ISSUE 009 | MARCH/APRIL Rs. 400/- UK £6.00 US $15.00
Food Colombo
Travel Exploring
Hiriketiya
Food Truck Roundup Events Breaking the
James Koch Taboo
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PUBLISHING HOUSE: Mango Publishers (Pvt) Ltd. No. 320, T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka. Tel: 00 94 115 882 662
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Frederick James Koch is on our cover this issue and in a wide ranging interview, he talks of making his way as an actor, how being ethnically ambiguous has worked for him in the field, and some of his favourite projects thus far. He also tells us what he loves about his Sri Lankan ancestry, and appeals to Sri Lankans to be prouder of their motherland. In our fashion features, we’ve interviewed fashion designer Tharshana Wijesinghe about his career and his new Mythical Collection, and also spoken to a few jewellery makers creating exclusive collections of modern pieces using their artisan knowledge and skills. We also met the bubbly MUA Nisha Seneviratne who described her experiences at this year’s Master Class in the US, conducted by celebrity MUA Makeup by Mario and Kim Kardashian West. We’ve given you a roundup of the budding food truck scene on Marine Drive – it’s definitely an experience worth trying. We met Dinali and Shana Dandeniya, the mother-daughter duo behind Café Kumbuk, Plus Nine Four and Kumbuk Kitchen, who gave us insights into their “Conscious Cool” ethos. We also tracked down the faces behind Forked – a social-media based food service that combines creativity with their delicious and healthy food. Colombo is recovering from a hectic Big Match season and inside this magazine, we bring you the interesting histories behind the various tents at the Battle of the Blues. We shine the instafamous spotlight on Alice Luker and her take on Sri Lanka as an incredible travel destination. Read on to enjoy all these and so much more. As we herald the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, we wish all of you joyous and festive celebrations. May the new year bring us all a renewal of all that’s positive and good, and prosperity and peace and unity for our motherland.!
Pulse magazine is published in co-operation with Pulse website www.pulse.lk
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M A P U T O
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in this edition of Instafamous
Entertainment
130 Page
152 Page
Behind the Deck
34 Page
Food
Alice Luker style in sri lanka
The Dandeniya Girls
Sustainability
Fashion
64 Page
Fashion Footprint
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16 Page
Tharshana Wijesinghe
Exclusively Available at
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A Glimpse into
Tharshana’s Mythical World
Tharshana Wijesinghe is an up and coming fashion designer with a dreamy, whimsical aesthetic that has taken Colombo by storm. Called the Mythical Collection, the designer gives life to a wonderland of intricately drawn floral patterns and enchanting animals printed on beautiful flowing fabrics that are sure to turn heads. Here, we chat with Tharshana to find out more about this enthralling world. Why did you choose fashion designing as a career? I chose fashion design as a career because of my love for art. I completed my degree at AOD and later did a Diploma in Fine Arts as well. Since I was kid, I’ve enjoyed creating and looking at art. I was captivated by the concept of wearable art and I decided very early on that I wanted to create pieces of art that people would love to wear. I didn’t just want my art on paper, I dreamed of bringing it to life, and growing up I realised that fashion design is the perfect way to do this. I am so grateful to my family because they are open-minded and supported my dream throughout, along with my partner, my brother and some of my close friends.
Where do you find inspiration? I find inspiration in many different places. As a lover of art I am fascinated by the work of others, how they bring their vision to life whether it is a performance or art hanging in a museum. Nature inspires me every day – there is always something wonderful in nature that you can use for inspiration. I tend to dream up my own world and this really helps me to get creative and be inspired to push the boundaries of my imagination.
Is this how your Mythical Collection came about? Yes. I created my own mythical wonderland! I took floral patterns from the Edwardian and Victorian period and combined it with mythical creatures inspired by Sri Lankan mural art in temples. The Mythical Collection is about bringing these two worlds together and creating one whimsical universe! The collection was originally designed for the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week 2018 and I then created a diffusion line to retail at Urban Island.
How was the response to the collection? The response has been phenomenal. I never imagined it would be such a hit but since we started retailing at Urban Island, the collection has done really well. We started with women’s wear
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artisans who perfect these crafts and engage with them to learn the art of craft. Even on the commercial side there are endless opportunities to showcase your work on the ramp and to retail your line at lots of chic new stores like Urban Island. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the industry here.
What advice would you give to aspiring designers? I consider myself as still learning – there is so much to learn. But one thing I can say is be bold, and discover who you are as a designer.
Who is your favourite designer? Alexander McQueen. His vision and the craftsmanship that he puts into the garments is phenomenal. but we recently launched the menswear line along with a sari collection. Honestly, I am just thrilled with the response.
What is your favourite part about being a designer? The fact that I get to wake up every day and do what I love - which is creating. This is my favourite part about being a designer. Meeting people, communicating with them about what they want from a design and then bringing it to life is so satisfying.
You frequently refer to your time at Academy of Design, what are the three most important takeaways you got as a fashion designer? The first thing is consistency. Throughout my three years at AOD, we were encouraged to really find ourselves as designers because it’s very important to know what your brand and aesthetic is as a designer. Secondly, it’s important to push the boundaries – don’t be afraid of your creativity, experiment, and find your voice. Lastly, passion is important. You can have talent but the fashion world can be quite challenging, so you need to have the passion to pursue your skill and really throw yourself into your craft and that’s where the magic happens.
What is your approach when designing a new collection? I start off with a concept in my mind and then I do a lot of research on it. I take notes, make a note of keywords, create a mood board so that I can see it all in one place and then I begin sketching. After sketching, I look for fabric and colours that match my concept and then I start drawing the print. I talk to people through print, so for me this part is absolutely crucial and I spend a lot of time on finalising the print. After this I need to try the print on the different fabric, see how it comes out through the screen printing process and move on to fitting. Once fitting is done, we then go ahead into production.
Eclectic. Bold. Lively.
What’s next for you? I have a new collection coming out in May. It’s a totally new concept and I’m very excited to share it with everyone. Photography: Dananjaya Fernando
What is your favourite fabric? I love silk. It drapes well and flows beautifully. Particularly for prints, silk works very well. It’s quite difficult to stitch but the end result is worth it.
What skills do you think are necessary for a fashion designer?
What do you think about the Sri Lankan fashion industry?
Technical knowledge is important. Apart from being able to draw, you need to know how to construct a garment and be familiar with the inside of the garment – not just its surface. Courage is another thing I think fashion designers need to have. You need to push through the fear, experiment and bring your vision to life. Stay away from playing it safe!
I think there is so much scope and opportunity to grow as designers. We have a variety of local crafts such as batik, handloom, embroidery and so on. We have the luxury of being able to work with local
Can you sum up your design aesthetic in three words?
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CFW
Day 01
Opening with a bang while promoting some of Sri Lanka’s most promising emerging designers, day 1 of CFW 2019 was held at the Hilton Colombo.
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Ashini
Claudia
Nadia
Shecha
Shamalie
Shanaya and Savi
Indi
Charini
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Ramona
Kamil
Jude
Shifa
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Brian
Seneka
Hiran and Shamika
Anuradha and Marianna
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Rumali
Isha
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Riaan
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Adventures of a
Mixologist
The last couple of months I have been completely preoccupied setting up the first premium beach club in Sri Lanka. The opening date has got delayed a bit. For the owner this is a small bump in the road. As mixologist and trainer however, this is an opportunity to make things better. Angel Beach Club wants to be one of the top cocktail bars in Sri Lanka once opened. This means that the staff needs to be trained and prepared for every situation. Each recipe needs to be spot on and the garnishes have to be creative and as impressive as possible in a busy beach club. Creating a great recipe doesn’t happen overnight and takes lots of time. Mixology is not about throwing some ingredients together. Creating a cocktail is a whole process: The first step is the conceptualisation: what kind of flavours do I want to work with, what other flavors will pair well with this and how will the influenxe each other? What kind of cocktail do I want to make: something strong, light and refreshing or sweet and fruity? The second step is figuring out how to incorporate these flavors into the drink: do I make a juice of the fruit? Do I infuse the herbs into the alcohol? Shall I create a syrup with the spices? Thirdly the actual testing starts. The syrups and infusions are tried multiple times to find the best version: different quantities, longer infusions and varieties of sweeteners.
What you need:
To make the syrup
• 30 ml Gold label Scotch whisky • 10 ml Calvados
• Take 300 ml of honey and mix with 300 ml hot water
In the next step the cocktail is created multiple times. Every time a little element in the balance is changed: a bit more of the sour ingredient, a bit less of the juice, an ingredient gets taken out or added along the way. Even the tiniests change can have a big influence in the flavour and mouthfeel.
• 30 ml pineapple juice
• stir untill all honey is dissolved
• 10 ml honey-vanilla syrup
• Let cool down
• Apple cider
• Take a fresh vanilla pod and cut open lengthwise
Last but not least, when I am happy with the final version of the recipe I start thinking about a name and the garnish. The garnish too gets tested and twisted, untill something practical and beautiful is created. My friends often volunteer to join me when I test recipes. They love drinking the cocktails that I would normally pour down the drain for not meeting my standards. I get feedback, they get free alcohol and this way everybody is happy. Jeroen Misseghers is a mixologist, whose passion is to create distinctive customized cocktails that draw inspiration from an occasion or hosts or guests, weaving a story into the drink served. Jeroen finds Sri Lanka an amazing place for a mixologist, with its many fascinating spices, teas and tropical fruit. He runs Dash of Lanka www.dashoflanka.com
How to make • Press quarter of a pineapple into fresh juice • Pour the whisky, calvados, pineapple juice and honey-vanilla syrup in a shaker • Add ice and shake vigorously • Fine strain through a tea sieve into a glass
• Put into the honey syrup and let infuse for 2 days in the fridge • Strain out the vanilla pod This syrup can be kept for 2-3 weeks in the fridge The shelf life of the syrup can be extended by adding a little vodka to the syrup after the syrup has cooled down
• Top off with apple cider • Garnish with pineapple leaves and edible gold dust
Golden Sour
Break The Taboo
with Pulse and Aura Integrated that focused on a myriad of Sri different topics, ranging from menstruation to Lanka is a premarital sex to country rich in diversity and misogyny and opened up difference, and while this aspect the floor for oftentimes unifies us, there are a number understanding, of things that we refuse to acknowledge as problemsolving, a nation. From homosexuality to domestic and even violence, many topics of conversation are celebrating the many diverse considered taboo and are hushed instead of people that discussed. This was quite evident even in call Sri Lanka home. Aiming to the planning stages of this event where break the barriers posters and pre-publicity had a lot we have set for of mixed feedback. ourselves, and cross imaginary boundaries that do more harm than good, Taboo addressed the unfathomable, the unspoken, and the “ugly truth”, all spear-headed by experts in each field. In an attempt to open up these conversations in a healthy manner and change perceptions to make Sri Lanka more inclusive, Taboo 2019 was hosted this January by Pulse and Aura Integrated India at Trace Expert City, Maradana. The event was a day of panel discussions, workshops, and fringe activities
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The day consisted of forums opening up multiple avenues of discussion.
Wrap-it-up: A Panel Discussion on Contraception & Premarital Sex The topic of premarital sex, extramarital sex, and contraception was discussed
alongside Thushara Agus, Dr Harishchandra Yakandawala, and Sonali Gunasekera of the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka, and moderated by Aarti Madhusudan, Content Curator for Taboo India. Addressing the conversation of sex for procreation as opposed to sex for pleasure, as well as the access women should have to contraception, the discussion was informative, interactive, and mind opening.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Getting Tested This discussion was spear-headed by Princy Mangalika of the Positive Women’s Network and Palitha Vijaya Bandara of the Positive Hopes Alliance, and moderated by Sadiyya Thasi. Delivered in Sinhala, the conversation addressed the stigma surrounding HIV positive individuals in Sri Lanka, their struggles, and their successes, making an untouched topic understandable to all.
Flying the Rainbow Flag A panel discussion on the legalization of homosexuality alongside activists Aritha Wickramasinghe and Brandon Ingram moderated by Rajiv Choudhry, Programme Director for Taboo India. The conversation began from the fundamental rights of each Sri Lankan regardless of their sexuality, and brought up interesting perspectives from the audience such as the habitual fetishisation of certain sexualities.
Shatter the Silence, and victim of domestic violence, Yasodhara Pathanjali. From the ways in which legal advice can be sought out to the fruitful life of a survivor of domestic abuse, the discussion encouraged the audience to come forth, speak up, and build healthier lives.
Breaking the Taboo around Feminism
Street Harassment Hurts A workshop presented by Nabeela Yaseen of Not Your Nangi that addressed the many struggles women go through when commuting in Sri Lanka. From facts and figures to the duties of bystanders, all factors of street harassment, and the importance of putting a stop to it, were addressed.
Domestic Violence and Gender Based Violence A topic that is hushed in too many households in Sri Lanka and for this reason, a panel discussion on it was of utmost importance. The panel was moderated by Sonali Silva and included Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara, Shevon Fernando of
Feminism is often considered a dirty word in today’s society and the panel discussion Breaking the Taboo around Feminism moderated by Sonali Silva in discussion with Selyna Peiris of Selyn, Communications Coordinator Sheshadri Kottearachchi and Sharanya Sekaram of Bakamoono.lk attempted to change this conversation. Bringing to light the fundamentals of feminism and proving again why everyone should be a feminist, these ladies definitely broke some taboos.
Child Cruelty and Corporal Punishment This is something many of us have been brought up with, but Dr. Tush Wickramanayaka of stopchildcruelty.
com finally speaks of why enough is enough. Addressing the benefits of positive reinforcement and why nurturing our children is better than punishing them, the workshop brought to light some interesting questions on how the next generation of Sri Lanka is being brought up.
Boys Will Be Boys Bringing light-heartedness and a little bit of fun to stage, Kapila Rasnayaka of Voice of Humans conducted a workshop on healthy masculinity and internalised misogyny titled Boys Will Be Boys. Speaking on the importance of expression, and the freedom to feel emotions, Kapila shed light on a very important topic in a rather carefree manner.
Cyber Bullying and the Sri Lankan Nude Photo Culture A workshop conducted by Sharanya Sekaram of Bakamoono. lk addressed the horrors of the internet when put in the hands of teenagers who don’t quite understand its powers yet. From the importance of talking to your children on matters such as this, to the legal aspects of cyber bullying, Sharanya shared
a wholesome and sensible viewpoint to a subject that is not spoken of enough.
Zero-Waste Menstruation: Demonstration and Discussion Periods and menstruation are the bane of a woman’s existence and in an educative demonstration and discussion, Nadeesha Paulis of Happy Bleeding brought to light the concept of zero-waste menstruation with menstrual cups. Economical, sanitary, and environmentally friendly, this little cup was brought to the audience as a little investment that could go a long way.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health: As Mental Health is often dismissed in a Sri Lankan context, a panel discussion moderated by Ardlay Mohammed alongside Nivendra Uduman of Footsteps to Freedom, Ranil Thilakaratne of CCC line, and author Nathali Devinka brought to light the importance of your mental wellbeing. Speaking of their journeys in changing lives thus far, the panel discussed the importance of stepping forward and asking for help when you’re not feeling your best. With changemakers showing up in numbers, it was evident that Colombo has been craving for an event of this nature for far too long. With interactive sessions, open floors for questions and much discussion, Taboo 2019 was an ideal event to broaden one’s horizons and expand as a society, enriched with cultural and moral understanding. PAGE 28 | www.pulse.lk
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HNB Celebrates
Women's Day The Club HNB celebrated International Women’s Day 2019 with a very interesting coffee morning featuring designs by Charini Suriyage, a live cooking demonstration in association with Saraketha Holdings, a 'We as Women' empowerment forum and more.
Harshani
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Ramani
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506, New Galle Road, Weligama T:+94 (41) 225 4422 E: reservations@w15.lk www.w15.lk
Mahavihara Road, Ahangama Kanda, Ahangama T: +94 (91) 228 3672 E: reservations@w15escape.lk www.w15escape.lk
Alexandra Villas No 18, Alexandra Road, Colombo 06 T: +94 76 898 5922 E: reservations@av15.lk www.av15.lk
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BEHIND THE COUNTER WITH
&
Shana Dinali
Dandeniya When Shana Dandeniya graduated from a university in London with a degree in Creative Advertising, she had a dream to open a café serving healthy, delicious food in an ethical and sustainable way. She partnered up with her mum Dinali and together this phenomenal mother-daughter duo has created some of Colombo’s most loved cafés in just a few short years. We sat down behind the counter at Kumbuk Kitchen with Shana & Dinali to learn more about their partnership and their take on charming cafés. PAGE 34 | www.pulse.lk
What inspired you to start Café Kumbuk? S: In my final year of college I had to complete a project which involved creating a brand and at the time I never thought I would bring it to life. When I moved back to Sri Lanka three years ago, together with the help of my mum – we were able to make Café Kumbuk a reality. Along the way we opened Plus Nine Four, a café focusing mainly on good coffee and we recently opened Kumbuk Kitchen at Urban Island.
What is the concept behind Café Kumbuk? S: Café Kumbuk offers healthy, affordable and easy-going food with a focus on using fresh, locally sourced produce. We strive to stay true to this concept in our day to day operations. For instance, we don’t use any chemical additives and we have a strict no plastics rule and make sure that most of our packaging is recyclable or reusable.
Can you tell me a little bit about the idea of “Conscious Cool”? S: Our ethos centers on the idea of locally sourced, fresh produce, helping the Sri Lankan community and giving back but doing it in a way that comes off as effortless, cool and easy-going.
Why did the two of you decide to work together? D (laughing): She didn’t have a choice! But really, we’ve been very fortunate that we’ve come from a family that enjoys great food. My parents are both wonderful cooks, my grandmothers were great cooks so it was a very natural process for us. We have an appreciation for freshly cooked produce, so when we moved back home, it occurred to us that there weren’t too many options to satisfy us. We realised that if that’s the case, then there must be others who feel the same and want freshly made, good food. So it was a natural fit to start this off and when Shana asked me if I would be willing to partner with her, I said I’d love to.
What have you learned from this unique experience? S: I’ve learned a lot about myself by working with mum because there’s that line between being mum and daughter and then being business partners and also having that line drawn when you’re at home and understanding that there are boundaries with that. So I’ve learned about my personality traits and how I can maybe tone it down a bit in order for our partnership to work out a little bit better. But it’s worked out so well for us, we’ve both got different strengths. D: And we’ve learned to play to our strengths. After a certain point in the life of the business, you just know that one area is her baby and she can manage that better while I use my expertise in other areas. Apart from the mother-daughter relationship we also have a generational gap and I’ve learned so much from her about the modern day of technology and branding.
What are your roles in the business? S: I look over the day to day operations of the business, menu creation and the branding for the cafés. D: I handle the back-end of the business – doing the accounts, dealing with suppliers, figuring out logistics. I also experiment in the kitchen and will often make something for Shana to try and then she decides how she wants to go about introducing it to the café or marketing it. I generally make and she generally eats!
Can you name one thing that you’ve learned from each other? D: Prior to this, I wasn’t really an active participant in the world of social media and didn’t really understand much about the power of influencing as it plays out now. I’ve learned from Shana that it’s about looking at your products and services and understanding who your audience is and how you’re going to find the right fit, which is something I would never have given consideration to before. S: From mum I’ve learned the art of patience, how to tackle situations and not get overwhelmed by them. It still happens but mum has coached me and helped me to understand that it’s not the end of the world when things happen and that you have to do your best to stay calm and find a solution for it.
