humanityashore.com

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

“Art is a fruit that grows in man, like a fruit on a plant, or a child in its mother’s womb ~ Jean Arp or Hans Arp-German/ French Sculptor . (September 16th 1886-, 1886 –June 7th 1966)

“Numbed” –Exhibition on sculpture by Bandu Manamperi’s exhibition of sculptures is currently being held at the Theertha Red Dot Gallery in Pitakotte. The exhibition began on October 17th 2009, and it will end on November 9th 2009. The Theertha Red Dot Gallery is a contemporary-artist- run gallery, and first of its kind in Sri Lanka.

A series of exhibitions are lined up for Theertha Exhibition Season. Seven sculptures are displayed- named “Skin” and “Numbed”. They are elevated from the ground level, hung by the top of the heads with steel rods; the figures look frozen and rigid. He has used rubber and fibre to depict various situations of mankind. Bandu Manamperi uses variety of techniques to explain his thoughts.

He is a founding member of the Theertha International Association, a visual artists group based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has participated in several exhibitions held in Sri Lanka and abroad. His exhibition is absolutely an unusual experience in the Sri Lankan contemporary art scene.

Skin1

Skin II

Bandu Manamperi belongs to a generation of radically active young artists

He practices sculpture, installation and performance

He is considered one among three artists who could call themselves as “Performance Artists” in Sri Lanka

Skin I and Skin II

Numbed II-Fibre

Numbed III-Fibre

Numbed IV- Fibre

Numbed V-Fibre

Numbed VI-Fibre

Various insects are used to depict how fear force humanbeings to go under cover

He has used string hopper mould to make this figure

Sensitive issues faced by the society reflect in his art

“We as humanbeings change according to our wishes like the light changes its colour very often” says Bandu Manamperi

___________________________________________
HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com

by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

The road from Udappu town to Vattavan is bumpy and dusty, and nestled through Coconut, Palmyrah trees and neatly woven palm fence allies.

On a Sunny and hot day on the sandy road, it took 45 minutes to reach Vattavan from Udappu on a motor bike at the speed of 190km/hour .

“You are not used to the route, so please control the speed, and do not ride fast” cautioned Lakshman, who led the journey on his Suzuki motor bike.

My journey on a Hero Honda motor bike began at noon on an extremely hot day from Udappu town to fresh water prawn hatchery in Vattavan. It was an unusual (A Tamil woman riding a motor bike!) scene to be witnessed in a remote village like Udappu.

Normally it takes an hour and a half to reach Vattavan from Udappu town. Then we crossed a thin layer of sand bridge surrounded by muddy water with barefoot in burning Sun, and walked through the hatchery, while the owner of the prawn hatchery Lakshman showing and explaining; the Sun’s rays were fierce over Vattavan.

Water quality standards for fresh water shrimp should be good

The meat of fresh water shrimp is soft. Vattavan shrimp is sold in bulk to Colombo wholesale dealers

Fresh water prawn can be cultivated from various juvenile stages

Three months old baby prawn

Periyaswamy Chandrakumar from Maskeliya has been working at a prawn hatchery for three years

Periyasamy Chandrakumar from Maskeliya who works in the prawn hatchery taken on a familiarisation tour. He has been working here for more than five years. A young and active person takes care of the prawn hatchery day and night. He has a big task of taking care of the growing prawns from crows and thieves.

Prawn feed is fed on time

“Prawn are like babies, they need very careful attention, feed them on time, prevent them from infectitious diseases, and they will gradually grow” said Periyasamy Chandrakumar while throwing prawn feed into the fresh water. He showed the growing tiny little prawns, taken from the bottom of the water in a net tray. Growing prawns are needed t be protected from crows. There is a nylon thread fence which is woven across the fresh water.

Schedule of feeding time

“Vattavan is suitable for shrimp farming” according to Lakshman

Chandrakumar’s pet dog, Kanthasamy at the hatchery

Hurricane lamp is lit in the hatchery

We stopped on the way back to quench fresh King Coconut while the mild sea breeze refreshed us in the afternoon; it was a coconut grove in Vattavan. Coconut palm trees are planted in a row. Watering every other day, helps the coconut palm trees to grow healthy.

A small cottage, beautifully woven with dried coconut palm leaves is in the same compound.

Vattavan is in Puttlam district of North-West Province, Sri Lanka.

___________________________________________
HumanityAshore.org ~ Email: dushi.pillai@gmail.com