LW

[by Shabnam Farook]

“Never underestimate what a simple gesture can do. It is the little things that you do that make a big difference in other people’s lives.”

As a child it was her parents who inspired Lakshmi Puvimanasinghe to reach out to help the less fortunate, now as a mother and a grandmother she continues to inspire her family to follow her footsteps by making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate.

“As a child I spent most of my time getting involved in extra curricular activities. Helping people was a habit that was with me since I was a child. My home town is Mutwal. My father Albert Eliatamby who was in the insurance business helped several needy families living in the area. My mother Mopsy Perera was a Politician. She was extensively involved in social service during her tenure and after her demise I took over some of the crèches that were maintained by her. My mother was a Sinhalese and my father was a Tamil and that’s the reason why I don’t have any barrier to help somebody in need because I belong to both ethnicities .This is why I volunteered to help and uplift a rural Sinhalese village.”

Mrs.Puvimanasinghe’s husband, the well known Charted Accountant Fred Puvimanasinghe, who served as the Deputy Governor of the Lions Club 306 in the 70’s, was yet another reason for her to continue helping those who needed it most.

Incidentally, it has been ten years since Lakshmi Puvimanasinghe adopted the rural village of Ketakalapitiya in the outskirts of Nittambuwa.

She gave us an account of how she adopted the village and the reason behind it “my domestic was the inspiration for me to adopt and develop the village. She worked for me for 15 long years and served my family loyally. She used to travel to her village of Ketakalapitiya every two months. Unfortunately one day, during her visit to the village when she was going in search of firewood for her children, she was stung by wasps. It was after this devastating news that I knew of the realities that existed in the village. That’s when I volunteered to develop the village. I liked the idea of helping the village because I wanted to do social service where I’d get an immediate feedback. I wanted to get involved and witness the difference I was making in the lives of the residents in the village. First of all, I constructed a “Budu Medura”, which I thought was a great start in order to enable them to worship.

Mrs.Lakshmi Puvimanasinghe and the Lions Club of Colombo Central have continuously worked hand in hand to provide livelihood support and encourage self sufficiency among the villagers of Ketakalapitiya. 15 projects were launched to uplift the status of Ketakalapitiya and its residents.

During a recent visit to the village the group distributed jackets to the Buddhist society, supplied educational equipment to the village Montessori initiated by Mrs. Lakshmi Puvimanasinghe, refurbished the Montessori and the village community hall, donated a wheelchair, repaired toilets and built a house for an elderly lady who was in need of shelter.

Meanwhile, a medical camp was organized with the support of the doctors from the Ragama hospital to create awareness on diabetes and distribute vitamins. Spectacles were also distributed among the villagers during an eye screening camp.

“A small garment factory and a bridal salon were opened with the aim of providing employment opportunities to the youth residing in the village. Rohini Cooray who was the Chief Guest opened this bridal salon. I also declared open a clothes centre where the clothes from a garment factory are being sold. Meanwhile, Mary Varma supported us by donating specialized medical equipment to a child who was unable to walk without proper support. We also distributed bags to carry provisions, buckets to carry water during a drought and new clothes for the New Year. The villagers hosted the well wishers to breakfast, lunch and tea,” she added.

Mrs.Puvimanasignhe further elaborated “I can see a drastic change in the village after I adopted it. The children, elderly and the disabled people living in the village have been benefited by the support we have extended. I’m thankful to my friends and members of the Lions Club who support the cause and helped me in numerous ways. My philosophy is to make these villagers self sufficient, I don’t intend to make them beggars. Nothing is given free of charge and the funds we collect are used to empower them to take their lives forward.”

Mrs. Puvimanasinghe who spends most of her life helping the poor and needy is also a member of BPW (Business for Professional Women) an organization that works to uplift the lives of women and children. Though Mrs. Puvimanasinghe is not a business woman she is actively involved in the association as she endorses their objective to help the poor.

Mrs. Lakshmi Puvimanasinghe has been always the epitome of versatility. Not only is she a culinary whiz, she has also managed a clothing shop and created beautiful floral arrangements that have won her many accolades. She continues to create unique floral arrangements to add luster to her tastefully decorated abode.

Her message was, “Reach out to help those who need it the most. You don’t have to look far, just extend your kindness to someone who is close to you, and see the difference it makes. By helping the poor you are giving them a reason to live, so don’t hesitate, help yourself by helping someone,” she concluded with a tone of satisfaction.