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What do you wish you knew before your started your business?
S: I wish I knew how difficult it was going to be in terms of getting a hospitality business up and running. You do come into a lot of negativity, especially in terms of age differences and I’ve had to grow a thick skin to negative feedback. But what mum has always advised me is that negative feedback is a chance for you to grow and push forward. So I wish I had understood that a little bit better starting out, but I’m glad I do now! D: I’d say for me it’s the work ethics culture of Sri Lanka which requires a lot of work. It requires great business leaders and people to get behind it and change that culture, to teach people some life skills and give them the opportunity to work at great places but in return to also teach them about loyalty and commitment. That whole manpower side of it can be quite draining, so I wish I knew how to overcome that before I started.
What do you most admire about each other?
S: I admire a lot of things about mum, but probably what I admire the most is her patience and the way in which she doesn’t let negativity penetrate her too much and she doesn’t get flustered. It’s nice to learn from her about how to balance that.
dinner table or we’re both chilling in our own environments, there is a lot of gray. There are times when we’ll both say we’re switching off now because you do need to make time for yourself. I also have a dog, so that’s my balance! S: Yes, one of the biggest things for us is knowing when to switch off from work. It’s also important to find the right time to talk to each other about issues that we’re facing and to be conscious of not eating into each other’s downtime. I try to keep some time for myself every day – even if it’s just one hour in the evening where I’m watching Netflix before I go to bed.
What are your thoughts about the healthy food movement here in Sri Lanka?
D: I think it’s an awakening and I think there is a real need for it. If we go back to natural authentic Sri Lankan cuisine we’ve been quite healthy. We have an array of vegetables and fruits that we should be tapping into, enjoying and eating. But it’s the process in which most people cook these foods is what can make it unhealthy. I think there is a need for more conscious eating not just in terms of healthy food but also to know where our food is coming from and what goes into it.
D: Shana’s creativity really inspires me. She also has a real strong will to succeed. She has a burning fire inside of her and if you’re in the way, God help you. I think if you’ve got that passion and drive, then you can succeed whatever eventualities come your way.
S: Sri Lankan food is very easy to prepare, especially if you’re vegan. At our cafes it’s not just about providing vegan friendly or healthy food but also about educating people on how they can prepare food and do a modern take using local ingredients and switch it up a little bit.
How do you achieve work-life balance?
What is your favorite dish on the menu at Kumbuk Kitchen?
D: First of all, there’s no “at work.” Our work is everywhere and anywhere and it does get difficult at times because whether at the
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D: For me it’s the watermelon, feta and passion fruit salad at Kumbuk Kitchen – it’s so light and refreshing.
S: Mine is probably the Chicken Curry Wrap because you get that hit of spices and it’s also easy to eat and not super messy.
What advice would you give to young women hoping to start their own business?
D: I think first and foremost you need to start with a vision. Find out what is it that you want to do, and where it is you want to go and then create a plan that supports that vision. Also, recruit the right people along the way. Recruit your family and friends to help you on that journey because it’s important to have a support system. Be prepared to work hard because success doesn’t come overnight and learn from other people who have done it already. It’s also important to have a coping mechanism because entrepreneurship can be quite challenging.
What’s next for you?
S: We’ve got a big change coming up which we’re very excited about. Café Kumbuk, the flagship will be moving in a couple of months’ time and we are thrilled to get the chance to create a new space. D: Absolutely, it’s our own space which is exciting because it’s an expansion for us. This means greater creation on the menu and probably our own shop because our product line is doing quite well. We are looking forward to putting all our learning to use and creating something that we hope everyone will love.
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Anusha
Launch of
Mainland China
New Menu Rosy
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Mainland China recently introduced a revamped and exciting new menu, with many traditional Chinese dishes to choose from.
Tarja
Kinita
Charini
Dulanjalee
Naufar
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Fashion is the only commercial market that is ever evolvingnew trends come in, while some make a comeback. Granted, with many new styles coming off as questionable, there is one particular piece of Sri Lankan fashion that remains timeless. Batik is a century old fashion style that to this day leaves its wearer with a sense of originality. It’s bold colours, genius and unique designs and comfortable material all add to the timeless pieces you see in the current market. But how did Batik come to be? Who influenced the current market into taking this traditional style sense and giving it a twist? Why is it that batik to this day remains one of the most expensive couture choices out there? Here to take us back to the glorious 1960s and tell us all about the booming Batik industry is none other than Mrs. Soundarie Alexander, a pioneer in fashion who took the Batik industry by storm. After completing 4 years studying in India she came back with a passion for the arts in fashion and decided that with a handful of employees she would bring Batik to the island. Little did she know that her work would eventually begin a ripple effect to all things Batik!
To the normal eye, any design could be considered Batik are there any particular designs that are solely Batik? If so, did you focus on any particular style and design? Well, the Indonesian Batik is completely different- it’s more complex. I do my own designs to go with my own style. I also draw the pattern straight on to the material and work solely with wax. I don’t use paints. Just wax and my dyes. PAGE 40 | www.pulse.lk
Sri Lankan
Batik
Decades of Wearable Art Could you elaborate more on the process itself and on how you create a particular batik creation? I take pure cotton or pure silk material (because I work with both) and then I draw my own original design. I draw it directly onto the material- this is to ensure that no one else can attempt to copy my designs. After that I decide the colour scheme or rather the colours I feel would suit the design best. After that I begin to wax the whites and then from there we go on to the rest of the colours.
Where do you get your inspiration from when it comes to your designs? Oh that’s simple- My inspiration comes from my lord Jesus! Whenever I’m about to draw on the material I simply say a small prayer and then get to work!
If we go back in time- what would you say the younger crowd looked for in terms of colour and style? I think the younger crowd would usually go for very vibrant colours, say like a hot pink. What I’d do is I’d take that hot pink and then match it with a nice turquoise blue. It gives the right colour pop- a nice amount of colour and vibrancy. As for design- Mine is more art
So let’s say I do a piece with white, yellow, orange and black- then I wax the white. From there I dye the entire material in yellow, then wax off the yellow bits to the design and re-dip it in the next colour. This is basically the procedure. Once all colours have been achieved, we then place the entire material into large containers of hot water and from there it’s the easy partsimply dry and iron.
Is there a specific reason to using wax in the procedure? The wax ensures that colours don’t mix. So if I coloured one part of the design in yellow and want to dye the remaining cloth in orange- the wax ensures that the yellow bits remain protected once dipped in the orange dye.
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based. However, I did cater to the person as well. I’ve had exhibitions where I would sell all kinds of designs that I’ve worked on. I’ve also sold many of my designs to places like Laksala. At the same time, if I get orders, I’d cater to the person’s needs and unique sense of style.
What are your thoughts on the current market? What have you noticed about today’s generation of Batik customers? Well, I see so much change in terms of what a customer in this day and age prefers and looks for in batik but the market itself- they don’t stick to authentic colours or designs. And gone are days of waxing, it’s more paint based. I guess, with the new times things also have to change though. It depends of what the current generation wants and the price.
With technology coming into the arts, do you think the quality of batik depreciates? No, not really- If anything I think it makes it easy- especially when selling in mass quantity. I believe in this life everything is anyways moving ahead. So I feel in this day and age and when it comes to our current market it’s alright to move forward. It also depends on the designer and what they feel comfortable with. I for one would stick to my ways and so, to each his own.
Why do you think designer batik is so expensive? It’s one of a kind! Even if someone wanted to copy my work ,you absolutely can’t. It’s the
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amount of hours that goes into making that perfect piece. It’s one of its kind so you can’t not expect the price to be high.
How did you manage to keep Batik relevant? Its more or less adapting to the market. As the times changed and designs changed ,so did my work- I’d simply try out new
colour schemes and created new designs, which went with the current market. People loved my colour schemes- my contrasting colour choices are something that stood the different times. They kept the fashion relevant.
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NNO 10 Year
Anniversary Nourishing Night Oil, the popular choice for skin care in Sri Lanka recently marked ten years of their presence in the local market.
Sabeetha
Anusha
Himali
Asha
Kumari
Inoka
Anusha
Kumari
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Gayathri
Asha
Rezani
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CFW Day 02
Day 2 was all about a fusion of colors coupled with bold designs, dominating the runway at the Galle Face Hotel
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Sabeetha
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Rajini and Pasangi
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Lights, Camera, Action!
James Koch Meeting
Frederick James Koch may have been raised in Australia as an Australian, but at heart he is proudly Sri Lankan. The son of the great Alston Koch, Frederick James has successfully come out of his father’s famous shadow to become a celebrated actor in his own right, with roles in many films that have made headlines. He was in Colombo recently and Pulse had the opportunity of getting to know the very interesting man behind the scenes.
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01
Who is Frederick James Koch?
Well, I was born and raised in Australia even though both my parents were born in Sri Lanka. They left in the early 70’s to start a new life among the greener pastures of Australia at the time. When I was growing up there, Australia was still known for its “white policy”. I was the brown guy, so it was challenging but it was also a strong contrast. Where I feel more at home is quite interesting because even though I was pretty much an Australian, I was raised on my rice and curry. I remember as I would leave the house, my accent too would leave and become more Australian. But regardless, over the years, I have come to love Sri Lanka. Currently, I am based in Los Angeles, California.
02
Do you have a formal education in acting? Yes, I studied at the Actors Centre Australia. I was very lucky to be able to study at this school as it is very
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prestigious, having had the likes of big names such as Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Some heavy weights passed through those doors, so it really gave me another level of respect for what the craft is all about.
03
Do you dabble in other areas of the arts field?
In recent times I’ve kind of scaled up to what my dad does in music, partly due to a journey of self-discovery in finding out where my skill sets lie. Even though I love music so much, it has always been a private love, known only to me. I’ve only recently exposed it as before, I would look the door and go to the far corner of the room before I start playing the guitar!
04
How has your multicultural background influenced you?
In the States for example, you are put into categories – African American, Asian American, Latin American and so on. But luckily for me, I’ve always been
seen as ethnically ambiguous. This might sound like an unusual term but that is where the human race will end up. My background has always been a great stepping stone for me as an actor. None of us are just one thing so I really do love the fact that I have this background.
05
Can you recall your debut in the acting industry?
My debut was extremely stressful. I was in a film shot in Sri Lanka called, “A Common Man” directed by Chandran Rutnam. I played the supporting lead to Ben Kingsley and Ben Cross. This happened to be in my last year of drama school and at the time I was told that if I take the job, I’d be kicked out of drama school! They didn’t even have the stars signed up for the film yet, so it was a leap of faith for me. I went through a lot of stress to get into that school. Out of 2000 auditions just 20 make it through. Leaving to take the job meant that I was to pull the buns out of the oven before they cook.
My debut was extremely stressful. I was in a film shot in Sri Lanka called, “A Common Man” directed by Chandran Rutnam. I played the supporting lead to Ben Kingsley and Ben Cross. This happened to be in my last year of drama school and at the time I was told that if I take the job, I’d be kicked out of drama school!
06
What moments can you recall during shooting for “A Common Man”?
I had to do a lot of my own stunts. Think along the lines of motorcycling in the rain and jumping off rooftops. There was a stuntman there as well who had to jump two floors down from the top of the building, and while landing he broke both of his legs. Soon after that, I had to perform the same stunt! Luckily, I didn’t hurt myself although I have to say, after watching the scene in the film, it just does not do the stunt justice.
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07
What is it like working with Chandran Rutnam?
I must say that he is a very prestigious man in the industry. He is really thorough with his stuff and is an excellent director to work with. I’m excited to see more directors coming from Sri Lanka like Rutnam, it will definitely do wonders for the local film industry.
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08
As you have worked both locally and internationally, what can we learn from the West?
We have some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. We have had the historic backdrop for films like Tarzan, The Bridge on The River Kwai and Indiana Jones and The Temple Of Doom. All of which were blockbusters that were shot in Sri Lanka. But it is sad because the historic relevance to Sri Lanka has been stolen; The Bridge on The River Kwai was Thailand shot in Sri Lanka and Temple of Doom was India shot in Sri Lanka. The problem with Sri Lanka is that we are so worried about how we are seen in the outside world. We could have been a great cinematic country that is home to these amazing films. The point I’m trying to get at is that there are so many great opportunities that have been lost in the maze. We need films that are shot in Sri Lanka that actually portray Sri Lanka!
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09
What are you most notably working on at the moment?
I’m working on a world war film that I’m not sure if I can talk about yet. It is a really great story about Sri Lanka that most Sri Lankans don’t know about. It portrays the beauty and the ugly of it, no facades here.
Pet Peeves
10
• People hating for no reason.
How can we become a great country that is known for our arts?
Start off by supporting local and foreign local talent. When you see people who try and support Sri Lanka you should support them too. Look at their paintings, watch their films and listen to their songs. You have not heard every story. There are so many beautiful things out there that need to be encouraged.
• People not getting recognition for the hard work they put in.
• Hearing about somebody that has amazing talent, but they don’t put it to good use.
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11
You’ve been known for your documentaries. Which was most memorable to you?
What I’m really proud of is the Kenya project with a missionary team. They go out to Kenya and they donate their time, money and skills, and live with the Maasai in the wilderness for a week or more. When I was asked to do this, I loved the idea but we’re talking about Africa. The thought of sleeping in a tent where there are lions roaming was terrifying. One of my good friends said to me that I will benefit and grow so much by being there. She couldn’t have undersold that enough. The simple joy and connection you get out of somebody that just wants to meet you is beautiful. There’s nothing behind it except that they are curious they want to know who you are. That was exactly what I experienced with the Maasai.
12
How has your dad influenced you?
It began by seeing him on stage from a young age. His drive for everything to be absolutely perfect is something that I aspire to have. He will not stop until he gets exactly what he wants. I can only dream of having this perfectionist resolve but I would say that this has definitely influenced me a lot.
13
Do you have a message for Sri Lanka?
We need to be prouder of this land. Even if we don’t rise to the heights of those around us, we should always aim to try to get there. Sri Lanka has been born with a silver spoon in its mouth. Whether it be the geographical position or the actual jewels that we have in the ground, its unsurpassed. Every one of us, whether you’re a cab driver or a politician, should step back and stop thinking about “me” and start thinking about “we”. Photography: Nadun Baduge Hair and Makeup: Priyantha Dissanayaka Location: Monsoon, Colombo
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Random facts • I love wearing different colored underwear - I love to wear bright colours to change my mood. • I sing to change my mood if I’m feeling down - the guitar and a quiet place is more valuable than gold. • I’m a ridiculous gamer – I couldn’t decide so I have a PlayStation and an Xbox! • All-time favourite movie - Gattaca, it’s an amazing film that outlines knowing your full potential before you are even born. • All-time favorite meal - Sri Lankan rice and curry inclusive of parripu and wattakka. • What would you be if you weren’t an actor? - A teacher or a musician. • Where do you see yourself in five years? - Hopefully, I would have found a beautiful Sri Lankan like my parents want me to! I would love to settle down but not for the sake of doing it. Career wise, I think I’d love to start directing as well. • Recall a defining moment in your lifetime - It was the first time I sang on stage. I played Chris Isaac’s Wicked Game during an open mic night at a small bar in Melbourne. It was an amazing feeling.
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FASHIO N
FOOTPRINT Fashion can be addictive and exhilarating but at the same time, the fashion industry is responsible for an environmental impact that’s greater than the greenhouse gas emissions of the entire world’s international flights and shipping put together. It’s timely then that fashion is moving towards more responsible, ethical and sustainable practices. Here are a few things you can do to enjoy fashion while reducing your own fashion footprint:
Avoid fast fashion
Buy better quality over quantity
Clothes that follow the fashion of the day are cheap and easy to come and so we spend on items that are often just worn once and then thrown away to the nether regions of our closets. Instead shop sparingly - try to dwell on your purchase decisions and consider whether you really need something and would wear it multiple times.
Invest in a few high quality items that can serve as wardrobe staples. You may pay more for them initially but the higher quality, classic styles and better finishing will means that these items will serve you for much longer allowing you to manage with fewer items for longer.
detergent, the wear and tear on clothing etc. Invest in an energy efficient washing machine; use the low heat settings and try to limit your laundry to a few large loads than multiple small ones. Also hang your clothes out to dry instead of using the tumble dryer and iron only when needed. When buying detergents, go for more ecofriendly alternatives.
Repair or redesign
Think before you throw
Sometimes a missing button or a small tear makes us throw away perfectly good clothes. Try not to throw – instead find someone who can mend and repair the minor damages, or even transform the clothes into something new. There are plenty of ideas and hacks available online if you need some inspiration.
The clothes you no longer want can have a much longer lifespan if they were passed on to family or friends or donated to charity. Also think about handing old clothes over to the many upcycling initiatives that are popping up. You may even be able to use some of those clothes as cleaning rags around the house. Your unwanted clothes don’t need to end up at landfills for a lot longer.
Wear your clothes longer Try to use your clothes longer – extend their life by taking proper care of them to keep them in good condition. Reading and following the recommended garment care instructions on the labels attached to clothing is important. The World Economic Forum recently quoted statistics that said if everyone wore half the clothes they own for nine months longer, carbon emissions would come down by 8% and waste would be reduced.
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Do your laundry wisely Doing your laundry has a significant impact on the environment – the energy and water used by your washing machine, the microbeads that may be present in your
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IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo 2019
Shaping Sri Lanka’s Future Attracting over 700 athletes from 58 countries across the globe, IRONMAN 70.3 Colombo (organised by Pro-Am Serendib) concluded on a high for the second consecutive year on 25th February 2019. Speaking to the organizers Rajan Thananayagam, Julian Bolling, and Yasas Hewage, we found out more about their passions behind bringing down an international event of this scale to Lanka, how they feel the community benefits from it and what’s next on the horizon!
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but I’ve never seen an IRONKIDS with so many kids involved! We had about 650 kids having an absolute ball at Galle Face.
Are you happy with how the locals are involved with this event?
What made you start IRONMAN in Sri can be one of the greatest platforms and thus far, we’ve relied on our traditional platforms Lanka? R.T. As an athlete, I’ve been competing in Ironman events all over the world and I saw the power of Ironman; the impact it has on those communities, regions and countries. I always felt I wanted to bring that spirit to our country and hence, I was inspired by the whole event. The whole idea behind bringing Ironman here was to show it’s not about Ironman itself but what it can do for the country. We attracted over 700 odd athletes from 58 nations so basically we brought the world to Colombo. J.B. I also think it’s not about Sri Lanka needing one event like this; this country has the potential to do a lot more and we realised that. Our whole calendar year needs activities like this. Ironman is about these successful people, in their 40s, 50s, who are taking on sports like this and it’s that niche market that this country should attract. So Ironman is a good example of one event but should the country just have one in the calendar year?
What impact does this event leave on our country? R.T. There are 9 pillars for this event. The biggest one is to showcase Sri Lanka’s potential to the world. It’s not just a place where you have beach holidays but it has far more things to offer. Sports tourism is something really new to the country and we want to position Sri Lanka as a destination of choice for global sporting brands like Ironman. Then we have the health and wellness angle to this whole eventaddressing the people’s inactivity as they go up in their career and we want to show that there are people leading healthy, active lives by embracing an event like Ironman. Y.H. A lot of people have sacrificed in many ways to give us this country, where we can have peace, but there’s so much more to do to unite a country, and then showcase the beauty of this country to the world. Sports
like cricket. Here, we thought of a possible opportunity with an event of this nature (with a massive global outreach) into markets Sri Lanka probably would never have gone into. A sport is a critical factor that could drive this country brand into the world and Ironman is an example of what the persevering Sri Lankan spirit can do to bring these 58 countries to Sri Lanka.
