While many of us are familiar with Feroze Kamardeen – director and playwright extraordinaire, only a few can claim to know Feroze Kamardeen – the actor. And even though Kamardeen himself has been known to have uttered the words that he’s given up acting in favour of directing and writing on a few occasions, luckily for us, the term ‘famous last words’ rings true.
To commemorate the launch of the artistic partnership between the Tokyo Sinfonia Orchestra, Japan and the Gustav Mahler Orchestra of Colombo, a concert will be held on November 22 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. “Maestro Robert Rÿker conducts Brahms, Haydn and Verdi,” is the ninth concert of the 2023-2024 season of the Gustav Mahler Orchestra of Colombo.
The Prince Claus Fund is launching its first Biennial Symposium –– Collaborating with partners within various localities. The event facilitates South-to-South knowledge exchange and harnesses the potential of culture for fostering solidarity and positive societal change. Practicing Care Through Resilience and Regeneration In collaboration with the Geoffrey Bawa Trust, they welcome international and local partners for a three-day programme of
The fashionable city of Bangalore in India recently hosted CFW X Bangalore a fashion show which showcased two Sri Lankan designers. This is a continuous effort by CFW to establish a stronger Sri Lankan identity internationally and expand the Sri Lankan design footprint across the shores. Sri Lankan designer Dimuthu Sahabandu showcased a phenomenal collection which stayed true to his identity as a designer. Excelling in the category of luxury a
In the world of culinary virtuosos, Gary Mehigan stands out not just for his remarkable gastronomic skills but for the warm, affable nature that makes you feel like you’re chatting with an old friend. My recent online video call with the renowned British-Australian Michelin Star celebrity chef and former MasterChef Australia judge was nothing short of a delightful rendezvous. Gary, a household name as the last of the trio of judges from MasterCh
‘At the table with Italian cuisine: well-being with taste’ is the theme at the 8th edition of the Worldwide Week of Italian Cuisine (WWIC) being held across three five-star hotels and four Italian restaurants in Colombo. From the 13th to the 19th of November, award winning chefs from Italy will be sharing their artistry in the kitchen with chefs at The London Grill Cinnamon Grand Colombo, 1864 at Galle Face Hotel & Ports of Call at the Taj Samudr
Ingiriya, the deepest eastern point in Kalutara District is customarily not a popular tourist destination. Popularly known for traditional rubber plantations, Maputugala in Ingiriya region has emerge as a new tourism draw of late. With the launch of Graten Golf Villa in Maputugala, tourism has come to settle in a once sleepy hamlet. Graten Estate in Maputugala, Ingiriya is an age old traditional rubber estate. Like everywhere else, this beautif
Dementia is a condition that usually affects older adults. The two common types of it are Alzheimers disease and Vascular Dementia. Whilst loss of memory or forgetfulness is commonly associated with Dementia other factors must also be considered. We had a chat with Dr. Shehan Silva, Consultant Physician/Geriatrician regarding Dementia and his advice for families with
Looking at the number of travel advertisements in the Hit Ads section of the Sunday Times newspapers and various travel offers on social media it is heartening to see travel is on the increase. Although now travel can be a costly affair, it is inspiring, educational and of course totally rewarding. Most people like to travel with family or groups of friends. But what of those who do not want to be encumbered with travelling partners or family and
The ancient royal capital, Kurunegala is one of the most commercialised cities in the country after Colombo but never performed as a destination for tourism. Taking a nostalgic look back into the past, the city of Kurunegala has so much to offer to tourists, with many unexplored tourist attractions. Unfortunately, very few star class hotels have come up to cater to the discerning traveller in the region. ‘Kandyan Reach Hotel’, the very first star
Get ready for a tantalising journey of cuisine as Gourmet Galle takes centre stage every weekend from the 11th January until the 31st March across the South Coast of Sri Lanka. From the team that brings us Galle Literary Festival, this exceptional culinary celebration presented by Nations Trust Bank American Express, promises to be a gastronomic delight like no other, featuring 12 internationally renowned chefs who will host exclusive dinners and
Prize winning historian and biographer, Andrew Lownie is well known for his biography of British diplomat and spy Guy Burgess (“Stalin’s Englishman”) as well as the top-ten Sunday Times bestsellers on the British monarchy, “The Mountbattens: Their Lives and Loves” and “Traitor King: The Scandalous Exile of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor”. Lownie battled against the British Cabinet against censorship and right to information when he wrote a biogr
With creativity coursing through her veins, Dilu Punchihewa is one who is never short of ideas especially when it comes to creative projects be it interior design or as a restaurateur. The owner of O Mirissa Café and Bistro situated in the southern hotspot of Mirissa, Dilu has worked hard with her team to ensure that O Mirissa Café and Bistro remains the number one dining spot in Mirissa. From serving wood fired pizzas to a smorgasbord of variou
Young Jaith Nathavitharana (13) describes himself as a teenager who loves his sport (football and basketball in particular, he specifies) and a fondness to collecting ornamental fish. But in light of his most recent endeavour, there’s another word that also describes him – adventurous. After all, how many other 13-year old’s have summited one of the world’s toughest mountains? On 11th August 2023, young Jaith made it to Stella Point – one of the
Many children around Sri Lanka start their life with a disadvantage simply because of where they come from. We might think these are issues far away from our circle but there are many children in both urban and rural areas around the country who are deprived of education, traumatised by violence and abuse (mental and physical) or suffer from illness mainly due to poverty, war and conflict. In addition to being born into such difficult situations
