CPArts News Update

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NEWS UPDATE

Activities in the Month of January & February 2008

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Celebrating Thai Pongal….Harbinger of Hope

The Harvest Thanksgiving Festival of Thai Pongal is a key event for Tamils. It is regarded as the “messenger of a new dawn of hope” and is thus celebrated across Sri Lanka with much fervour.

Imbued with this spirit, CPArts members across all CPArts Centres suitably marked the day. Here is a summary of what we did in various districts:

Jaffna – Despite the tenuous security climate, 150 seniors, children, youth and women participated in a one day programme consisting of thanksgiving celebrations in the morning and a programme of cultural events in the evening.

Vanni-Kilinochchi – 120 children, youth and women enthusiastically joined in, in the events of the day. Here too, the climate in the area was not the best, yet human spirit and fraternity proved indomitable!

Panadura – CPArts, Panadura took an inclusive approach to celebrations by inviting children of Buddhist and Muslim faiths to join them thus making the event one of true peace building. 200 people consisting of CPArts members as well as the wider community celebrated as one.

Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa – It was a first for CPArts….members of our Batticaloa and Trincomalee centres travelled to Polonnaruwa, where the celebrations were the first ever that members of CPArts Polonnaruwa had participated in. Whilst our Polonnaruwa brethren learnt of the traditions underlying Thai Pongal, whilst they organised the event, our people from Batticaloa and Trincomalee, affected as they have been by man made and natural disasters, enjoyed peace of mind and heart in the relatively safe environs of Polonnaruwa.

Colombo – Our Centre at Kotahena was the venue for celebrations at which Tamils and Muslims participated as one community. 50 people attended.

Click on for pictures

The Joy of Dance Comes to Avissawella

CPArts Avissawella put 65 children and youth on stage at the Hanwella National School in a programme of dance attended by an audience of over 750. CPArts members of our Panadura branch performed an item drawn from the Muslim dance genre, which was well received. Distinguished attendees included Pradeshiya Sabha members, doctors, school Principals and teachers.

Jesu Pillaithamil – A Fantastic Dramatic Experience!

Pillai Thamil is an interesting part of Tamil literature which is steeped in the best traditions of high literary creations.

Pillai Thamil portrays the stages of life of a little child (often a little god or goddess). Beginning with the first stage where the blessings of deities are invoked on the little one, through lulling the baby to sleep with lullabies, the first steps of locomotion, calling on the moon to come play with the crying toddler and finally to the last stage which depicts the child playing with a mini chariot. It really is a poetic discourse on the life stages of a god-child or hero/heroine, alluding to many heroic, wonderful and miraculous deeds one will ascribe to the deity or the hero/heroine over the course of time.

From such a literary and rich foundation, the Centre for Performing Arts staged “Jesu Pillai Thamil” on 13th January at the CPArts Kalaiyagam in Jaffna (CPArts Kalaiyagam is an Auditorium inaugurated in August 2007, for the purpose of fostering peace through creative arts.)

A captive audience were treated to a stunning performance, almost cinematic in execution in some aspects.

The highlights were the portrayal of the “Big Bang” theory and the creation of the cosmos, the portrayal of the life of baby Jesus in the form of Bharatha Natyam and the very moving finale which featured children dressed in white and holding lit candles, amidst the assembled cast all singing a paean of peace based on the age old Hindu Rig-Veda.

The use of poetry, costumes from Tamil arts and culture, innovative lighting effects plus live music from an orchestra conducted by M Jesudasan all served to bring poignancy, meaning and topicality to the stunning script and directorship of Rev Fr N M Saveri, CPArts’ Director.

Click on for pictures

CPArts, Jaffna gets Recording Studio

Director of CPArts, Rev. Fr. N M Saveri declared open a recording studio at the Kalaithuthoo Theatre Complex in Jaffna, on the 2nd of February. The new facility will provide artistes and youth the training and facilities required to record and produce their own material, and to operate recording equipment. It will also be a fillip to budding artistes.

Click on for pictures

Coming Together for Peace

Youth and children, 225 in all, from the CPArts Centres of Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Panadura, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Ratnapura and Avissawella, converged in Polonnaruwa for a three day peace camp in February.

Held at the Jayanthi Maha Viharaya in Kaduruwela, the event featured a rich panorama of drama workshops, seminars and discussions including a unique highlight – the conduct of a “Navam Perehera” (a religious/cultural pageant).

The address made by the Viharadhipathi of the Jayanthi Maha Vihara, the Ven Kaduruwela Dharmapala Thero, really encapsulated what CPArts serts out to accomplish all over Sri Lanka. He firstly stressed the need for peace at this crucial hour, and expressed deep appreciation of the efforts made by Rev Fr N M Saveri, the Director of CPArts in building bridges of peace amongst all communities, through the arts.

Among the distinguished guests who participated in the ‘Navam Perahera’ were the Hon. Siripala Gamlath, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Development and the Hon. Chandrasiri Sooriyarachi, Minister of Lands and Land Development.

