2007-10-19
“Kalaimahal Vizha”, the annual event to mark the Navarathri festival was celebrated grandly at the Parliament of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. It was the Hon. Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara’s wish to observe this festival in which the Goddesses of Wisdom, Wealth, and Power are worshipped to gain the three aspects, at the Law making institution - the Parliament, for the well being of the country and its Nation. Thanks to Hon. Speaker’s endeavours, this event was sponsored by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs.
In the Morning of Friday, October 19th, the Parliamentary Complex had taken a ceremonious look to suit the event of the day. The main entrance of the Parliamentary Complex was decorated with flags featuring “Nandhi” – the Bull of God Shiva and “Thoranam”; a traditional decoration made of tender coconut leaves. The images of the three Goddesses were kept in a stage located in front of the main entrance. A temporary podium was also put up to stage the cultural performances.
In the morning of the event, with Hon. Speaker W.J.M Lokubandara, Hon. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Deputy Chairman of Committees, Ministers, Members of Parliament, Foreign Delegates, Parliament staff and the Staff of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs were present.
At 9:30 in the morning, the occasion started with the traditional Nadaswara instrumental by “Nadaswara Isai Aruvi” V.K. Panjamoorthy and Kumaran music troupe. This was followed by the Pooja which started at 10 a.m was skilfully conducted by the priests of Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Temple of Colombo, Ramachandra Iyer Jeyashankar, Sivasri Subramaniya Iyer Pradeepan, Sivasri Balasundaram Nivethanan and Sivasri Balasundaram Sinthujan. Brahmasri Vengada Subramaniya Kurukkal of Dehiwela, Vishnu Temple also played a significant role in the Pooja.
Immediately after the Pooja the Cultural events commenced. The first item, a Bharatha Natiya recital was presented by Divya Sivanesan and Geeth de Silva of Colombo Abinaya Shethra.
Following that, the students of Ms. Babyshalia Babysingho of “Kavinkalalayam” , Trincomalee, performed “Mohini Aatam” which is a dance form of Kerala state of India. The audience very much enjoyed this dance performed in white costumes.
The next item was a ballet, an extra ordinary creation based on the “Yuththa Kaandam” (the war episode) of Ramayana, performed by the students of “Kalasamarpana Nrithyakshethra” of Kandy. This had been choreographed by Ms.Prashadini Kumarasamy and Ms. Samanthi Ganga Thilakaratne.
The orchestra which was named “Palliyam”, performed by “Nadaswara Isai Aruvi” V.K. Panjamoorthy, Mr. P. Kumaresh, Mr. Ratnam Ratnathurai, Mr. A. Chandramohan, Mr.A.Ravishankar fascinated the gathering very much.
The folk dance performance of “Kaavadi” and “Karagam” was presented by the students of “Kavinkalalayam”, Trincomalee as the final events. The skillful performance of the dancers with the “Karagam” (decorated silver pots) on their heads, with caution not to let the pots fall from their heads, was highly admired by the gathering and did not fail to receive the applause.
At the end of the event, the Honourable Speaker presented the “Bhagavath Gita” printed in the three languages to all the artists participated in the cultural events.
This event proved to be yet another spiritual and cultural event which had the participation of people from all religions and communities forgetting their differences of race and religions.
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