 |
 . |
Face to Face
An airy bundle... full of lifeby Zanita Careem
There are many facets to Ooravasi. She is a successful actress having carved her own niche in the South Indian film industry. Her most striking feature is a certain simplicity which is most appealing. A down-to-earth person, she speaks with a passion and warmth.
This popular South Indian actress was in Sri Lanka on an invitation extended to her by the President of the media foundation Sumith tisera Dressed in an expensive deep purple Mysore silk saree, Ooravasi was full of smiles when a group of journalists met her at the Hotel Ceylon Intercontinental.
Her skin radiates good health. Make up? Yes, a little bit but not overdone.
"I’ve never liked to act in glamour roles" she says. This with a faux-demure smile. She has a vast repertoire of smiles. One to accentuate every frame of mind, and radiates charm that cannot be denied.
Tracing her growth as a person, Ooravasi goes down ‘memory lane’.
"I was brought up in a typical Kerala family. I grew up with art, music and dance. My mother is a dancer and a stage actress, and my sister is an actress, so I was brought up in a family where all forms of art were a part of my life," said the demure actress. " I grew up in a family where there was talent and I imbibed a lot of them."
An arts graduate, Ooravasi confesses that she loves to act in homely and traditional characters. "Most of the roles I portray are not glamorous roles."
Her acting potential has attracted directors. Right now she has acted in 350 Malayalam and 250 Tamil films. Moreover she has acted with all superstars like Rajnikanth, Kamal Hasan, and Sarath Kumar.
Having won the state award thrice and also the best actor award, Ooravasi is also a busy director.
A fiercely independent person, she does not want to be a glamour baggage. Neither does she want to be trapped in the vortex of the mindless masala movies. In her own words, "I don’t like masala movies where there is only songs, dance and gyration. As an actress I had my own set of rules. No intimacy... no exposing, and I hate too much glamour. And I am accepted, not as a glamour doll but as a native woman who brought out character in any conceivable role I play thereby I had carved a separate niche for myself."
"Who is your favourite actor?" I asked. She gives an unequivocal answer. "All of them."
Right now she has acted in Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam and even Hindi films. "Initially, in Malayalam films that I started maturing as an artiste".she says with pride
The quality that really distinguishes her from her colleagues and contemporaries is a kind of naturalness that makes her performances utterly winning. She does it so effortlessly. She is able to become the role that she plays. Most of the films she acts her interpretation of her role is outstanding for the simple reason that she is able to make herself and the thoughts going through her mind, so utterly believable.
Ooravasi is an instinctive actress. Added to this unique ability of being able to feel a role, be it Tamil, or Telegu or Malayalam is the capability to be actually perceptive in terms of assessing a situation or even a complete script.
The audience could see the lightness of touch and the spontaneity of her performance enriching a film. The roles demonstrated her ability that she has in communicating the most moving of emotions with subtlest of gestures and expressions.
Her latest movie, Seyam Maram is shot at different localities with seven directors. Veralai Etha Beekum is also one of her sucessful movies.
Ever since she took to filmdom, Ooravasi has been an actress of substance. There is no looking back. "My main ambition is to make good artistic films" she quipped.
l
After your ‘A’ Levels, what ? By Cecil V. Wikramanayake
The ‘A’ level examinations are now on. Very soon they will be over, and your school will not have room for you. Your results will not come in till around April next year. And what are you going to do during this time ? Find a job ? Start out on a new course of study ?So many school-leavers, after sitting their ‘A’ levels, find that time is hanging on their hands, and they are at a loose end. Most students are not aware that there are so many avenues open to them, if only they take the trouble to find out.
For instance, there is the Technical College, which has plenty of room for students, but has very few applications for entry to that institution. In addition to this there are so many other things that both young men and young women can turn to while waiting for their results.
Career guidance is something they all need. And I have just been talking to one such person who not only knows about career guidance, but is ready, willing and able to help those who require such guidance.
Swarna Obeysekera, who is better known for her interior decor work, will, in September this year, be conducting courses for those who have just sat their ‘A’ levels, at the Shakthi Institute, 333 Galle Road, Colombo 3.
This course, Swarna tells me, will help all those who have sat their ‘A’ levels to find suitable places where they can further their education, and also to help those who wish to move into spheres which are suited to their talents and capabilities.