Nilan Maligaspe with his inborn talents in many fields has achieved many awards in recognition in various forms of art. His performance dates back to his early ages when he started ballet and modern dancing with the support and encouragement received by his grandmother and Mr.Malkem. Although many lads his age opted to study various other fields Nilan was bold enough to pursue his love of arts, theatre and culture by joining an arena that has reached its twenty fifth year.

Being creative as we know is an inborn trait that comes from the heart, which could be further pursued as a passion by the individual itself. Nilan in school was a promising athlete and Head Prefect with good discipline and leadership skills. At the tender age of twelve, he had become an outstanding Disco dancer as well as an upcountry and low country dancer and there was no turning back thereon. Mr.Malkem was instrumental in encouraging him in ballet and modern dancing.
In the 1980’s he was an active member in the Youth Council which was attached to the National Youth Council. In 1988, Nilan ventured into becoming a good mimer and was awarded ‘Best dancer of the year’.

He was brought to Colombo by a relative in order to pursue his love of art and drama, while working as a Sales Assistant at M.D. Gunasena, he joined the Art Institute directed by Nishantha De Alwis. This was the turning point he awaited as he ventured into drama, cinema and tele drama under the guidance of Nishantha De Alwis and was awarded a diploma in tele drama from the ‘Disi Dasuna’ Institute. Eventually he participated at stage drama festival and was an outstanding character in costumes and dancing. A benchmark of his life was the establishment of Arpeggio Dancing Academy in 1990 with just four students.

In 1995, for the first time in Sri Lanka, Nilan with his group of dances were given the opportunity to dance for a hindi song sung by a Bollywood singer during a live concert.

Currently he represents Sri Lanka Book Publisher’s Association, Institute for National well being, T.B.Ilangaratne Foundation, Coordinator D.R.Wijewardene Memorial Awards and Director Cultural at Buddhist ‘Maha Raja Sabha’ of Sri Lanka.

Breaking Dawn – Stephenie Meyer

In the “Twilight” Saga, this is the fourth and the final installment. The others were “Twilight’, “new moon”, and “Eclipse” all of which were introduced to you from this Column hot off the press. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, this is the love story between a Vampire and a human with a werewolf also thrown into the middle.

The book completely throws over the popular belief that vampires and humans are arch-enemies for the fact that vampire lives off the human blood. Cleverly, the author spins a story between teenage vampires, humans and werewolves encapsulating all teenage emotions and feelings, binding the reader completely to the story. I lost many a sleepless nights, engrossed in the pages, following Bella’s and Edward’s love. In this, Bella married Edward finally and the time has came for her to choose between two worlds – the seductive pull of the eternal immortal world or the much mundane world of the mortal. Which would she choose ??

One Fifth Avenue -Candace Bushnell

Another delicious sparkling book by the author of “Sex and the City”, which yet again opens up the doors of Manhattan to the readers. The “Sunday Times” (USA) likened book to a modern day “Vanity Fair”, She reveals a world full of feuds, friendships, inappropriate affairs in the fake-stylish company of a bunch of beautiful shallow urbanities making it her business to expose the warped materialism of manhattanites with a dose of devilish dark humour. A very entertaining yarn with fascinating yet repulsive characters!!

Unaccustomed Earth – Jhumpa Lahiri

The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the popular book “The Namesake” this is her latest which has won the Frank O’ Conner International short story award. Beginning in America and spilling over to India, Thailand, and Europe, the short stories explore the heart of family life and the immigrant experience. This examines many facets of life when forged in the wake of loss.

The Dragonfly Pool - Eva Ibbotson

Tally Hamilton does not want to be sent off to a stuffy old boarding school because of the war. But Delderation Hall is unlike any other school. It is an eccentric crazy and inspiring place which is the starting point to a wonderful adventure. So Tally takes off led by the mysterious Matteo who speaks five languages. There in the kingdom of Bergania, Tally will prove her bravery and discover lasting Friendships. A magically beautiful story for the young minds.

The Lucky One – Nicholas Sparks

Ex- soldier Logan Thibault thinks he just might have found a good-luck charm. He believes that a photo he carried with him has kept him safe. How it came to him is an explosive secret which he vehemently guards. Resolving to find the woman in the photo, Logan begins his journey only to find her immersed in her own problems. It is, in true Sparks fashion, achingly morning, with a beautiful tenderness that pulls at your own heart-strings.

SPECIAL REVIEWS

Galle, As Quiet As Asleep By Norah Roberts

The author, Norah Roberts, was born in Panadura and attended St. Bridget’s Convent she was also a teacher at St. Bridget’s for two years, before she decided to join her father in Galle. She was the Librarian of the Galle – Library for 42 consecutive years. Many requests from friends and visitors alike prompted Norah to compile this exclusive and comprehensive book about Galle and the world-famous Galle-Fort. The Compiling of the book took her ten years to complete and the outcome is a wonderful saga of men, women and a history which made Galle a world renowned place in the world.

