Capsule comments on cultural events
by K.S.Sivakumaran
The purpose of this week’s Saturday column is to put on record some of the events
that have occurred during the pas few weeks as a piece of general information to
interested readers.
A Festival of Films on War & Peace
August 15 - 20, ICES Auditorium
Six films made by Lankan and foreign film makers on the above theme were screened.
The films were: The Art of Forgetting by Lisa Kois, No More Tears Sister: Anatomy of
Hope by Helene Klowdawsky, Take this Road by Asoka Handegama, The Final
Solution by Rakesh Sharma, The other woman by Anoma Rajakaruna and Lanka: The
Otherside of War and peace by Iffat Fatima. The filmmakers are young and old,
seasoned artistes and newcomers.
Iffat Fatima is an independent documentary filmmaker based in Delhi. Like Anant
Pattawardan, she is an important documentary filmmaker. Her films include: The Kesar
Saga, Boojh Sakey to Bhojg, and In the Realm of the Visual.
Rakesh Sharma is an Indian filmmaker who has won awards at the Berlin film festival.
Helene Klowdawsky is a Canadian filmmaker.
Lisa Kois is an American that has lived in Sri Lanka for 10 years. She is a researcher
and writer.
Asoka Handegama is an award winning foremost Lankan filmmaker.
Anoma Rajakaruna is upcoming woman filmmaker in I Lanka. Her films had been
shown abroad and received acclaims.
The themes of these films: concern for the humankind, abhorrence of violence,
portrayal of actualities amidst war and peace. Films were shot at the theatres of war.
Extreme antagonists should see these films to learn the other side of the picture
before thrusting their supremacist attitudes towards the “other”
Events in Mattakalappu
A Thamil poet and socially conscious scholar hailing from the eastern region of the
country had not been duly recognized by academics and others from different regions.
His name was A.Periyathambipillai. He was widely known as “Pulavarmani”, an
appellation given to him for his scholarship.
A native of Mattakalppu - Sivalingam Sivanirthananda, an assistant director of
education has compiled his dissertation on Pulavarmani A. Periyathambipillai as a
researched book. This was launched in Colombo as well as in Mattakalappu on July
09, 2005.
Another researcher from Mattakalppu is parliamentarian, K.Thangeswari of the Thamil
National Alliance. She obtained her degree in Archeology from the University of
Kelaniya and followed her lectures in Sinhala under Prof.Senaka Bandaranaike. Her
two books "Eela Mannar Kulakoattanin Samaya, Samuthaya Panikal" (The Religious
and Social contributions of Lankan king Kulakoattan) and "Thamil Mannan Magoanin
Mahathaana Varalaaru"(The Grand History of the Thamil King Magha) were launched
on July 16, 2005 in Mattakalappu.
Also in Mattakalappu, another book by a native of this town was launched on June 18,
2005. The title of the book is "Moolikai Mahathuvam" (The Wonders of Herbal
Medicine).The author was "Moolikai Vaenthan" Ramanathan Kalavanan. He is a
reputed Siddha Ayurvedic physician practicing for more than 25 years.
A.Vimalaraj, is a visiting lecturer in Fine Arts in the Eastern University. Having
completed his honours degree in Fine Arts he and obtained his M.Phil degree in
Drama from the University Of Paandicheri in southern India. He has acted and directed
many plays. He has received Gold and silver medals in competitions in inter-
universities drama competitions. His play "Avalukkentru" (Meant for Her) won the State
Drama Awards in many departments in 1999. He made a short film from his scenario
called "Kichchan", adapted from a story by Riyaz Ahamed (Amritha Aaeyam).Daya
Sooriyaarachchi was the cinematographer. Vimalaraj spent one year learning
filmmaking in Chennai. The film is about the plight of children amidst the war situation.
This was to be shown in Colombo on August 13, but didn’t take place
The Colombo Calendar
N.P.Arulanandam launched his collection of short stories titled "Karuppu Gnayiru"
(Black Sunday). He is a prolific writer in Thamil and has written some outstanding
stories. His son’s name is Suresh Joachim. He has performed more than 27
achievements and registered his name in the Guinness Book. Arulanatham’s book was
launched on Aaugust 14, 2005 at the Kolumbu Thamil Sangam.
Also at the same venue, "Puthaka Panpattu Thiruvila" (A Festival of Book Culture) was
held on August 18, 2005.This was organized by "Deshiya Kalai Ilakkiya Petavai"
(National Arts and Literature Forum). Its head is attorney dramatist, orator and actor A.
