National Literary Arts Festival - 2009 |
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The National Literacy Arts Festival organized annually by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage was held on 03rd, 04th, 05th, and 06th of September this year at the Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa. The theme of this year’s festival was “Glory of Polonnaruwa”. Being a period of glorious regime in the annals of the history of Sri Lanka, the Polonnaruwa era signifies a prominent period of social, cultural, economical and political development. This was a period of great renaissance in the sphere of Literature and Arts giving a source of pride and prestige to the entire country. Presence of eminent artistes and others of literary genius in this year’s festival representing every part of the island was a special feature to give reminiscence of the past. Furthermore, the festival was graced by a number of Ministers including politicians of the area. Deshanethroo AwardThe most prestigious award presented by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage, on behalf of the government, in recognition of the excellent services rendered by intellectuals, researchers, socio-cultural activities for the promotion and enrichment of Literature and Arts was presented this year, too. This highly acclaimed award can be won once in one’s life-time. Accordingly, this year, it was presented to the following five personalities.
Pulasthipurabhimani AwardTen artists who rendered valuable services to foster Literature and Arts mixing with the ordinary masses of Polonnaruwa were felicitated by presenting Pulasthipurabhimani Award.
Awards for the winners of the Prathiba CompetitionNational Award to Bandaragama The Winners of Prathiba Competition which is considered as the first step to accord national and international recognition towards skills of young artistes scattered island-wide were awarded with presents and certificates at an illustrious ceremony held on the second day of the Festival. Winning number of places in dance and music items the Cultural Centre, Bandaragama bagged the most coveted National Championship whereas the Cultural Centre, Nupe, Matara was placed second. Books Launched A host of selected new books were published at the National Literacy Arts Festival held at the Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa. Literary discussions were held regarding there new books with the participation of the members of Academic Staff Rajarata University. “Lama Mandapaya” Programme – Children’s Arena A large number of children participated in the programme, Lama Mandapaya which was organized to enhance artistic appreciation of children. This programme was conducted for two days with two sessions per day. In this programme, a story was related and children were asked to draw a picture on an interesting event of the story. Children were very much pleased to get engaged in this activity. School Materials, Children’s Books, and CDs containing children’s songs were given away as gifts. Children’s Birthday Gifts ProgrammeWith the intention of enhancing reading habit of school children during the National Literacy Arts Festival, measures were taken to distribute sets of books and presents among children who were born on any day from 03rd to 06th of September. This year’s theme of the programme was “Kiyawamu Dinamu Lokayama” (Let us read and conquer the world). A single gift pack consisted of a Sinhala – English Dictionary, Translations (English to Sinhala), and many other valuable books. All the children whose birthdays fell on any date on which the National Literacy Arts Festival was held and who live within the district of Polonnaruwa were lucky to receive these gift parcels. The prime objective of the programme was to persuade parents and elders to present books as birthday gifts to enhance children’s reading habit. Photo Gallery.. Apart from that, many programmes such as Noorthi Shows, Literary Lectures on historical inheritance of Polonnaruwa, Kala Asapuwa, and Dialogues with foreign writers, Drama and Workshops, Poetic Forums, and Film Shows were carried out with sucess. Furthermore, the festival was adorned by a dance parade organized with the participation of children from Cultural Centers. It consisted of sixty dance troupes who exhibited all three dancing traditions i.e. Up-Country Dancing, Low- Country Dancing and Sabaragamu Dancing, fifty Hevisi Drummers, Ves Dancers, and foreign dancing items. So the general public was very much fortunate to witness these sizzling dancing items which depicted all three dancing forms. |
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