The Island leisure

by G. R. Constantine
In the exhibition ‘My Narratives’ at the Gallery 706 starting on 7th October 1999, Anoli’s most recent works will be exhibited. Symbolically and in fragmentation, the exhibition narrates her personal life experience of being a woman in a conservative middle class socio-cultural context.

At the same time, these fragmented narratives intend to deconstruct the society’s myth of a middle class woman. It seems to me that the this exhibition is an ideal moment to comment upon some key aspects of Sri Lankan art history and to read some of Anoli’s recent works situating them in the socio-cultural milieu they are located in.

In the Sri Lankan art scene many female artists have made their presence felt from time to time. But, in the overall art history of Sri Lanka, no female artist has emerged as a significant figure who would be a role model for young artists.

At present, there is a growing awareness about the contribution of female artists to Sri Lankan art history.

Nevertheless, in spite of this awareness and the sizeable number of female students who annually study art in this country, this issue has not surfaced or debated in a significant manner until very recently. One consistent factor that has contributed to this lethargy is that the female artists thus far have consumed and perpetuated the patriarchal view of art, upon which accepted norms of art-making has based its tenets.

The women’s art in the past, as well as to a large extent at present, is essentially a manifestation or a representation of this ‘norm’.

Neither did most female artists attract any attention of the art spectators nor did they have any long term impact on the art scene. At the same time, if one looks at art history, one could see that the majority of the art exhibitions have been organized by men and reviews have also been written mostly by them. As such, the masculine view point and perception of art remained predominant. Since of late, this ‘view point’ has been contested.

This was clearly manifested in the discussions initiated by the Art Club of the Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts (VAFA) at the Sapumal Foundation on this subject a couple of months ago. At present, re-contextualizing the distinctive contribution of female artists to Sri Lankan art is an imperative task. This is the project that Anoli has undertaken in her artistic career.

She is a painter, installation artist, sculptor and an art critique who is relentlessly trying to contextualize contemporary art in terms of existing social and political realities. In this short account of her works, I would mainly concentrate on her paintings while drawing on some of her other recent works when deemed necessary to illustrate her political project.

For a cursory spectator, Anoli’s recent paintings may appear as blocks of colors with scribbling in between. But, as one draws closer and tries to identify with the paintings, the message within this jumble of color patches, texts and androgynous human forms readily appeal to the spectator. A predominant feature in her recent paintings is the collection of scripts she uses to illustrate her experiences of being a woman in the patriarchal culture.

The taboos, and the patriarchal expectations of womanhood are the recurring themes in Anoli’s work. Her paintings, one after another engages the spectator in a dialogue about the image of ‘woman’ in our society. Anoli’s work shows a deep concern about the questions of representation and the politics of female image in art, cinema, advertising and mass media. In her paintings, cutouts from news paper advertisements, magazines and other print media which are usually geared to satisfy the ‘male gaze’ are used in an interventionist way as a protest to the exploitation of the female image. Anoli’s installation at the International Artists’ Camp exhibition this year was a good example of one such work. This installation consisted of a labyrinth of cane baskets hanging from a wooden frame, some of which were filled with rice and some empty.

These ‘cone’ shaped cane baskets signified the ‘womb’ and the reproductive capacity of the female. The capacity to bore children and the fulfillment of this societal expectation is the accepted norm for a married female. Anyone who fails to meet this expectation by choice or for other reasons are considered inauspicious or not worthy to be present in certain situations. Such females are stigmatized and excluded from certain activities in the family and society. They are outcaste as undesired subjects. Anoli’s installation strongly critiqued this very idea that woman’s social relevance being based on her reproductive capacity.

This is a powerful social comment and has an immediate relevance to a life situation, while it also initiates an intellectual interrogation with regard to the status of women in contemporary Sri Lankan society.

This activism and the reaction to contemporary life situations is a phenomenon of the present day art. This makes art an integral part of existence, and artist a social being who is sensitive and committed to the situation she/he is placed in. Works of art of this nature are not simply a response to a life situation.

They are also a stimulus to the spectator and indulge the spectator into a dialogue. The point at which the spectator identifies with the painting and engages in a dialogue is the point where the art achieves its full potential. This character of the contemporary art can be easily realized in most of Anoli’s recent works. They not only inform the viewer of the gender based power and dominance in social interactions, but also deal with very personal and private aspects of life where male centric relationships and attitudes dominate. Her recent painting displayed at the ‘NO order group’ exhibition titled ‘my erotic journey’ deals with the subject of female as a gazer and spectator of sexual pleasures.