How does Ironman benefit the community at large? R.T. The sport of triathlon itself is at a very infancy stage in Sri Lanka and in the last two years we have seen a phenomenal growth of that whole sport and we want to see it grow further. Somewhere down the line, I feel it can inspire a kid in one of our villages who could be a future Olympian. This is also an international brand, highly recognised from all across the world, so giving the local businesses an opportunity to be part of the event was not just about them coming out as sponsors but also showcased the Sri Lankan story behind their businesses. J.B. I think recreational sport is another way to get the community involved, so hopefully everybody at all levels will benefit from this. Ironman 70.3 is a good example of how if one person tries to do something, it can only go thus far but if likeminded people come together, we can do a lot. The partnership between us and the Ministry of Tourism was a big one. We then had all these different stakeholders who came into play - the Sri Lanka Police, the Navy, the road authorities, government establishments and we saw them getting passionately involved.
How do you get the kids involved? R.T. On the day before the triathlon, we have an event called IRONKIDS. I’ve been around doing these events and the day before the main event they always have the kid’s version,
R.T. This is a massive step up for many local athletes and some of them were taking up this event for the first time. We don’t have any local competition structure, which is why Pro-Am Serendib is very focused on building that competition - so people will have a lot of events as a Segway to a big event. So essentially this was like jumping into the deep end without knowing how deep the water is so I truly admire their courage. These people took on the challenge and they did it - and there were so many phenomenal local stories.
How does IRONMAN help shape Sri Lanka’s economy? Y.H. The Ironman platform gave us an opening to a niche market in the space of tourism. If you look at the overall tourism sector in Sri Lanka, it’s predominantly people coming to see the sun, sea and sand, as well as our culture, which is beautiful. But when you consider the sports factor, if you really look at the stats, we have an impact of about 0.4 %, which is almost nothing. Here is a country that’s open to every single sport, through the ocean, the beaches, the roads, the jungles and essentially all terrains. Ironman built on that opportunity, took Colombo as our hub and showcased it to the world, giving a different perspective to Sri Lanka. Within a week, we had about 3 million dollars of income coming to stakeholders surrounding the city.
How is Pro-Am Serendib planning on taking things up a notch in the future? J.B. If you look at the calendar of events that follows from here and wonder what’s next, it’s going to be mini-events because everyone won’t be able to do Ironman overnight. By the end of the year, we’re going to have the Serendib marathon and it’ll take Sri Lankan running to another level, marketed as another international event from Colombo. R.T. We’re going to promote more local competitions and we are also continuing with the triathlon series. We have ideas to introduce a kids’ event that can reach out to the middle parts of the country. So I think if you saw something on the 25th and you thought it was amazing and are excited about what we’re doing in the future, it’s all about going big or going home; it’s only onwards and upwards from now on.
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Thomian
Cycle
Parade Gearing up for the 140th Battle of the Blues, the Thomian Parade 2019 was held on the 5th of March across the streets of Colombo.
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IF THE
TENTS COULD T A L K
By Dimithri Wijesinghe
The 140th Battle of the Blues Royal-Thomian cricket encounter has come to an end, with a Thomian victory after 12 years of playing the game. The boys from Mt. Lavinia secured a victory over Royal College this time around, having last won the encounter in 2007. The game may have ended but the great tales of school boy heroes would live on; Thomians will laud their victory over the Royalists until they meet again, all well-naturedly of course. And for the rest of us, the games have come to an end, taking with it the heat of comradery, sportsmanship and school spirit that flooded the streets of Colombo for a good month.
the game truly takes root, it’s when young boys and also girls realise how much of significance the beautiful game has over us all.
if you’ve been to a game or two, just to see what all the noise is about, you probably never understood the intricacies of what the “tents” were all about.
To the ordinary person, the 7th, 8th and 9th of March holds no greater significance than it being just another weekend, but for those who were at the 140th Battle of The Blues, the three days could hold some of the greatest moments of their lives, stories they will take with them, share with their loved ones for years to come.
A good mystery tempts solving, and so why not take a quick dive and have look inside!
Particularly for those who were never part of the RoyTho story as a Thomian or Royalist, the “tents” have remained a mystery. Even
While there’s no upper age limit, like some other tents at the grounds like the Colts, only elders are qualified to enroll in the
Mustangs Celebrating 101 years, it is the oldest tent at the SSC, by invite only. You have to be endorsed by a member of the Mustangs to be a part of it.
The SSC Grounds is once again a vault of memories, evidence wiped clean of three full days of partying, drinking, scuffling and on occasion watching some cricket. RoyTho is the second-longest uninterrupted cricket match series in the world, unwavering even at the face of the 1st and 2nd world wars, and to this day, it holds strong as the only school boy cricket match in Sri Lanka to be played over three days. While cricket is a Sri Lankan’s bread and butter, the Big Match is where the love of
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over the stadium but eventually the boys all come home to the Stables”. The oldest tents at Roy-Tho are the Mustangs, Colts and Stallions for boys, leaving out their wives, girlfriend and family with no place to hang out. The Thomian class of 79’ decided to include a tent where they could have their families, and Stables was born. Being a family tent, it is on the tamer side, with not a single fight breaking out in the entirety of its run, the tent is by invitation only, and while it was originally started by Thomians, there’s a majority of Royalists occupying it at present.
Colts Mustangs Tent, it’s where all the distinguished gentlemen gather to enjoy the sporting event they’ve likely witnessed more times than many of us have been alive. Likely due to that fact, the tent emanates a grandiose nature from deep within, hosting all high flyers, the senior old boys of Royal and S.Thomas’, the tent is very exclusive. A mustang is defined as a wild, unruly and master-less horse, and it would seem that this meaning resonated with the founders of the tent, to take the liberty for some horseplay in their old age.
Brumbies Brumbies came to be way back in 2010; the 87’ Thomian batch was invited, as sponsors, to sit together as one batch for the first time at the sponsor’s tent, and the following year as they were unable to accommodate an entire batch, in 2011, Brumbies was born.
It is predominantly a Thomian tent but over the years, a number of Royalists have joined the ranks as well. While the Thomian class of 87’ gave life to the Brumbies, over the years families have begun to join the tent, it is now a family tent - a friendly mix of youth and adults. Coming nicely equipped with their very own DJ, eight piece paper band, and all the modern “necessary” amenities of a big match tent, the Brumbies seats holds around 275 to capacity. Brumbies, with their elevated location, are the first to have started dance nights inside a tent, which has caught on since then.
Stables Speaking about Stables, Leslie Wirekoon, Chairman cum Secretary of the Stables tent committee explained the purpose of the tent quite colorfully – he said: “You can gallop all
The Royal-Thomian Colts Tent was founded in 1975 by a group of young Royalists and Thomians. It is now — 45 years on — one of the most vibrant fixtures at the RoyalThomian. The Colts has become synonymous with uninhibited revelry and merriment, experienced in the secure confines of a member’s tent. The tent however signifies more than fun: it is a vibrant affirmation of the friendly rivalry, deep respect and camaraderie that characterise the Royal-Thomian and the two schools. We spoke to a committee member Shamindra of Colts who said that while the spirit of the Colts has not changed, the tent itself has constantly evolved. From its beginnings as a small enclosure at the Oval, the tent now accommodates 500 young Royalists and Thomians. Memberships are carefully vetted by a committee, to ensure a gathering of the like-minded. Entertainment is provided by a house band, a papare band and a DJ, with popular artistes making guest appearances. The tent is now airconditioned, and a number of support staff including helpers assist in making the experience as comfortable as possible. He said that despite these changes, the core of the Colts is in its roots: a mutual celebration of the permanent fraternal ties that bind Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia.
Stallions Once you’ve aged out of Colts, natural progression dictates that your next stop is
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Stallions. The tent was started in the mid 90’s by the same group of people who started Colts – 6 Thomians and 6 Royalists. Stallions has an age requirement of over 40, and it essentially came up to facilitate those coming out of Colts and weren’t quite ready for Mustangs. Chris Parakrama spoke of the camaraderie between the Royalists and the Thomians within the tents, joking that “we have this thing that we say in the club, Colts is the arrival lounge, Stallions is the business executive lounge and Mustangs is the departure lounge, if you know what I mean”. The committee at Stallions functions in such a way that they have no president, but all general secretaries and with the appointment of a president for each individual meeting. Currently hosting a total of 450 seats, 225 for each school, to purchase a ticket you absolutely must be recommended by a member.
Broncos We spoke to Indika De Silva, the immediate class president of the Royal College batch of 91’ who are responsible for the formation of the exclusive group tent Broncos. According to De Silva, Broncos is the second tent to come up as an exclusive tent for a single batch, and it initially started off as a space from the HSBC pavilion, and upon making a request for their own space from the Royal Thomian committee, they received their own space in 2007 and they started with a tagline “Simply the Best” which then later in year 2015 was named the Broncos. De Silva states that Broncos was the first tent to bring down professional cheerleaders from Europe, however, this year, this practice has been banned. Broncos have contributed largely to the glamour of RoyTho with the bringing down of such professional acts,
foreign DJs and also with their wall-to-wall sophisticated sounds system. De Silva made a point to thank the following - Hiran, Bimalka, Niroshan, Shavindra, Sashindra, Manuja, BK Priyantha, Ravi and also the governors and the committee of the group of 91 as Broncos has a notable aspect where the board bears the brunt of costs for the lavish undertakings within the tent.
OTSC The second oldest tent at the big match, with a capacity of 590 seats, the tents hosts people of all ages, including children and families. The tent is located at the SLC grand stand upper floor, and the tickets can be purchased by members only. The OTSC started in 1956 to assist college aquatics, and today it has a fully operational club house in Mount Lavinia with over 750 ordinary, associate and life members with pool, ground and gymnasium facilities offered to them. Managed by the executive committee of the club headed by Umega Seneviratne, the tent is one of the largest ones in the stadium and is considered a family tent fully inclusive of live music, even featuring guest artiste performances.
Thoroughbreds Celebrating 10 years, Thoroughbreds started as an option for those over 40 to enjoy the match after leaving Colts. Over the years, it has been difficult to get in to Stallions, and while this tent is by no means in any competition with the other tents, it has provided a space for those over 40 and the tent has no upper age limit. Speaking to Jehan Kanagaratne, one of the co-presidents of the club, together with Amal De Mel, the Thomian half of the duo, we were told that Thoroughbreds are the pioneers of many of the entertainment elements you see at the match like bringing in Bollywood dancing and providing alcohol FOC. They also have a sushi bar inside the tent. To be a part of the tent, you must be nominated by a member. This time around, the Thomians take the victory but the yearly tradition, much like most sporting events, has never been about victory or loss. Through centuries of runs scored and wickets lost, Royalists and Thomians have taken it all in their stride. Three days and the love of a game, brings together people, Royalists, Thomians and whoever else with everything else just melting away, any and all differences paling into oblivion. It’s difficult not to get swept away by it all, the love of the game is part of our DNA, we worship our heroes, celebrating in their victories because they are our own and lamenting their losses as they are ours as well.
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Battle of the
Blues
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The much anticipated 140th Battle of the Blues between Royal College and St. Thomas College kicked off on the 7th of March 2019.
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Mr. Gayan Fonseka, Mr. Rohan Peiris, Mr. Lenny, Ms. Swarna Mallawarachchi, Mr. Sunil Fonseka with Mr. Ravindra Premaratne - Winner
2018 Maxxis
Dealers Awards Night was ceremonially held on 23March 2019 at the Colombo Hilton. Mr. Lenny H.K. Lee, Vice Chairman of Maxxis International was the Chief Guest for the night. Managing Director Mr. Sunil Fonseka, Group Director, Mr. Gayan Fonseka & Working Director Mr. Rohan Peiris of Tyre House Group graced the occasion among other distinguished invitees. The 2018 Maxxis winner was Ravindra Lanka Auto Service (Pvt) Ltd., Dehiwela, whereas Viran Tyre Service Marawila was the first runner-up, and New Lasantha Tyre Traders Battaramulla, emerged as second runner- up. Superstars in the local film industry Swarna Mallawarachchi, Jackson Anthony and Sabeetha Perera presented the trophies and tributes to the foremost Maxxis Dealers respectively. Mr. Fonseka and Dr. Duminda Samarasinghe
Ms. Sabeetha Perera with Mr. Lasantha Adikarawattage ‘3rd Runner up’
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Mr. Jackson Anthony with Mr. Paul Janz ‘2nd Runner up’
Shirani
Oshani
Mr. Lenny, Mr. Fonseka and Mr.Kirk
Mr. Gayan Fonseka with Mr. Janitha The Best Performer of the Year at Benedictsons (Pvt) Limited
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Small though in landmass, Sri Lanka offers quite a bit of surprises for travel-hungry people. Hitherto unknown places quietly shaping themselves into destinations of interest with their own culture, scenery and activities, seem to lie in wait for wanderers to find, and pass on in whispers to fellow travellers.
An effortless blend of jungle, waves and culture
Hiriketiya By Jennifer Rodrigo
Hiriketiya is one such place. Described as a “hidden beach”,“surfer’s paradise”, and “THE place for digital nomads”, Hiri, as it’s known in short, is located about an hour’s drive from Matara. After constant cajoling from friends to visit this backpacker’s paradise, a perfect fourday holiday week made a trip to Hiriketiya
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possible for me, and I wasn’t disappointed in the least. It doesn’t take long to realise, once you walk through the trees to the beach, that Hiriketiya does offer something unique via its concealed horseshoe bay. It seemed to be luring and seducing people who wish to enjoy just a few, simple things - the waves, camaraderie with fellow travellers and good food and drink.
Riding the waves Elongated boards cradled under arms bronzed by the sun and enthusiastic surfers riding giant waves at sea would be what you’ll see first when you step foot on this stretch of beach. With waves rolling in almost all year, Hiriketiya provides a challenge for all grades of surfers. But there’s no reason to feel alarmed if you aren’t one. The colourful surfboards stuck to the sand along with
surfing lessons being offered at lots of spots along the beach will show you that the place is ideal for beginners who’d like to give it a go as well. Or not. The cove fringed by palm trees also has cute little beach huts offering amazing juices and a small yet tasty assortment of food with a tropical vibe. The food is priced slightly higher than at your regular streetside kade (a grilled chicken dish costs around Rs.1400), but not too bad as to warrant complaints; the portion sizes make up for the prices. Surfing or otherwise, the waves seemed to lure everyone in for a dip during the course of the day. There’s plenty of shallow sea for you to relax in comfortably before the bigger waves reach you. If you’re not a surfer, just settling in closer to shore and watching the pros do their thing is quite a pleasant way to pass the time.
Sundown at Dots Bay House Dots Bay House, an idyllic restaurant and guest house is easily the most sought after place in Hiriketiya when the night sky envelopes the bay. Located on the beach stretch itself, the place essentially attracts all the surfers and general Hiriketiya vacationers with its casual ambience, minimalist decor of pastel shades, cement benches, and good music. The food is an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan and Mediterranean cuisine, and they offer happy hour from 6 pm to 7 pm. The Dots ricebowl and the Dots burger are must-tries! In addition to being a popular spot come dusk, the place is also open for breakfast and has a range of vegan options, fresh smoothies and juices, and Illy coffee throughout the day. The guest house has five private rooms, two bungalows, a cabana dorm that sleeps five and studio hostel beds. Facebook: Dots Bay House Hiriketiya Instagram: dotsbayhouse
Sleeping in the trees at Vishwa Tree House Airbnb is the most convenient and efficient way to book a place to stay at in Hiriketiya; you really do find spots that have good reviews and are decently priced. If the sight of monkeys swinging lazily from tree to tree when driving up the road to my choice of accommodation for the holiday wasn’t unusual enough, the view of a cute and cosy treehouse atop a rugged path, overlooking a little stream, put the stamp on ‘unique’. Named after their son, Vishwa Tree House is managed by husband and wife duo Priyantha and Deepika, and is literally one minute’s walk from Hiriketiya beach. Housing two private rooms with attached bathrooms, the newly constructed wooden house has a shared balcony terrace which offers the best vantage point to see the monkeys getting up to mischief in their natural environment. There’s free parking on the premises, free WiFi, and a shared kitchen space where you can cook your own meals. You can also ask for your meals to be provided by the host, for which you’ll be charged an additional amount. Despite it being an open space and literally positioned amid a dense patch of trees, there was no trouble in the way of mosquitoes or any other insects. Do request for the entire treehouse if you’re booking the place, especially if you’re not one for small talk with your closely stationed fellow bunkers or someone who wants to sit out on the balcony with music into the night.
Their open elevated Shala set among the jungles can accommodate up to twenty students. The daily classes come in varying styles and they offer workshops by appointment. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, you’re sure to find yoga amid the treetops quite the relaxing experience. Salt House also hosts yoga and surf retreats. Instagram: salthouse_srilanka Facebook: @salthousesrilanka
Surrounding attractions If you’re looking to explore something more than just surfing, beaches, yoga and food, and have a thirst for culture and history, you can visit the Wewurukannala Viharaya. A 50m high seated Buddha figure, the largest in Sri Lanka, dating back to the time of King Rajadhi (1782 – 1798), dominates the temple, drawing crowds of worshippers from all over the country. Before reaching the statue, you will pass through a hall of horrors depicting life-sized models of demons and sinners. You could also (especially if it’s your first time downsouth at least), set aside a day to visit Dondra Head Lighthouse, the southernmost tip of Sri Lanka. When my holiday drew to its inevitable close, Hiriketiya had moved up and positioned itself amid a select few at the top of my list of favourite destinations within Sri Lanka.
Airbnb: Vishwa Tree House
Yoga at Salt House With daily doses of yoga, a restaurant offering a fusion of amazing food and drink, and open plan rooms featuring private patios with jungle views, Salt House seemed to be another popular spot in Hiriketiya.
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Memon Mela
Jamila and Tuba
WMO Ladies Wing Far East Chapter recently held the Memon Mela Fun Family Day at the Women's International Club. Irshan
Aqeela
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Jamila
Rukshana
Sajith
Kareem, Hussein, Sajeeth and Imran
Mr and Mrs Altaf
Naziya
Jamila
Rathika
Lasanth
Mursheed
Nazia, Jamila, Gulshan, Anila, Aquila, Zhasiya and Hawama
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Valentine’s at
Galadari ends in style
The Galadari Colombo was the talk of the town this Valentine’s with all its promotions concluding in full swing. The star promotion was “For the Love of Life” at Margarita Blue. This was a fully packed event powered by Kiss FM and kept guests dancing until the wee hours of the morning. The “Love Shack” - this valentine’s goodie hut made everyone’s Valentine’s wishes come true with its sweet offerings. The special addition to this year’s Valentine’s was the “Photo Booth” at the Lobby on 14th February 2019 and guests could not get enough of this opportunity to be photographed with their loved ones. “Romance at the Grill”, which took place at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, the California Grill on 14th February 2019, with music by Mignonne, Russ and Suraj Trio, added a classy touch to the romantic couples dining experience. “Be My Valentine” took place at the Coffee Shop on 14th February 2019 with live music by KISMET and Effex DJs, and guests danced the night away making unforgettable memories this Valentine’s. Guests enjoyed many prizes and surprises this Valentine’s at Galadari Colombo - the place that made everyone’s romantic dreams come true.
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E OTIC CARS
TM
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20 Labels
Wine Tasting at GFH
Nelum
The Galle Face Hotel recently held a wine tasting featuring their 20 Labels Wine collection at The 1864, the hotel’s iconic fine dining venue.
