Life style

Sumitra shines with the Rising Sun

Published

4 years ago

2020/10/4

‘Poetess of Sinhala cinema’ Sumitra Peries was recently conferred Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese Government. The first Sri Lankan film artiste to have been decorated with this coveted 145-old Order, sits with the Sunday Island to recap her treasured memories of the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ …

by Randima Attygalle

When the new bride Sumitra Peries impulsively changed her return ticket home from Mexico, having clinched the Golden Head of Palenque for Gamperaliya directed by her soul mate Dr. Lester James Peries (and edited by her) at an international film festival and set foot in the Land of the Rising Sun in 1966, she was “completely bowled over” not only by kimonos, platform slippers and deftly crafted tea ceremonies, but by a ‘cultured nation’ at large.

For young Sumitra who sailed to the University of Lausanne chartering unknown waters as a young girl, exploration of the unknown comes as the most natural. Carrying only the motifs of the dreaded Mount Fuji Volcano and the air attack on Colombo during the Second World War by the Japanese Navy with her, the avant-garde young cinema-maker booked into the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo reputed to have withstood many earthquakes! “Next day when I went to the Sri Lankan Embassy there, our people were horrified to hear of my outrageously expensive choice of accommodation, claiming I had to be just out of my mind. My only concern was that it would be a buffer against a possible earthquake,” recollects the poetess of the Sinhala cinema decked with The Order of the Rising Sun 2020 more than half a century later since she had her first taste of Japan.

Established on April 10, 1875 by Emperor Meiji, the Order was the first decoration awarded by the Japanese government. The badge features rays of sunlight symbolizing energy as powerful as the rising sun in harmony with the Land of the Rising Sun Japan is known to be. The order is conferred on those who have left a footprint in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, advancements in their fields and development in welfare or preservation of the environment. “Interestingly it was only 20 years later in the same era that the Lumiere brothers first presented moving pictures to an audience with the help of a projector in Paris, sowing the earliest seeds of film-making. For over a century women were not eligible to receive this Order,” reflects Sumitra, the first Sri Lankan film artiste to have been decorated with this 145-year old coveted Order. Former Speaker, Karu Jayasuriya was honoured in 2017.

Followed by her hits Gehenu Lamai, Ganga Addara and Yahalu Yeheli, Sumitra took the silver screen by storm, with Sagara Jalaya madi henduwa oba handa an adaptation of Simon Nawagaththegama’s short story Ohu mala da pasu. The golden couple of Sinhala cinema once again captured the imagination of a nation transcending national boundaries. With Dr. Lester James Peries credited for the script, Lal Piyasena for his editing, Donald Karunaratne for his cinematography and Pandith Amaradeva for his musical score, Japan embraced it and celebrated it. Despite the protagonist Heen Kella’s pathos (played by Swarna Mallawarachchi) threading the plot and the film-maker’s milieu taking a shift to a rustic setting in Sagara Jalaya madi henduwa oba handa, the visual sophistication which is Sumitra’s strong suit is unmistakable in it. “Perhaps it was the kind of lifestyle which was beyond the imagination of the contemporary Japanese living that arrested them to it,” reflects Sumitra. The film which clinched her the Sarasaviya Best Director Award and Swarna, the Best Actress Award was telecast by the NHK in 1990, capturing the hearts of many a Japanese.

The invitation extended to Dr. Lester James Peries to sit on a jury of a film festival of documentaries in Yamagata in the mid-90s further solidified the Japan-Sri Lanka bridge. The communal bonding the couple shared with the rural Yamagata folk still warms Sumitra’s heart. “It was the first time the villagers had seen a ‘coloured’ person, so much so I remember them stroking my hands to see if I had actually applied some paint!” chuckles Sumitra. The ‘Japanese connection’ as she avers, was further fuelled by close friends such as Joy Fernando who came to work as an assistant to Lester and Sumitra. “Joy had studied in Japan and many of his acquaintances which later became mutual friends strengthened our bonding with Japan,” says Sumitra who came to be effortlessly assimilating into its culture over her many visits to Japan. She fondly recollects sleeping on tatami mats, yet laments that she could never master the Japanese language.

The iconic Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa whom Sumitra dubs as “a wonderful craftsman who projected the soul of Japan to the world,” offered her immense inspiration. His landmark creation Rashomon which shone at the 1951 Venice Film Festival, winning the Golden Lion, enabled the Japanese film industry a window to the Western film markets. “An energetic and a visually rich” architect of cinema as Sumitra alludes to him, Kurosawa first crossed her path in the 1980s, around the time when her box office hit Ganga addara and Lester’s Beddegama toured in Japan.

