Shakespeare comes alive

The final round of the All Island Interschool Shakespeare Drama Competition was held on October 2 with the competitions of the girls' category. Ave Maria Convent Negombo, Girls' High School Kandy, Ladies' College and Visakha Vidyalaya competed in this final rou nd.

From stomach splitting laughter to downright seriousness, the audience - those who had not been to the semis - were kept on the edge of their seats in wonderment, at how the plays were to proceed. The Shakespearean dramas were given a twist and turn and the schools gave off an overall stunning performance.

A scene from the Shakespearean Drama Competition

However there were a few slips to be seen in the four plays. From projection to blunders in lighting, it was felt that the casts and crews needed to brush up their parts before they came on stage. Despite all that the contestants presented a spectacular performance.

Starting the final round of the competition with Ave Maria's 'As You Like It' saw the play making use of the entire stage. It was visible that some of the props used during the play were inconvenient to the actresses. The overall performance of the cast was commendable.

Witty gestures

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' performed by Girls' High School Kandy was an extremely unusual performance. With a switch from Greek to Kandyan the cast made the play more Sri Lankan. With Shakespearean language and the Kandyan attire, the overall experience was extraordinary.

This was deemed apt considering the choice of scenes and the focus of the play. Laying weight on the comic elements of the play and the witty gestures used left the audience drowning in laughter. Another rare feat was the involvement of a canine on stage.

Ladies' College performing 'Much Ado About Nothing' was entertaining while at the same time well directed. It was a play which portrayed strong characters and unusual human sets. The dancers used in the play instead of sets is worthy of mentioning, as the flow of the play was maintained due to this. Even though nothing out of the ordinary was perceived within this play, the subtle humour, the mastered use of lights and the overall performance were entertaining.

Polished and expert look

The final play 'Romeo and Juliet' by Visakha Vidyalaya was neatly presented. The scenes were cleverly edited which gave the play a polished and expert look. Though the play was slightly overacted the performance was outstanding with good sound effects.

Ladies' College went on to win the Girls' category of the Interschool Shakespeare Drama Competition, while Visakha Vidyalaya was the Runner-up. Ave Maria Convent Negombo came in as the second Runners-up and Girls' High School Kandy were the third Runners-up of the night. Girls' High School Kandy also won the Best Outstation Schools Award. As for individual awards, Best Actress All Island was awarded to Tehani Welgama of Ladies' College, while the Best Supporting Actress was awarded to Naveka Karunarathne of Visakha Vidyalaya. The Best Actress Outstation Schools was awarded to Niroshi Perera of Ave Maria Convent Negombo.

The boys' schools competitions, held on October 4, were equally entertaining. D. S. Senanayake College, Maris Stella College Negombo, St. Joseph's College, and Wesley College competed in this final round.

The plays ranged from mediocre to excellence, while the schools had interesting innovations up their sleeves! There are a few criticisms to be made of the overall performance of the plays. As the panel of judges noted 'there is room for improvement'. It was felt that the casts needed to pay more attention to aspects of drama such as voice projection and diction. Other than for which the overall plays were well enacted.

Excellent diction

The competition started with D. S. Senanayake College's 'Romeo and Juliet'. Character-wise, Mercutio was well played. The comic aspects were strongly brought out. However, Romeo's role should have been improved.

In terms of the entire play, the audience felt it was too long. The lapse of time was felt with the emphasis, the scenes chosen had on the entire play. Therefore, the audience thought that it was less entertaining.

Maris Stella College's 'A Mid Summer Night's Dream' was much liked by the audience. The funny actions and the punning had the audience in tears with laughter. Puck's role needs special mentioning as it was well enacted. In terms of criticism, they need to work on voice projection, but the overall performance was excellent.

'Hamlet' performed by St. Joseph's College was quite exceptional. With a cleverly edited script the play was neatly directed. With excellent diction and a good use of the entire stage, they pulled off a exceptional performance.

Wesley College too performed A 'Midsummer Night's Dream'. Their use of sets was limited to chairs which were pilled high, which paved way for the smooth flow of the play. Here too the character of Puck was well played.

A big shout-out

In terms of individual awards the Best Actor All Island was awarded to Daminda Wijayaratne of Maris Stella College Negombo. The Best Supporting Actor was awarded to Prathap Kumarapperuma of St. Joseph's College and the Best Actor for Outstation Schools was awarded to Daminda Wijayaratne of Maris Stella College Negombo. As for the schools awards, the Best Outstation Boys' School Award was awarded to Maris Stella College, Negombo.

The third Runner-up school was Wesley College; the second Runner-up was St. Joseph's College, while the Runner- up was awarded to D. S. Senanayake College. The Winners of the Interschool Shakespeare Drama Competition- Boys' Schools was awarded to Maris Stella College, Negombo.