Though overtly these paintings appear to be erotic in nature, the underlying message dawns easily on a discerning spectator. These paintings, she said were an intervention on the social taboos against the female as a voyeur and spectator of sexual pleasures. In recent times, there have been an increasing awareness and debates on various aspects of sexuality. Anoli’s writings have appeared in the local press as well as in foreign journals. She has shown a keen interest in re-contextualizing the place of female artist in the history of Sri Lankan art.

She has been instrumental in organizing exhibitions and discussions on women artist of Sri Lanka. These are different type of activities apart from her painting, for which she devotes her time. These activities help to create awareness about the woman artist and would also lead to a fresh reading of Sri Lankan art history.

The representation of heterogeneity and plurality of issues of being a woman in a patriarchal culture as well as the methods adopted to deal with and to advocate her ideology makes Anoli’s works exceptional. .

"Femina" Sri Lanka with articles of special interest to Sri Lankans hit the streets recently.

This special edition makes interesting reading giving an insight into Lankan culture, women of achievement, changing fashion scene in Sri Lanka etc. Being Femina an international recognised magazine, Sri Lanka has been put on the international map, and at the same time sharing experiences between India and Sri Lanka.

On October 1, 1999 the Times of India launched in Sri Lanka their first overseas split run of India’s largest circulation woman’s magazine, Femina. The 40 page special section in the Femina magazine has articles of special interest to Sri Lankans and will be published monthly.

Ms. Satya Saran, the Editor of Femina, said that the Sri Lanka edition was a great learning experience. She said that it is with admiration that she noted the ability of the women of Sri Lanka to adapt to a spectrum of situations including taking over the best of oriental and western cultures and added that India can learn from these experiences. She also said that women, whether Sri Lankan, India or form elsewhere are alike under the skin who belonged to the same world which Femina could improve, beautify and help evolve into a better place.

Ms. Niloufer Billimoria, General Manager, International Marketing of Times of India Publications said " The internationally recognised magazine behind many of the beauty queens of the world, Sushmita Sen, Aishwarya Rai, Diana Hayden and others arrives in the emerald isle of Sri Lanka where beauty and fashion, glamour and success co-mingle with ancient values and modern management".

The Distributor and Business representative of Femina in Sri Lanka, Mr. Vijitha Yapa said that he main reason for the popularity of Femina was due to the wide array of subjects covered and innovative ideas in the magazine for fashion and beauty. He said Femina readers will get the section in addition to the normal pages of the quality magazine and it is expected that circulation would double during the year. The first issue also contains a Free imported highlighter pen and the magazine’s cost will be Rs. 85 and will be available at leading booksellers and news agents.

Femina being an international magazine of repute, Sri Lanka has been put on the international map. At the same time, Femina will share experiences between Sri Lankans and their Indian counterparts.

So many writers, authors and even teachers have written books about how to learn English. In recent times, there has been a proliferation of such books dealing with the study of what is generally known as "Spoken English". This writer has been through most of them and found that most of them do not take the reader any further than he would have gone, without such so-called aid.

Then I came across this book by Bertram Chinnaiah. He does not promise you the sun, moon and stars, as so many other authors do. Instead he takes you through a carefully planned journey through the intricacies of English Grammar, step by step, as he himself puts it.

It does take quite a long time to go through the book, and that is exactly as it should be. This book is something to be savoured, slowly, like a good wine. When you have finished it, you can be assured that you would have mastered, to a greater rather than to a lesser extent, the language which has been described as one of the easiest to learn but one of the hardest to master.

Chinnaiah has brought his knowledge acquired while yet in school — the old school — together with his experience as a teacher, to good purpose, and produced something that every schoolboy and girl, who wishes to study English in the correct way, should have on his/her shelves.

by Kirthi Sri Karunaratne
When Eustace and Rexie De Zoysa walked down the isle of the All Saints Church, Borella, after the service of thanksgiving, and the renewal of the marriage vows they took fifty years before, there was many a moist eye filled with happiness for them, and the achievement. It was nostalgia all the way, at the dinner reception that followed at their residence where many old memories were revived.