Ayesh
Shiyaam
Shalini
Asha
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Wine Tasting
at
Capital Bar and Grill Shangri-La Colombo recently held a wine tasting evening with Monsieur Thierry Merlet of Fournier Pete & Fils, France at the Capital Bar & Grill Aqilah
Nelum
Niro
Kumar
Kamini
Kinita
Gayan
Nelum
Sashi
Prithiv, Priyantha and Patrick
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Ravin and Sanshiya
Akthab
Aqilah
Harikesha, Keerthi and Ramesh
William Angliss Institute
Celebrate
5 Years
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The William Angliss Institute at SLIIT the partnership between the William Angliss Institute, Australia and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology recently celebrated ‘5 years and over 500 Graduates’ with a cocktail reception held at the Elevate Lounge, Access Towers. Guests included leading Sri Lankan hospitality and tourism organisations and representatives from the William Angliss Institute, Australia.
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The
Cool Girl’s
Guide Colombo to
Christened Sri Lanka’s ocean city by Lonely Planet, Colombo is home to almost a million people and is a jarring mix of old and new, with tall skyscrapers and stylish hotels amid colonial buildings and expansive street markets. The city is a fast-paced metropolis bustling with a vibrant food scene, a growing start-up culture, and oozing with fashion and creativity. Here is the cool girl’s cultural index to the glorious mishmash that is Colombo. PAGE 94 | www.pulse.lk
Rise & Slay
Saunter around the City
Start your day with some pilates on the Elevate rooftop which is organised by Barressential, a boutique pilates and barre fitness service. There is no better way to burn some calories than by taking in the sunrise over Colombo’s skyline. If pilates
is not your thing, try a refreshing balletinspired Barre class at Barresential’s studio on Bagatalle Road. Founder and instructor Nare Bandaranayake believes in a low impact, yet effective fitness regime that will make you feel strong and ready to take on the world.
But first, Coffee. Colombo has a rich café scene offering up a variety of options to satisfy almost anyone. Café Kumbuk, run by a phenomenal motherdaughter duo is a musttry, serving up delicious coffee and healthy meals. Black Cat Café is a cute spot to enjoy a bit of morning reading immersed in an airy space filled with cool art. Try the charcoal waffle or the beetroot donut at Japanese-inspired Kiku, a dreamy café furnished with pastel sofas and stunning flora. The longstanding Barefoot Garden Café is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy some live jazz on Sundays.
For a sensory experience like no other, head over to crowded Pettah, a muti ethnic neighbourhood and shopping district in the heart of Colombo (but make sure to go while it’s still cool outside). Let your eyes adjust to the rows of tropical fruit and vegetable stands, the explosion of colorful silks and cottons piled sky high and fragrant spices tightly packed into sacks, waiting to be taken home and added into delicious curries. The Jami UlAlfar Mosque can hardly be missed with its distinctive red and white brickwork and makes a stunning subject for photographers both amateur and veteran. Visitors are allowed to go inside but dress conservatively and be respectful of others. As it evolved over time, Colombo has effortlessly bridged history and modernity. Take a daytime stroll and explore places like the National Museum which houses an impressive collection of artifacts from the country’s former kingdom or the Gangaramaya Temple which is located on the tranquil Beira Lake, and is considered one
of the most important temples in the city. Shop for local, sustainable products at the Good Market on Saturdays or check out the nearby Colombo City Centre, Sri Lanka’s first ever shopping mall with a variety of local and
international brands to purchase from. End your shopping spree with a scoop of gelato from Isle of Gelato, a local artisanal gelato brand which uses fresh, natural ingredients to whip up some unusual flavours like jackfruit, turmeric, and orange and cardamom.
Fashion and Art Fix Get in touch with your artsy side at the Galleries of Sapumal Foundation. Located in a villa that is in itself a work of art, this gallery holds a lot of attractive paintings – particularly from the group of '43, a contemporary group of artists of the 20th century. Be inspired with a visit to the Saskia Fernando Gallery, Sri Lanka’s largest contemporary art gallery with an inventory of over 1000 works by leading and emerging local contemporary artists. If you’re more into wearing your art, Colombo is also home to a flourishing local fashion space. Visit The Design Collective on Stratford Avenue which showcases a number of established and up and coming local designers like Buddhi Batiks, House of Lonali, and Nithya. Zudhora and PR are two other high end fashion boutiques offering limited edition designer wear brands from Sri Lanka and South Asia. For eclectic style options with a tropical twist pop by Fashion Market or Urban Island. www.pulse.lk | PAGE 95
Hidden Gems Across the street from the President’s House down Janadhipathi Mawatha, the magnificent Colonial-era General Post Office (GPO) building is a must visit and promises the loveliest Instagram-worthy nooks and crannies. However, you cannot visit it without prior permission, but make a mental note in case you have any special projects coming up in which you could utilise the space. Another hidden gem is the lighthouse at the very end of Galle road, past the Kingsbury hotel. Again, it’s a lovely space for photos or an out-ofthe box stop on date night, complete with expansive views of the sun setting on the massive port city construction. If all that activity has made your stomach rumble, visit Krua Thai, a tiny hole-in-the-wall
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restaurant on Galle Road where you will find authentic and delicious Thai street food that will keep you coming back for more.
Catch the Sunset at Galle Face Hotel Sip on some Pimm’s and enjoy a sundowner at the famed Chequerboard at Galle Face Hotel, an iconic colonial landmark with a breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean. If you thought you heard the opening beats of La Vida Es Un Carnaval, sway your way into King of The Mambo, the hotel’s vibrant new Cuban restaurant. Bite into some delicious Mediterranean tapas as the sky bursts into brilliant orange and simmers down into shades of lavender and cotton candy pink. Then cross the street on to the Galle Face Green and enjoy some achcharu from one of the local vendors as you take a seaside stroll.
Salut! Colombo has a thriving nightlife and although on the pricey side, each venue promises a night to remember. Colombo’s first speakeasy bar, Baille Street Merchants offers a chic ambience with wooden paneling, plush sofas and dim lighting. Make a reservation, get the passcode and head on over for a night of perfectly concocted cocktails and a lamb steak that is melt-in-your-mouth delicious. If you want a view of Colombo as you sip your drinks, step into Botanik, Colombo’s chicest rooftop bar. Sip on a pretty gin cocktail and appreciate the perfect balance of contemporary cool and rustic sophistication.
LIMAK by Kamil/CFW 2019 Collection Model: Dannielle Photography: Nuwan Ranaweera Hair and Makeup: Viraj Mosh Tailored by: Rhona Fernando and Team Location: The Kingsbury, Colombo Special Thanks: Rohan and Chanaka
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LIMAK by Kamil/CFW 2019 Collection Models: Harini and Dannielle Photography: Nuwan Ranaweera Hair and Makeup: Viraj Mosh Tailored by: Rhona Fernando and Team Location: The Kingsbury, Colombo Special Thanks: Rohan and Chanaka
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LIMAK by Kamil/CFW 2019 Collection Models: Harini, Sachin and Amanda Photography: Nuwan Ranaweera Hair and Makeup: Viraj Mosh Tailored by: Rhona Fernando and Team Location: The Kingsbury, Colombo Special Thanks: Rohan and Chanaka
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LIMAK by Kamil/CFW 2019 Collection Model: Visna Photography: Nuwan Ranaweera Hair and Makeup: Viraj Mosh Tailored by: Rhona Fernando and Team Location: The Kingsbury, Colombo Special Thanks: Rohan and Chanaka
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LIMAK by Kamil/CFW 2019 Collection Model: Ornella Photography: Nuwan Ranaweera Hair and Makeup: Viraj Mosh Tailored by: Rhona Fernando and Team Location: The Kingsbury, Colombo Special Thanks: Rohan and Chanaka
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FOOD FACTS FOOD FICTION Here are some facts to consider before believing these common food myths Vegetables are better raw While eating raw vegetables is fine, cooking doesn’t really reduce their nutritional value and increases your body’s ability to process most vegetables. For example, carrots are more nutritious when cooked than when eaten raw because the heat releases their beta carotene.
Organic food is more nutritious Organic food has no nutrition advantage over non-organic produce: 100g of organic broccoli carries the exact same amount of calories and macronutrients as its non-organic counterpart (even though it probably costs you twice as much). Organic is healthier for your body because organic farming doesn’t use any synthetic fertilisers or pesticides and therefore you prevent the ingestion of harmful chemicals.
Skin your Chickens It’s not necessarily cleaner or better to buy skinned chicken. To the contrary, you’re better
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off cooking chicken skin-on, which helps keep the meat tender and juicy on the inside. Remove it, if you must, before you eat.
Preservatives are nasty Humans have been consuming many forms of preservatives for centuries and while they get a bad rep among health buffs, if used within regulatory guidelines they are relatively harmless. Preservatives help advance shelf life by preventing bacteria from growing and it’s thanks to preservatives that we are able to enjoy many of the foods that make a long journey from the source to our homes.
Multigrain and whole grain are the same When it comes to your flour and items like breads and crackers, multigrain and wholegrain don’t mean the same thing. Multigrain products, as the name clearly implies, use a combination of two or more types of grain while whole grain means the grain has not been refined and all parts of the grain are used, making it higher in fibre.
Brown is better than white Brown sugar just contains more molasses than white sugar and unless you’re gulping down large quantities of it, the advantage of the vitamins and minerals in brown sugar
is negligible. The same is true of eggs – whether they’re white or brown just depends on the breed of chicken that lays the egg; the nutrition depends entirely on what the chicken was fed irrespective of its breed.
The devil is in the carbs Carbohydrates are important for you – they fuel your body and are an essential part of a balanced diet. It’s not true that ‘all carbs make you fat’. Complex carbohydrates are the good carbs, which you get from food like nuts and seeds, oats, fruits and vegetables. The carbs you must avoid are the simple or refined carbohydrates that come in the form of foods such as white bread and other bakery items, white pasta, sweet drinks and desserts and french fries.
Fat begets fat Fat is an important part of your nutrition and the good fats have essential functions like helping your body maintain core temperature, process micronutrients and many other biological functions that keep you healthy. But that doesn’t mean you should eat all the good fats you can lay your hands on. Whether good or bad fat, it’s still high in calories and therefore it’s important to watch what you consume.
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Marietta
Shalin
James
Sangeetha
Ramali
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Seneka
Natasha
CFW Day 03 The setting at Shangri-La, Colombo, provided a perfect backdrop to showcase a series of elegant designs making their debut on the runway on Day 3
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Senali
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Carol
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Dr. and Mrs. Harsha
Tymo
Melissa
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Colombo’s
Food Truck Roundup
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If you’ve been passing through Wellawatte on Marine Drive lately, a line-up of food trucks parked opposite the filling station may have caught your eye. Our inquisitive minds and eager appetite couldn’t help but give all of them a visit to see what the buzz is all about.
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Original Shawarmas
Kitchen 3576 Kitchen 3576 prides themselves on having all of their ingredients and prepping done at home. The owner’s feelings of wanderlust led him to travel the world to discover many new recipes. This truck is the result of incorporating and fusing what he learned all over the world into all the dishes that they serve. Everything here is under the 400 rupee range minus the massive tower burger – it is quite a monster and can satisfy four people with ease. If you’re wondering why the odd name, the trucks registration number is 3576, which they hope will catch on among the crowds. In addition to the truck, the owners run numerous restaurants around Colombo so they are veterans in the industry. The truck itself is a labour of love and happens to be the most environmentally friendly truck in the line-up. According to the owners, their food should be tried at least once to experience the unique flavour profile. Must Try – Chicken Wrap, Lemon Mojito
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Originally based in Hill Street, Dehiwala, Original Shawarmas has now shifted to Marine Drive. They do authentic Lebanese Shawarmas – no mayo used here people. Burgers are also on the menu but with a twist; instead of using a traditional patty, expect your burger to be loaded with Shawarma filling! The name is simply a reflection of what they aim to deliver to the crowds that flock there. A personal favourite was the Arabic beef Shawarma featuring their house made sauce and Arabic pickle, ideal for all the meat lovers. This truck was my favourite and I’d have to say that it was the most happening truck of the night! For those health conscious foodies, you will be glad to know that no artificial ingredients or preservatives are in use here. Must Try – Arabic beef and Arabic chicken shawarmas
Crepe Runner Being the only dessert truck on the street, this truck is run by a group of young entrepreneurs who have turned their love for food into a side hustle, showing up and working long into the night after leaving their daily nine to five. Drawing inspiration from a similar venture in Australia, this truck has become quite popular locally. They say that their reception has been magnificent so far and they hope to maintain the consistency and quality they have become known for. In terms of food offerings, they have a range of sweet and savoury crepes too! If you love Nutella you’ll be elated to know that all their sweet crepes have a Nutella base. Must Try – Choco Mania crepe (includes four varieties of chocolate) and Savoury beef crepe
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Doner Kebab Realising the lack of authentic Turkish Doner Kebabs in Sri Lanka, the owner made the first move to serve this delicacy up to the masses. This truck too radiates passion as the concept of serving Doner Kebabs from a truck is popular all over the world. Their signature dishes include their shredded beef burger along with, you guessed it, the Doner Kebab – served with a side of fries. Must Try – Chicken Doner Kebab
HSP Drawing inspiration again from Australia, HSP serves up neatly packaged snack packs that feature a choice of meat, mixed in with golden French fries. They come in three different varieties; BBQ, tandoori, and firecracker (the spiciest out of the lot). In addition to this expect your usual fare from burgers, wraps, and even paninis. They pride themselves on a personalised service so feel free to ask to make changes to the way you want your dish prepared. Must Try – BBQ Snack pack
Next time you pass by, do stop and experience Colombo’s food trucks for yourself; don’t just take our word for it! It really is quite the experience for any Colombo foodie looking for a unique experience. All trucks operate on Tuesday through to Sunday after office hours.
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Ishara
Lin
FMLK
Store Launch fashionmarket.lk recently celebrated the launch of their all new physical store at Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha.
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Charini
Liv
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Alexandra
Natalie, Akhila and Uddami
Savhitri
Kate
Akhila
PULSE GETS
FORKED! Forked is Colombo’s latest culinary adventure. Based solely on social media for the moment, the funky named and delicious food is crafted by the young food entrepreneur Inoshi and her boyfriend, Clive De Silva! If you like to eat clean but suck at making your prepping meals or suffer from the boring choices that you find available then Forked is your one stop shop to a food prepping adventure! What drove us to check them out was how they came up with such an innovative way to present their food as well as the swanky names they came up with for their dishes! Forked runs throughout the week delivering food which means the booming business keeps Inoshi always on her feet. However, even with such a busy schedule she was kind enough to make some time and speak to us. Here she is- the lady behind Forked as she explains her creative culinary journey! Could you introduce yourself to the Pulse readers? Hi readers, I’m Inoshi. I’m a culinary adventurer. The kitchen is one of my happy places and there’s no greater joy than seeing plates practically licked clean. I think the best way you learn is by doing, so I’m always up for some experimenting, even if that means just jumping into the deep end and working things out on the fly. For me, food has so much love involved and getting to share that love through our hobby/business, Forked is simply wonderful. Forked is just over one year old and it has been a little roller-coaster ride for us (Clive, PAGE 124 | www.pulse.lk
Roshi and me). Honestly, we had no idea whether the concept would work but we decided to just give it a shot (yes, the deep end) and go for it. There’s lots of challenges in a start-up but we have been more than well rewarded by the appreciation of our clients and the wonderful feedback we have received. It gives us the motivation to keep going, to keep growing, experimenting and adventuring.
Are you a foodie yourself or do you just love to cook? This sounds simple but it’s a really interesting question...I think it’s wonderful that there is
a growing appreciation for the culinary arts, thanks in a large part to foodies who share their adventures. They are more than just lovers of food, because they actively seek new dining experiences. But if I had to pick, I would go with ‘love to cook’. While I do love to try new things, and I can be quite critical about dishes (particularly my own). My joy comes from making something new and different myself, and watching others enjoy it. It’s such a wonderfully creative outlet that leaves you with an edible masterpiece - what could be better than that?
What are your favourite foods? Oh dear, where do I begin...there’s so many, and my favourites are constantly changing so this could take a while. Maybe it’s better if I give you a flavour profile? When it comes to tastes, I am not subtle. I love bold flavours (probably why I like chilli so much). It doesn’t have to be complicated. Some of the best dishes are super simple and that’s just fine by me. Dairy, meat, beans and fruit are my natural loves. I love getting my creativity on with sweets but if I had to choose, I would probably go with savoury. And if I had to pick a type of cuisine, I would go Asian. I hope that answers the question.
What was the reason behind naming the business “Forked”? The short answer: because it made us giggle. Clive and I came up with this name on a random drive out of the city. We were just throwing out names between us, back and forth. The concept of saying ‘Fork It’ or ‘Get Forked’ made us chuckle - it was tonguein-cheek and food-related, short, simple and easy to remember. Honestly, when has ‘getting Forked’ been more delicious?
Do you plan on expanding through Uber Eats or any other platforms? Absolutely! It’s on our goal list for sure, to expand over platforms and be more accessible. However since our base model of operations is rather unique we’re currently in the process of determining the best way forward.
How do you come up with your funky names? It’s usually the result of a game Clive and I play, ‘Name This Dish’. We like to think of characters from movies or tv shows that allow us to have a play on words. Other times, we try to link up our dishes with characters that have something to do with the main ingredients or the flavour profile. Sometimes the names come to us immediately. Other times we brainstorm till we find one we both love.
Where does your inspiration come from when you make your menu? Anywhere from raw ingredients to equipment (yes, equipment), food magazines, books, and of course the internet. Whenever I see something that is even the tiniest-bit food related there’s a good chance I am already considering how I can use it and what I can create. If I see a picture of
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something different, I am always tempted to have a go at making something similar myself. I love the challenge. I learn so much from just doing. Unfortunately (although I haven’t had any complaints) that means those around me become taste testers/ guinea pigs. Ingredients are an awesome spark-plug if you will. I love, love, love markets and supermarkets; so much so that I get laughed at. When I travel, I am more than happy to allocate some time to visiting local supermarkets, or speciality stores. You never know what you will find. Rather geeky, I admit, but think of all the culinary treasures, just waiting to be discovered.
How does Forked deal with complaints? Touch wood, we haven’t had many complaints to be honest. The couple or so that we have had is generally in terms of delivery, if something arrives a little later than a client has expected. We do, however, always try to accommodate specified time frames, if they let us know. And more often than not we get our deliveries done earlier than later. Our only other complaint is not having a greater number of days available to “getting Forked”. ;) Food-wise we’ve always had good feedback. Even if someone doesn’t absolutely love a dish, they do seem to appreciate the cuisine because at the end of the day, food is super subjective. We don’t all enjoy the same taste and that’s a good thing. It’s one of the reasons we like to keep introducing new dishes, to offer variety. On the topic of feedback, we can’t get enough of it! We always take into consideration what our clients say and use that as we develop our dishes. It’s the best way of understanding what works and it helps us grow and improve.
Do you try to localise the flavours in your food? Yes, a little bit - we try to make small adjustments to suit the Sri Lankan palette. Food fusion always has a bit of that. But we are also big believers in maintaining the diversity of flavours. Why would you want to eat the same tasting foods, when there is such a range of flavour profiles to enjoy? Being able to try a variety of flavour combinations is like exploring the world from your own dining table. My own personal wish is that imported ingredients (items that can’t or aren’t produced in Sri Lanka) were cheaper, so that people who don’t always have the opportunity to travel can still experience other cultures, through food.
