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Abstract reality from Sarath By Risidra Mendis

"He talks about environmental pollution, the destruction of war, peace and being kind to animals - nothing out of the ordinary in the 21st century. However how he attempts to put it across to the public is noteworthy.

 One of his paintings is of a scene in the zoo. In the cages are not lions or tigers but a very common bird, namely the crow, and in the background are people offering milk rice or the famous 'Kaputu dhane.' The crow according to him, will very soon be a 'dying' species of bird due to pollution."

"Yet another painting, with bridal couples of different races, depicts the destruction of war. The special feature here is that all the bridegrooms are sans legs - victims of the cruel war. The manner in which he brings his ideas to the surface is quite amusing. God Siva rejects the offerings, for the fruits in the baskets are contaminated with pesticides" - Pasanna Gunasekara.

The artist Gunasekara refers to is S. H. Sarath who has made a name for himself locally and internationally in the past few years. Today some of his paintings are in galleries and private collections around the world, but to Sarath his journey through the world of art has not been an easy one.

Studying the day-to-day problems in a person's daily life and trying to put that idea into a painting is not an easy task. But to Sarath if he doesn't paint with a set theme there is no value to that piece of art. Sarath uses oil paints on canvass and paper. However his black and white line drawings are worth mentioning as they explain to the viewer many incidents that most of us as human beings have to face in life.

One of Sarath's recent paintings depicts the trauma humans go through these days especially with the heavy bills and fines imposed on water, telephone and electricity bills.  

Born on December 25, 1947, Sarath is the son of a trader. Having grown up in the rural surroundings of Tallaramba, a small village near the southern coastal town of Weligama, unknown to even himself, Sarath was soon to become a budding artist. "I studied at Sri Sumangala Maha Vidyalaya and Siddartha Maha Vidyalaya. However my interest in art gradually grew in my early years" explained Sarath. 

According to Sarath his rural life among the birds, the sea, and the ancient paintings on the walls of the village temple influenced him and became his cultural base. After a five year course Sarath received his Diploma from the Government College of Fine Arts in 1973. In the following year renowned Sinhala scholar and novelist Martin Wickremasinghe recognised Sarath as a promising and abstract painter.

In 1979 through an UNESCO scholarship, Sarath completed a painting course at the University of Fine Arts, Bangkok.

Sarath has held many successful exhibitions in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Scotland, Bangla- desh, Brazil, Norway, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, UK, Cuba, Russia, China, Wales, South Korea, India, Japan, Germany and Sri Lanka. Some of Sarath's paintings can be seen hanging on the walls of UNICEF, in art galleries of Australia, Norway and Yugoslavia, and at the Sri Lanka Presidential State Collection.

Apart from his successful career as a painter Sarath has in the past worked as an art director in the film industry, as an art project officer at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for 11 years, and co published a superbly illustrated book on Sri Lankan children's art in Norway.

Sarath's latest exhibition will be held at the Artists' Gallery at Sarasavi Gardens, Nugegoda from December 21 to 23.

The ultimate Christmas experience!

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

In the habit of doing something different, S. Thomas' College Drama  Society this time ventured forth to present the ultimate Christmas experience to theatre lovers.

In a unique production, the Drama Society under the guidance of Vinodh Senadeera, who has to his credit many productions staged by STC, presented Christmas Perpetua, - simply awesome to say the least. It was a refreshing change to witness a production well coordinated and which also managed to keep the audience on their toes till the end.

When compared with the normal Christmas productions, Christmas Perpetua was definitely avant-garde and the play had professionalism, which carried the play to its end.

What was most surprising was the fact that it was presented by school boys. Anyone, who witnessed the play would definitely agree that at some point or the other - during the play - the feeling that the play portrayed a well seasoned cast was rather difficult to shake away. It was then that it was even harder to believe that most of the cast consisted of newcomers, who have taken to the stage for the first time.

The cast on the whole took to the stage with confidence and determination, of doing their best and that they did.