The author comprehensively covers the history of Galle and Galle Fort from the days of the Portugese. The old residents of the Fort, the prominent Dutch and Muslim families’ histories are painstakingly presented with much facts. The author has successfully attempted to chronicle the happenings in the Fort as well as Galle and any reader interested in learning about Galle, this is a good source of information. It also talks about the present day Galle as well as early Galle, enabling the reader to draw mental parallels to many of the historical sites that are mentioned.

Quaint Fascinations By Jayanthi Kaththriarachchi

The author of this book is a Science Teacher by profession and this is her maiden publication – a collection of poems written by her over a period of time.

Her love for nature has inspired her to pen quite a few verses and through her words, she eloquently displays the happiness and peace she derives from looking around. The poems are quite descriptive and her chosen words for each poem seems to enhance the thought process on each subject written in simple flowing language, the poems aptly bring to life the author’s quaint fascinations over many things and people that caught her attention.

I discussed the types of questions that are commonly asked by children and explained the importance of paying attention to them. Their curiosity is often aroused at different ages; infancy demands them to know their surroundings, early childhood is the time for questions based on all they perceive, teenage opens up for many “hush, hush” & “should I ask or not” type of questions. Not forgetting the advance society they live in- Computer, television, hand-phone, or peer group may trigger their need to ask some advance questions that furrow your eye-brows. Youngsters’ queries need to be clarified or else the damage would be irreversible; they’ll get the wrong or perhaps an exaggerated explanation from what they see or what they hear. (This is the reason we should pay attention to those queries and explain very clearly.) According to experts, children need guidance at every age, not just in the teen years. “Sex,” unfortunately is a forbidden word in most of our households.

Time has come to be realistic with our children and make them at ease with the changes that take place in their developing bodies. What children find most confusing about sex, is the very fact that adults don’t want to talk about it. We should not make them think that the subject is taboo. True, children can’t understand all the feelings that motivate adults, but most experts believe, that is no reason to exclude sex information from their early education. Experts are also of the opinion that parents who do not deal with sexual issues at home, abandon their children to questionable views – and to the doubtful instruction of their peers.( Parents, so be alert!)

Parents tend to do better if they realize that their children’s concerns are a normal part of growing up. While sexual awareness may develop at various rates, knowledge of how it shows itself in each age category should help reassure you that your children’s curiosity is neither unhealthy nor exceptional.

The Pre-school Years

This period may seem a bit early to think about sex education, but experts say not. Some advise that it’s the ideal time to become comfortable with the terminology. Many adults can’t use the correct names for genitals without embarrassment. They tell their children the correct names for all body parts above the waist and below the knees and refer to everything in between as “down there.” Children then conclude that what can’t even be named must somehow be bad. Preschoolers are interested in bodies- theirs, yours, and everybody’s. They notice differences very well.(“Why doesn’t she have one?”) Their questions are often framed with reference to themselves: “Where did I come from?” “When I was a baby, did I do that?” Most authorities consider this the ideal time to begin explaining the “facts of life” in simple terms. For example, the dreaded “Where did I come from?” can be answered: “You grew in a special place inside me (or your mommy) just as all babies do.” Many small children are not interested in how they got in or out of their mommies, and if they don’t ask, there is no reason to volunteer the information. Yet don’t be evasive when they eventually do want to know.

Grade- School Children

Though you may try to present the facts of life as natural and beautiful, your six-to ten-year-old may come home from school with strange ideas and startling language. This is the age when “private parts” become sources of sniggering. If you suddenly hear your child using foul words, ask him if he knows what they mean. He probably doesn’t. So tell him. You could also tell him “we” don’t say them.
Parents are often astounded by the questions their children ask. “It’s all that explicit stuff on TV,” a mother lamented. “Even if you keep your kids away from it, they meet children who watch everything.” This mother’s ten year old son asked her how homosexuals “do it.” Acting on the sound theory that the best answer is often the simplest one, the mother replied, “I don’t know, honey – I have no experience with that.”

In other situations, it pays to remember that kids ask questions because they want information, not lectures. When eleven-year-old Nadeesha asked her mother, “How come the girl up the street is having a baby when she is not even married?” She was told, “Because she was not a good girl. You’d better make sure it never happens to you!” Although Nadeesha knew the teen-ager had done something wrong her mother’s reply gave no indication of what it was. It would have been more helpful to explain, “A grown-up girl may get pregnant any time she has sex with a boy, and she doesn’t have to be married.”