Of your dishes- which is your favourite? The one dish that always hits the spot for me personally is our Harley Quinoa. Generally I love my meats but I love this salad because it’s full of flavour and has all the ingredients I adore. If there’s anyone that thinks a salad is boring then I encourage them to dive into this dish...there’s nothing boring about it.
If people want to experience your food before committing to the weekly menu do you see yourself planning any Pop Up Sales to help with that? Definitely! Pop Up Sales are becoming quite the fashion these days and I can understand why. We’re going through some changes at the moment, just in terms of strategy and operations, to better fit our personal lives. But keep an eye on our Instagram page for all the exciting developments.
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By Rochelle Palipane Gunaratne
Sunny-side-up In Sri Lanka where the concept of eternal summers means more fun in the sun, one has to be come to terms with the idea of being exposed to sun related health problems. Continuous exposure to the sun can penetrate our sensitive eyes, causing various ailments which can affect the eyesight. This could be prevented by wearing high quality sunglasses which contains 100% UVB (short wave Ultra violet rays) and UVA (long wave ultra-violet rays) protection. If in case you are planning to take the plunge in a pool or the ocean during these sunny days, you could opt for a pair of polarized ‘sunnys’ which would reduce the glare considerably or the best option would be the well covered wrap around lenses which shade your eyes from the front and the sides
VISION CARE
Combating the Glare through Sunglasses
As the sun beats down on us relentlessly, in preparation for the equinox Sri Lanka’s leading total eye-care solution provider, Vision Care offers a kaleidoscopic range of sunglasses or shades to choose from. While sunglasses are a fashion statement, which complements that chic look, popularized in the 1920’s by movie idols and fashion icons, eventually becoming a fad which has continued to sweep the world by storm, it is also a means of combating the glare. While it is ‘cool ‘ to wear these fashion accessories, it also prevents harmful effects on the eyes as a 2012 survey revealed that 90% of folk were aware that their eyes need optimum care as it’s the crux for overall health. While there are many reasons as to why sunglasses are beneficial to us, Vision Care presents the following for those who value their beautiful peeps. PAGE 128 | www.pulse.lk
Moreover, constant exposure to the sun can be detrimental to your health and cause complications which can be mitigated or curtailed through regular use of sunglasses, specifically the type of shades as mentioned above. You may wonder how sunglasses can prevent skin cancer but the skin around your eyes, including your eyelids is very sensitive to sunlight and nearly ten percent of skin cancers are found near the eyes. Wearing UVprotective wraparound sunglasses with large lenses can not only protect your eyes, but they can protect your skin as well. The ever prevalent condition called Cataracts which is the cloudy appearance in the eye and a more serious condition called Glaucoma which can eventually lead to blindness is caused by prolonged and long term exposure to the UV rays as per a research conducted by the Glaucoma Research Foundation. Sunglasses with complete UV protection can help reduce your risk of cataracts or complications resulting from glaucoma. Macular degeneration is a condition in which part of the retina, called the macula, deteriorates causing impaired vision and in many cases, eventual blindness. Certain types of UV radiation can thwart this process, so wearing sunglasses may be of help. Pterygium which is referred to as ‘Surfer’s Eye’ is a growth on the eyeball itself and it can be painful and annoying. The most common treatments are eye drops, steroids and surgery (in advanced cases) but the best treatment is prevention and the prescribed method by doctors is wraparound sunglasses with UV protection, especially on cloudy days when the sun is not visible but its UV rays permeates the air.
permit a view of fish and aquatic life that you failed to notice before.
In addition, wearing sunglasses is the best preventive action taken against the elements such as sand, dust, wind and snow as continuous exposure to these can lead to an additional risk of damage to your eyes. For those who travel winter wonderlands, its best to keep in mind that snow reflects 80% of UV rays from the sun and can cause a condition known as snow blindness, in which the glare from the sun actually burns the cornea. Ensure that the sunglasses cover and protect the bottom of your eyes, because of the reflective nature of the snow. Getting sand in your eyes can be very painful and dangerous
as the tiny grains of sand can scratch your eye and can cause permanent damage. Especially in the tropics, one has to contend with the wind and the dust which makes sunglasses a compulsory combat gear in battling the elements. Wearing sunglasses further promotes healing and recovery in the aftermath of LASIK or PRK procedures or any other corrective surgery. Sunshades or sunglasses should not merely be categorized into the above as it can be the source of enjoyment as you get creative with the many available options such as polarized lenses on the bottom and non-polarized on top. This would ensure a sharper and clearer view devoid of the glare. For those fishing enthusiasts, the right sunglasses would
Bright sunlight can be a trigger for migraines and bad headaches. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce both the frequency and intensity of these painful occurrences. The use of sunglasses while driving in the rain seems incredulous but the right lenses during light rain is sure to improve your vision and help you to drive safer. Vision Care is passionate about providing a vast selection of sunglasses to choose from as they believe in pampering their customers. No matter what look you are opting for; from classically cool to modern and fashionable, there is a pair of sunglasses that will make you look and feel great. After all, sunglasses are similar to other fashion accessories and could enhance the outfit and the look or mood of the person to suit the event. Be a trendsetter and let your sunglasses reflect your unique style!
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BEHIND PAGE 130 | www.pulse.lk
Music plays a pivotal role when it comes to the entertainment industry but for Sri Lanka, we are yet to reach the summit of this mountainous industry. We have many young and emerging artists who eagerly make sound hoping to gain or be acknowledged by the many international platforms out there. However music is simply not just a band or a vocal artist. another very interesting arm to the electronic side of music are the DJs and Producers. Since the 70s, Sri Lanka’s knowledge of who a Dj or Producer was, was very limited. Many people didn’t understand the difference, not to forget the fact that so many talented individuals within this particular field would not get the recognition they deserved. Fast forward to the 2000s and still- not many know what goes on behind the deck. Pulse was grateful to have had the opportunity to interview four of the biggest entertainers in Sri Lanka from four different periods of time, giving you, our readers, an in-depth look at what the music industry was like between the periods of the early 80s till our current 2000s and their indiviual thoughts and ideas on where the Sri Lankan music and entertainment industry needs to improve on. We’d like to take this moment to thank the very awesome Wendell Thiele, Ben Mohamed, Gerard Fonseka and Dimuth Karunaratne for giving us the time to speak to them and hope you enjoy the read!
THE
DECK
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did you start DJing Q. orWhen producing? What or
end of his set we looked at each other and we just knew that this was what we wanted to do!
W: For me it was in 1984- music is something I was always passionate about and as for what influenced my choice to choose this profession- it actually started when I was pretty young! My best friend and I visited this school carnival at Vihara Mahadevi Park and we watched the famous Bunty playing up on stage. We were so taken up by him and by the
B: Well I started at the age of 13… yeah, I used to collect this big briefcase of tapes and I’d go around and play for parties but sadly, by 10.30pm my dad would come pick me up and the DJ would have to go! As time went by, I used to look up to Steve J, Bunty and Wendell-whom actually played a huge role in my life when it came to playing music by teaching me so much about equipment and the whole technical side of it.
who influenced you in your decision to choose this career?
I started at the age of 13… yeah, I used to collect this big briefcase of tapes and I’d go around and play for parties but sadly, by 10.30pm my dad would come pick me up and the DJ would have to go!
D: For me it started off a little differently- I started back in 2013 and I was introduced to the idea of DJing through various softwares online and so I would download music and start playing at parties but soon after I realised I wanted to do more. I didn’t want to just play someone else’s song…I wanted to make music and produce my own tunes to play and yeah, ever since then I’ve been producing music. G: I started learning about the art of DJing in the beginning of the year 2000 and I’d worked with several well known radio stations in the country and eventually picked up on the art. Influence wise- I’d say that Deadmause was definitely the reason I am where I am.
What do you personally Q. consider the most incisive moment in your artistic career?
D: I think it varies from time to time. I mean your goals change and with that I think each significant moment that you look back on also changes. Like for me in the beginning it would have been about being able to play a set at a huge and significant event but once I started making and producing my own music, it was when another DJ played my music on his set. So yeah, I think that this is something that changes from time to time.
Dimuth
G: I think for me- it was the moment I received my letter from Tomorrow Land informing me that I was going to play at one of the biggest international music platforms. I think- I was just really proud to be able to represent Sri Lanka at one of the biggest music festivals in the world. B: Yeah, same here. I’d say it was when I was given the
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Gerard
opportunity to go play abroad. I mean, that’s when you deal with a completely different crowd- a musically advanced crowd and it also helped me grow as well. W: Well, it’s like Dimuth said- It definitely has its moments- you really can’t single out one significant time.
I was just really proud to be able to represent Sri Lanka at one of the biggest music festivals in the world.
Working in this particular Q. industry in Sri Lanka, what
drawbacks have you faced?
D: Oh that’s still there! W: I think also, in the past you couldn’t really make a living out of this profession but nowadays you can- you earn quite a good amount really. But yeah at the same time even though there are many parties and new clubs opening up- the fact of the matter is the industry here is too small. So you can’t do much with the limited possibilities in Sri Lanka.
D: Yeah well, like Gerard pointed out, anyone can download a bad quality song off of the internet and then call themselves a DJ. It is because of the internet and social media that our industry is slowly building itself but sometimes what comes out of it may not be that great. During Wendell’s time you actually had to buy the records and know what you’re doing in terms of playing them and scratching. So yeah, I’m glad to see the industry growing and it’s good that more people are contributing to it. I see the progress and I’m so glad and I love the fact that more people are making their own music because that is the future- if you want to go abroad and want to play, the first question they’d ask is for your music or what label you’re with and so I’m glad that knowledge about what a label is or what making music is has been passed around.
G: I personally think another issue is thatback in the day, there was only a handful of DJs who stuck in a single clique and really knew the art and what it was they were doing, but fast forward a couple of years and you have so many young people who think and claim to be a DJ, not really knowing the art, simply posting things online for a like, a share or for fame! It’s not really about the music or the art and that’s something that I feel has made us look bad in the industry here in Sri Lanka.
D: At the same time, however, the growth and knowledge of different music styles has definitely evolved and I mean, you have international arenas and international artists who now know that there is a sound coming from Sri Lanka and that’s something we should definitely hold on to and help grow.
changed over the years?
W: Firstly, I feel in general people are now a lot more open to music! Back in the day you believed what you heard on the radio to being the “next big hit” but nowadays with the internet you can simply YouTube the latest. It’s that easy. So now, people are more demanding- they know what they want and what they like. B: Well, when I first started I didn’t know anything other than what I was doing. I mean you find new tracks and then you take them and play, However, in time as I grew up and as the years went by and with me gaining exposure out of Sri Lanka, I could tell that there was a lot that needed to change especially in terms of musical knowledge and now when I look at the industry I still feel that even though yes, we have come up, there is a lot more work that’s needed.
W: Well for us, back in the day, it was having to convince our girlfriend’s parents!
B: That’s actually a very tricky question and I think it can be categorised. Because in terms of dance music- I think people have come a long way. But in terms of commercial music we have a long way to go. I mean, people are so comfortable with their playlists that they expect to hear it every night at the club and I feel that that is something that needs to change. Our crowds need to be more open to hear what the DJ has to offer.
How do you think the music Q. scene in Sri Lanka has
What is your Q. “Pre Gig” ritual? Wendell
W: Lots of sleep! B: Well there is one thing that I do before any important gig and that is to watch a particular movie. Its Pete Tong’s “Its all Gone.” I don’t really sit and watch sometimes, it just plays in the background but yeah that’s something that I need to do. D: For me it’s testing out my music and basically preparing my list of songs
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I honestly think that we, the older generation of DJs should be more open to the younger crowds that walk in. G: Yeah, as Dimuth said- It’s all about preparation at that point. I personally don’t believe in a “ritual”. I simply take a deep breath and leave it all in the hands of God above.
If there was anything you’d Q. like to see changed or you
want to change in this particular industry in Sri Lanka- what would that be?
W: I honestly think that we, the older generation of DJs should be more open to the younger crowds that walk in. See the music that Ben or Gerard or even Dimuth play would obviously be different to what I play, that doesn’t mean that they have bad taste or that their music sucks. No, it simply means that they come from a different time and so I feel the older DJs need to be more accommodating to current times and new sounds. It’s like that common saying where the older ones say “ If you don’t play on vinyl then you’re not a DJ”-I mean, I don’t play on vinyl anymore. I can’t be carrying all that around with meit’s ridiculous. People need to start getting and go with the
flow. You can’t be judgmental of one’s music because, let’s be honest, these three would probably not be able to entertain my crowd just as I wouldn’t be able to entertain theirs. D&G: Honestly, we think something that needs to be looked into are the different organisers out there. Nowadays, a lot of people simply start a Facebook page without a proper license. And so they’d hire a popular DJ simply to gather a crowd and reach their target for the night and that’s just wrong. You need to be more aware of the audiences you’re calling. And make sure the DJ is fully aware of the type of genres that’s being expected so that they can prepare. We feel that organisers should definitely do their homework a bit more. I think talent should be given first priority. In Sri Lanka, people simply
hire the DJ for the sake of bar sales and that should definitely break. That way even the DJ and the artist is more comfortable with what they feel and want to play. If not, you’re giving two completely different DJs a one hour set each and expecting the music to flow smoothly, which is actually affecting the DJ themselves because who knows if they wanted to start off with a fast pace song- you basically takeaway the DJs artistic approach. To be honest even the attitude of the audience, they need to have a more open mind and come to experience the music. Not just request what you hear on the radio all over again. B: I also believe that we don’t really have proper control over the entertainment industry. As Gerard and Dimuth also mentioned I don’t think we have many rules and regulations that are enforced when working in this particular industry and that definitely needs to change. We honestly need bigger entertainment corporations to come in and bring in new business, new musical shows and performances to help build the industry and the economy. If I’m being honest in Sri Lanka we just have a handful of them that monopolize the market. So even if a new place comes up, it’ll obviously be from someone who’s in that market so it’s like a new car but the same driver and as an entertainer, I personally feel that can actually hold you back.
Ben
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SLIM HEAD SEA BASS One of the most popular dishes at the &Co Pub and Kitchen is the Slim Head Sea Bass, a grilled herb crusted fillet of sea bass served with crunchy asparagus and a lavish prawn bisque. The dish was conceptualized and developed by Chef Panduka Perera, the Executive Chef at The Steuart. He is a culinary professional with over 28 years of experience in the industry. He shares his recipe here so that you too can try replicating dish at home.
For the bisque
• Cheddar cheese – ¼ cup
• Prawn Shells – of about 10 large prawns • Water 1 cup
• Dill & Parsley – finely minced (dry or fresh herbs)
• Tomato Paste – 2 tablespoons
• Olive oil as needed
• Onions (chopped) – 2 tablespoons
Heat your oven to 200 C on grill setting.
• Butter – 2 tablespoons • Cream – 2 tablespoons Toast the prawn shells in the oven until they become crispy. Transfer the prawns into a pan, add the water and tomato paste together with onions and cook until fragrant. Once the stock is ready, blend it and strained it. Finish by adding butter and cream to achieve a smooth texture.
Olive Tapenade
Place your bread crumbs in a bowl, and mix in grated parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese and finely minced fresh or dried basil and dill. Mix well while adding olive oil as needed to retain the crumbliness. Coat your fillet of fish with the herb crust and place on a baking tray lined with foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust becomes golden and crispy.
• Black olives – about 20
Accompaniments
• Red pepper – half a large pepper, oven roasted and skinned
• A handful of Fresh asparagus, tossed in butter
• Parsley – 1 teaspoon finely minced
• A few cubes of buttered parsley potatoes
• Basil leaves- 1 teaspoon finely minced
• Spinach sautéed with garlic and olive oil
• Anchovy – 2-3 whole anchovies
Plating
• Olive oil, as needed
• Pour the bisque into the bottom of the plate.
Chop the black olives and oven roasted red bell peppers finely. Mince the basil, parsley and garlic. Mix everything together with olive oil and anchovies.
Herb Crusted Fish • Bread crumbs – one cup
• Place your potatoes and asparagus on the side. • Position the herb crusted grilled sea bass fish at the centre. • Top with sautéed spinach and a heaped spoonful of the olive tapenade.
• Parmesan cheese – ¼ cup
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Ratna
Prithi
Chandrika
Esiri
Prithi and
Ratnapala's
35th
Sujee
Shavendra
Anniversary Prithi and Ratnapala recently celebrated their 35th anniversary of togetherness in grandeur. Nelum
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Sumedha
Isharq
Tharangitha
Kumudika
Sidath
Asha
Sheranthi
Priyani
Thushari
Priyan
Nirosh
Sheranthi
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Chandana
Chamari
Shanaka
Apsara
Inoka
Vindya
Sandamali
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Kanthi
Shanthi
Kamini
Jeewan
Shereen
Sisil
William
Judy
Shawn
Kumari
Biyanka
Dili
Rishi
Dilouksha
Gayathri
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Avurudu Most Lankans across the isle look forward to the festive spirit, prosperity, and good cheer that the month of April brings. The Sinhala and Tamil New Year or the Aluth Avurudu, is celebrated on the 14th of April every year, marking the dawn of the New Year and the end of the harvest season and spring.
Since the olden days, the festive season has been marked by a number of different customs, but traditional Avurudu games have always been welcomed with high spirits. Here are some Avurudu games, some of which are lesser known, played in the spirit of strengthening the community, which is what Avurudu is all about.
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Games The well-known and the forgotten
• Olinda Keliya A popular board game usually played by two people, both of whom sit on opposite sides of a wooden board (known as Olinda Kolombuwa or Olinda Poruwa) with about nine holes in it filled with four Olinda seeds each. The game is played by shifting the seeds from one hole to another, while onlookers cheer on. One has to collect the seeds found in the hole immediately. The player who collects the most number of seeds win. The most interesting aspect to the game is the beautiful shiny red and black Olinda seeds - known in English as Crab’s Eye. The seeds were used to measure gold in ancient times. They belong to an indigenous creeper plant that can be found in abundance in villages.
• Porakeliya/ Porapol Gaseema A lesser known Avurudu game played in two teams (Udu pila and Yati pila) separated by a line drawn in sand on the ground. A player from the Udu pila hurls a coconut at his opponent on the other team. The opponent has to counter-strike by hurling another coconut in that direction. The game continues until all the coconuts of the entire team crack. The use of coconut in this game is symbolic. Coconut is a traditional symbol of prosperity and the hurling of coconuts by the two teams were conventionally considered a ritual for
Goddess Pattini - a guardian deity revered by Buddhists and Hindus.
• Ankeliya A game of hook tugging that has also become lesser known over the years. Similar to Porakeliya, this is a religious ritual for Goddess Pattini. The game requires two teams, one of which represents Goddess Pattini and the other her spouse or another male deity. Both teams approach the other in the Angpitiya (tugging field) with a buffalo horn attached to each other. The teams tug at each other until the horn breaks. The team whose horn breaks first loses.
• Kanaa Alleema A game that requires running about in an open, demarcated circular area. One player is chosen out of the lot, is blindfolded, and expected to run about and catch the other players, while ensuring that he/she stays within the circle. If any of the players run out of the circle, they lose. If the blindfolded player runs out of the circle, he/she is taken back in. The last person who remains without being caught wins the game.
• Lissana Gaha Nageema One of the most popular Avurudu games at present. A timber pole with grease applied on the surface which is generally 10 meters long
is fixed on the ground with a flag attached at the top. Players take turns trying to climb the slippery pole. The first person to reach the top and grab the flag wins.