The groom sang to his bride, the song he wooed her with, accompanied by that ace at the piano Beverly Rodrigo. Also contributing to the celebration were many friends from the joyous event of the past by recreating the happenings of fifty years ago. To add further to the memories Rexie wore the same saree she wore those many years ago as her going away outfit. In a shot manipuri silk, in purple and blue, the saree was bordered in a wide weave of gold, with the silk scattered in little gold motifs, which was the epitome of style in that day, which still has not lost any of the trendy quality, even today. She wore a deep blue blouse, gold jewellery, and her accessories were in gold.

Joining in to rejoice with the family and friends were Devika Ellepola, in a cream two piece outfit. The top which was cutaway and high necked, had a mandarin band. The top was worked in, pearls and sequins of the same tone, and the skirt was in the simple cream. A gold necklace worn choker fashion over the neckband, and a fistful of fine gold bangles was her choice of ornaments.

The lovely shades of blue that fused in the saree Kshama de Zoysa wore was foil to the metal grey floral print picked out in sequins for a special touch. Her jewellery was a necklace in gold with matching earstuds.

Cyclamen combined with black in the striking top Sandra de Zoysa teamed with a black slim skirt. The top had a central panel in black which was in line with the sleeves which were in the two colours. A scroll design in the black enhanced the cerise, while the cerise brought colour to the black, in the same scroll design.

The jolly couple surrounded by their five children, and eight grand children ensured that this occasion would remain a happy memory. The song filled evening was contributed to by Lukshmie Puvimanasinghe and her husband and many others. Lukshmies saree of a mangoosteen shade turned grey at the top edge for unusual and tasteful contrast. Her blouse was in the deeper shade of plum, and her jewellery was in gold.

At a recent dinner party to celebrate a birthday there were many varying styles that could not be allowed to pass without an honourable mention. The wife of the birthday boy, ensured her guests had a good time, clad elegantly in a saree of deep burgundy silk, with a fine border in gold, she teamed with a blouse of net, worked in a all over scroll pattern in a braid in the burgundy, woven with a hint of gold.

Among the gamut of styles, one could not miss the long slim line gown that Indira Wignaraja wore. The simple dress in black had a design in licks of flame in a coral tone on the side only, creating a most unusual effect. Highlights of the outfit, was the beautiful necklace of agates on burnished gold, with matching earstuds, which was the perfect compliment to the ensemble.

The saree Shirani de Silva wore was in a lovely shade of pink and a black, with a design of paisleys in a chalky white printed on it on the pink, and where the colours met. Her jewellery was in gold.

Audrey Rajendra brought drama to her slim black skirt and ice blue loose top with a stole of black wound round her neck, pinned with a dazzling brooch on a side.

It was an evening of a gathering of many long standing friends, and a good time was had by all those present. The daughter of the hosts flew down from western climes to give her father the best gift of all making a pleasant surprise, at a lovely evening.

Aquarius Ventures (Pvt) Ltd., the company that in recent months conducted exhibitions of fine Rajasthani and carved stone furniture will, on October 3rd extend their concept of improving your home with the launch of an exhibition, concentrating on a distinctive lifestyle.

The furniture that has proved so popular in the recent past will continue to feature heavily in this third exhibition. The exceptional and timeless craftsmanship of India will be reflected once again in ornate chests, benches and seats, as well as intricately carved mirror frames and doors reminiscent of an ancient, majestic era. Finely chisled stone bases and large figurines in striking designs combined with sheets of glass create a sophisticated fusion for spectacular coffee and dining tables and garden furniture.

The exhibition will also incorporate further aspects of classic Indian design with a range of exceptional Indian sarees and shalwar kameez, beaded purses and Pashmina shawls which are so in vogue today.

Woven bedspreads in natural textures and handmade photograph albums and other trinkets contribute to making this exhibition one of a kind.

The exhibition will be open to the public from the 3rd to the 9th October, at 292, Buller’s Road, Colombo 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

by Cecil V. Wikramanayake
This is a question that many parents ask themselves and other parents when they happen to meet for social discourse. Of course, it is not a question that children today — or children in any age for that matter -would even bring to their minds. They have other things to worry them in this rat-race that we call ‘life’.