If your child has no question about sex, ask yourself why. Is he or she simply incurious, or have you communicated that the topic is taboo? Either way, it’s time to bring it up. Perhaps, he is reticent as a result of the kind of information he has received from another party that has made him frightened about the subject of sex. Offering your child a suitable book is an excellent way to trigger conversation. Be alert to teachable situations. When you see a pregnant woman, you can say, “That lady is going to have a baby soon. I was like that before you were born.” A casual comment of this kind suggests that an interest in such things is normal.

The Pre-teen Years

This is the period when children become sensitive to peer influence and begin to experience a new awareness of the opposite sex. They need to be prepared for what is happening to them physically. Girls must be told about menstruation, boys about ejaculation and “wet dreams.” It surprises many parents when boys ask about “periods” and girls about “shooting off,” but youngsters are often curious about what’s happening to the other sex too.

Your child’s questions about the sexes may now, for the first time, apply to him or her, though it’s typical of preteens to express things hypothetically: “How does a girl get a boy to like her?” “What age are most guys when they start getting girlfriends.” The experts point out that while preteens can seem slavishly turned-in to their peers, the majority want to understand their parents’ beliefs and view points. It is therefore a parental obligation to clear their puzzled minds. Parents need to be extremely intimate with their preteen children.

Studies show that parents of preteen children spend more time on sex education with their daughters than they do with their sons- a fact that reflects the old double standard that says girls should remain “pure” while boys might perhaps get “experience.” Not only do parents overlook the fact that boys in pursuit of ‘experience’ leave a lot of “experienced” girls behind, but they are often unaware that many boys have grave doubts about “proving themselves sexually.” They need to be assured that manhood involves much more than the ability to “score”- that qualities like tenderness, sensitivity and respect for the feeling of others lead to good relationships. In short your son needs to be taught to become the sort of man you’d want your daughter to know.

Teen-agers

The teen years are a time of stress and conflict in many homes. The child is physically an adult, and sex is a major concern. Most adolescents both long for and fear sexual experience; parents who acknowledge this fact can best help them to handle their ambivalent feelings responsibly. Since your teen will most probably hear that “everybody’s doing it,” you’ll want to point out that it is not true; also to make sure he or she understands that the consequences of “doing it” would be pregnancy or venereal disease.

Many parents are afraid that offering birth-control information is the same as giving permission to have sex, but it doesn’t have to be. “You know how I feel,” you can say. “Teen-age sex is a great way to get hurt. When sex becomes a part of your life, I want it to be a good part. If you wait until the right time, then it’ll be. Sex involves the possibility of having a baby. I want you to know about birth- control so that when the time comes, you can make a mature decision, a decision that you can be responsible for.”

Teens also need to know the facts of physiology- in detail. The sad truth is that many girls who become pregnant have only the vaguest idea how their own bodies work. The teen-ages are the least promising time to start a sex education. Still, a late start is better than none at all. Certainly it is never too late to express love and concern.

Today’s parents need to think about their obligation to enlighten and guide their children. If parents are privileged to be the first teacher of their offspring, most of the primary education on any subject must be initiated by parents, themselves. Many, however still consider in their duty to discourage sexual interest, though the rising numbers on teen pregnancy and abortion testify to the futility of this approach. A proper awareness could save our youngsters from many dangers that are lurking from all corners of this so called “ultra modern world.” Children need parents who will help their sexuality to grow in a healthy, responsible direction.

MEDICATIONS

Drugs and medications may have an adverse effect on the skin. Many medications impact the skin in a variety of ways. Discuss the potential side effects with your doctor and adjust your skin care program accordingly.

DRINKING

Another subject under study shows that there is probably a link between alcohol consumption and ageing. Alcoholics show signs of increased ageing, but study result seem to indicate that it is more a matter of how your body processes alcohol rather than if you drink or not. Alcohol can leave toxic by-products in the tissues that can speed up ageing. It can also weaken capillary walls and cause blotchiness. In addition, alcohol draws water out of the tissues and leaves the skin dull and dehydrated.

PREMATURE AGEING

The skin ages due to the deterioration of the elastic tissues (composed of elastin and collagen). In most cases, the skin becomes dry/dehydrated; age spots occur and some people notice small broken capillaries. Premature ageing can be prevented to some extent by a daily skin care program, and well balanced diet and avoiding things that are known to speed the ageing process.

