- Artistic
expressions on the monsoons
Many of us are familiar
with the coming of the monsoons and the seasonal
flux in the paddy fields - a mutability both
celebratory and melancholic, of evanescent
emotions produced by the haunting emblems of
memory, of promise, growth and decay.The sensual surfaces of beneficient
water in the changing hours of the day depicted
in Rahju's paintings is the artist's poetic
expression of monsoonal renewal and regeneration.
These are pictures that demand a sensitive
recognition of myriads of poetic patterns and
passages of painting, variants and echoes. With
each picture the painter has surpassed himself
again and again, with an unflinching fidelity to
the directive ideas behind their forms. (full text)
- FORGOTTEN
HERITAGE
The sanctified spot the Buddha
visited
The sacred Mahiyangane
dagaba marks the sanctified spot the Buddha is
believed to have made his first visit.
Mahiyangane during pre-Vijayan times was the
capital of the Yakkahs and was called
Mahiyapokbala. Among the other archaic names by
which Mahiyangane was alluded to were Minguna,
Mugana, and Mingunu.In
Ptolmey's map of Lanka named Tapro-bane (first
century B.C.) Mahiyangane is indicated as
Maag-rammon (derived from its Sanscrit name -
Mahagrama).
Mahiyangane beautifully located
on the banks of the Mahaveli ganga was also once
called Aluthnuwara Mahanuwara. (full text)
- International
Children's Day
Children
of War
I see the world
gradually being turned into a wilderness. I hear
the ever approaching thunder which will destroy
us, too. I can feel the suffering of millions and
yet when I look up into the heavens I think that
it will come right, that this cruelty too will
end'.These were the
words written more than 50 years ago by 15 year
old Anne Frank in the Netherlands who died
shortly afterwards in a Nazi concentration camp. (full text)
- The romance
behind the phrase 'Cock and Bull'
In days of yore, British tipplers frequenting the
'Cock' hotel related amusing stories. After a few
tankards of English ale, they would walk to 'The
Bull', another pub a few yards down High Street,
and, in an ecstatic state of inebriety, relate
the same stories with a different twist. So it
was that 'Cock and Bull stories' found their way
to the rich repertoire of English phrase.Reputed as the heart of Story Stratford,
a little town in Milton Keynes, the 'Cock' and
'The Bull' are two inns with a colourful history
dating back to Queen Boudicea and her Iceni
tribe. Stony Stratford was also a weekend retreat
for King Edward IV who met his future bride while
hunting in the forest. (full text)
- High
fashion
The taste of Switzerland
"A taste of
Switzerland" a cocktail with a Swiss
touch was hosted by the General Manager Stefan
Pfeiffer and Mrs. S. Pfeiffer at the
Supper Club of the Lanka Oberoi. It was a gala
occasion, with all the delicacies from
Switzerland laid out for the guest, besides music
from the land played by a troupe from this
beautiful country. The Swiss costumes too were in
evidence, even upto the stewards clad in Swiss
inspired uniforms. The Sri Lankan guests were not
to be outdone by all the colour around, with red
and white being the predominant colours. (full text)
- A
Frame in Time
A bit of play-acting
Recently I wrote a tribute to a
treasured friend, a woodcarver of repute, namely
I. Vishwalingam of Kandy fame, alas no more with
us.Memories of Vishwa
are many - some exhilarating and exceptionally
humorous, some extremely touching and poignant.
However, he could at times be downright callous. (full text)
- Aroma therapy
to keep your mind and body relaxed
Have you ever felt
totally relaxed with a sense of peace in your
mind, body and soul? Ever felt like you were in
heaven for just a couple of hours? Well, this is
what you will get if you visit the KESS Beauty
Shop for an aroma therapy. The sense of
relaxation you will get during and after the
therapy is inexplicable. Reka Dissanayake, the
woman behind the whole concept explains. She says
the use of herbal oil varying from Lavender,
Sandalwood, Jasmine and more of She uses one of
them depending on the client and her skin type.
Reka says she massages the pressure points. The
whole process takes about one and a half hours.
The therapy helps improve blood circulation as
well as blood pressure, catarrh, arthritis etc.
The massaging begins from the back, then goes
down to the legs and then to the feet. Afterwards
it is the chest and goes on upwards towards the
neck, face and head. (full text)
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