Ruwini Jayawardana

Leopard Approaching

Hawk Eagle

Trekking along the wilderness of the Lankan, Indian and African National Parks and jungles, teaming up with hyenas, deer, eagles and leopards seems like an adventurous and dangerous task for some of us but for Rukshan Jayewardene, it is a part and parcel of his daily life. The reputed wildlife photographer will hold his second exhibition of wildlife photography at the Barefoot Gallery from November 26 to December 7.

Titled ‘Wild Space’, the exhibition will comprise 70 photographs reflecting animal behaviour and interactions. Each photograph is exhibited together with an information box, revealing to the viewers how the picture was taken and elaborating the behaviour of the animals.

The photographs are also displayed in a chronological order, spanning from 2002 to 2007 with the exception of three that were taken earlier. All the images are printed from colour slides or transparencies though the digital camera and the frontline camera had been used.

“Wildlife photography is different from photographing human figures or scenery because the actions take place at a rapid pace. You cannot use slow lenses and you have to be constantly alert since the actions take place when you least expect,” Rukshan expressed on his passion in life.

Jayewardene’s love for capturing animals on lens had derived from childhood when he had practiced his skills as a budding young photographer by taking pictures of squirrels and birds.

“From my youngest days my interest was on nature, and subsequently, reading. Mechanical objects held no interest for me. I am a self taught photographer, who as a child, with a plastic camera, took photographs of natural objects. People were never a part of what I chose to photograph,” he explained adding that people like him start where other people leave off.

“There are many who photograph their fellow human beings and sceneries. I have always preferred to click the camera on the species belonging to the untamed wilderness rather than the cat and dog at home,” he said.

Jayewardene was educated at Royal College, Colombo, and the University of New Brunswick, Canada, where he studied Forestry and Conservation. An unexpected turn of events and destiny saw him graduating with a degree in Anthropology from the University of Maryland, USA. In 1992 he obtained a Masters Degree in South Asian Archaeology from the University of Cambridge, UK. He has 14 years of field experience in eight districts and six years of teaching Archaeology as a part time lecturer at the University of Kelaniya to his name.

Elephant and Warthogs

Fighting Hayena

One cannot help noticing that among his photographs, Jayewardene had laid much emphasis on leopards. Queried the reason for focusing specially on leopards he stated that he had been mesmerised by his first glimpse of the animal at the age of 13.

“I was driven by a thirst to see more and more of the mystery and beauty of the animal. The leopard is the most beautiful mammal on earth for me,” he pointed out.

Jayewardene had taken to wildlife and conservation related issues from 1999. In 2003, along with several individuals. He co-authored and provided photos for, ‘For the Leopard’, a book on the Sri Lankan leopard. He had also co-founded two interlinked conservation organisations: The Leopard Trust and the Wilderness and Protected Areas Foundation (WPAF).

His photograph of a hawk eagle grappling a monitor, taken in Yala, clinched the highly commended award, BBC Wildlife magazine’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, out of 20,000 entries worldwide. The winning picture travelled with the competition’s annual exhibition, both in Britain and Europe, as well as North America and Australia, before appearing in the book ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Portfolio 12’.

Another striking significance in Jayewardene’s photographs is that they portray the crude reality of the wilderness as well as its beauty.

“Most wildlife photography exhibitions comprise sanitised photos but this is not the reality of the wilderness. In the circle of life one species has to die for the others to survive. It is a sad fact but it is useless to veil the truth,” he said while stating that to be a successful wildlife photographer requires concentration, patience and discipline.

“I make no apologies for what I choose to photograph. I hold the belief that wildlife should not be viewed as ours, mine or theirs. Animals have the good sense not to respect political boundaries and live freely, governed only by their needs. They live in a borderless world and we too need to take a cue from them and have an ecosystem approach to conservation. I hope what I have succeeded to capture will inspire others, especially the younger generation, to appreciate and safeguard our natural heritage.’

“Duttagamini Abhaya Maharajathumage Dasamaha Yahayan Saha Thavath Dedenek to be launched

Puravidya Chakravarthi, Puravidya Paryeshana Shuri Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera’s Duttagamini Abhaya Maharajathumage Dasamaha Yodayan Saha Thavth Dedenek will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall, Ven. S. Mahinda Mawatha, Colombo 10 on Tuesday, November 25.

Ven. Ellawala Medhananda Thera is the author of Negenahira Palatha Ha Uthuru Palathe Sinhala Bauddha Urumaya, Sinhala Maha Rajawansha 1 and 2, Walagamba Maharajjuruvo, Navathama Shilalipi Gaveshana, Aithihasika Kudumbigala and the Singhala Buddhist Heritage in the East and the North of Sri Lanka. The book is a Dayawansa Jayakody Book Publication.

EU-Film Festival 2008

The EU-Film Festival Colombo organised by Goethe Institute of Colombo will be held from November 28 to December 7. The gala opening will take place at Regal Cinema when the silent classic film, E.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu will be screened in its latest restored version with the live accompaniment by the group ‘5 minute heroes’ from Regensburg, Germany.

The event is said to be the biggest European film event in Sri Lanka which gives the audience the opportunity to view modern cinematic creations from seven EU countries and two European countries.

The main part of the festival will take place at the BMICH from November 29 to December 6 with three screenings every day at 10.30 a.m., 3.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. Entrance is at first come first served basis.

Les Chansons d’amour (Love Songs), Meurtrieres (Murderers), Alles auf Zucker (Go For Zucker), ‘Brick Lane’, ‘And When Did You Last See Your Father?’, Leef! (Live!), ‘Dennis P’, ‘Kitchen Stories’, Masjavlar (Dalecarlians) and ‘War Photographer’ will be screened during the main venue.