Hemaka Amarasooriya of Singer Sri Lanka was the Chief Guest, while Singer Sri Lanka was the sponsor for the event. The Awards were handed over by Rtn. Dulip Jayamaha, President of the Rotary Club of Colombo North and D. R. A. Kannangara, President of the Colombo YMCA. Last but not least, a big shout-out to the YMCA and the Rotary Club of Colombo North for organising a successful event of this nature annually.

**This was written to the Daily News. To see the article click here.**

The Glory of Gold

While the sun bears down on us and the beach near by was burning hot, we listened to the waves crash on the rocks, as we walked in through a white picket fence to the cozy home of Mary Anne David and Andrew David. The sweet aroma of food and the warmth of their home welcomed us. Greeting us with a bright and affectionate smile Mary Anne made us feel right at home.

Mary Anne David Pictures by Ruwan de Silva

Having been awarded the State Music Award for her contribution to Western vocal music this year, Mary Anne David along with her vivacious students are preparing for their concert ‘Glory of Gold’.

Mary Anne states that this event is exclusively organized to acknowledge the talents of the students of The Mary Anne School of Vocal Music, who took part in the competitions of The Sri Lanka Festival of Music, Dance and Speech which is affiliated to the British and International Festivals of Music, Dance and Speech.

She states that the talents of these students who went on to bag seventy two of the awards of the competition should be acknowledged.

The school won approximately sixty awards in the previous year’s competition and the school winning at a larger scale this year goes on to illustrate that there is abundant of talent within her students. With this achievement, Mary Anne goes on to set a record by being the first Choral Director in Sri Lanka to win the highest number of all island awards.

Competition

Last year, after the students had displayed their talents in the same competition, Mary Anne had organized a small scale production to celebrate the talents of her students at the Russian Cultural Centre. This year, she states that the students have performed extraordinarily and that they deserve recognition for their outstanding talents which were displayed. Therefore, she will be organizing Glory of Gold in a much larger scale at the Lionel Wendt.

Speaking about the upcoming concert, Mary Anne becomes very animate, as she boasts –very rightly- about her students’ talents. She states that all the students who competed in The Sri Lanka Festival of Music, Dance and Speech will be performing at ‘Glory of Gold’. When inquired about special spots in the program, Mary Anne grinned and said she intends to keep that a secret till the performing nights and surprise her audience. However, she did go on to reveal that there will be performances by quartets, duets and trios. ‘Glory of Gold’ has a variety of features on its program ranging from hits from the past, famous songs from broadways, and a selection of sacred and gospel music.

Vocalists

Mary Anne said one of the main features of the up coming concert would be the guest spot that she will be giving to three young female vocalists from the senior section of The Mary Anne School of Vocal Music. She stated that this will be the only guest item during the concert and that these singers are also members of the Merry An Singers.

Being a bubbly, energetic person by nature Mary Anne’s joyful voice echoed through the house, as she became animated in reminiscing her childhood days. She spoke endearingly of her mother, and how she had giving her mother a scare or two during her youth.

Music

As a lady who has been a Choral Director for the past forty years, she has trained many renowned voices in Sri Lanka; so much so, that some of these vocalists have gone on to establish their own names in the music industry in the form of choirs, bands or as soloists. It can be said without a doubt that Mary Anne has trained and unearthed the talents of many of the contemporary Sri Lankan soloists.

To name a few, Kishani Jayasinghe, Gayathrie Peiris Patrick, Bathiya and Santhush, Rajitha-leader of the band Misty, Suni Perera-leader of Gypsies, Piyal Perera- member of Gypsies, Ashanthie, Soundarie David- Vocal Director of Soul Sounds, Sanjeev Jayaratnam- Director of Revelations. Speaking of Bathiya & Santhush, she states “the crowd today does not know their real voices.

They do not need mikes to sing!” She states that they have very powerful voices. According to Mary Anne, Bathiya & Santhush will be performing with her, sometime mid next year and she adds that they have agreed to sing “without mikes” and that will be “selecting the songs for them to sing.”

Colourful

In addition, the concert will be accompanied on the drums by Christopher Prins and Neranjan De Silva will be in charge of the sound works. Another specialty of this concert is that it will have Mary Anne’s book titled, ‘Merry Voices Raised in Song’ for sale. This book which has colourful photographs covers stories about Mary Anne and her choir- The Merry An Singers and the forty year’s journey through the paths of music. The money collected by both the concert and the sale of books will go towards the fund to build Mary Anne’s studio.

For Mary Anne, the journey through her life has been memorable with the assistance of her loving husband Andrew David. She chuckles as she says that Andrew manages the nitty gritties of the school and who is also the producer of The Merry Ann Singers. She goes on to state that “Andrew brings me back to earth, when I am in my fantasies.”