I very much fear that the answer to the question is generally in the negative. Children today, apparently, not only have little or no respect for their parents, but they also have little or no respect for themselves. Else they would not behave the way they do. Their lives are so full of the mundane things, like keeping up with their peers, and outshining their friends and neighbours in whatever they are doing, that they do not have the time, nor the inclination, to sit back and think about the finer things in life.

Like companionship, friendship, love towards one another, consideration for others and the other virtues that the older generations grew up on.

Life has speeded up to such an extent that children today have to wake up a little earlier than the older generations did, and from the time they wake up, it is a dash for this, a dash for that and a dash for the other.

Dressing up, going to school, and the rat-race of getting to school is something that fills the morning of every school going child today.

Then, when school is over, it is a rush for this, that, and the other. Tuition, after school has become a vital necessity if a child is to succeed in life. So whether it is necessary or not, whether the child is quite capable of managing without tuition or not, tuition classes have to be provided — at least to keep up with the trends.

When all this is done, it is time for dinner and bed. So where then is there time for youngsters to ‘sit back and think’ ?

As I have said before, the school curriculum today is little different from the days when this country was a colony under the British, and our schools churned out "potential government servants", like a mincing machine would churn out minced meat.

All this makes for children having little or no respect for parents and their elders. They are so caught up in the struggle for mere existence that they are barely able to keep their heads above water

Added to these problems, there is also the struggle their parents have to make ends meet. In most homes today, both parents have to find employment in order to keep the wolf from the door. Parents have little time or energy to devote to their children in the way of guidance.

In the result, there develops a tendency on the part of growing children to ignore whatever their parents may tell them, simply because it is unpalatable.

Parents, too, having little time to spend on guiding their children, are content to let things be, and so it goes round and round in a vicious circle.

Does it not lie in the fact that the bad examples are set at higher level ? Consider the calibre of the leaders of this country, fifty years ago, when we achieved independence without shedding a drop of blood, and today. Is there any comparison at all ?

I believe that the solution lies there. Those who lead us must be, like Caesar’s wife, above suspicion. When we have leaders who are really men and women of stature, then perhaps we can expect a change in the mores of our people.

Libra or Thula is seventh sign of the Zodiac. The lord of the house is Venus. Libra indicates in a sign of the scales. The scale is a movable instrument and makes balance placing equal weights on both sides. People born in Libra too have such characteristics. They are idealistic, quick witted, vindictive, forceful and positive.

Librians are generally of a sensual disposition. They have been foresight and reason out things from the standpoint of their own views. They are keen observers of human nature. They have justice, peace, order and are agreeable persons. They are ambitious. More idealists than realists or practical men and often contemplate on schemes that are like building castles in the sky. They are not sensitive to what others say of them. They are not easily amenable to reason. They are great lovers of music. Truth and honesty have a special appeal for them.

The worst planet for Libra is Jupiter. When a person happened to be under the influence of Jupiter he will have a malefic time. Sun and Venus are also make adverse affects. However, Saturn influences for the best, being the indicator of prosperity and all benefits. Saturn is the Raja Yoga Karaka — the indicator of state privileges — for Librians.

The present period is not so good for Librians. Physically they are likely to suffer from minor ailments such as headaches, eye and toothaches, foot troubles, etc. At many times they will be in hot temper, perhaps without reason. This position will change by December.

However, Librians will have an adverse time from June 2000 as Saturn and Jupiter are due to occupy the eighth house. Therefore they will have to be vigilant in every aspect until that bad period passes off. — Sugathadasa Jayasekera

A new CD "Ruwani" will be launched on February 10, 2000 by that well-known photographer Mettasena, who has done cover pages for the "Sunday Times". He has written all the songs.

Dayan Vitharana, a photographer of repute, who is also a singer will also have some songs in the new CD.

The singers include Victor Ratnayake, Narada Dissasekera, Latha Walpola, Malini Bulathsinhala, Neela Wickramasinghe, Edward Jayakody, Rohana Bogoda, Jagath Wickramasinghe, Nirosha Virajini, Nalin Perera, Bandula Wijeweera, Senanayake Weraliyedda, Uresha Ravihari and Iman Perera.

Music is directed by Victor Ratnayake, Narada Dissasekera, JagathGamage, Nalin Perera and Tisara Tharupathy Munasinghe.