Thevarajah. He presided over the function, which included an exhibition and sale of
books. Academics: Emeritus Professor of Thamil, S.Thillainathan, Prof.S.
Santhirasekaram, Prof.S.Sivasegeram, Kumarasamy Somasundaram,
Periyathambipillai Vijayaratnam, Maavai Varothayan and Ira Sadagopan and V.
Sivajothi and others participated in this festival. There was also a “Kavi Arangam"
(Recitation of Poetry) with Ilayathambi Dayananda, a veteran broadcaster moderating.
Poets, young and old participated. They were; Ala.Bagirathan, V.Dinakaran, Maavai
Varothayan, T.G.Meenilango, Siva.Rajendran, A.Sadaagopan, Kinniya Ameer Ali, K.
Thanikasalam, S.Pannerchelvam and S.Thevarajah. Many appreciated the poetry and
recitation of Kinniya Ameer Ali, who was also a lucky winner of Fifty Thousand Rupees
lottery at the function.
A work by respected history Professor, S.Pathmanathan titled "Puradhana Ilankayil
Thamilum Thamilarum"(Thamil and Thamilians in Ancient Sri Lanka) was launched
recently. I missed that function. But on August 26, 2005, the learned academic who
teaches History at the University of Peradeniya delivered the Commemorative Lecture
on the late Professor in Thamil S.Vithiyananthan at the Kolumbu Thamil Sangam
auditorium. President of the Sangam, Kumarasamy Somasundaram presided.
Film by Lankan Canadian
Lanka born Canadian Divviyarajan was in Sri Lanka early this month. He was a
popular broadcaster and TV performer in this country before he emigrated to Canada.
He is also a brilliant actor and singer. He has made a film called "Saha". I missed
seeing it being shown twice in Colombo. The last screening was on September 02,
2005 at the Kolumbu Thamil Sangam. I understand that this film deals with the
relationship of people uprooted from Sri Lanka. Well known former Lankan artistes
now living in Canada have contributed to this film as players. Poet Cheran’s lyric and
other songs are included in this film.
A traditional poet and fiction writer Dr.Jinnah Sheriffdeen (son of Pulavarmani
Sheriffdeen from the eastern province) has retold the fiction written by writer and
Thamilnadu former Chief Minister, M.Karunanidhi on Pandara Vanniyan of Lanka as
an epic poem titled "Pandaras Vanniyan Kaaviyam". His book was launched at the
same venue on September 04, 2005. Theivanayagam Pillai Easwaran of Eeeswaran
Brothers presided with Retired Justice C.V.Wigneswaran as chief guest. Prof.S.
Santhirasegeran, Thillai Nadarajah (Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education),
V.A.Thirugnanasundaram (Media Advisor), Hashim Omar (Businesss Magnate and
philanthropist), Kavimaamani Ahalangan and Kambavarithi Jeyaraj participated.
Satsorupavathy Nathan and B.H.Abdul Hammed were the masters of Ceremony.
Meenaksi Venkateshan sang some of the poems from the book.
”Payil Nilam” (Training Field) is a publication of social conscious youngsters. They
presented on September 09, 2005 at the Kolumbu Thamil Sangam a novel visual
documentation of actualities happening in September on the aftermath of the war.
They called it "September Ninaivuhal" in Thamil and in French " Memoir de September"
Let me conclude this diary with an event taking place this evening (September 10,
2005) at the BMICH. It is the launch of a book in Sinhala. Prof.Wimal Disanaike’s book
in English- "Raj Kapoor’s Film Harmony and Discourses" has beeen translated
Senarthna Weerasinha.Academic, Prof.Chandrasiri Palliyaguru and film critic Gamini
Weragama would be the chief speakers.
Thamil Play on Religious Conversion
The late A.N.Kanthasamy, a progressive writer in Thamil and English wrote a play in
the 1960s on religious conversion. It was a controversial play then. The late Sillayoor
Selvarajan (a multifaceted writer) and other prominent stage players at that time acted
in this play. It was called “Martha Mata" (Change of Religion). He was also a reputed
fiction writer, poet and critic, and translator. He translated Emilie Zola’s "Nana"
Last Sunday (September 11, 2005) K.Selvarajan adapted some changes to ANK’s
script and staged it with new players that have made a name for themselves on the
stage and TV. This play received some awards at the recently held Thamil Drama
festival. I couldn’t make it to know how the play went on Sunday last. Should have
done well!