Picking up the Pieces…an Art and Sculpture Exhibition with a Difference!

There were 411 items of art and sculpture on display at the Art Gallery, Colombo 7, on the 29th February…the work of children who had been affected by the tsunami of 2004 and were being encouraged to “pick up the pieces” of their lives and turn them into works of art.

Gracing the occasion were Dr Matthew Hyndes, Deputy High Commissioner for Australia in Sri Lanka, accompanied by Ms Surovi Abeyratne and Ms Nirosha Guneratne, of the High Commission staff.

The Western Music Band of CPArts Avissawella welcomed the guests and after lighting the traditional oil lamp to the rhythmic throb of the drums of CPArts Panadura drummers, welcome addresses in English and Sinhala were delivered by M/s P S Alfred (Chief Advisor – CPArts) and Mrs I P Seneviratne respectively.

In his vote of thanks, CPArts Director, Rev Fr N M Saveri paid tribute to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery for their magnanimous support for this initiative, and to the Deputy High Commissioner Dr Hyndes for the encouragement he was extending by his presence at the event. Fr Saveri also made special mention of the yeoman work of instructors Kusal Nandana and Chandana Vasantha, for the long hours spent close to the children, guiding, instructing and encouraging them along the way.

Special invitees also included Prof Carlo Fonseka of the University Grants Commission, the Cultural Officer of the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts.

It was certainly a thrill for the children who presented the exhibition to be on hand to explain their exhibits to the viewers whilst also taking the opportunity to gather together and share their experiences by freely speaking to each other in their own mother tongues, thus transcending barriers of language, culture and more.

Adequate media coverage was given by the print and electronic media including Young Asia Television (YATV) and the state-owned SLRC.

In addition, YATV interviewed some of the children for a short documentary on the subject. CPArts promoted this entire programme as part of its initiatives to use the medium of arts and culture for peace, healing and reconciliation.

Click on for pictures

CPArts Director Visits Kalai Kaviri, India

Rev Fr N M Saveri Director of CP Arts visited Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, Trichy, India on 10 February 2008. He met with the Director of the College, Rev. Msgr. George and discussed matters pertaining to the function of Kalaithththu College of Aesthetics in Jaffna in particular, and the role and function of CPArts in Sri Lanka in general.

CPArts’ Kalaiththu College of Aesthetics has already been affiliated with Bharathidasan University in collaboration with Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, India. On his visit Fr. Saveri met some of the students from Sri Lanka including CPArts members who are following degree courses in the College.