For instance, there is personaliity development, which includes public speaking, letter writing, social and cultural values, general aptitudes, health care, dress sense and grooming, human rights, community and social work, and youth clubs.
For those who are interested in other things, there are courses on menu planning, cookery, and table setting, as well as home decorations and home gardening. For those with an eye to finances there is home budgeting, investment, savings and so on.
You can contact Swarna Obeysekera on Phone No. 597252, or at the Shakthi Institute, 333 Galle Road, Colombo 3.
Appreciation
Kshama FernandoA woman of many talents, she made headlines not only as a lawyer of great intellect, but often for her flair and style, which was enhanced by the beauty of her face and her figure.
Kshama when she was first sworn in, as an advocate in the then courts of Ceylon made a abiding impression in her specially created saree blouse incorporating the traditional lawyers white collar teamed with a simple black saree.
Even though she spent many years of her life in England, those who remember her will recall her sense of elegance, and the grace and charm she exuded where ever she went, never failing to make an indelible impression.
In the early years of her life Kshama was attached to the Sunday Observer and was the Woman’s Editor of the Daily News in the early fifties. Besides all this she was a good wife and mother to her daughters and only son Charit.
May she rest in peace, and may the memory of her remain fresh with all those who knew her and loved her.
KSK.
Her first pupils are now grown up — and successful
by Cecil V. Wikramanayake
Syana Fouz Kaleel has quite a lot to be proud of. The children she taught seventeen years ago, when they were little toddlers, are now in their twenties, and doing quite well, thank you. And perhaps, in a few years, they too will be sending their own little toddlers to Syana.
It was seventeen years ago that Syana, with the assistance of three dedicated and qualified assistants, started the Little Friends Montessori in the Galle Fort, for the benefit of the little children of Galle. At first it was only a small beginning, with a few small children, of friends and relations, who wished her well. But soon, with her reputation as an excellent Montessori teacher spreading, by word of mouth, Syana had her hands full. Children from the age of "toddling stage" right up to those who were about to enter the bigger schools, thronged the Little Friends Montessori.
At this school, the little ones, both boys and girls, not only learned the rudiments of languages they spoke, but there were all kinds of different activities for their healthy development. And there still is.
The school even has its own Percussion Band and Library, and Syana organises a concert at the end of each term with the help of her staff and this has, every year, been largely attended, by parents anxious to see their children’s talents, and by friends and well wishes too. At Christmas-time, Santa Claus comes round bringing gifts to all the little children.
Syana focuses a lot on elocution, as she feels that a good knowledge of English is a vital advantage to any child.
Syana says she owes a great deal to her late mother Zarina Zain, who was always a live wire and gave her much encouragement, and to her father Lion Zain.
Her husband Fouz Kaleel, a businessman by profession supports her in every way to run the Little Friends Montessori School.
Nikini mal dekma and exhibition and sale of plants and crafts is being organised by the joint collaboration of "Green Palms" and "Sharaini" nurseries at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo on the August 13, 14, 15, ‘99 with a view to promoting self employment projects and to develop home gardening.
Around 65 well experienced horticulturists from various parts of the country will participate, display their plants at this show.
In addition to the plant stalls there will be over 20 trade stalls to promote and sell products such as fertilizers, agro-chemicals, garden tools/ornaments, hard landscaping objects, terra-cotta and plastic pots, mini waterfalls, aquarium fish, cast alluminium and iron products, processed food, toys and sports goods etc., as an added attraction. It will be open to the public from 9.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. each day.
HIGH FASHION
The glamour and glitter of anniversary bashby Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
When Sri and Tylin Nagendra asked their many friends and relations to join them for dinner at the Crystal Ballroom of the Taj Samudra hotel, the invitation specified casual dress. Perhaps due to the cause of the celebration, the Silver wedding anniversary of the hosts, the guests went to town, and provided a cavalcade of fashion and style, good enough to make the pages of any glossy magazine.
The chic and charm of the many outfits were in such abundance, it would have made enough copy, and several reels of film could have been exposed to fill at least two pages of a newspaper. The glamour and glitter was of a calibre that brought to mind the glitzy first nights or award ceremonies held in many parts of the world.
Setting the pace for the evening was Tylin herself in a saree of turqoise shading into a beautiful tone of sapphire blue, draped in her favourite gujarati style. What turned this into couturier wear was the blouse, the entire back of the cutaway style on sheer see-through fabric, worked in a scroll of twisting, curving ribbon.