An adaptation of the Nativity, the play took the audience from the vision of the angels to the shepherds guarding their flocks by night, to the three great kings and the visitation, as they all welcome the birth of Christ.

The uniqueness of this play was the fact that it was an allegory, as many scenes symbolised what is to be expected in the future with the true hidden meanings underlying each situation and character.

The play commenced with a dance sequence by the host of angels and with the head Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and the Angel of Passion, (Neraj Saluwadana, Dejan de Zoysa and Ranshan Gomez). The opening sequence depicts the fall and banishment of Lucifer (Vivek Jayasuriya) from the domains of heaven. Progressing it evolves into a divine feud between the warrior angel, Michael and Lucifer as the evil one speaks of the temptations of the Son of God and of death, destruction and the fires of everlasting torment which he will manifest on earth. Yet the angels re-affirm the Holy One who will descend to cast away the power of darkness and its baneful prince.

The next scene was of a group of shepherds (Dineshka Aluvihare, Yehan Ranasinghe, Shehan Gomez, Dasith De Silva, Malinka Ranasinghe, Neomal Wickremesekara) who lead their sheep about the city of Jerusalem, as the Angel Gabriel appears to them bidding them to visit the Holy Child, in the Holy City. The scene then moves on to Mary's (Shadrach Jurianz, Rizvy Shabeer) and Joseph's (Mevan Kiriella Bandara) arduous journey to Bethlehem as they are rejected of any place to rest by the inn keeper (Ashan Sirisena ), while at last they find shelter in a lonely manger.

The next three scenes portray the journey, adoration and return of the three wise men (Chaminda Samaraweera, Naresh Navaratne, Dhaham Ratnayake). The salvation of humanity is portrayed in the next scene where two mothers (Tariq Jayasuriya, Sachith Vidanapathirana) weep for their slain children in Bethlehem.

The play eventually leads to the climax, with another dance by the angels as the arch-angels and Gabriel finally portray the glory and the splendor on of the Ascension as Gabriel raises the crown of thorns, which symbolises the victory over death and the salvation of all mankind.

To add to the uniqueness of the play the roles of angels are personified to a great extent, as the three Arch Angels are always present throughout the entire play as they narrate the story in pauses and spread their heavenly wings over the righteous and just.

While the scenes progressed, carols were sung by soloists (Chanuka Piyarisi, Sandesh Bartlett, Niran Illangakoon, Asitha Tennekoon, Dillon Fox, Asanka Perera) joined at times by the entire choir of over 130 voices as well.

So, it was not only the play - the audience was entertained three times over as Christmas Perpetua was not only limited to the play, but dances and songs as well.

Something that needs to be commended is the handling of props throughout the play. Staged at the college sports complex, the cast did an excellent job in handling the props, which were sometimes done through a dance sequence. That definitely was innovative thinking.

The show, which was held from December 11 - 14, was directed by Vinodh Senadeera. The music was directed by Mary Ann David and choreography by Shohan Chandiram. The second half of the show was hosted by Delon Weerasinghe and Shanaka Amarasinghe.

What I felt at the end of the play was the dedication of the cast and those behind the scenes, as it would have been rather difficult to stage such an excellent production without it. All in all it was a fantastic production all round.

Christmas Perpetua was meant to be the ultimate Christmas experience and the ultimate Christmas experience it was.

Meloney Magic

Music memories and good old fashioned Meloney Magic with a yuletide flavour comes alive over the airwaves of the Commercial Service of the SLBC come December 23. Veteran broadcaster Derek Meloney has kept his promise to the thousands of listeners who have bombarded his email address with 'Please come home for Christmas.'

It will be the first time that listerners of the Commercial Service will have Melony Magic at Christmas time. Derek invites listeners to "come join me on the air waves of your families favourite radio station for more music memories and good old fashioned Meloney Magic with a yuletide flavour."

Art Exhibition

An exhibition of paintings by Maaike will be held at the Artistes' Gallery Sarasavi Gardens, Nugegoda from December 26 to 28 from 10am to 7pm.