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Young at art!

 Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena

By Risidra Mendis

Paintings of all colours and sizes, in many forms and figures, some framed others waiting to be framed is only a part of the preparation of the upcoming exhibition of students from the Shyamala School of Art.

A closer look at the paintings and one wonders if this is really the work of talented and creative young students most of whom are still schooling. Still life paintings,  sceneries, animals and figures are just a few of the paintings that are to be exhibited. Even though most people use only paint, the students at this art school use additional products such as seashells and mirror pieces to enhance the creativity of their paintings.

Speaking to The Sunday Leader, Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena said creative development is an important part in a child's growing years. "But enhancing that creativity and teaching a young child to think freely is not always easy.  In Sri Lanka, a large number of children face many problems such as parents separating and the imposing of strict rules and regulations during their school days.

However, one of the most disheartening and damaging things a parent can do to a child is not showing this little intelligent mind the confidence and encouragement needed during the crucial years of their lives," explained Jayawardena.

For her, art is a form of meditation and can help in calming the mind of a disturbed student. "Working with children and getting them to express their artistic thoughts and feelings is very important," she explained.

When she was six years Shyamala's dream was to have her own art school some day. "At the time people thought I was mad," says Jayawardena.

However, her vision and interest in art never changed. "I had many options to choose from during my school days. But in my heart I knew that I wanted to master this interesting subject that has no limits and boundaries," says Jayawardena. Today she has her own art school - Shyamala School of Art.

"I wish to encourage young people to branch out into doing useful and creative things in our beautiful land. This school will also encourage those like me who have placed the bringing up of children as being more important than their own careers, to start afresh and achieve self realisation through creative self expression," added  Jayawardena.

At Shyamala's School of Art, students from the young age of five years are trained to paint using their own freedom and style. "Students are divided into different age groups namely five to seven years, eight to 10 years, 11 to 14 years, 15 to 18 years and those over 18 years,"she said.

According to her, painting is ideal for the homemaker to have a break from the routine of life and achieve self satisfaction by developing their creative skills. Jayawardena's two daughters' paintings will also be part of the upcoming exhibition to be held on June 14, 15 and 16 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery.

Mirroring happiness 

By Kumudu Amarasingham

Now you can finally look in the mirror and be swept away by what you see! It is mirror upon mirror, glass upon glass, illussion upon illusion. It is paint and light and lots and lots of colour. It is Nanditha Gamage's stained glass effect mirrors' on show!

Nanditha Gamage has been painting for a long time. While at school in New Delhi she tried her hand at painting and won the silver medal at the inter school arts competition. Since then there has been no looking back for this inventive artist. She does everything, from oil on canvas to fabric painting, water colours, cushion covers and - a recent invention of her own - stained glass mirrors.

These elegant, colourful, heartwarming pieces are ideal decorative items for bathrooms, drawing rooms, bed rooms - pretty much any place that needs a bit of colour and life and sparkle. Indeed, Nanditha draws her inspiration from all that is most alive and vibrant and beautiful around her. Thus it is no wonder the work in turn draws on what is most joyful in the viewer, creating that 'It's a wo- nderful world!' effect - a very positive high!

Nanditha's water colour range of Arum Lillies were a popular item at The Arena last year. She also took part in the last three Kala Pola's where her items were a definite hit. Her first solo exhibition 'Mirror Mirror On The Wall' will concentrate on stained glass mirrors, while also displaying some of her oil and water colour paintings. The exhibition will be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on June 19-20 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dedication service

When someone is blessed by having something good, it is only right that it should be shared with as many other people as possible.

St. Andrew's Scots Kirk is celebrating the arrival from the Netherlands of its new fully digital and electronic Johannes 3900 organ. It is possibly the finest of its type in all of Sri Lanka and needs to be heard to be believed.

An opportunity is offered by St. Andrew's for everyone to share in the service of dedication taking place in the church at 7.00 p.m. on Saturday June 26 and to enjoy a demonstration of the organ's capabilities at a recital which will follow immediately after. St. Andrew's Choir will lead the worship with some especially prepared anthems.