• Kotta Pora A laughter-inducing game known to all Lankans. A local equivalent to a ‘pillowfight’, two players balance themselves on a horizontal bar with one hand tied behind their back. The players try to knock each other off the stand by using one hand to strike the opponent with a pillow.
• Kanaamutti Bindeema A row of clay pots with water or sand are hung several feet off the ground. One of the pots contains a special item (most often, coloured water) that differs from the rest. Each player is then blindfolded and given a bamboo pole. They take turns trying to strike the pot. The player who hits the pot with the special item wins. The simplicity, laughter, and high spirits garnered by onlookers and players alike are what makes Avurudu games so special! Don’t forget to join the merriment this holiday season. It’s time to revive these older traditions and revel in the newest. by Renushi Ubeyratna
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Avurudu Recipies
This Avurudu, we’re whipping up some delicious treats in Aunty D’s kitchen! Here are 4 easy recipes you can use to lay a scrumptious spread this New Year.
Aluwa Kokis
Ingredients
Ingredients
• Coconut treacle 2 cups
• Rice flour 500g
• Sugar 100g
• Coconut milk 2 ½ cups
• Cashew nuts 150g
• Turmeric powder ½ tsp
• Water 1 cup
• Salt 1 tsp
• Pinch of salt
• Egg 1 • Sugar 2 tsp
Method
• Rice flour 500g
Method 1. Roast rice flour
1. Mix rice flour with turmeric powder, salt, egg, and sugar
2. Add sugar, coconut treacle, and water. Heat this and add salt until the treacle reaches the right consistency
2. Add thick coconut milk and make a thin paste
3. Turn off the flame and gradually add roasted flour
3. Heat the kokis mould and dip into the rice flour mixture
4. Transfer the mixture onto a cutting tray and cut into pieces
4. Fry until golden brown and let it cool 5. Keep airtight bags or containers ready PAGE 142 | www.pulse.lk
Milk Toffee Ingredients • Condensed milk 1 large • Sugar 500g • Cashew nuts 150g • Water 1 tin • Vanilla 2 tsp • Butter 100g
Method 1. Pour condensed milk into a pan and add water and sugar 2. Heat under a medium flame and then under a low flame until it gets a thick consistency
Mung Kavum (Green Gram) Ingredients • Green gram (mung) 250g
3. Then add vanilla, cashew nuts, and butter 4. Once the mixture does not stick to the pan anymore, pour it onto a greased tray and let this cool for a while. 5. Cut into pieces.
• Raw rice flour 250g • Egg 1 • Thick coconut milk 1 ½ cups • Turmeric powder ¼ tsp • Salt 1/8 tsp • Coconut treacle 1 ¼ cups • Water ½ cup • Sugar 100g
Method 1. Roast green gram and grind it. Run this through a sieve 2. Heat coconut treacle, water, sugar, and salt 3. Once this reaches the right thick consistency, take it off the flame and add the green gram. 4. Mix well and mould this into a nice ball. Keep this until you make the batter. 5. To make the batter, mix white rice, flour, turmeric powder, salt, and egg with coconut milk and make a thick paste 6. Dust some green gram powder onto a board and roll the green gram mixture using a rolling pin. Cut this into strips 7. Dip the strips into the batter and fry until golden brown.
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Since its inception, Amagi Aria has made a name for itself by always going out of the box to please its dear guests. Expect nothing short of this during the month of April as the team at Amagi Aria has lined up an array of seasonal festivities to delight and tantalize and those discerning guests who choose Amagi Aria as their holiday destination. A special buffet line up has been put in place at the Catamaran restaurant for this month, running from Friday through to Sunday. Fridays will feature an exquisite International Barbeque where meat lovers will rejoice. As Amagi also prides themselves on serving some of the best seafood, delicacies such as crab, lobster and cuttle fish will be on offer. Completing the sense, you can enjoy smooth melodies of an acoustic guitarist in the background as you indulge in one the finest spreads this month. For the local islander within you, Saturdays will be about the celebration of Sri Lankan cuisine. Action stations whipping up local favorites such as Kotthu and Hoppers will be spread across their main restaurant. Since Amagi Aria embodies the heart and soul of Negombo, some regional dishes found nowhere else in Sri Lanka will also be made available for your enjoyment, like Negombo’s famed squid ink rice. Table side entertainment is not something that has been forgotten; in keeping with the local theme, a Sri Lankan Calypso band will be playing favorites from yesteryear throughout the night.
In addition to this, Amagi Aria’s mixologists have created a cocktail of the month that will reflect this season. Their buy two get one free happy hour promotion from 5pm to 6pm will also continue to run throughout the month. As April is known to be a heaty month, Amagi has also introduced a thambili promotion; picture a chilled thambili served to you by the pool, under our warm tropical sun! If you are in need of a pick me up as the sun sets, indulge in their traditional high tea promotion from 5pm daily. Families will be happy to know that Amagi Aria is one of the best places to enjoy a day outing. With a very quick and easy drive you can spend more time on the property than on the road. The package includes a welcome drink, lunch buffet with a complimentary soft drink, free access to the pool and afternoon tea or coffee. If you have a group larger than ten, a free changing room will also be provided. Families that choose to stay longer can make use of the credit card offers that go up to 50% off as well as Amagi’s internal promotion – book on half board and get a free upgrade to full board on the deluxe room category. Up to two children can stay for free in the same room as well! In terms of Avurudu Celebrations, both days will feature a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast. A small hut will occupy the lawn creating a ‘kopi kade’ environment that will change through the day. Mornings will feature traditional sweet meats which will transition into offering local bites such as ‘kadala’ and spiced pineapple
during the afternoon. At night, the theme night from the main restaurant will also continue in the hut. The hotel will also host a variety of Avurudu games ranging from tug of war to the much-loved lime and spoon race. There will be enticing prizes on offer so make sure to join in on the festivities at Amagi Aria. As Easter Sunday rolls around, Amagi Aria is all set to host a lavish brunch spread that will encompass half of the restaurant, all for you to indulge in. Children will be entertained with face painting and other games to keep them happy. Even though the brunch buffet is from 11.30am to 2.30pm, Easter Sunday will have a full day of activities, ending with a buffet dinner at night. When the month of April finally draws to a close, May too, is going to be very exciting at Amagi Aria. With world cup fever running through the veins the property has it all planned. Matches screened on the weekends will be backed by a live papare band with bean bags spread across the lawn. Expect live commentary too, so it will as if you are the stadium, watching the action unfold! Combo deals on beer and bites will also be made available for your enjoyment. So, without a doubt, it is clear that Amagi Aria is the place to be this April and beyond!
Take a trip around Asia on Sunday with their Asian Street Food Festival. Featuring an array of regional favorites from all parts of Asia, cuisine from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India will dominate both the interior and exterior of the catamaran restaurant. You do not need a passport for this journey around the region! As you hop from one country to another, will not hear the rumble of an airplane’s engine, instead your ears will only hear the sultry sounds of a live saxophonist.
Amagi Aria the place to be this April PAGE 144 | www.pulse.lk
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Lanka Hospitals Celebrates
Women's Day The Women's Wellness Centre of Lanka Hospitals celebrated World Women's Day in a rather unique way, covering many topics relating to the wellness of women. Malsha
Sujee
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Paboda
Nirosha
Prithi
Anusha
Pinky
Himali
Sabeetha
Sandy
Nilmini
Nandani
Sangeetha
Inoka
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Swarna
Gayathri
Semini
Samsung
Sanjali
S10 Launch at X Station Mobitel launched the Samsung Galaxy S10 at an event held at the X Station. It was an evening full of immersive technology and entertainment.
Jehan
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Ernest
Pasan
Parami
Sajith
Kanchana
Neranjan Geshan
Upeksha
Thilan
Nimesh
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The Insta-Famous
Alice
Luker
style insri lanka
With a fan base of 33.8k followers, styleinsrilanka is run by a remarkable young woman, Alice Luker. Combining her passion for photography along with her passion for travel, Alice features beautiful destinations in Sri Lanka along with local dishes that appeal to masses! Personally drawn to Sri Lanka since her early days, we asked her everything you’ve been dying to know.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Tell us about your content.
I’m from the UK and I first came to Sri Lanka in 2004, with my family. I’m into photography – mostly fashion and travel photography, which enabled me to use my background of production mixed in with the cultural experiences from traveling.
Food is very popular on my blog. I combine stories of my travel experiences along with tips and recommendations of hotels, places to eat, etc. I also try to include the local aspect of Sri Lanka. My content is not sponsored. It’s just me and my camera, moving across the island.
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What is your most unique travel experience? There’s so many! It has to be Sri Lanka however, specifically my solo trip to Jaffna. It was a time where I was personally facing a lot of stress and I felt like I just needed to get away. It was a soulful experience which prompted
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me to write The Ultimate Guide to Solo Female Travel in Sri Lanka. Additionally, the housing I was in was basic and humbling, which I think is important in order to pick up the local side of travel.
What is your favourite travel memory? I can’t pinpoint my favourite, but one of my favourites was when the Sri Lankan Tourism Board invited me and a few other bloggers on a trip around the country. Even though it was their first time, it let me see the country again with a fresh perspective.
Your worst traveling experience? I was once stalked in Colombo. This was the main reason I made my way to Jaffna. PAGE 154 | www.pulse.lk
It wasn’t so much of a travel experience, but I constantly felt like I had to run away from something, so I ended up doing this amazing trip all around the country – starting with Jaffna, down to Anuradhapura, climbing the Mihintale rock at sunrise…I know I’m steering off to a more positive note, but I always try to work out something negative into something positive. It’s all about maintaining peace.
Other than Sri Lanka, where do you love visiting the most? Mexico is an amazing country. The cultural sites are incredible! I swam in a natural sinkhole that I liked to imagine was the entrance to the underworld! Paris is a great place to visit as well!
A must-visit Sri Lankan destination? It’s mostly about preference. Personally, I think Jaffna is an amazing place to visit. It has this old world authenticity; colours and sounds. Everyone is very genuine and I love how you can just get into a tuk tuk and explore. There’s humbleness up there that I can’t really explain. Another place would be the tea country. If one has to travel to Sri Lanka, I’d recommend they try everything. Sri Lanka is not just a palm-tree-tropical-country it’s so much more than that.
Do you travel alone? Yeah, I love traveling alone. I don’t so much now since my boyfriend is here traveling with me, but I’m really pleased
What are your biggest accomplishments? I was featured in a big travel magazine – Condé Nast Traveler. Funnily enough, my trip back home was postponed since I was in hospital due to dengue and Condé Nast contacted me the day I was released. In a weirdly serendipitous way, I was given the opportunity to be featured. Other than that, I feel like you should celebrate every accomplishment everyday – big or small.
Give us photography tips.
that I did travel alone for so many years. When traveling solo, you tend to talk to more people and learn more things. Of course sometimes it is dangerous, so you need to be really careful.
What made you choose to settle down here? I think it’s because I’ve traveled here so much that I feel like I have some knowledge of the country. Of course, I’m no expert, but I grew up surrounded by Asian culture. Apparently I used to eat curry as a baby – which not many English people do! I’ve always felt connected to Sri Lanka and sometimes, you can’t really explain that connection.
What has traveling taught you? I believe traveling solo is what teaches you the most lessons. It helps you learn what you like to do without being influenced by other people. Everyone should travel solo at least once in their life! Research is very important. By research I don’t mean you should have an itinerary of what you should do every second of the day, but rather gather a pool of ideas of what you want to do.
Lighting and colour contrasts are very important. I try to shoot next to the sunlight since it brings out the colours vibrantly. Don’t try to mimic other people’s pictures, try to find your own style. Focus on what YOU like to photograph and how YOU like to photograph it. Just keep experimenting and then look back at your work to see how you can improve. Ask people for feedback and don’t be afraid to be vulnerable.
Who has inspired you the most?
Tell us about sustainable traveling There are many hotels that follow a sustainable approach now, whether it’s by the use of solar panels, other renewable energies, saying no to plastic straws, etc.
One of the reasons I started my blog was actually because I had ended a long relationship. I think it gave me the opportunity to think, “What do I want to do with my life now?”
To me, sustainability is mostly respecting culture and wildlife. I believe it is easy as a Westerner to travel to a country and expect it to adapt to you, when actually you should to adapt to the country instead.
So I came to Sri Lanka and started an Instagram page that showcased photos from my previous trips to Sri Lanka. Many people were very interested, so I noticed opportunity there as well.
Everyone, everywhere. You can learn something from everyone, no matter good or bad. Every experience you have, every person you meet somehow becomes a part of you. If I had to choose someone however, I’d have to say my mum. She’s taught me to be myself and travel how I like to travel without feeling like I need to conform to anything.
What inspired you to start your blog?
How do you make a career out of How do you travel both stylishly and this passion? sustainably? My career was mostly photography. A Firstly, work out what you like to do authentically instead of trying to impersonate a certain type of blog/ website. Secondly, do your research on places you like to see instead of doing a typical tour.
Completely off topic, but I remember one time there was this horrible buffet. I went there thinking “this is NOT Sri Lanka”. They were sending tourists there and I just thought, “people need to know where to go”. Not far from that tourist stop, there was a lovely little rice & curry shack where you could get a far better meal. That’s the main reason I started my blog. There are so many places that showcase the true Sri Lanka, which many people aren’t aware of.
lot of people make loads of money off social media, but I don’t. I work for travel magazines and hotels but I don’t like to make my blog too commercial. I like to feature places to stay at and I sometimes collaborate with them as well.
A final message? Book a plane ticket! Just do it. Don’t feel pressured about having to know what your next step is. Sometimes you can simply live in the moment and gain an experience out of it without necessarily planning it. But remember: follow your head, your gut, and your heart!
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Chic Jewellery in Colombo Throughout history, Sri Lanka has been famed for its rich array of gems and jewellery. As times change, the way forward has turned into striking yet minimal designs, that gracefully highlight the lines of the wearer. We rounded up three of the most eye-catching brands that are making waves in the scene today, so read on to find out more about the unique stories behind their ideologies.
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Kalpani Nan - Owner
AADNA was founded by Kalpani Nan, a graduate of the Academy of Design. Since she was a child, she would always dabble in arts and craft, often driving her family crazy with the messes that she would make! Right after graduation she began working to gain experience. After being in the fashion industry for some time, she needed to move away and get back to following her dream in jewellery design. After finally launching AADNA at the end of 2016, her plans took off. When asked about the name ‘AADNA’ she says that it was her most favourite part of the project. This traces its roots back to her father, who was her biggest role model. Wanting to have her father’s legacy woven into her brand, she coined the name AADNA, derived from her father’s name, Nanda.
Aadna
AADNA designs are influenced by Sri Lankan craftsmanship and culture, with a twist of modern contemporary design. She aims to create unique pieces that are fashion forward while exhibiting an artistic flare to the wearer. All of AADNA’s pieces tell a story. They are practical, but at the same time, hold distinguished design features. AADNA pieces stand out with their shapes and contouring; think along the lines of odd shapes, twists and movements to bring out the metal’s best features. Kalpani’s work begins on a sheet of paper. After creating the initial concept, she builds on it and then tests them out with a stencil design before trying them on herself. She often finds herself going back to the drawing board many times to create the piece that makes her completely satisfied.
When asked about the jewellery industry in Sri Lanka, she is truly astounded by the creative minds and the potential they hold. Kalpani truly believes that Sri Lanka is now more fashion forward than ever. Her advice to those that seek to venture out into this space is to always think modern as the industry welcomes new age thinking. AADNA’s exclusive collection can be purchased at the Shay int. store. She is currently looking forward to launching more stores in the future. In the meantime, their products are also available for sale via Instagram and Facebook.
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Melinza Fernando grew up in a large, loving and creative family and thus following in their footsteps Melinza Fernando - Owner has certainly helped weave the fabric that best explains her passion for working with her hands to create beautiful and timeless pieces. Melinza says that it was a serendipitous meeting with the jewellery craft than an inspiration that pulled her in. Following a basic jewellery making class in 2010 sewed the seed and she has not looked back since. Melinza had a keen interest to develop her skills in ancient techniques and methods; she visited local jewellers and offered to work in return for learning more skills. She began working with coal fire pits and crude metal tools. Melinza watched and learned the trade as it had been passed down from generations before. As a female, she did feel somewhat like a fish out of water, yet it did not deter her but rather drove her forward. After refining her skills with a professor from a local university, she was introduced to gemmology and design. This allowed her to finally get started on her own project. It was in 2016 that she launched her first collection with a display at Barefoot Colombo.
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What sets Melinza apart from other jewellers is that she designs and creates pieces that she loves. This emotional collection means that her collections are not driven by following market trends but rather by following her own personal creativity, inspiration and discreetness. Melinza’s style of jewellery is essentially about creating contemporary designs, working with a range of stones and metals while using traditional handcrafting methods. As she blends metals to create unique colours to work with, her pieces can be easily recognised from the unique blends of Rose Golds, Coppers and Silvers together with Precious and Semi-Precious Gemstones set in various styles. Creating at her own pace with only handmade pieces, it remains a personal experience to her. Her range can be seen at all three Barefoot Stores (Colombo, Dutch Hospital and Galle Fort). They are also available at a Boutique Jeweller named BJ’s in the South Pacific on Norfolk Island.
Haiza and Hafsa Owners
Mazahim.BGB is run by two sisters, Haiza and Hafsa. Professionally Haiza is a Teacher and Hafsa is a Psychology graduate. Even though they haven’t studied the theoretical aspects of gems and jewellery, they’ve grown with it. Their father is a gem businessman and has been in the industry for three decades. So, as they were growing up, they learned the art of gems and designing jewellery from him. Their friends would always grumble about how difficult it is to get precious jewellery, with unique designs, for affordable rates in the market. As their father’s clientele is the international market, they decided to add a branch to the main store to cater to the local market. With Instagram completely changing the entrepreneurial industry, the two sisters decided to opt for an online store. As a brand, Mazahim.BGB stands for Uniqueness, Modernity, Affordability and Versatility. Even though it is rather difficult to get all of this at one place in the market, they are dedicated to give their clientele just that. They don’t want to limit themselves to only selling simple jewellery or extravagant statement jewellery. They seek a mix of it all, while ensuring that every design tells a story.
Mazahim. BGB the jewellery they wear was made with a lot of love and care especially for them, as 90% of their jewellery comes from one collection, in which only one piece jewellery is made. Some of their styles can also be worn in more than one way, so being able to produce jewellery that can be worn in versatile ways is their way of giving the world a chance to tell different stories. Constantly keeping themselves updated about the ongoing trends to get inspired, they work in a very collaborative manner. All designs start from the heart, with a hand drawn design and a burning desire to be different, just so that they succeed in making an emotional connection. Most of their pieces are made around sapphires, rubies and moonstones, but they will soon expand the collection of precious gems. Their collections can be purchased through Facebook and Instagram, along with their proprietary store. Expect to see pop-ups at least once in three months as well.
For Haiza and Hafsa, jewellery has always been personal. It’s something they cherish, and it’s also something that they believe can speak for them. Their customers should be aware that
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CFW
Day 04
HSBC Colombo Fashion Week 2019 marked its end on the 4th and final day by the pool at Hilton Colombo. Day 4 set the bar quite high for CFW 2020.
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Fouzul
Kamil
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Nelum
Rashmi
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Ranil
Rishini
Anusha
Raiza
Viraj
Ayesha
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The Pulse Couture Pick!
Zoe’s
Collection
This month’s issue we check out Shani Perera, designer to the fabulous collection of sarees known as Zoe’s Collection.