SMOKING

Next to sun exposure, smoking is the highest factor in wrinkling. Smokers have more wrinkles than people who don’t smoke. Cigarette smoke releases free radicals that break down the vitamin C in the skin and contribute to premature wrinkling. Nicotine also causes small blood vessels and capillaries to contract, diminishing circulation and depriving the skin of nutrients.

EXERCISE

Exercise improves blood circulation and improves the tone of the skin, resulting in a healthy glow. It also improves the skin’s elasticity, strength and firmness.

WEIGHT GAIN/LOSSES

Frequent weight gains and losses can also dramatically affect the elasticity of the skin. When the weight is gained, the skin stretches to accommodate the excess weight. When a lot of weight is lost, quickly, the skin doesn’t have time to accommodate the changing contours and sagging and premature wrinkling can occur. Gradual weight loss should not impact the skin, although a reduced calorie diet can cause the skin to look dull and lifeless unless the diet is well balanced.

DIET

Ongoing research is beginning to show a link between a relatively nutritious diet and improved skin tone. It has been shown that people suffering from malnutrition show obvious signs of increased ageing because of vitamin deficiencies but what extent diet plays a role in the overall ageing process has yet to be determined (but it can’t hurt to eat sensibly). There is unanimous agreement that drinking eight glasses of water per day improves the beauty of your skin.

THE SUN

The sun is one of the biggest culprits in the ageing process. It speeds the ageing process by breaking down the elastin and collagen in the skin. The results of sun damage include fine lines, brown spots and decreased elasticity and less softness in the skin’s texture. The best defense against the sun is a regular sunscreen for everyday use and a high level sunscreen when you have to be outside. (Be sure and use it on your neck and hands too.).

ENVIRONMENT

Air pollution can be very harmful to the skin. Areas of your body that are protected show less signs of ageing than those that are exposed to the pollutants in the air. The best ways to fight against the effects of pollution are to be sure and use a safe soap morning and night to remove dirt and irritants from the surface of the skin and to protect the skin by using a moisturizer every day. Women can also use foundation which provides additional protection from the elements. There is also growing evidence to support the theory that high pollution levels increase ultraviolet rays which cause skin cancer in relatively young people.

[by Lakmini Wijemanne]

Down by the seaside, with just the rail tracks between the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and the building, Lavinia Residencies enjoy a breathtaking sea-front view, a cool salty breeze and its own unique height- song of the waves, to help your peaceful slumber.

Sprawled on 60 perches, there are six luxury villa-style units for occupation on short or long-term lease, by the Mount Lavinia beach down Samudra Mawatha. The six units nestle in this big Colonial type house built in the 1930’s, but, each of the units enjoy absolute privacy thanks to the clever architecture and the design itself. There are three single bedroom units, two two-bedroom units and a single unit with three rooms. Every single unit has its own private entrance, its balcony, a living - dining area, well-appointed bathrooms, and a beautiful fitted pantry. The units are all furnished with custom-made furniture tastefully designed to match the surroundings and the architecture of the house itself.

The amenities available to the dweller are many. Hot & cold water. (no meter charge for water!!) and round -the-clock supply of electricity.

There’s a generator on stand-by in case of a power cut, at no extra cost, Wi-fi internet and phone facilities, linen, house keeping services, cutlery, and crockery, and all basic electrical appliances such as a fridge, a stove and washing machine. There is also the added advantage to the tenants of being able to use the fresh water pool and other facilities available at the ‘Lavinia House” next door at no cost.

All furniture, fixtures and even linen for the units have been designed with the comfort of the tenants in mind. Every door, window and furniture item has especially been designed by Harendra de Mel an expert in his chosen field. For the traveller who is tired of impersonal City hotel rooms, Lavinia Residencies offer a satisfying and a memorable solution, where you could feel at home with all the comforts of a home. If the residents require facilities to conduct business meetings, or dining for business functions, these are also available at the neighboring “Mount Lavinia House”.

There is also ample space to park your vehicles and the premises are provided with round-the-clock security services.

In creating these residencies, no efforts have been spared to make them welcoming and comfortable. The sprawling emerald lawns around the house add a welcoming touch to the eye, with the cool breeze from the sea to cool your body and relax you instantly. If you are looking for a place to stay for the duration of your work here, if you want a calm, relaxing place to come after a hard day of work, “Lavinia Residences” is a place you must check out. You’ll fall in love at first sight!! Imagine, if you could come home to a spacious home (not a tiny hotel room), with the cool sea breeze wetting into every corner of the home, where you can either sit in your balcony or the green lawn, enjoying a refreshing glass of a long cool drink.. and feel right at home, what more can you ask ???