Click on for pictures

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Report by CPArts Team

		CPArts NEWS UPDATE
		*Activities in the Month of January & February 2008*



HOME / ARCHIVE
	Celebrating Thai Pongal….Harbinger of Hope The Harvest Thanksgiving Festival of Thai Pongal is a key event for Tamils. It is regarded as the “messenger of a new dawn of hope” and is thus celebrated across Sri Lanka with much fervour. Imbued with this spirit, CPArts members across all CPArts Centres suitably marked the day. Here is a summary of what we did in various districts: Jaffna – Despite the tenuous security climate, 150 seniors, children, youth and women participated in a one day programme consisting of thanksgiving celebrations in the morning and a programme of cultural events in the evening. *Vanni-Kilinochchi* – 120 children, youth and women enthusiastically joined in, in the events of the day. Here too, the climate in the area was not the best, yet human spirit and fraternity proved indomitable! *Panadura* – CPArts, Panadura took an inclusive approach to celebrations by inviting children of Buddhist and Muslim faiths to join them thus making the event one of true peace building. 200 people consisting of CPArts members as well as the wider community celebrated as one. Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa – It was a first for CPArts….members of our Batticaloa and Trincomalee centres travelled to Polonnaruwa, where the celebrations were the first ever that members of CPArts Polonnaruwa had participated in. Whilst our Polonnaruwa brethren learnt of the traditions underlying Thai Pongal, whilst they organised the event, our people from Batticaloa and Trincomalee, affected as they have been by man made and natural disasters, enjoyed peace of mind and heart in the relatively safe environs of Polonnaruwa. *Colombo* – Our Centre at Kotahena was the venue for celebrations at which Tamils and Muslims participated as one community. 50 people attended. Click on for pictures The Joy of Dance Comes to Avissawella CPArts Avissawella put 65 children and youth on stage at the Hanwella National School in a programme of dance attended by an audience of over 750. CPArts members of our Panadura branch performed an item drawn from the Muslim dance genre, which was well received. Distinguished attendees included Pradeshiya Sabha members, doctors, school Principals and teachers. Jesu Pillaithamil – A Fantastic Dramatic Experience! Pillai Thamil is an interesting part of Tamil literature which is steeped in the best traditions of high literary creations. Pillai Thamil portrays the stages of life of a little child (often a little god or goddess). Beginning with the first stage where the blessings of deities are invoked on the little one, through lulling the baby to sleep with lullabies, the first steps of locomotion, calling on the moon to come play with the crying toddler and finally to the last stage which depicts the child playing with a mini chariot. It really is a poetic discourse on the life stages of a god-child or hero/heroine, alluding to many heroic, wonderful and miraculous deeds one will ascribe to the deity or the hero/heroine over the course of time. From such a literary and rich foundation, the Centre for Performing Arts staged “Jesu Pillai Thamil” on 13th January at the CPArts Kalaiyagam in Jaffna (CPArts Kalaiyagam is an Auditorium inaugurated in August 2007, for the purpose of fostering peace through creative arts.) A captive audience were treated to a stunning performance, almost cinematic in execution in some aspects. The highlights were the portrayal of the “Big Bang” theory and the creation of the cosmos, the portrayal of the life of baby Jesus in the form of Bharatha Natyam and the very moving finale which featured children dressed in white and holding lit candles, amidst the assembled cast all singing a paean of peace based on the age old Hindu Rig-Veda. The use of poetry, costumes from Tamil arts and culture, innovative lighting effects plus live music from an orchestra conducted by M Jesudasan all served to bring poignancy, meaning and topicality to the stunning script and directorship of Rev Fr N M Saveri, CPArts’ Director. Click on for pictures *CPArts, Jaffna gets Recording Studio* Director of CPArts, Rev. Fr. N M Saveri declared open a recording studio at the Kalaithuthoo Theatre Complex in Jaffna, on the 2nd of February. The new facility will provide artistes and youth the training and facilities required to record and produce their own material, and to operate recording equipment. It will also be a fillip to budding artistes. Click on for pictures Coming Together for Peace Youth and children, 225 in all, from the CPArts Centres of Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Panadura, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Ratnapura and Avissawella, converged in Polonnaruwa for a three day peace camp in February. Held at the Jayanthi Maha Viharaya in Kaduruwela, the event featured a rich panorama of drama workshops, seminars and discussions including a unique highlight – the conduct of a “Navam Perehera” (a religious/cultural pageant). The address made by the Viharadhipathi of the Jayanthi Maha Vihara, the Ven Kaduruwela Dharmapala Thero, really encapsulated what CPArts serts out to accomplish all over Sri Lanka. He firstly stressed the need for peace at this crucial hour, and expressed deep appreciation of the efforts made by Rev Fr N M Saveri, the Director of CPArts in building bridges of peace amongst all communities, through the arts. Among the distinguished guests who participated in the ‘Navam Perahera’ were the Hon. Siripala Gamlath, Deputy Minister of Agricultural Development and the Hon. Chandrasiri Sooriyarachi, Minister of Lands and Land Development. *Picking up the Pieces…an Art and Sculpture Exhibition with a Difference!* There were 411 items of art and sculpture on display at the Art Gallery, Colombo 7, on the 29th February…the work of children who had been affected by the tsunami of 2004 and were being encouraged to “pick up the pieces” of their lives and turn them into works of art. Gracing the occasion were Dr Matthew Hyndes, Deputy High Commissioner for Australia in Sri Lanka, accompanied by Ms Surovi Abeyratne and Ms Nirosha Guneratne, of the High Commission staff. The Western Music Band of CPArts Avissawella welcomed the guests and after lighting the traditional oil lamp to the rhythmic throb of the drums of CPArts Panadura drummers, welcome addresses in English and Sinhala were delivered by M/s P S Alfred (Chief Advisor – CPArts) and Mrs I P Seneviratne respectively. In his vote of thanks, CPArts Director, Rev Fr N M Saveri paid tribute to the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery for their magnanimous support for this initiative, and to the Deputy High Commissioner Dr Hyndes for the encouragement he was extending by his presence at the event. Fr Saveri also made special mention of the yeoman work of instructors Kusal Nandana and Chandana Vasantha, for the long hours spent close to the children, guiding, instructing and encouraging them along the way. Special invitees also included Prof Carlo Fonseka of the University Grants Commission, the Cultural Officer of the Japanese Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts. It was certainly a thrill for the children who presented the exhibition to be on hand to explain their exhibits to the viewers whilst also taking the opportunity to gather together and share their experiences by freely speaking to each other in their own mother tongues, thus transcending barriers of language, culture and more. Adequate media coverage was given by the print and electronic media including Young Asia Television (YATV) and the state-owned SLRC. In addition, YATV interviewed some of the children for a short documentary on the subject. CPArts promoted this entire programme as part of its initiatives to use the medium of arts and culture for peace, healing and reconciliation. Click on for pictures *CPArts Director Visits Kalai Kaviri, India* Rev Fr N M Saveri Director of CP Arts visited Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, Trichy, India on 10 February 2008. He met with the Director of the College, Rev. Msgr. George and discussed matters pertaining to the function of Kalaithththu College of Aesthetics in Jaffna in particular, and the role and function of CPArts in Sri Lanka in general. CPArts’ Kalaiththu College of Aesthetics has already been affiliated with Bharathidasan University in collaboration with Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts, India. On his visit Fr. Saveri met some of the students from Sri Lanka including CPArts members who are following degree courses in the College. Click on for pictures BACK Report by CPArts Team