What we immediately fell in love with was Shani’s attention to detail and her imagination to take six yards of beautiful material and turn them into the most stylish yet unconvenional form of sarees. With orders coming in from around the world and her following continously growing- Shani was kind enough to spare us a few minutes and let us know what makes this amazingly talented designer tick! If you could describe yourself- Who would you say Shani Perera is? I’d say I’m a lover- lover of fashion, food, travel, animals, the community and God ! I’ve got my own mini zoo at home, which includes nine dogs! Something I’m always in the mood for is adventure which is why I feel my fiance and I are the perfect pair- travelling the world is something we just can’t get enough of!
What’s your personal sense of style? Personal sense of style to me is all about self expression. The best way to feel and look good is to be yourself, be authentic and embrace the uniqueness that is within you. I do not frame myself into one specific style because, as a designer, I love to have different experiences everyday. Therefore, I would say that some days I enjoy plain-calm-pretty-
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gentle-classics and some days it’s all about bold-flaunting-sophisticated- polishedprofessional looks. Whichever it is, I always keep it classy and personal.
What do you feel most comfortable wearing? If it isn’t comfortable, I will not be wearing it, no matter how good looking the outfit is. Comfort is the main aspect I look for when I’m wearing an outfit. Casually I love to wear soft materials, comfortable linens, loose pants, plain colors and anything that’s not tight to my skin. I hate tight clothes.
Did you always want to be a designer? What contributed to the choice of profession- any influencers?
The biggest influencer in my life is my mother. She is a diva. She had a designer wear boutique for 25 years and she has a very sharp eye for fashion. After completing my Bachelors in the USA, I started to work in our family business in Sri Lanka and in the mean time, with the influence of my mother and immense support from my dad, we started Zoe. As I said earlier, I always loved uniqueness and I do not follow the trend therefore people saw the differences in my creations and they loved it.
Where do you get your inspirations from? My designs mostly revolved around handwork and a unique choice of materials. When I get a piece of material, some beads, sequins and lace, I get into the slightest details to create something from scratch. The world we live in and our life is a master piece of God that shows his love for us, therefore Inspirations can come from anywhere. A song, a beautiful sight, an object, a memory, a feeling, a person, scenery and etc. The imagination and creativity that I use for my creations, combining everything that inspires me around my life, is the biggest inspiration‌ Because that’s where I put my very best into.
How do you feel about collaborations? Would you collaborate with any local designers? If yes, who and why? Collaborations can be amazing experiences when it’s done with the right collaborator. In order for a collaboration to succeed, both parties must have a common vision to identify each others uniqueness and expertise in their own fields and combine them together to produce an exquisite product for their customers. An example of a classic collaboration is Sabyasachi Mukherjee and Christian Louboutin. I do not have anyone in my mind right now that I would like to collaborate locally.
Who are the few international designers you look up to and if given the opportunity would like to work with? I adore Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Tarun Tilhani, and Suneet Varma for their timeless craftsmanship and amazing attention to details in outfits. Versace for its classic, luxury, bold designer pieces and Zuhair Murad. If given the opportunity, I would like to work with Versace.
The local fashion market rarely includes all body typeswhats your take on this? The perfect body type for a woman hasn’t always been a size ‘0’ or a size 6 or a size 12, 14 or 16. To me, everyone is different and holds a unique beauty regardless of their body type. Most of the local designers I know have done their best in catering to all body types. If someone wants to get an outfit custom made by a designer then he or she will cater it according to the client’s need. After all the honest truth is, what might look nice on one person’s body may not look the same on another. Therefore as a client and as a designer, understanding and respecting each others work and need is very important.
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Having only completed 3 months of 2019, is there any particular goal for the new year? I like to keep my goals and plans very personal. I am forever grateful for my family, clients and loved ones for their endless support. I thank God for all his blessings. I believe that 2020 its going to be an exiting year for Zoe and its clients.
Quick Fire Round 1. Jeans or tights? Loose palazzo pants 2. Asymmetrical or regular flair? Asymmetrical 3. Bardot style or Crop top? Crop top 4. Zara or HnM? Both
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I believe that 2020 its going to be an exiting year for Zoe and its clients..
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Behind the Brushes with
Nisha
We live in a day and age where makeup has become a form of art. An artistry either self taught or learned through the best! Meet Nisha Senivaratne, the fun and energetic mother of two who is also one of Colombo’s sought after freelance makeup artists - a feat only achieved through years of talented work. Having been trained by the internationally acclaimed celebrity makeup artist Makeup by Mario as well as the popular Cosmetology School Awards Studio, LA, Nisha learns fast and is quick to create her own renditions to the looks she is taught, giving her an added advantage than most freelance artists today. The happy and humble young woman was kind enough to meet us and explain her story as well as give us an insight into the 2019 Master Class conducted by celebrity makeup artist Makeup by Mario and the popular socialite Kim Kardashian. Q. Tell us a little bit about who Nisha Senivaratne is? A. I’m a very bubbly, outgoing – sometimes no filter, carefree person! I think that’s the best way to describe me and those who do know me will pretty much say the same thing. I’m chill and I just tend to go with the flow.
Q. As a freelance makeup artist what are the positive and negatives of working here in Sri Lanka? A. I think, especially here in Sri Lanka that it’s only now you get a lot of freelance makeup artists. I mean obviously, you find the makeup artists who came up with time with who people feel comfortable
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with and go to but most people still believe you need to work in a salon or institution. So I think that’s the only drawback we have - people sticking to the status quo and restricting themselves.
Q. Having worked with and been taught by some of the best in the industry- what do you think makeup artists in Sri Lanka lack? A. Well, I think that most of the time they lack originality - I feel like if you stick to your own creativity you will eventually get your own signature style. That is something I learned from all the internationally renowned artists I’ve worked with - to build your own
signature style and bring in a level of authenticity to your work - after all, that is the best part about makeup artistry, you get to create!
Q. Could you describe your experience at this year’s Master Class? A. Oh man, well it’s a good thing that you mentioned this year, as the first time I went three years ago was an eye opener in terms of techniques and style. This year’s Master Class was just insane and was definitely my favourite! There was a huge difference in terms of what Mario taught and for that matter what even Kim spoke about, it was unreal! There were about 1600 different artists from all over
the world and over four categories to learn from. The setting was very formal but the lecturers itself were informal. Mario and Kim are extremely friendly and are open to us asking questions. They joked around and gave tips and shared disaster stories as well. I got to meet a ton of other really talented artists and that was something I enjoyed because I got to connect with a few and learn what inspires them - their likes and dislikes and become inspired by their creativity as well. I have to say though, that my real inspiration at this year’s Master Class came from Mario himself- to hear how he made it to the top- from just selling fragrances at Sephora to now being one of the most sought after celebrity makeup artists really gives us all hope. You never know where you can end up with a single dream. He is so open, so down to earth - and that’s something I admired; especially here in Sri Lanka a lot of people tend to forget their roots and become an “untouchable” and I just don’t believe in that - being humble is something I definitely believe in.
Q. While you attended the Master Class you mentioned you met other artists. Did you ever exchange tips or learn from them? A. Absolutely! Even when I was being trained in LA at Awards Studio, it was so refreshing to see their approaches on even doing some of the most simplest things like your eyebrows or applying eye shadow. I simply love watching other artists at work; each one has their own style so it’s super interesting to just sit back and learn something new from them.
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Q. You’ve learned from so many people - do you simply apply what you learn or do you believe in spinning it up and doing your own rendition of it? A. That’s a very good question and no, I never copy and paste because celebrity artists deal with high profile people who are bombarded by cameras and film crew throughout their day and so they need to maintain a certain image. Realistically speaking, certain techniquesof which just wouldn’t work with our everyday folk. I simply take the techniques he teaches but incorporate into my own signature style.
Q. Do you have any artists that inspire you, both internationally and here in Sri Lanka? A. Well, in the local market I’d say Viran Jose Peter. I actually did my own makeup for my wedding six years ago and I kept saying that, had I known about Viran at that time - he would have without a doubt been my number 1 choice! I also like Prabath’s style sense when it comes to make up, and there are a few upcoming makeup artists too that I really admire such as Make Up by Madushi and Artistry by H. In terms of international, hands down it would be Make up by Mario- I’ve followed him forever! I think even before the whole rage for contour even came into light but with him. I’d also say Tamanna Roashan, who goes by the pseudo “Dress Your Face”. These two would be my favourite but apart from them I also look up to Wayne Goss, Charlotte Tilbury and Pat McGrath.
Q. Are there any jobs you can look back on and be proud to say it was all you? A. I am proud to say that I’m a freelance who has makeup artist have covered over 8 issues of Cosmopolitan Magazine, Sri Lanka. The team is pretty much family now and I’m so grateful to have worked with them. I’m also proud of a project I did is for an issue for Travel & Leisure, India which was done in Anantara- mind you, I was 8 months pregnant! But at the end of the day, no matter how big or small, I’m proud of all my work and just grateful to get the opportunity to do them.
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Q. As a full time mom, how do you juggle the growth of your career and raising two daughters? A. It has been a challenge and to be honest I have actually received a lot of backlash even on social media where people blatantly message and ask “you have two babies, how can you leave them.” But I mean, I know what I’m doing and I know my kids are safe, fed and well looked after. I strongly feel that as long as you know the balance between work and your kids, you’re going to be okay.
Q. Along with the Make Up Artistry Weekends and Transformations you’ve been doing, is there anything you plan on doing for the year 2019? A. Well yes, we plan on doing another Makeup Artistry Weekend this year as well and I mean, with the response I got from my transformations it really brought out a challenge in me so I do plan on doing more - I won’t mention who so I’ll leave it to you guys to check out my page!
Quick Fire 1. What is your go to kit? Mascara, nude lipstick and blotting powder 2. Bold Lip or Dramatic Eyes? Dramatic Eyes 3. Glow up or Full on Glam? Full on Glam 4. Mascara or False Lashes? Mascara
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Karl In Memory of
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Karl Lagerfeld, the iconic German fashion designer who spent decades as the creative director of the prestigious Chanel fashion house, passed away on Tuesday, February 19, in Paris. He was 85 years old. However, his legacy will continue to live on. Simply put, Lagerfeld was arguably the world’s most visible and active living designer. Since joining Chanel in 1983, his driven creative vision transformed the brand to what it stands for today. The Lagerfeld look – clad in black, leather gloves, sunglasses and snow white hair worn in a ponytail made him a recognisable and celebrated character in fashion.
Lagerfeld was prolific and persisted tirelessly. At the end of his career, he was simultaneously the creative head of Chanel, the Italian fashion house Fendi, and his own brand. In addition to producing multiple collections per year for each label, Lagerfeld was a photographer, shooting many of Chanel’s advertising campaigns himself, and a book publisher.
As the news of his death was brought to light across the world, people from all corners of the fashion industry mourned him, from Donatella Versace to David Beckham, proving the weight and influence of the designer’s global standing.
Rather obviously, he had a keen sense for the spectacle of fashion. His Paris Fashion Week shows for Chanel involved set pieces like icebergs and cruise ships, which were just as much a testament to the brand’s financial muscle as they were to its designer’s creativity. Celebrities like Rihanna, and Keira Knightley packed the front row. Chanel’s most intricate, handmade couture dresses were soon showcased on the red carpets of the Oscars and Golden Globes, worn by stars like Nicole Kidman and Emma Stone.
Growing up in Hamburg and establishing himself in his early career days he was quite close to another iconic French designer, Yves Saint Laurent. He worked at several fashion houses in his early career, including Balmain and Chloé, before landing a job at Fendi, which he held for about 50 years. A decade after the founding designer of Chanel passed away, Karl was quick to take over the reins. His statement claiming that Chanel was “a sleeping beauty. Not even a beautiful one. She snored. I was to revive a dead woman.”, showed the world his character. He was a man who showed no fear to critique. He was a man who knew of his capabilities. Thus thanks to his influence, Chanel is one of the most iconic and desirable fashion brands on the market. Lagerfeld was known for his outspoken personality. He had opinions on everything from sweatpants “a sign of defeat” to fur“In a meat-eating world wearing leather for shoes and even clothes, the discussion of fur is childish” — as well as some controversial opinions on topics like the #MeToo movement “If you don’t want your pants pulled about, don’t become a model!”. These were opinions that were not always celebrated. Nevertheless, his creativity and longevity cemented him in the fashion world.
Calling him a titan in the industry would be nothing but an understatement. He took Chanel’s classic designs and reworked them, turning them into enduring products for the modern era. Instead of setting the fashion agenda by starting specific trends that trickled down into the shallows of the more affordable fashion ecosystem, Lagerfeld established items like Chanel’s quilted bags and two-tone shoes. Indeed, anything bearing Chanel’s interlocking C logo, which he used liberally, were seen as ultimate markers of luxury and status. He shaped what we think wealth looks like, and it looks like Chanel.
Tom Ford), Dior (John Galliano), Louis Vuitton (Marc Jacobs), Lanvin (Alber Elbaz), Balenciaga (Nicolas Ghesquière), and Burberry (Christopher Bailey). Lagerfeld had been working up until his death but was sick during the weeks leading up to his demise. In January, he missed Chanel’s couture fashion show, with the brand attributing his noticeable absence to tiredness. The passing of Karl Lagerfeld means the loss of a creative genius who helped to make Paris the fashion capital of the world. The industry understands that they owe him a great deal for his exceptional taste and talent. It is without a doubt that the shots of adrenaline that Lagerfeld injected into the fashion business will continue to work its magic today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Rest in peace, Karl Lagerfeld.
He shaped what we think wealth looks like, and it looks like Chanel.
Lagerfeld’s success at Chanel didn’t merely benefit the brand; it also gave luxury conglomerates a blueprint for how to remodel age old fashion houses that had slipped under the spotlight over time. According to the New Yorker, “Lagerfeld’s success at revitalizing the Chanel brand inspired similar makeovers at other fashion houses, including Gucci (which hired
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The Watchlist Oscars Gone Wrong It seems like this year’s Oscars seemed doomed to fail - even before the actual ceremony took place. Hostless, considering cutting down on televising certain awards, nearly scrapping all but two of the nominated best songs, and considering a new award for best popular movie - it’s a recipe for disaster. And that’s why we’re focusing on where we think the Oscars went wrong this year. Emily Blunt - Mary Poppins Returns Emily Blunt amazed us this year with two roles that
were poles apart. Stepping into the enormous shoes left by Dame Julie Andrews in her career-defining role, Blunt made the character of Mary Poppins her own - leaving no one in doubt that she was the only one who could do justice to the role of everyone’s favourite nanny. The original was far ahead of its time, so everyone was expecting her to fall far short. However, she not only succeeded, she went far beyond expectations, and won the hearts of the people. She embodied Mary, visiting
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both the exciting and whimsical, coupling it with the deeper truths of life. And it’s worth noting that her simple, yet emotional performance of the song ‘Where the Lost Things Go’ moved audiences worldwide.
A Quiet Place - awarded in none of the major categories Let’s put that aside for a moment. In ‘A Quiet Place’, Ms Blunt delivers an outstanding performance as a mother whose sole purpose is to care for her family in long-suffering silence (sound familiar?). Jokes apart, her powerful character had everyone rapt with attention and glowing with her praise but the Academy seemed to look askance at awarding this revolutionary film in any of the major categories. A Quiet Place certainly elevated the genre of horror - and was instantly deemed award worthy. This silent phenomenon didn’t just instill fear - it merged art, technique, humanity and emotion into a complex and riveting ninety minutes. Krasinski wowed the world - viewers were clinging to their seats in horrified silence in dire fear of making the slightest sound, an element that gained a nod from the king of horror himself. And in terms of sheer originality and flawless execution, it stood out against the generic remakes, sequels and prequels of this era. We feel the Academy neglected the level of its
Over the years, we’ve learnt one thing - the Academy is far from flawless, having passed over groundbreaking films which went on to become icons of cinema. There is a fairly good reason for this - their decisions have often been impacted by the prevailing social and political climate. But now, the awards are clearly afraid of popular opinion - and that’s just sad. True, art should reflect the times we’re in - but we also feel that perfectly good movies and performances should not suffer just because of the possible backlash of another #OscarsSoWhite.
impact to the world of cinema - although it certainly got a well-deserving, albeit obvious nomination for Sound Editing.
Black Panther It’s certainly true that Black Panther broke boundaries and took representation to another level, but it’s a little hard for us to digest that this movie landed what The Dark Knight Trilogy could not - a nomination for Best Picture. Inclusivity and diversity does not always equal cinematic merit or art - and the sooner the Academy realises that, the better.
Won’t You Be My Neighbour We already covered this in one of the previous issues - but we feel really strongly about the lack of a nomination for this nostalgic documentary about the story of a radical children’s TV show host, who broke boundaries and changed the world a little bit at a time. You can’t say it’s not relevant - he discussed social issues that plague us even today and simplified the concept of acceptance and love regardless of race or creed, so that
children, adults and even today’s politicians should be able to understand.
Please note: The iconic ‘A Song of Ice & Fire’ series, albeit a global phenomenon, is not included because it is not exactly complete yet - much to our collective frustration. In fact, our list only includes complete series or stand-alone books, just so you can avoid the waiting game.
American Gods - Neil Gaiman (2001) Imagine a world in which the gods walk among us. Yeah you’re right - it’s too fantastical. Hardly anyone believes in the mythical gods of old and that’s why they’re slowly losing their power. This is the battle of the old gods vs. the new - and the unravelling of America as we know it. A chilly, compelling tale that’s horrifying in its reality, it’s also mixed with a soupçon of hope and optimism - all in all, an experience you’ll never forget.
The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern (2011)
Fantastical Fiction It’s a fact - reading is a means of escape. And what better way to escape from reality than to delve into new worlds that bear little resemblance to ours? So if you feel like you need a break from an economy that’s in shambles, problems in the homestead, annoying relatives, or the pressures of your mind-numbing career - here are a few books you might consider exploring. hobbits, ents, dwarves, royalty and magic still stands the test of time; a masterpiece penned by the mind of a literary genius - a trilogy yet unrivalled among the multitude of works counted in this genre.
The Princess Bride - William Goldman (1973) It’s inconceivable, but this book has everything! As the author states, it has:
Let’s run away and join the circus! For those who seek to escape life and its rigour, there’s always the option of coming face to face with the bizarre and the spectacular - coupled with discovering the extraordinary, exotic wonder that a travelling circus brings. Become enchanted with the story of a circus that only comes alive at night, a life-long rivalry, and an unlikely love that, much like one of its many performers, hangs precariously in the balance.
The Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien(1954 1955) In this epic fantasy that impacted generations, we follow the quest of Frodo as he journeys across the dangers of Middle Earth to destroy the One Ring - a ring which holds the power to grant complete dominion, and immense power to whoever possesses it. This towering tale of elves,
The Reading List
“Fencing. Fighting. Torture. Poison. True Love. Hate. Revenge. Giants. Hunters. Bad men. Good men. Beautifulest Ladies. Snakes. Spiders. Beasts of all natures and descriptions. Pain. Death. Brave men. Cowardly men. Strongest men. Chases. Escapes. Lies. Truths. Passion. Miracles”. From the above synopsis, it’s more than evident that this literary treasure consists of whatever might tickle your fancy. A little less family-friendly than the movie, it’s got dry, satirical humour down to an art. The characters are unforgettable, and the story-telling is superb, so it’s not hard to imagine why so many people have been impacted by this timeless tale.