EU-Film Festival 2008 will close with the release of ‘Julia’, Charith Abeysinghe’s new Sri Lankan film at the new film hall of the National Film Corporation.

Poetry and short story competition for the visually handicapped

The Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare will conduct a poetry and short story competition for the visually handicapped persons to enhance their literary talents. Contestants are required to send in their entries in Sinhala, Tamil and Braille and the work will be judged in two categories: elderly and school. Works based on real life experiences will be given special focus while each creation should bear its own individual mark. Poetry may take the form of free verse.

The winner will receive Rs.10,000 while second place winner will receive Rs.7,500 and third place winner will be given Rs.5,000. The fourth and fifth place winners will receive Rs.1000 worth cash prizes each. You can obtain further information from the Secretary, Rehabilitation Fund for Visually handicapped, L.H.G Building, 150A, Nawala Road, Nugegoda or by calling 2824897. Closing date of entries is May 31, 2009.

Winners of Bunka Awards 2008

The 15th Bunka (Cultural) Awards presentation ceremony organised by the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund was held at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation recently.

The chief guest of the event was Minister of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana. Talented young vocalist and actress, Indika Upamali was awarded Special Achievement in Acting and singing while photographer and artist Menika van der Poorten walked away with the title of Special Achievement in Photography.

Dr. Praneeth Abhayasundere clinched Special Achievement in Lyric Writing, Sinnarajah Kandeepan received the Special Achievement in drumming and G.D. Gayan Sathyajith Karunaratne was awarded the Special Achievement in Poetry and Ceramics.

Japan and Sri Lanka are nations with ancient historical and cultural affinities. Their links can be traced back through the centuries. In recent years, this relationship has grown from strength to strength, particularly in economic areas.

However, much remains to be achieved in cultivating and deepening the mutual understanding of each other’s cultures. This was the motive behind the foundation of the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund.

Established in 1993, the fund has presented annual Bunka Awards to mid-career individuals and organisations on the basis of their ongoing creative activities in culture and the arts to encourage and promote individual talent in the field of art in the island. The selections are made by a Joint Committee consisting of eminent Sri Lankans and representatives of the Japanese Association and the Japanese Commerce and Industry Association.

Vibrant colours on canvas

Renowned painter Noeline Fernando will hold an exhibition comprising her latest collection of paintings at the Sapumal Foundation, Barnes Place, Colombo 7 from November 29 to December 3 1.30 a.m. To 6 p.m. The opening ceremony will be held on November 29 at 10.30 a.m. With the participation of Secretary of Foreign Ministry, Dr. Palitha Kohana as chief guest.

Noeline was a pupil of the late Cora Abraham at her famed Melbourne Art Classes which she joined in 1965. She has herself been a teacher working with children, among them the intellectually handicapped at the School for the Special Child. She has worked with children of SOS Villages for orphaned and abandoned children as well as in leading secondary schools in Colombo. She now conducts classes for children, students and adults at the premises of the Sapumal Foundation.

Teaching is an extension of Noeline’s passion for painting. She is totally absorbed in her craft. She is free in her choice of subject and the manner of her painting, drawing on the daily experience of the world around her.

Given her compulsion to paint, she nonetheless submits to a strict inner discipline which is readily recognisable.

Just as evident is a fine draughtsmanship which enables her to design her compositions with clarity and which in turn is embellished in an uninhibited exuberance of colour.

Noeline’s work was first seen at exhibitions of the Melbourne Art Classes in 1965 and later with the Young Artists Group in 1967. Her paintings were also included in the ‘Man and His World’ exhibition in Montreal in1970, the Sepieme Biennale de Paris, 1971; in exhibitions of the Sri Lanka Arts Council in 1972 and 1986, and at the National Art Gallery in 1998, 2001 and 2006.

She has held several solo exhibitions at the Samudra Gallery, 1970 and 1973; the Lionel Wendt Gallery, 1991; and at the Gallery 706 in 1994 and in 2000, and solo exhibitions at the Sapumal Foundation, 1996 and 1999.

She also attended life drawing classes in 1991 at the Heatherley School of Fine Art, Chelsea, UK.

‘Derana Dream Stars’ in a nutshell

With the ‘Derana Dream Star’ nearing a climax, competition is warming up for the seven finalists of the reality television show. Cut outs, pin ups and slogans are scattered around the island and fans are eagerly waiting the nail-biting moment on Sundays which decides the destiny of their favourites. This week we bring to you a brief profile of the seven finalists competing for the next week’s programme.

Name :Kamani Lasanthika

Age :18 years

School Attending :Kahawatta Madya Maha Vidyalaya

Address : 23, Susirigama,
Kahawatta

Name : Milinda Sandaruwan

Age : 20 years

School Attended:Maliyadewa Boys School,Kurunegala (Currently a member of a music band)

Address: Ogodapola, Boyagane,
Kurunegala

Name :Sachintha Devanarayana

Age :24 years

School Attended:Dharmaloka Vidyalaya, Kelaniya (Currently a member of a music band)

Address: 118,Yashodara Mawatha, Dalugama,
Kelaniya

Name : Udesh Indula

Age :19 years

School Attended: Wadduwa Madya Maha Vidyalaya,Wadduwa

Address: “Sunil Sevana”, Moronthuduwa,
Wadduwa

Name :Prince Sanjaya

Age :25 years (Currently employed as a teacher)

Address: Galvehera Road,
Welikanda,
Ahungalla
 

Name :Chinthaka Malith

Age : 20 years

School Attended:St. Anthonys College, Wattala (Currently a member of a music band)

Address:59/15, ChurchRoad, Weligampitiya,
Ja Ela

Name :Nilupuli Dilhara

Age :18 years

School Attending:Holy Cross Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha

Address: A/15/B, D/815, Ranpokunugama,
Nittambuwa