 12 at 10 am. It is a Dayawan- complete their training, the military brass is sa Jayakody publication. reluctant to trust them in battle. But First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt publicizes their plight by going to Tuskegee and having one of the African-American pilots take her for a ‘Island of a Thousand Mirrors’ plane ride, and shortly thereafter the airmen to be launched are assigned a combat role. Un Héros très Discrète The movie, Un ‘Sokari’ at HCC Héros très Dis- crète(1996) by ‘Sokari,’ an old folk drama Jacques Audiard February in Sri Lanka, which was formed according to the rural will be screened International Centre for traditions of shanthikarmas on Tuesday, Feb- February Ethnic Studies ( ICES), 15 that were performed to god- ruary 12 at 3pm Colombo invites you to a dess paththini seeking fertility and Wednesday, Literary Evening With Nay- and prosperity will be staged on Tuesday February 13 at 14 omi Munaweera On Writ- (February 15) at 8.15 am and 10.45 am at 6.30pm at Alliance ing War, Imagining Peace: Hindu Cultural Centre (HCC) in Kandy. Française de A Conversation with author,Nayomi Munaweera about her novel, This play which was performed through- Colombo,11, ‘Island of a Thousand Mirrors’ (long- listed for Man Asia Literary out the nights for seven days in the past Barnes Place, Prize) on Thursday (February 14) at 5.30 pm at the ICES Auditorium, will be staged once again with a new set of Colombo 7. No.2, Kynsey Terrace, Colombo 8. actors enhancing the characteristics of the Nayomi Munaweera is a Sri Lankan-American author. Growing up play such as motion and makeup with spe- Set in France at the end of World War II in Nigeria and California, Munaweera spent months in Sri Lanka wit- cial attention given for background and Albert Dehousse finds out his father was not nessing the devastation wrought upon her country of birth by civil costume designs as well. a war hero and his mother is a collaborator. war. These experiences led her to write her first novel, Island of a ‘Sokari’ runs for two hours and thirty He leaves his wife and goes to Paris. Gradu- Thousand Mirrors, which was published by Perera Hussein Publishing minutes and it contains of ancient charac- ally he inveigles himself with the resistance House in late 2012. The book has received rave reviews from sources teristics that could be appreciable to every- movement. such as mother Jones and Psychology Now. one. This play is directed by state award They trust him and he helps them trace col- It was long-listed for the Man Asia Literary Prize 2012 being thus winning director Jaliya Rajapakshe and the laborators. The movie is for general viewing hailed as one of the 15 best books out of Asia that year. She lives in main organizer is Jude Srimal. and is subtitled in English. Oakland, California. Book will be on sale at a discounted price. For inquiries please contact Jude Srimal For inquiries please contact ICES on Tel:011 2685085. on 077 7363633. ‘Kalukumari’ at Lumbini theatre ‘Gabbara Minisa’ (Pregnant Man) at Punchi theatre February Peradeniya Sarasavi Mith- Perera and make-up uro will stage K B Herath’s artistes will be Buddha- ‘Gabbara Minisa’ tha Mendis, Kusum Renu, Sarath singing. This drama will be choro- with the assistance of Neil Ravin- celebrated play ‘Kalukumari’ dasa Gallappathi and February (Pregnant Man), the Kothalawela, Wasantha Vittachchi, graphed by senior lecturer Ariyar- dra. 15 on february 15 at the Lumbini Prakash Galewalage. latest comic stage Malkanthi Jayasinghe, Sujeewa athne Kaluaarachchi. Polished Stage settings done by Luvolin theatre, Havelock Town at Bandara Eheliyagoda will drama of well versed Priyalal, Mihiri Priyangani along with Wasantha Vittachchi’s make Vandawall. ‘Gabbar Minisa’ (Preg- 6.30 pm. Proceeds of this play will be spent be the producer of this 16 film, television and with many more artist performing up and Nipuni Mendis’s costume nant Man) is an adoption of Ajith entirely for student and alumni welfare. play. stage drama actor Sri- in it. designs. Mendis from the book written by Artistes such as Sumith Ratnayake, Tickets are available yantha Mendis will have its hun- Music will be provided by pro- Stage lighting will be by Upali W S Wijesinghe. This drama will Madhini Malwatta, Nalin Pradeep Uduwa- at Sarasavi bookshop, dreth show on February 16 at 3.30 fessional music director Anthony Weerasinghe, stage management be presented and organised by la, Ferni Roshini, Chandrasoma Binduhewa Nugegoda and Sad- pm and 6.30 pm at Namel Malini Surendra while popular Derana of ‘Gabbara Minisa’ (Pregnant Jude Srimal. Tickets are available and Bandula Vithanage are due to do the eepa bookshop, Borel- Punchi theatre, Borella with a host dream star Upeka Nirmani will Man) is done by Himashi Vithan- at Namel Malini Punchi theatre. lead roles. la and at the gate on of popular actors such as Sriyan- brighten up the drama with her age and Sameera Hettiarachchi All seats have been boxplanned. Music will be provided by Shantha the day of the play. ‘Raja Sabhawa’ to be staged in Galle ‘Raja Sabhawa’ a comedy Anushika Hansamali. The music will be by February directed by Gunadasa Mad- Priyantha Gamage, lyrics by Swarna Sri hurasinghe will be staged on Bandara, Somadasa Sooriyaarachchi and February 16 at 3.30 pm and Kiwulakale Kumara Kaviraja. Songs sung 16 6.45 pm in Galle. The play will by Gunadasa Madhurasinghe, Mahinda be organized by Priyantha Pathirage, Kumuduni Gunawardhana, cho- Ranjan. The cast includes Gunadasa Mad- reography by Pradeepa Srima Kumari, hurasinghe, Mahinda Pathirage and sound management done by Suranga Fer- nando, stage lighting by Sahan Thilakar- athne, costume designing and stage deco- rations by Mahinda Pathirage. Stage management and production man- agement by Siri Galappaththi. ‘Raja Sabhawa’ is presented by House of Drama. For inquiries please contact Priyantha Ranjan on 071 4822890 or 077 6240033. ‘Ira Handa Tharu’ at Musaeus ‘Sri Thyagaraja Aaradhana’ College auditorium at New Kathireshan Hall Indian Cultural Centre, Colombo is Rerun of Unearthed at Kotte February February Legendary singer/musician as, ‘Ira Handa Tharu – Victor Ratnayake organising ‘Sri Thyagaraja Aradhana,’ an Unearthed premiered in Dr Victor Ratnayake turns 71 Miyasi Dayadaya.’ annual musical festival paying homage to February December 2012, running for on February 18.