While Kurosawa inspired Sumitra, it was Yasujiro Ozu whom she found “close to her rhythm of narrative.” Her experience as a juror at several film festivals in Japan including the ‘South Asian Young Film Makers’ had widened her horizons of the Japanese way of life. The film director and screenwriter, Nagisa Oshima of Realm of the Senses fame whom Sumitra befriended at one of such festivals, adds to her list of globally renowned Japanese film acquaintances. “I remember him to be quite bashful man sporting a t-shirt with the slogan ‘Oshima Gang’ which I complemented. To my surprise, I found an ‘Oshima Gang’ t-shirt delivered to me a few days after my return!” smiles Sumitra.

The Fukoka City Public Library which is a repository of a sizable collection of films including several local films and the Japan Foundation are lauded by Sumitra as bridges connecting Japan to the rest of the world. Sumitra who counts several visits to the Fukoka City Public Library lauds it to be “a far sighted institution, opening doors for the entire South East Asia” including students of cinema, film makers, researchers and critics. Sumitra’s evergreen hit Ganga addara had been preserved by the Japanese Foundation. Loku Duwa and Sakman Maluwa are among her other work acclaimed by Japan.

Sumitra’s association with the ‘Bunka Awards’ presented to mid-career artistes by the Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Cultural Fund is a long one. Today only she remains out of the four original committee members. Prof. A.J. Gunawardene, Prof. Ediriweera Saraschandra, Dr. P.R Anthonis were among the rest.

A woman who had always championed ‘human conditions’ transcending gender stereotyping, Sumitra was one of the earliest Sri Lankan women to have shattered the glass ceiling. Behind the camera, she proved to be as good as any of her male counterparts. “I was never given the conventional margin for being a woman, for which I’m thankful,” says the iconic artiste who had never felt inadequate in a male domain. A strong advocate of the mantra, “create for your people first”, Sumitra’s notion of ‘global appeal’ is an extension of this acceptance locally. “If your creation is accepted by your own people and if it has some ripple effect somewhere else enabling the rest of the world to log on to it or have some contact, then you can be content that it had impacted the world outside.”

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Life style

Promoting women’s participation in tourism revival

Published

4 days ago

2024/04/21

Thilina Walpola

Malik Michelle Dinushka and Dileep

The Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance (SLTA), together with Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF), hosted the ‘Women in Tourism: Advocate Engage Achieve’ event to engage with tourism industry leaders on co-creating solutions to increase women’s participation in the tourism industry.

The discussion centered on the findings of a study, conducted by MDF in collaboration with The Tourism Alliance, that assessed the barriers to women’s employment in tourism. MDF shared key insights from the study, including provincial-level differences in factors influencing women’s decisions. These included women reporting a general lack of awareness of available opportunities, as well as concerns about negative societal perceptions. Referrals emerged as a key means by which women entered the industry, whereas the influence of parents and spouses emerged as factoring into the decision to enter tourism. Among the women working in the tourism industry that were surveyed, only 10% possessed an educational qualification beyond A/Ls, consisting of either university or technical college education.

The event brought together industry experts and key stakeholders to discuss the identified barriers to women’s employment in tourism and explore business models that enforced inclusive recruitment practices and advocacy programs.

Dr. Paul Zeccola, First Secretary (Political and Economic) to the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, was the Guest of Honour. Delivering the keynote address, he highlighted Australia is proud to be a part of the recovery of the tourism sector that holds much potential for investment and growth of Sri Lanka. He further added that the longstanding partnership between Australia and Sri Lanka is to build inclusive business models that strengthen women’s economic participation.

The event also featured a panel discussion examining challenges and solutions for integrating more women into the industry, followed by an interactive question and answer session. The panel comprised Shiromal Cooray, Managing Director Jetwing Travels; Manesh Fernando General Manager Hilton Colombo; Chandi Dharmaratne, Chief People Officer Dialog Axiata PLC; Mathi Thayanan, Tourism Country Team Coordinator, MDF Sri Lanka and facilitated by Dinushka Chandrasena.

The industry-leading panel shed light on some of the most pressing issues faced by the industry, followed by suggested strategies for fostering an inclusive workplace that unlocks the full potential of the diverse talent available in Sri Lanka.

Panel discussion

“We believe that by harnessing the insights from this research, we can drive meaningful progress towards achieving gender parity while embracing diversity and inclusion within the tourism sector” said Malik J Fernando, Chair of the Tourism Alliance. “Through collaborations and collective action, we aim to create a more equitable industry that benefits businesses, employees, and the society at large”

MDF Sri Lanka Country Director Maryam Piracha further added that, “MDF is committed to strengthening partnerships that champion women’s engagement in the tourism sector. We aim to work with the private sector to encourage inclusive practices that combat negative perceptions and provide new opportunities for women. MDF is confident that this initiative will encourage the industry to embrace inclusive business strategies, enhancing business competitiveness while creating new avenues for women’s advancement.”