[by Shabnam Farook]

Dinesh Subasinghe has triumphed as a young artiste, whose only quest is to revolutionize Sri Lankan music and take it to greater heights like never before.

He has taken an auspicious step towards reaching this ambitious goal by being the first Sri Lankan to get selected to the A.R.Rahman’s Music Academy, which is no easy feat.

A.R Rahman, a gifted musical genius has wooed people’s hearts and minds with his melodious music and continued to rock the music world by winning Oscars for his background score in the award winning movie “Slumdog Millionaire”. Dinesh is indeed lucky to be his disciple. However, he says that it’s not lady luck who bestowed this opportunity to shine, its sheer hard work, unwavering determination and the will power to take his music to the international arena that showed him the path to this prestigious academy.

“When I got to know that there were openings to study music at A.R.Rahman’s music academy I sent a few DVD’s with my music compositions and melodies. My tapes were auditioned first and afterward I was called for an audition and told to play an instrument where I could portray my abilities well. I chose the violin as I have been playing for it 14 years. I had to play a popular piece on the violin for the judges. Meanwhile, I was also recommended by Abdul Hamid, a famous announcer who happens to be A.R Rahman’s best friend. While the audition went well, I believe that the recommendation played an important role in securing a place at Rahman’s music conservatory,” said an excited Dinesh speaking to LW.

Dinesh who is a musician, composer and instrumentalist says that it is a great honour for him to represent Sri Lanka in a well recognized music school that by and large gives first priority to Indians.

“I will learn the genres of Western classical, North Indian, Karnatak and also learn about the latest technological developments in the music industry. The music academy has its own studio and students who complete the course well, get an opportunity to play for A.R.Rahman’s orchestra and take part in film recordings. Rahman also has his symphony orchestra so there are plenty of job opportunities as an instrumentalist or a music arranger.” Dinesh expresses his heartfelt gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapakshe for sponsoring the first year course fees through the Presidential Fund and appreciated the constant support and encouragement extended by venerable Athuruliye Rathana thera to secure this scholarship.

Dinesh stands out amongst the other wannabe musicians, as he has always been true to himself by defying the norm and developing his own style of artistry.

“I started learning music 10 years ago and since then I have put my heart and soul into what I do. There is a lot of hard work involved. I practice with the instruments for five hours everyday and also concentrate on my own musical compositions. I have learnt this art from 15 well known gurus. I don’t create music to earn money, and even now I’m constantly in battle with the economic situation,” he noted.

“I have my own band which is called DeeRCee members. We cater to the youth audience by playing pop style music with a combination of rock and Sinhala lyrics in a symphony arrangement. It is after I formed the band that I went ahead with my solo career. Now I lay more emphasis on my solo career.”

Dinesh was only too glad to elaborate on his latest creation Ravan Naada and his past feats. “Ravan Naada is the first album that contains music pieces that have been produced using the Ravanahattha and the Ravana strong. The Ravanahattha is an ancient musical instrument introduced during King Ravana’s time.

I have so far composed music for 28 tele dramas 13 of which are awaiting release, several feature programmes, stage plays and television music programmes. I’m proud to say that there are several background scores of tele dramas that have become popular hits among the public.”
First on list is the title song of the tele drama Sihina Wasanthaya “sansara purudda” which Dinesh combines his singing prowess with those of Amal Perera and Praobda Kariyakarawana to belt out a heartfelt melody that’s truly touching. Sherlock Holmes, Siri Siri Mal, Ran Havadiya, Hummanaya, Sara saha Subha, Kiri Pabalu Wila, Shoba are among the hit tele dramas that carry Dinesh’s magical touch. Dinesh has also produced the background score for Punchi pahe Mang and Dutu nodutu, two immensely popular programmes that are aired on local television.

Siw path rena, Ahankara nagaraya,Hima wage hitha sudu nam, Swetha and Rosaliya are among the new television productions that Dinesh is pursuing.

Dinesh hopes to release his second album “Feel my heart” which comprises of 14 instrumentals and two songs. This album is for those who crave for relaxing melodies sans lyrics. These romantic melodies are intended to relax and rejuvenate those who listen to it.

Aside from these melodies, this CD also includes two songs, one which is sung by the DeeRCee members and another Hindi song penned down by Yashoda Wimaladarma.