Brace yourselves, Sri Lanka! Gary Mehigan, the renowned British-Australian Michelin Star celebrity chef and much-famed former original judge of MasterChef Australia, is gracing the shores of Sri Lanka for a special 3-day culinary extravaganza courtesy of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. From November 30 to December 2, 2023, food enthusiasts and connoisseurs will have the opportunity to savour the magic of his creations at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. Gary M
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka (MMCA Sri Lanka), held their first international art event ‘The Foreigners — Sri Lankan Contemporary Video Works and Panel Discussion’ during Frieze week, (London’s largest art fair) at The Photographers’ Gallery, in London. The event took the form of discussions that addressed the entangled subject of foreignness through video works by contemporary Sri Lankan artists Dinelka Liyanage, Hania
The stage is set for a truly timeless performance, full of sudden twists, unexpected surprises, and lots of laughter in ‘The Menaechmus Twins’ performed by the cast and crew of the English Drama Society of S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia. The English Drama Society of the School by the Sea, one of the country’s oldest performing arts societies, has long been a source of inspiration for aspiring performers and writers. It has charmed audiences thr
Thalahena in Negombo is one of the oldest destinations in Sri Lanka. Apart from the popular Negombo beach, travellers were attracted to the lagoon too since the tourism boom in the seventies. Even after many decades, the village Thalahena is a quiet fishing hamlet sandwiched in between the beautiful Negombo lagoon and the golden stretch of beach, just ten minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the Negombo town. Wrapped by the skirts of the l
Taking care of the elderly or your ageing parents is a responsibility we must all take. After all they nurture us, educate us, provide for us and are largely responsible for making us who we are. They shape our lives. Therefore, it is our responsibility to look after them when they can no longer look after themselves. Unfortunately, this does not always happen and some children put them into old age homes rather than provide shelter for them. W
Singaporean fashion designer Kavita Thulasidas who also has a presence at One Galle Face in addition to her loyal clientele had the distinction of showcasing her collection at Paris Fashion Week. Kavita took with her to Paris Fashion Week, an extension of Heritage Reinterpreted, her winning collection from the Singapore Stories competition. This award winning designer has been in the fashion industry for over thirty years and her eponymous
English theatre has been sorely missed. Not that this country has been lacking in theatrics in any way over the last three years or so, but let’s admit that the dramatics are much more enjoyable on stage than when it is played out in reality. So yes, English theatre has been missed but after catching one of the most fantastic productions at the Wendt last week, it’s with great pleasure we say that Theatre (with the capital T) is back! It’s open
In line with their slogan “Adha Keells eke kamu”, the easily accessible meals at the Keells kitchen and bakery have emerged as a unique hallmark of their supermarket chain, distinguishing themselves from the rest. Their goal is to serve people from all walks of life, and Keells is unwavering in their commitment to ensuring that the meals produced in their kitchen meet the highest quality and hygiene standards, all while being crafted with utmost
Today on the Buzz, I have a lady who had made her way into the fashion arena, with her take on Batik. It’s not an easy place to make a name when the industry has so much to offer. Her commitment to being a mother, work and life itself is a testimony to what you see in her creation. She likes to keep it simple and timeless as these fabrics speak for themselves. Working under the brand name Colombo Batik she introduced her creations on her husban
The tour shall entail a comprehensive understanding of the legendary work by Geoffrey and Bevis Bawa, pertaining to their relationship and their respective homes, Brief & Lunguganga along side, an in-depth understanding of their relationship with artists, and the stories behind the artworks by Barbara Sansoni, Ena de Silva, Ismeth Raheem & Laki Senanayake at Cinnamon Bentota Beach, which is considered to be one of Geoffrey Bawa’s iconic hotels. 4
For the last three decades or more a Saturday night out dancing has ranged from disco to baila to some ear splitting music in a nightclub or a beachside bar. However in the last decade or so this has changed largely due to popular dance shows such as Strictly Come Dancing. Sri Lanka has always raised a small generation of dancers in each decade who follow other dance forms which range from Ballroom to Latin American dancing. Local competitions ar
Ahead of ARTRA’s Comics & Caricatures Edition launch, founder and editor-in-chief Azara Jaleel on wit & satire and the power of humour. Q ARTRA Magazine is set to launch its 65th edition - Comics & Caricatures; what inspired this edition? Simple, my love for humour inspired this edition. Whilst laughter is certainly the best medicine, evoking laughter is a splendid skill in my opinion – it’s not easy to make people laugh, especially during times
Dushyanthi Perera took up the baton fairly recently in a distinguished career as a cellist. She made her debut as a conductor in 2012, directing the SOSL in Mendelssohn’s “Scottish“ Symphony. Prior to stepping onto the podium, she was the principal cellist of the SOSL for many years, and performed most of the major concertos written for cello and orchestra with the SOSL, including the double and triple concertos of Brahms and Beethoven.
Royden Gibbs and Dillai Joseph Rodrigo inspire a spirit of conservation to aid efforts of WNPS. Experience the captivating beauty of Sri Lanka’s heritage and nature through the exquisite fine art of Royden Gibbs and Dillai Joseph Rodrigo in the upcoming exhibition, “Corridors of Time.” This remarkable showcase promises to transport art enthusiasts on a journey through time, archaeology, architecture, history, human form and culture, with an explo
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