CPArts Activities in October -November 2007

Formation/Education-oriented activities for children, youth and women such as meetings, get togethers, workshops, peace studies and classes in the Fine Arts took place on all weekends (sometimes during the week in addition) in all CPArts Centres (Avissawella, Anurhadapura, Batticaloa, Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Haputale, Ilavalai, Jaffna, Kandy, Mannar, Matara, Monaragala, Panadura, Puttalam, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Vanni, Vavuniya).

The following, however, were special activities:

Bharata Natiya Arrangetram

Antonitte Maria Goretti’s Bharata Natiya Arrangetram was held at CPA’s Open Air Stage, Jaffna on 1st May 2005. She is a student of Shrimathy Anandajothi Dharshanan and a member of School of Fine Arts CPArts

This was her first public performance after completion of classical Indian dance, and was the first time that an Arrangetram was performed at an open air stage in Jaffna. Head of the Department Facility of Fine Arts, University of Jaffna, Mr.R.Sivachandran presided over the programme. Chief Guest was Kalasuri Srimathy Vasuki Jegatheeswaran. Director St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna Rev. Fr. Justin Gnanaparagasam and Jaffna Central College Director Mr.K.Rajadurai were the Guest of honours.

The master of ceremony was the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Co-operation Tamil Unit Director Mr.S.Visvanathan.

Members of Ingo’s , other organizations and, members of the clergy attended the Arrangetram and later wished her well. This performance was given prominence by the national news papers.

Ms Maria Goretti joined CPA as a nine-year old and has taken part in several overseas

performances as well as in many CPArts peace performances.There were more than 1500 spectators.

10th Year Anniversary Celebrations of CPA Trincomalee

Date : 07th May 2005
Place : St. Joseph’s College, Trincomalee

Chief Guest : Mr.Sundram Arumainayagam-Division Secretary, Town & Gravets,Trincomalee.
Guestof honour : Mr.S.Elilan-Political Wing Leader
Mr.M.Wicramasinghe-Senior Manager, Bank of Ceylon, Trincomalee
Mr.M.Sam Pratheepan-Deputy Director, CPArts
Special Guests : Ms Cabrella Elroy-Head of Unicef
Ms Marketa Kutilova-People in Need
Programme : A forum was conducted on the theme “Conflict Sensitive Approaches”

The following took part: ASP Trinco, LTTE Educational Unit Chief, Rev. Fathers, Members of the Sangha, Secretary Pradeshiya Saba and Members of NGOs…

Points made were: This was an opportunity for the thoughts of the common people to be heard, it was the artistes who are able to project the ideas of the people, the conflict was not a problem between the Sinhala and Tamil people but that of politicians of both sides, methods of dealing with conflicts, the actual feelings of the people should be published in the media.

In the evening there was a cultural programme. Haputale, Panadura, Polonnaruwa, Colombo, Jaffna and Kandy CPArts Centres performed items which depicted that if people are to live happily peace is essential.

CPArts Trinco launched a book entitled “Journey Seeking Peace”. Mr. Guy Pongallan the founder member of CPArts Trinco was felicitated on this occasion.

Head of Unicef, Ms. Cabrella from Trinco, Stated that CPArts only organization that is in the field of trauma therapy through performing arts.

Art Exhibition

"Kadal Varaindha Oviyam" - "Tidal-born painting"

An exhibition of 21 paintings done by the young artists of the CPArts Art Circle, Jaffna,
depicting the after-effects of the Tsunami disaster was held at Kala Muttram , Jaffna from 14th May to 21st May 2005.
Aims of the exhibition were relieve from the mental trauma, exhibit the effects of the Tsunami, and promote peace.
An Italian, resident in Jaffna visited our exhibition Centre and bought two paintings.
The same exhibition was exhibited at Colombo, Matara, Vavuniya, Batticaloa and Trincomalee.

Entertainment Programme

CPArts Batticaloa staged a musical programme for Tsunami affected people at Swiss Tamil resettled
village at Sathrakondan, Batticaloa on 15th May 2005.
20 CPAtrs members took part.
400 Tsunami affected people benefited, including children, youth and adults.
CPArts Batticaloa is covering more villages in Batticaloa and working with Tsunami affected people
through creative arts and trying to reduce the trauma.