“After 20 years we -re arranged the music scores of the Passion play of Duwa which was enacted at the Bishops College Auditorium. In relation to this we hope to release an album that has Nanda Malini’s folk style of singing which is combined with ancient Christian Nadagam and pasam songs, symphony style of music and western chants. I’m also working on another project where I have collaborated with Athuruliye Ratana Thera to create music for the piritha. We hope to create a universal version of the piritha using the latest technology. The narration will go on as the usual but with additional background music to make it suitable for meditation. A CD from the hit tele drama Sihina Wasanthya is also on the cards. This album will consist of five songs including the sad version of Sansara Purudda and 12 background music cuts.

He plans to leave the country in June this year, but will return with a wealth of knowledge and wants to share this among budding musicians in the country.

“Venerable Athuruliya Ratana thera hopes to start a musical institute which I will be in charge of. Through this institute I will share my knowledge to the students with no financial gains attached. This is my way of giving back to the general public and my country.’’

Patrick Jered a writer based in Amsterdam, Netherlands had this to say about Dinesh and his musical exploits “I have spent the last year researching a book on the Ravanhattha, and four months of that time in India and Sri Lanka. Dinesh Subasinghe is the only musician in the world today who is attempting to use the ravanhattha in a modern context. I believe that his forthcoming CD Ravan Nada will contribute to changing the perception that people have that this instrument is just a museum piece. Dinesh has a unique and innovative approach to making music and he has created his own style of playing the ravanhattha that draws upon his knowledge of both Western and Asian musical traditions, to create an exciting fusion that has moved the ravanhattha into a whole new sphere.”

Dinesh doesn’t lament or regret that there were many who dismissed him and his talents, on the contrary he says that it was blessing in disguise.

“Several businessmen threw me out when I asked for support, and I was never considered a candidate for a youth performance. But, I’m glad that hard work and determination got me an opportunity to showcase my talent internationally. I want to thank all those who threw me out, they gave me a challenge and a reason to fight for my dreams. If not for them I would have been merely satisfied with the applause and not looked ahead.”

He extends a warm word of thanks to the president, Venerable Athuruliya Ratana thera, his parents, Ganga Sudarshi Karunaratne, senior film artists and singers, Abdul Hamid, Angeline Gunathileke, the printed media and everyone who supported him during his journey.

LW wishes Dinesh the best of luck, go do your country proud.

Contact Dinesh on music.dinesh@gmail.com.

[by Shabnam Farook]

We feature Shamara Herat, the friendly face behind Revelations. If you thought that her life as a livewire behind an advertising agency was flashy and meaningless, think again. There’s no doubt in my mind that she will inspire you to look beyond what you are today and redefine yourself not only as a woman but as a responsible citizen.

Fond memories of childhood and growing up

My home town is Marawila. I grew up on an estate in Marawila and spent most of my childhood there. Even now, I make it a habit to visit my hometown every weekend with my son. We relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. During the early stages of my childhood, I studied at Holy Family Convent, Wennapuwa and then transferred to Ladies’ College to complete my higher education.
I have two siblings, a brother and a sister. While growing up all three of us were sent for tennis, swimming and other sports while the girls did piano lessons as well. My brother is a brilliant sportsman. He represented almost every sport in school. Though he was not the studious one of the family, he blossomed during his O/L’s and actually turned out to be the most learned one in the family.

Family bonds

My father’s name is Harold Herat. He was a former Minister and my mother’s name is Gwen Herat. She is a writer. My brother Avanka is the Chief Investment Officer for AEGIS Fund Management and my sister Parveen is a fiercely independent career woman who is a Business Unit Manager for Mark’s and Spencer’s. My mother is a very strong lady and she groomed us to be independent. My father meanwhile was the gentle one in the household who would shower us with love.

He was a lawyer by profession and gave up his legal career to enter parliament in 1977. He represented the Nattandiya Electorate in the Puttalam District. He also held various positions such as Minister of Coconut Industries, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Justice in the J R.Jayawardene and Premadasa Cabinets. He retired from politics in year 2000, undefeated.

Interestingly, my mother being the strong woman that she is, defied social norms and treated all three children equally. The boy child wasn’t given priority over the girls and as a result my brother grew up with three strong women around him and he has turned out to be an exception in comparison to the conventional Sri Lankan man.

Even though my father was a Minister we were never treated as special children while growing up. We led a very normal life and no one knew what my father did nor did I know about what my friends’ fathers did. We accepted each other for who we were as people.

The journey before that all important crossroad; Revelations

I completed my A/L’s successfully and later was selected to the Law Faculty of the University of Colombo. However, I couldn’t complete my LLB because of the JVP problem that existed during that time. Since the university was closed for almost three years, I went to India to pursue my Bachelors in Commerce at the University of New Delhi. Then I came back to Sri Lanka and started following a MBA at the Colombo University. Sadly, I never got around to completing it because my husband came along and I decided to tie the knot.