The couple’s son, Andre too has become part of the School and trains the lower grades. Mary Anne chuckles while she says that Andre is also the choreographer for the school. She states to a side that we should see him in action, when he is teaching the children their moves. She further states that if we happen to walk in to The Dutch Reform Church in Wellawatte, we will be able to catch the vocalists in training. Giving us details about her goings-on, Mary Anne states that she has started a choir for those above the age of forty years.

The ‘Young’ Ones as they are known are a fun loving crowd who has much talent within them that is not tapped in to. She says she is hoping to start similar choirs around the island as she knows that the elderly are neglected in society today.

The concert Glory of Gold will be on October 10 and 11 at Lionel Wendt and the concert will commence at 7pm.

**This was written to the Daily News. To see the article, click here.**

A warm hug and a toothless smile

Making their twilight years bright. Picure by Saman Sri Wedage

Feeble, crotchety and flawed. Is this how you perceive you elders to be? Do you consider them to be inconsiderate, and irritating people who want you to take care of their every want and need? If these are the thoughts that are circulating in your head, then it is a very unfortunate situation our society faces today.

Elderly population

Have you noticed that the society has changed? If not, there is something you should keep in mind. In the next few years to come, Sri Lanka is going to see one of the largest elderly populations in her history.

With the rise in the standards of living today, with an assortment of health facilities and nutritious food, many people go on to live up to a ripe age.

This will be the case with both you and me in the years to come. Since this is the case, is it important that there is a change in the way the elders are perceived. A change of attitudes is essential, in providing the elders a loving atmosphere in society.

Grandchildren

Imagine yourself in the shoes of the elder. Think that it is you being ill treated. Would you like your children and maybe your grandchildren to ill treat you? Who are these elders? They are your parents and grandparents.

They too, just like you and I, are human. They need love and kindness just like any other person.

Since, elders are thought of as a burden, people tend to forget the tender and kind side to these people.

Company

So, while you are reading this, are you thinking that they consume a lot of your time? Think again! Does not everything in your life consume a lot of your time then? Would it hurt to spend a little bit of your time with them? Think of your grandparents; are they not loving, considerate and understanding people?

Do you not enjoy spending time with them? If you do love the company of your grandparents, it is invaluable, especially on a day like today, that you give more thought to them; spend more time with them.

You never know, if you go for a visit, your grandmother might just make your favourite dish! Elders love to tell stories to children and entertain them with fantasies and hilarious and memorable incidents from their childhood.

It might be worth your time if you can spare an hour or two, if not a few minutes from you hectic schedule to visit them, even if it is to give them a warm hug before you day starts, whether they be alone at their own home or at an elders’ home.

Heart-warming

Who knows you might want to visit them again and again, because they caught you off guard and had you rolled in a ball laughing at something they did when they were small.

Remember, it’s heart-warming to see a smile - even toothless - on your parent’s or grandparent’s face. A smile that is full of love and endearment.

Therefore, at least on a day like today, which celebrated your elders, why not make that little effort to make them happy, for you never know, you might regret it later!

**This was written for the Daily News. You can see the article here.

Beyond the barriers

Reproductive healthcare and family planning remained 'unspeakable' in the conservative Asian societies. It is time to look beyond the barriers to protect the health of women, children and the family's economic base

'Small is beautiful', 'a happy family' are some of the catchy statements widely used at home and abroad when it comes to family planning. The topic never lost its importance in roundtables or outside the cooling chambers as it is considered a socialresponsibility of each one of us with a heavy impact on the national economy if the matter is simply overlooked.

Health is priority for mother and child. Picture by Kavindra Perera

Population growth, reproductive healthcare and family planning are intertwined issues directly focusing on individual health and development which ultimately boils down to economic and overall development of the country. Awareness on reproductive healthcare can prevent unwanted pregnancy and helps build a healthy family based on the family income and other social, economic conditions. Hence educating women on this topic is timely and Sri Lanka could reap healthy results while minimizing many serious health hazards mainly the HIV.

When shedding light on reproductive healthcare the essential aspects that come under the focus are teenage pregnancy, pre-marital sex, abortion, child birth and sexually transmitted diseases.

These are almost 'social taboos' in the Asian society blocking communication, dialogue and transmission of knowledge on reproductive health. A workshop on advocacy and skill building on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) was organized by the Youth Committee of the Family Planning Association (FPA) Sri Lanka and International Planned Parenthood Federation South Asia Regional Office (IPPF SARO) to draw attention of the persons concerned on HIV, sexual and reproductive health, in Colombo recently.

The FPA Sri Lanka initiates and explores innovative and challenging processes of family planning in Sri Lanka. The International Planned Parenthood Federation South Asia region includes the Family Planning Associations (FPAs) of Bangladesh, India, Iran, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

By focusing on the central role of women, 179 nations united to fight worsening global poverty, rapid population growth and stagnant economic conditions.