Music has always been an essential part of all Christian worship.  The Psalmist invites us to praise the Lord with trumpet, flute, harp, tambourine, strings and pipe ( Psalm 150 ). It is right that we bring the best of our abilities and resources together as part of our readiness to worship Him.

For the past 200 years, the pipe organ has been a central instrument in providing both a musical lead and accompaniment in worship. It is a very versatile instrument able to reproduce the sounds of other instruments as well - strings, brass and woodwind. Sadly because the controls are made of natural materials like leather and wood, they deteriorate with the passing of time, especially in tropical conditions.

At the same time, the world of electronic and digital music has opened up to provide the same sounds and more in a different way while occupying far less space.

With fewer moving parts, there is less that can go wrong and occupying less space, a room that once housed bellows and organ pipes become available for other purposes. All of this has been happening at St. Andrew's.

Jathika Chinthanaya as a false consciousness

Sankajaya Nanayakkara's extensive essay on Jathika Chinthanaya makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of a discourse that has been the prime inspiration of anti-political reform politics in Sri Lanka. In this essay Nanayakkara clearly traces the historical development of the Jathika Chinthanaya in ideology with reference to texts and newspaper articles of the school. The author has fulfilled the long felt need for a comprehensive critical scrutiny of the subject. This essay is an invitation for scholars as well as activists who are interested in understanding the ideological foundations of the Sinhala extreme right. 

One of the most paramount obstacles for the progress of Sri Lankan society has been the resistance to re-conceptualise the state in Sri Lanka. This kind of resistance clearly identified with the extreme right of the Sinhala society. Right wing resistance to political reforms that attempt to accommodate the aspirations of the marginalised sectors in Sri Lankan society has usually been violent.

It has assassinated populist prime ministers like S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, progressive-left- of-the-centre politicians like Vijaya Kumaratunga and radical student leaders like Daya Pathirana. Until the emergence of the Jathika Chinthanaya ideology or the Chinthana Parshadaya school in the mid 1980s, Sinhala extreme right did not have a well-articulated discourse. An extreme Sinhala ideology gradually emerged in the writings of Gunadasa Amarasekera and Nalin de Silva, the pioneers of the Chinthana Parshadaya school.

Sankajaya Nanayakkara's extensive essay on Jathika Chinthanaya makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of a discourse that has been the prime inspiration for anti-political reform politics in Sri Lanka. In this essay Nanayakkara clearly traces the historical development of the Jathika Chinthanaya ideology with reference texts and newspaper articles of the school. He elucidates the contours of this particular ideology. The author has fulfilled the long felt need for a comprehensive critical scrutiny of the Jathika Chinthanaya.

 This essay is not confined to a mere analysis of secondary sources of data such as books and articles  of the Chinthana Parshadaya school. It is evident the author has used primary data, which most probably has resulted from interviews conducted with informants who have been activists of the school and opponents of it. Nanayakkara characterises Jathika Chinthanaya as a false consciousness that emerged in certain sections of the Sinhala petty bourgeoisie as a reaction to disorienting economic, social and cultural changes of the post 1977 era. In conclusion the author emphasises the need for a more inclusive identity that will reflect the plural nature of the Sri Lankan society. The author who is a lecturer in sociology and anthropology at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka has pre- sented his essay in a comprehensive and accessible manner. Yet one cannot overlook his scholarly style of writing which most probably is a result of the academic training he has gained. This extensive essay is an invitation for scholars as well as activists who are interested in understanding the ideological foundations of the Sinhala extreme right.

Eminent fashion designer to launch book

Azad Sheriffdeen, a rising star in the realm of fashion and bridals, will soon be in Sri Lanka to launch his first book Inside Out.  Inside Out has been released in London, Paris, Italy and India as well. Furthermore he will also host a star-studded fashion extravaganza in coordination with Sri Lanka's leading hairstylist and makeup artiste, Ramzi Rahaman.

With The London Times accrediting Azad as one of the "Top 10 Cats Up" on their catwalk prowl, the North West College of Fashion in London has recognised his work and invited Azad to hold a fashion variety, which is scheduled to commence on June 23.  Azad has selected the theme of 'black and white illusion for bridal and couture pieces.' Like all his fashion shows, this one is bound to leave the audience in awe of his talent.