Shades of Magic Trilogy - V.E. Schwab (2015 - 2017)
and its own unique magical practices. Kell is one of them - and serves as an official ambassador between worlds, and is unofficially a smuggler, helping people catch a small glimpse of another world for a fee. Compelling and addictive, the author masterfully crafts multiple worlds and characters which draw you in, and help you escape, alongside the protagonist and his new-found friend.
The Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis (1950 - 1956) This list would be incomplete without at least a passing mention of this universally beloved series. Although originally written for children, this timeless classic narrated in simple, yet vivid terms brings to life the mythical world of Narnia that adults can explore and enjoy with equal abandon. With talking animals, epic battles and magical adventures that defy reality - it’s easy to see why this seven book series has inspired countless fantasy writers time and time again.
The Antari are magicians with a rare ability to travel between parallel Londons - each of which has a different relationship with magic,
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NAVYAM AYA Yamuna and Lakmali are the best of friends, having met in their younger years as student and intern. The two quickly took to each other and have remained close ever since. It is this friendship that sparked a very unlikely business venture, which in turn, provided a new economic independence to a number of women. The two medical professionals, who shine in their respective fields, found comfort outside their practice when they could simply sip a coffee, chat and craft! Navyamaya is the brain child of those hours spent together. A business which provides clients with the ability to have personalised gifts made for their loved ones- complete with thoughtful notes and all! To tell us a little bit more about the exciting gifting process along with how they chose to use their creative super powers, we present the lovely ladies themselves!
Q. Could you tell us a little bit about how two medical professionals ended up in the gifting business? L: I think that even though we are medical professionals we always had a creative streak within us and I think that if I had been given an option, I would have in some way wound up right here. In our student days you either became a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer or an accountant and if you were selected to medical college,you just went with the flow! Y: I of course, always wanted to do medicine, but it is a stressful field and sometimes the stress of a clinical and academic career becomes overwhelming. At the end of the day I realised that I needed an outlet. I was thrilled with Lakmali’s idea of putting our creativity to good use. The thought
Crafting Hope
GiftsLove through
of
that we could ‘spread the joy’ so to speak, was what truly kept us going and I think it was at that point, that our creativity took flight.
Q. Could you explain the creative process of how you make each customer’s gift? L: So we first ask them what their budget is and what they would like to give. We ask them if they have a rough idea of what they would like the gifts to be or whether they have anything they’d specifically like to add, or if we are free to choose the gifts. We then open a chat group with our customer and after figuring out the likes and dislikes of the person being gifted,, we start to brainstorm a theme. And then we start
our favourite part, of it which is the shopping!
Y: To be honest, Navyamaya was an excuse to meet up to have coffee and to do the other thing we love to do, which is shopping! After brainstorming, we then buy the gifts and lay them out and eventually we become inspired as to how the theme should best be developed. We ensure that we involve our customers and keep them informed as to what our ideas are and what we plan on doing as we proceed. L: Yes, but some of them do trust us completely and see it for the first time when it’s actually done!
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from when it comes to the gifts themselves? Y: Well inspiration comes from many sources. Sometimes it just takes getting to know the receiver. For example; we’ve worked on gifts for individuals with diverse interests and lifestyles, including doctors and we’ve really been inspired by them, their lifestyle and careers. L: Sometimes yes, it could be from Pinterest or from a magazine we read. Both of us are such hoarders, always collecting things and so there have been instances where our collections suddenly inspire the gift. So I’ll be like “ I have this basket” or Yamuna would be like “oh hey,I have this”, and so we would build up on
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Some of these ladies are from poor families, or have diseases, disabilities or were victims of abuse, and some are employed but like us, just need a creative outlet. So, we give them creative tasks. We usually meet groups or individuals at their homes and teach them how to make items or involve them in brainstorming new ideas.
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what we have with us. I think once we started Navyamaya our shopping trips became more focused. We would drop our kids at their activities and have a couple of hours to kill so instead of wandering about aimlessly, we would start shopping, thinking of the little things we could maybe use in our next gift basket. Y: Yes, it really gave us something to focus on. There are amazing finds out there if you think of it in terms of using them in gifts.
Q: Could you explain the little write ups and notes you add to your gift? Y: So those are done in order to help the receiver better understand the gift. We thought it was better to do that than just gift the gift itself.
Q: Why do you say your gifts are “minimum waste”? Y&L: That’s because almost all the items we use in our gifts
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have some use, including the packaging. Very little is left to be thrown away after dismantling it. Some of our gifts have a long term usage as a piece of art, furniture, prop or memorabilia.
Q: Could you explain your latest project -Power (pronounced ‘enpower’)? Y: Well initially we used to buy our gifts from high end places such as Paradise Road or ODEL, for example. But as time passed, we came across small scale vendors such as wicker basket, bag or frame makers, whom we could help by giving them business. We then thought of expanding the empowerment to include females from diverse backgrounds, who were unemployed for many reasons. Some of them are from poor families, or have diseases, disabilities, or were victims of abuse. Some are employed but like us, just need a creative outlet. So we give them creative tasks. We usually meet groups or individuals at their homes and teach them how to make items whilst involving them in brainstorming new ideas. We actually started the empowerment last year (around Christmas) where we sold many gift tags, gift bags, pouches, cards and even festive food items all made by these women.
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L: We decided to name the project “ -Power” because of the symbol from the word “ Navyamaya”. It was actually my husband who suggested the name and my daughter who came up with the slogan ‘Crafting Hope’. Through our brand, we want to create an awareness about these women who are in need. We have applied to the Good Market too, in the hope that we can help generate a sustainable income for these women throughout the year. This may or may not become their livelihood. But it certainly gives them an extra income, be it the extras to treat themselves or their children. We plan on taking it further with more sales and pop ups for Christmas and other festivals and events. At a recent Prana Lounge Pop Up, we were even approached by people who wanted to have their business cards handmade by our ladies! Y: Our ladies also make party favours, themed table decor and gift bags for corporate functions. This is done on a smaller scale but we ensure that the items are very personalised and creative.
L: Ultimately we want our gift creations to include more of their crafts- be it a wicker basket, a bag, a card or a picture frame. We want to give these under privileged ladies an opportunity to grow. Even though we are a small scale business, we constantly strive to use our connections and abilities to empower these women in need. Y: In future, all profits of the empowerment venture will be channelled into a trust, which will be utilised for the benefit of those empowered. Y&L: And so through Navyamaya, which is our creative outlet, we have the opportunity to better the lives of others by crafting hope! Facebook: Navyamaya Instagram: navyamaya_the_creation_ company Location: Caramel Pumpkin
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Meet Bhagya, a creative personality that captured our attention with her scented handmade artisan candles! Born in Oman and raised in Sri Lanka, the successful holder of an MBA from the University of Wales had worked in various fields ranging from hospitality to sales and found herself realising that working in a Blue Chip job was just not cut out for her, which is when she eventually founded Candle House Ceylon using her spare time as a safe place for her creative creating outlet.
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Bhagya
Lights Colombo She then decided to focus solely on her new found business and quit her corporate job. Thus, Candle House Ceylon came to be a fully operating business since 2016. Launching the business through a Christmas pop up sale back in 2016 gave her positive feedback, a growing following and the momentum she truly needed to decide that this is what her true passion was. Located within the quiet suburbs of Nugegoda, Candle House Ceylon is a unique business that focuses on the production of artisan scented handmade candles. These candles can be customised to the client’s personal preference of fragrances, labeling,
containing or design. Thus, allowing the customer to be part of the creative process. We were able to sample a few of the deliciously scented homemade candles. Here are the few of our personal Pulse favourites! The Sangria was a personal favourite of ours at Pulse which featured a sweet blend rose and citrus and could be aptly described as summer in a tin! The Coconut and Lime was simply sweet! The scent wafts into the room when it’s lit in and fills up your senses, leaving you to indulge in the tropical scent! If we were to describe the smell- its safe to call it the ocean in a tin!
The final scent we checked out was Sandalwood, let’s just say the earthy and woody scent left you feeling extremely calm and gave the room an extremely relaxed vibe. It surprised us that these perfumed candles were handmade because of their exquisite scents and the crafty packaging. Gone are the days of bowled potpourri- as these colourful delights are sure to add the right amount of style, scent and simplicity you look for in your home or office décor. If you are looking for a very personal gift or simply the accessories to jazz up your home interior- The Candle House Ceylon is definitely one of our recommended choices!
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Colombo’s
Metal Doodler PAGE 188 | www.pulse.lk
Introduce yourself and your background My name is Salome Nanayakkara. Explaining my background would take quite a bit of time as I do a whole bunch of things that differ from my qualifications but to give you a brief, I’ve dabbled in many fields from the media to the advertising industry. Currently, I run a hostel in Mount Lavinia while involving myself in my art.
What about your artistic beginnings? I started out by crafting miniature bugs made out of watch parts which I call Mothbots and Copperflies. The idea behind this was to up-cycle and give something that would be otherwise thrown away, a new life. While I have been doing this for the last ten years, it’s been quite recent since I devoted all my time into this.
While our city is blessed with so many creative minds that enjoy displaying their work, Salome Nanayakkara took some time to showcase her work in the spotlight. Working with scrap metal and intricate watch parts among others, she crafts stunning pieces that would match perfectly with contemporary décor. Read on to find out how her unique interest for metal led her to pursue art as a fulltime career.
Where do you source your raw materials from? Every two weeks I walk down the streets of Panchikawatta and Pettah, looking for free used stuff that is to be discarded. Trust me it isn’t as a fun as it sounds when you think of the sweltering heat! Lately, a lot of people remember me and they keep a bunch of stuff ready for collection. Friends of mine also give me broken items and ask me to craft pieces out of them. I use copper, brass, scrap metal and anything that I can find.
Can you recall your first sale as an artist? I sold my first painting to a random foreigner when I was just 15, it was just a one off thing and I never saw it as a source of income.
Do you have a formal education in art? I have no normal education in art except for one art class that I attended when I was 5. People may argue saying that this leans more toward design than art but then again, I don’t really know how to define it either. This is just something that I love doing, partly because of my crazy obsession for metal and soldering.
Where do you draw inspiration from? Like most creative people I have phases. This is the norm for me and I only work
on something when inspiration strikes. They usually start off as an experiment and someone out there will like it and eventually pick it up.
What made you start working with watch parts? I’d say it was actually very random. I’ve always been fond of arts and crafts that involve sticking stuff together. For example, I have never bought a birthday card for anyone, I craft them on my own. Even my Mum’s office is full of things I’ve made for her. I can’t exactly remember how I started working with watch parts but I can tell you that I love the intricacies of complicated mechanical items.
Most artists struggle with replication, what is it like for you? I cannot replicate pieces simply because of the nature of the materials that I work with; every piece is unique. If a client insists that they want something similar to what I’ve done before I can give it a shot but this type of work cannot be mass produced. However, if my clients give me a general theme it’s far easier to build up on that.
How has the public reception been so far? So far it’s been great! I sell through Facebook and Instagram although my marketing skills aren’t that good. Few of the Mothbots and Copperflies I mentioned earlier are for sale at a store called Pendi. Within the two months
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that I’ve made this a full time thing, I’ve sold about nine to ten pieces. It really depends on the day too, sometimes I post something online and get no response and sometimes my inbox is just flooded with inquiries.
wants. I can’t really comment on the industry as a whole but I’m glad that this interests me and I can sell a few pieces.
What challenges do you face with this type of work?
Do give it a try. It took a while for me to put myself out there so I understand that it can be scary with all the judgment and criticisms one will receive. Art is something that is very personal to the artist so criticism can be very hard on the artist. So be brave, put yourself out there and somehow, somewhere, someone will eventually like your work and purchase it. You’ll never know until you try.
I’d say that it isn’t easy to keep doing this because income isn’t consistent. Also I can never have nice nails because the superglue I work with constantly ruins them!
What are your thoughts on the art scene in Sri Lanka? I feel like the type of stuff I do is quite trendy these days so I am fortunate in that light. However, I’ve seen people with talent that far exceeds mine yet they can’t sell their pieces due to what the market
What advice do you have for those artists that want to put themselves out there?
facebook.com/themetaldoodler/ Instagram - @the_metal_doodler
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The
Scarlet
Letters
Sometimes the best way to move forward is to just literally move forward. The end of this chapter began with a journey across the world towards a new life for baby and me. Our flight was estimated to last 48 hours. I packed everything I owned. It wasn’t much but I didn’t want to leave anything behind because I had no idea if I was ever coming back. I was honestly just so relieved to be getting out of that apartment that had held us captive for so long. By the time I had packed it all up, the total tally of luggage was two full suitcases, hand luggage, a stroller with the car seat attached, my diaper bag and a hand bag. Not to mention the cutest, chubbiest 6-month-old add-on! While I didn’t care for what I was leaving behind, I really did want to finish the education I struggled so much to start. I wanted to prove to everyone that getting pregnant was not an automatic disqualification from experiencing a life. Of course, I had no solid plan of how I was going to achieve this or how I was going to leave the one good thing in my life and return to the States. All I had at that moment, was a bunch of bags and a tiny baby and one heck of a daunting travel arrangement. So on that well thought out note, and with all my bags in tow, I left the US. We were scrutinized mercilessly at airport security and at the immigration counter. They asked so many questions about the baby’s US citizenship and got me to prove everything down to our DNA to show that this was actually my child and I wasn’t smuggling her out! Security had me taste my breast milk, remove the baby’s diapers and even take everything out of my diaper bag and my handbag (and you can imagine the amount of stuff in there) only to make me run, lugging all this, to catch my flight on time. I had expected the front seat on the plane, which I thought was typically reserved for people travelling with infants. But of course, the airline had thoughtfully given us a window seat. The poor soul who was seated next to me looked mortified at the thought of having to sit next to a baby. When the meals came around, I realized how hungry I was and ended up asking that nice man if I could eat his leftovers too. Pride leaves you when you’re starving and I couldn’t navigate eating with all my luggage and the baby, so this was the only time that I was able to eat something. Throughout the 9-hour flight I was so nervous about keeping the baby comfortable that I didn’t move the entire time. Nobody paid any attention to us and as long as we were quiet, it didn’t look like anybody would either. Baby was the most incredible travel partner. Since I was a readymade food factory, every time the baby was hungry, I just kept feeding because without a pump, it was torture to have to
stay like that for an extended period of time. The baby never cried or gave me any trouble. Sometimes I think from the day we were introduced to each other, that child knew that our lives were going to be challenging and that I was doing the best that I could. It was like we had a connection where I didn’t need to pretend like I knew what I was doing. We were figuring everything out together, one step at a time. When we arrived in London, the terminal for our connection seemed to be on another planet. I had to take a shuttle train and walk to the other end of the airport. British Immigration was irritated about why baby had a US passport while I did not. I had always travelled without a visa since I never left the airport and was only in transit till my connecting flight. It hadn’t been a problem before, but this time, to add to the struggle, they questioned and scolded me. Finally, when the ordeal was over, and they let me go, I collected my bags and made my way towards the shuttle. It was a challenge trying to maneuver the luggage and the baby and as the train approached my stop, I noticed that the doors opened for a very short time. So, do I take the luggage out first and then go back for the baby or do I take the baby out first and then go back for the luggage? While I was sweating bullets trying to work that out, a very nice gentleman noticed that I was struggling with my bags and he gallantly jumped in and took my bags out for me, so I didn’t have to leave the baby. He then proceeded to put all the bags on a cart and helped me navigate my way to the check-in counter. At the counter, my flight was in another 21 hours and I was looking for a place to settle in for the wait. The earlier flight to Colombo was checking in, and a lady that was admiring the baby asked why I wasn’t standing in line. I told her my flight was a long way away. While I made a little space for ourselves on the floor and was changing baby’s diaper, the station manager came up to me and informed me that the lady who had been chatting with us had volunteered her seat on the earlier flight so that we wouldn’t have to wait for 21 hours. I was astounded. I couldn’t believe this act of kindness from a complete stranger! I had accepted that life was never going to be the same again and that my family was my sole salvation but I never could have imagined the impact strangers would have on our lives moving forward.
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Madness of
March
It was all very innocent fun in those days. None of the boys would invade the classes or tease the girls. They would drive in through the gate and toot the horns of their vehicles in unison, spell the name of their college, whistle, and leave. That was quite enough for the girls to have minor heart attacks and a buzz of parade themed conversation at the Tuck shop for days!! What was ironic was the School Management expected the boys, and left the gates open, confident that there would be no misbehaviour at all. Never were they referred to as “hooligans” at our morning assembly. What is it that went wrong over the years? 140 years since the first Battle of the Blues, even the Wardens of the Schools are tensed when their boys step out. You may by now note my very apparent affiliation to a particular college. Much as I want to believe that the present day students are as disciplined as their forefathers, reality is that the trend of being boisterous has crept into to every institution, and is a very sad thing and a loathed attribute. Hooliganism is not a part of sport by any means. Bad behaviour prompted by intoxicants and narcotics is also a present day issue that schools face nowadays. It is not unusual to see Police water cannons and uniformed personel outside and within the venue
I always wondered about the names of the
of English Literature, the Ides of March, being
months. I mean, for want of stocking up on a
about the 15th of March, when Julius Caesar was
whole back up library of useless information in my
killed was a special day to study about.
grey matter, I would spend a lot of time thinking on the beginnings of these names. To make it
When I was in my early teens, I realised that, March
difficult for me, and easy for you to understand, I
also was the month when the boys drove into
came from an internet free era.
school, causing much missed heartbeats and squeals of delight. Not being permitted to watch
With a background of European nuns as teachers,
any cricket matches or support a boys’ school, even
the first relevance of March was the beginning
though my first school was one of the Blues, I knew
of a season called Spring, which ended a spell
nothing of the cricket fever that rose to epidemic
called Winter, neither of which made any sense to
levels at that time. The term ‘Big Match’ was foreign
me, sweltering under the tropical sun, in a school
to me, and was perhaps a secret code among those
uniform that had a collar and tie!! Whoever came
who had brothers in the Colleges of interest, or the
up with that, and why?
spark of a budding teen romance.
You see, I was not very clear of the order in which
Soon after the three days of ceaseless flag
the months should be in a calendar, having
waving and the sounds of papare had died, quiet
been taught a rhyme that went “Thirty days had
broodiness blanketed the school. A few winsome
September, April June and November…. all the
lasses stared out of the window, thoughts either
rest have 31, so I engraved the third month as
across at Reid Avenue or by the sea in Mount
June!! But then, I was told that March came in the
Lavinia, the more favoured latter, being the
“all the rest” category and could not figure out
brother school.
of school Big Matches due to bitter off- the – field rivalry, where even personal grudges are the cause of these clashes. It is worse when old boys indulge in ‘free for all’s” setting very bad examples for the present day students. Every year, as the island revels under College flags, I hope the March madness will be henceforth incident free, and winners will celebrate along with the losers in like spirit of joy and sportsmanship. This wish has been made for more than a decade now, and I can only hope the best for the next season, next year. Give me a S….. T…. and so on…… Hurrah !!!!
which came first, till I was a little older. I confess I knew nothing of the significance of this The truth, I was made to memorise later, was that
special month. Not willing to be at the receiving
March was named after the God of War, Mars, the
end of my mother’s wrath and verbal torrents, my
third month in the Gregorian calendar, and the
ignorance was cultivated by sheer effort.
second to have 31 days. When I became a student
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By Angela Seneviratne
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Daniel O’Donnell
Visit Sri Lanka
Renowned Irish singer, Daniel O’Donnell visited Sri Lanka recently
Daniel
Prithi
Kanthi
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Nelum
Tina
Bianca
Mary
Larisa