The Program of Action was initiated by the International Conference on Population and Development also known as the Cairo Consensus which was formed in Cairo, Egypt in September 1994.

One of the main principles of the Cairo Consensus was that the needs of the current generations should not occur at the expense of future generations. Countries agreed to involve young people in finding solutions to the issues that affect their own lives and common future.

The move calls for high priority for protection, survival and education development to combat the adverse effects of poverty. It also urges to enact and strictly enforce laws against economic exploitation and physical and mental abuse or neglect and to

create policies to discourage and eliminate child marriage.

The Program of Action called for investment in comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare and rights for women and men agreeing to give universal access to services and information to improve sexual and reproductive health for everyone by 2015. The global need was positioned at $ 17.5 billion per year by 2000 and it rose to $21.7 billion per year by 2015. Donor nations pledged to offer one-third of the total, while developing nations agreed to provide the remainder.

However, the needs have increased and the donor commitments are not being met.

Sri Lanka which has emerged from the scourge of terrorism is seeing rapid development. At this juncture it is important that we focus on educating the youth on sexual and reproductive health and rights that lead to other development issues, such as poverty, ill health, women's rights and needs, and rapid population growth.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights include the full gamut of education, information, affordable and effective supplies and services necessary to allow all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children, and to attain the highest standard of sexual and reproductive health.

Ignorance parallel with dire economic conditions can lead women and youth to be away from proper family planning systems worsening the family's economic condition and the health of women and children.

Educating adolescent on reproductive health while they are at school is one way of overcoming the problems.

The youth should be well informed of reproductive healthcare and adolescent sexual behaviour to avoid serious consequences resulting from unprotected sex and contacting sexually transmitted diseases.

The workshop saw a gathering of enthusiastic youth from many NGOs, media personnel and activists. The Family Planning Association (FPA) Sri Lanka is an accredited member of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) United Kingdom. They were the first organization to initiate and establish a space for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in the country.

It was conducted by Arushi Singh of IPPF SARO, UNFPA Program Officer for HIV and Youth of Revathi Chawla and National Youth Coalition's Milinda Rajapaksha. Arts Faculty Dean of the Colombo University Prof. Indralal de Silva also spoke.

**This was an article written to the Daily News. To see the article, click here.

Reviving the epic legend

Prashasti 2009: An Epic of the Prophecy, organized by the Ananda College Senior Brass Band (ACSBB) was held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Convention Hall (BMICH) on September 05 for the ninth consecutive year. Representing the Tharunyayata Hetak Foundation, Yoshitha Rajapakse was the chief guest at the occasion.

The Ananda College Senior Brass Band was first established in 1992, with a mere seven members to its name. With a few instruments and without a proper band uniform at the time, this school Brass Band has journeyed long, to be what it is today.

The event was made colourful by the numerous local schools that participated in the event. Performances by Bishops College, Musaeus College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy Girls High School, Ranabima Royal College, Mahanama College, and Thurstan College left the audience speechless. It is commendable that Ananda College gave many a school brass band and western band, the opportunity to exhibit their talents. The talents exhibited by the children were highly impressive.

While giving the school children the limelight, Prashasti 2009 saw to it that renowned artists too performed on the same stage together with school children. Guest artistes like Bhathiya Santhush and Crew, Dushyanth Weeraman, Iraj Weerarathne, Akalanka Ganegama, Elephant Foot, Colours Choir, Channa Upuli Dance Troupe, Musaeus College Dance Troop and Nishantha mesmerising the audience. The dynamic and energetic performances left the audience cheering for more. The variations and the manner in which all the items were presented should be applauded.

Ananda's Acting Principal Lal Dissanayake and Senior Brass Band teacher in charge K. M. Rathnapala presented Yoshitha Rajapaske with a token of appreciation for gracing the occasion. Furthermore at the event Bathiya Santhush and the Crew were felicitated by the Ananda College Senior Brass Band.

Distinguished invitees for the occasion were Tharunyayata Hetak Foundation President Namal Rajapaksa, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Secretary, Sri Lanka Cricket Nishantha Ranathunga, Managing Director, Max Television & Radio Network Janaka Ramanayake and Director, Jaycey Group of Companies Ruwan Edirisinghe.

The welcome speech was given by Lahiru de Ruberu, the Co- Leader of the Ananda College Senior Brass Band while the vote of thanks was given by Vinu Hapangoda, the Acting Leader of the Ananda College Senior Brass Band.

Ananda College Senior Brass Band should be commended for organizing a magnificent event as this.

Immense effort was put in to this event by the students of the organizing committee to preserve the traditions of their Alma Mata.

**The above was written to the Daily News. Click here to the online article**