Akalevan Folk Play

Date : 23rd May 2005
Place : Arunodaya Community Centre, Ariyalai,Jaffna.
Participants : 20 CPArts artists from the Jaffna Centre. Audience was about 1000.
Programme : CPArts was invited to perform at the Arunodaya Community Centre Anniversary celebration.
This folk play was modified and directed by Mr. Raj Kumar Deputy Director CPArts.

Literary Debate Forum

Date : 23rd May 2005
Venue: Kalaithutu Memorial Hall,Jaffna.
Participants: 22 members participated, including senior members of CPArts, members of the Youth unit and members of the Women’s forum.
The event subject for debate was “Whether the Modern Literature or the Ancient Literature helps to develop the Tamil contemporary Social Life.” This Forum was presided over by the senior member Mr.N.S.Jeyasinham. The inauguration speech was delivered by Mr.Dayalan, president of the debate unit. The other participants also expressed their ideas in the forum.

Vesak Festival

The Vesak Festival was celebrated by CPArts in many parts of Sri Lanka.

CPArts Batticaloa celebrated the Vesak Festival at Mangalaramaya Buddhist Temple Batticaloa on 23rd May 2005. This is the first time CPArts multi–ethnic and multi-religious group visited a Buddhist Temple and celebrated a Sinhala festival. The prayer service was conducted by Rev. Ampitiya Thero and also he mentioned that CPArts Batticaloa is doing very good work in Batti. Finally CPArts members donated a Banyan Tree to Rev Thero.
CPArts Kandy took part in a Vesak lantern competition organized by Swarnavahini Television at Daladha Lake, Kandy on 27th May 2005.Thsi event was well covered by Swarnavahini Television.
CPArts Panadura celebrated the Vesak Festival on 24th May 2005 at Panadura. Drama, Dance and other cultural items were conducted during the event. CPArts Panadura joined with the Divisional Secretary and gave alms giving approximately 3000 people.
CPArts Monaragala celebrated the Vesak Festival at Sri Sudharshanaramaya Temple, Anapalama, Monaragala on 23rd May 2005. CPArts Monaragala organized a Vesak lantern competition among the CPArts members.100 competitors took part. Finally Rev. Morapitya Thero gave prizes to the winners.
CPArts Galle celebrated its Vesak Festival at Sri Sutharshanaramaya Temple, Valanduwa, Galle. Buddhist songs were sung by CPArts members. More that 75 members took part and there were about 500 people in the audience. For the first time in Sinhala history Vesak songs have been modernized (normally the songs play by traditional instruments) and songs were composed by electronic instrument. This programme was well covered by Sri Lanka Rupavahini Co-operation.
CPArts Hambantota celebrated its Vesak Festival at Sarvodaya Tsunami Camp,Kirinda. CPArts members and Children, Youth and adults from camp joined together and sang Buddhist songs;
Kalai Nila Arrangu-Monthly Performance

Kalai Nila Arrangu-Monthly Performance

Date : 27th May 2005
Place: CPArts Open Air Stage, Jaffna
Beneficiaries: School of Fine Arts members, CPArts members, Parents, Well Wishers and CPArts Supporters. Total audience 350.

Purpose Every month CPArts arranges stage performances at the CPArts open air stage.

Due to the Tsunami work for several months Kalai Nila Arrangu didn’t stage a performance. Therefore this month CPArts held its stage performance to encourage the artist, to show their talents, to improve themselves and also to encourage their parents.

Events The event started at 7.00 p.m. Mr.G.P.Ferminus, Director, School of Fine Arts organized the programme. The programme was presided by Mr.J.J.Raj Kumar, Deputy Director of CPArts. All the programmes were conducted by School of Fine Arts members. Group Songs, Violin, Veena and Ms.Maria Correti’s Baratha Natyam were included in this programme.

Jaffna Ramanathan School of Fine Arts members performed a pageant programme and students from Kalai Kaveri in India also performed as a special programme.

Modern dance was performed during the event by our CPArts members.

Report by CPArts Team