She wore a fabulous Navaratne pendent set on gold with a string of pearls to make the chain, and pendulum eardrops to match. From her hairstyle at the back cascaded many strands of jasmines, for that extra touch from the orient.
The most stunning blouse was worn by Suranganie Valentine. The high necked blouse of black was embroidered in a design of roses and leaves, in the style of the work adorning a Spanish shawl, in tones of mushroom, beige and ecru. For sleeves she had sheer black net scattered in embroidered motifs. The sleeves were wrist length, and had a gap at the shoulder, and her saree of mushroom silk charmeuse had a ribbon border of dull gold, with a fine black edge. Her accessories were in black.
Two of the most beautiful sarees of the evening were those worn by Priti Fonseka and Janaki Fernando. Priti had her charcoal black saree embroidered in thread in shades of biege, amber and off white, while Janaki had her royal blue charmeuse silk embroidered in coral, gold and ivory in an exquisite border and pallu. Both sarees were done in the typical Parsi hand embroidery, which is a generations old art, and still among the Parsi community are heirlooms of undying beauty.
For stunning effect the black saree Badra Wijesena wore was outstanding. On a simple black saree she had only the pallu in black net, on which was embroidered one outsize rose in kum kum pink and green with the mildest touch of silver in the leaves. The saree was draped in the gujarati style, which is her signature drape, and she wore a choker necklace of pearls with a central pendent in rubies and diamonds.
The saree Anoma Wijegunawardene wore too was embroidered in a border and pallu on black. The threadwork was in a tan, ochre and pearl, and she wore a strand of pearls for an ornament.
Borders made striking impressions on the sarees worn by Thanchi Coomaraswamy and Lalitha de Silva. The former had a border and pallu in black, green and red in thread weave on a grey silk, while the latter had her sapphire blue silk bordered in a heirloom of Benarees style, the rich gold mingling with coral, turquoise and royal blue. Pearls and gold made her jewellery, the pearls in choker fashion, and the gold in long earrings and pendent and thali necklace.
Kandyan sarees were the choice of Lalini Alwis and Therese Liyanage. For smart and fashionable sophistication, Lalini relied on the subtle richness of a Tanchoi silk in olive green , with the "ihe", pallu and borders in a weave of thread, in tones of amber, topaz and black, to wear with a thick gold lasso on which was a large pendent of smoky topaz.
The green saree Therese wore was embossed in black velouty with glittering silver dust to highlight the design. She wore a necklace of jet beads. An antique gold, and black brocade made the unusual saree draped in a "coong" style of her own by Audrey Rajendra. The saree had a graded black frill on it, was most unusual.
Devika Prithiviraj’s braided hairstyle was a topic for conversation. Her saree was in a fusion of colours ranging from turquoise to purple. A choker necklace of turquoise and stud earrings completed the
picture. A green gagra choli embroidered in gold was a most suitable choice on the petite and gamin looking Kshirabdhi Aruliah. After cocktails and dinner came dancing when the handkerchief size dance flow was packed to capacity, and a really good time was had by all.
Sri Lankan traditions and customs were observed, and the decor in pink and white lotuses and garlands of Jasmines drew gasps of admiration when Irina, the daughter of Nalin and Mallika Wijeyekoon was married to Gerald, the son of Otto and Paula Heckenblackner, at the Kings Court of the Trans Asia Hotel. The groom is from Austria, and even though he has been to Sri Lanka several times before, a great deal of it was new to him and exciting as it was to his mother. The bride made a lovely picture in her saree of ivory toned organza exquisitely worked in a border and on the pallu in silver Zardosi and bugle beads. The simple veil edged in silver flowed from a headdress of natural flowers and her bouquet was a posy of babys breath and roses. A heirloom pendent of diamonds and long drop earrings completed the elegant picture.
For her going away she wore a saree of the softest tanchoi silk in pomegranate pink, the self patterned saree daintily embroidered in gold beads and sequins on the border and the pallu. The blouse had cutaway sleeves, and the saree had the fall draped like a shawl though in the gujarati, as it was not pleated. A cluster of pink flowers with gold, and gold jewellery were the perfect finishing touches. Janaki of Flowers of Summer was the artist behind the flowers, both for the decor and the bouquets.
| NEWS | PROVINCIAL | POLITICS | EDITORIAL | DEFENCE | FEATURES | SPORTS
| BUSINESS | ADS |