The presentation and panel discussion were followed by an evening where guests had the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking conversations aimed at resolving some of the most pressing issues related to Women in Tourism. Together, the Tourism Alliance and MDF are committed to supporting the growth of the industry as Sri Lanka’s Tourism sector recovers by encouraging businesses to invest in developing inclusive opportunities that offer diversified tourism services that cater to evolving global travel trends.

_Zanita

Pix by Thushara Attapathu

Life style

Embark on a gastronomic odyssey: Iconic British brands unveil their culinary charms in Sri Lanka

Published

4 days ago

2024/04/21

Thilina Walpola

Chef Vivek Singh (Cinnamon Collection)

Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with an extraordinary culinary journey as some of the United Kingdom’s most esteemed dining destinations prepare to make a splash in Sri Lanka. From the enchanting flavours of Italy to the spicy delights of India and the timeless allure of American diners, these iconic brands are poised to deliver an unparalleled dining experience that celebrates diversity, innovation, and sheer culinary excellence a release said

The release also said at Carluccio’s, the essence of authentic Italian cuisine meets timeless eleganc . With a rich legacy spanning over 30 restaurants globally, including 22 revered establishments in the UK, Carluccio’s has captured the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts worldwide. Renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality ingredients and traditional recipes, Carluccio’s promises an unforgettable dining experience that transports you straight to the sun-drenched landscapes of Italy.

Meanwhile, Caffe Carluccio’s beckons guests to indulge in the finer pleasures of Italian coffee culture. Nestled in a cosy café setting, patrons can savour the finest Italian coffees and pastries, each sip and bite reminiscent of the vibrant streets of Rome or the bustling cafes of Milan.

Ed’s Easy Diner

The release stated at Ed’s Easy Diner, a slice of 1950s Americana right in the heart of Colombo. Immerse yourself in the nostalgia of classic diner fare, from juicy burgers to decadent milkshakes, all served up in a retro-inspired ambiance that transports you back to an era of rock ‘n’ roll and soda fountains.

At Giraffe there is a symphony of global flavours with local flair

to embark on a culinary voyage with Giraffe, where every dish tells a story of culinary exploration and discovery. From the aromatic spices of Asia to the fiery flavours of Mexico and everything in between, Giraffe’s diverse menu is a celebration of the world’s culinary tapestry. With a network of restaurants spanning the UK and beyond, Giraffe invites diners to broaden their horizons and embrace the rich diversity of global cuisine, all within the welcoming embrace of their local neighbourhood.

Cinnamon Collection: Elevating Indian Cuisine to New Heights

The release said the magic of Indian cuisine like never before with the Cinnamon Collection, a trio of dining destinations curated by celebrity chef Vivek Singh. Whether you’re craving the vibrant street food of Cinnamon Bazaar, the refined elegance of Cinnamon Club, or the innovative flair of Cinnamon Kitchen, each restaurant offers a unique and unforgettable journey through the flavours of India.

FishWorks: A Bountiful Selection of Oceanic Gastronomy

For lovers of seafood, FishWorks is a culinary oasis where freshness and flavour take centre stage. Dive into a menu bursting with succulent oysters, plump prawns, and perfectly grilled fish and shellfish, all sourced sustainably and prepared with the utmost care and attention to detail. With a reputation as one of the UK’s premier destinations for seafood lovers, FishWorks promises an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the bounty of the ocean in all its glory.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK):

Crafting Burger Perfection, One Bite at a Time At Gourmet Burger Kitchen, every bite is a testament to culinary craftsmanship and innovation. Whether you’re craving a classic beef burger or an inventive creation featuring chicken, lamb, or plant-based ingredients, GBK offers a burger experience like no other. With a focus on quality ingredients, bold flavours, and creative flair, GBK has earned a loyal following of burger aficionados across the UK and beyond; with over 40 restaurants in their portfolio.

Life style

Gift of sight

Published

4 days ago

2024/04/21

Thilina Walpola

Mahamaya Girls College

“There is no greater joy than knowing you have changed someone’s life through the gift of sight”

The Mahamaya Girls College Kandy, Past Pupils’ Association, Colombo Branch successfully concluded a Charity programme by donating 62 eye lenses to the visually impaired and providing funds for eye surgeries and associated after care costs as per prescriptions in collaboration with Meth Neth Eye Clinic led by Community ophthalmologist Dr Asela Abeydheera .

The event was held recently at Dharma Shasthralya Privena in Piliyanyandala.

The eye surgeries will be fully sponsored with post medication facility at the Sinha Hospital in Panadura.

Ven Pethiagamuwe Rahula Nayaka thero conducted the religious service and blessed all the stake holders as well as the recipients of the funding.

The old girl’s fraternity of Mahamaya and all associated with this great initiative deserve the joy of shedding light upon some living in darkness and semi darkness. May all Mayans near and far join hands and be inspired to continue with the future social responsibility programmes of this Association.