I started off my career as an Investment Banker and worked for Vanik Incorporation as a Senior Manager - Corporate Finance for seven years.

Then my son Zak arrived and I gave up my banking career because it was too difficult to work long hours and I wanted a break. At that time, Vision Works - a TV commercial Production Company was in need of support in the advertising division, so I jumped right in and accepted the job. We set up this small unit, which was a part time operation. That’s how it all began.

Revelations unraveled

I’m the CEO of Revelations (Pvt) Ltd, which is an advertising firm that began in the year 2000. We started small and have remained as a medium sized firm. Client satisfaction is our motto. I must say that almost all of the clients who have been with us since the inception have remained, which goes to show that our clients are happy with our services and we build strong bonds with our clients. I attribute this to the fact we always give individual attention to all our clients irrespective of the amount of business they give us, contrary to the big ad agencies.

I personally head the Client Servicing Department as I feel that it is the heart of our operations.
We are a relatively small firm with only 12 members of staff and most of them have been with me since the word go. We handle a lot of interesting accounts and I totally enjoy what I do. It’s intriguing and challenging to work on diverse projects.

I work full time but I’m very flexible and I put my son’s needs first. This is why I’m not too ambitious to expand the company though there have been plenty of offers. I try to keep things within my control so that I can spend more time with my son and attend to other commitments I’m passionate about, like the charity work I do. Even though I’m a small contributor I take great pride in the advertising work I do.

Extending a helping hand

I worship at St. Andrew’s Scotts Kirk and take part in various charity events that are organized by the church. A team of volunteers and I are in charge of ward 19 of the Mulleriyawa Mental Hospital. It’s a ladies’ ward which is home to many who have been shunned away from society.

We visit the hospital every second Thursday of the month and spend some quality time with the ladies. The ward is maintained by the church so when ever there is a need for refurbishment, we are up to the task. Apart from this the church also has a fund raiser every November to collect funds for ward 19. The church also has a thrift shop which is open once a week. The funds we collect from the thrift shop are used for the benefit of the ward.

The church has also spearheaded another project called Netherlee Cottage, where six of these ladies who have been rehabilitated have been relocated in order for them to have a normal life. There is a matron in charge and a deputy to supervise the ladies, as some of them have to be administered to some extent.

When I seek relaxation

I do a lot reading during my leisure time, mostly biographies and books on personal development and spirituality. I also enjoy spending a relaxing weekend in Marawila with my son.

Zak, my angel without wings

My son is the best thing that happened to me in my life. I say this not because he is my child but because it is through him that I have discovered strength and the joy of life. He is a typical little boy. He is smart, maybe too smart at times. He knows his mother all too well and knows exactly which buttons to push. He has such a charming and naughty smile that seems to melt every woman that crosses his path. I believe in giving Zak a well rounded life. I don’t believe in sinking his face into his studies alone. He needs to learn how to interact and work with his peers as this is a skill I find a lot of children lack today. He plays golf and swims regularly.

Friends for life

I have life long strong bonds with my friends. It’s a lovely circle of friends from every stage of my life. I’m truly blessed to have such a strong circle of friends who have been my strength. I strongly believe that it is very important for a woman to have a close circle of girl friends.

Feisty Sri Lankan women

I think women in Sri Lanka are treated really well. In fact, I think Sri Lankan women do have equal status in society. I say this because if we want to be President or the Chief Justice of the country, there is nothing or no one to stop us. After all, it was a Sri Lankan woman, who was the first woman Prime Minister in the world. Most Sri Lankan women hold leading positions in their fields of work and have gone ahead to achieve their dreams. These achievements stand as a testament to us all.

As a mother. As a career woman.

I maintain a balance between my professional and personal life. I draw a lot of strength from my spiritual life. I always give my family and my friends priority.

I do not know what the future has in store for me. I leave that in God’s hands. I believe that each and every one of us has been put on this earth for a purpose. I think as people, we need to constantly evaluate whether or not we are fulfilling this purpose.

I believe that as mothers we have a great responsibility to mould our children. We not only need to teach them what is right and wrong but we also need to teach them acceptance and tolerance. Sri Lanka is now at the brink of one of its most critical crossroads. We have to not only join hands to rebuild our country but we also have to ensure that our children take this work forward to the next generation. We need to guide them and teach them to think as Sri Lankans and look to the future with hope and confidence.