OCTOBER 2014
Monsoon Journal
A Parfait Media publication
Community Watch
Oxonian Heart foundation receives rupees fifteen lakhs donation from proceeds of a Dance recital sponsored by “Virakesari” newspaper By Siva Sivapragasam The Oxonian Heart Foundation which is primarily concerned with heart diseases among patients in Northern, Eastern and North central regions of Sri Lanka received a fifteen lakh rupees donation from the proceeds of a dance recital performed by Gayatri Sriram recently in Colombo. The Dance recital was sponsored by “Virakesari”, the premier Tamil newspaper in Sri Lanka. The Oxonian Heart Foundation is a multi-ethnic organization registered in Sri Lanka and Britain and funded by private donations. The mission of the Foundation is to treat the impoverished and destitute with heart disease in the northern, north central and eastern regions of Sri Lanka. Their first project is to establish cardiac surgery at the Northern Central Hospital in Jaffna. Addressing the audience after the Dance performance, Dr. Ravi Perumal Pillai, President of the Oxonian Foundation, spoke about the accomplish-
ments as well as the challenges ahead of the Oxonian Heart Foundation. A Consultant Cardiothoracic surgeon and Senior Lecturer at the University of Oxford for the last 25 years, Dr. Pillai was chairman of cardiac services at Oxford University from 1992-1997. He dwelt not only on the needs of the Foundation to establish well equipped facilities in the North but also of the pressing need to train doctors and nurses to man them. It will be the latter who make this venture sustainable, he told the audience. Mr. Hari Selvanathan, Chairman of Express Newspapers Ltd., Publishers of “Virakesari”, made a presentation to the Dancer Gayatri Sri Ram. Gayatri is a Kalakshetra trained accomplished Bharatha Natyam Dancer. The Dance recital was held as a part of the ongoing festivities connected with the 85th anniversaryof the “Virakesari” newspaper. (Seen here are some pictures taken at the event)
Mr. Hari Selvanathan, Chairman of Express Newspapers Ltd. making a presentation to the Dancer Gayathri Sriram
Bharathanatya Arangetram of Gobeshia Sureshkumar and Oveyaa Thusiyantanthas The Bharathanatya Arangetram of Gobeshia Sureshkumar and Oveyaa Thusiyanthathas Disciples of Guru Vasu Sinnarasa (founder, Sathangai Narthanalaya Dance Academy) was held at J. Clarke Collegiate Institute in Ajax on Saturday September 20th, 2014. The event started at 6: 00 pm with the first dance item Pushpanjali. This was followed by eleven more dances which were choreographed by Gobeshia’s and Oveyaa’s Guru. The final dance was titled Mangalam. In her tribute to her Guru, Oveyaa said: “Guru Vasu Sinnarasa has taught me and inspired me with his dedication to the fine arts and our culture. A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning, and my Guru has done that exactly.” Oveyaa a grade 10 student at Markham District High School, when she graduates, has aspirations of entering University to study Genetic Engineering. Gobeshia’s tribute: “A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.” She went on to say: “Guru Vasu Sinnarasa, has done so much more than just teach me dance, he has taught me the importance of culture, discipline and moral values. He has always encouraged me to try my best; and reach my full potential. He has inspired me with his
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passion and devotion for Bharathanatyam.” Gobeshia, a first year student at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, is studying Legal Studies. Tribute from Guru Vasu Sinnarasa: “Today is a great privilege and pleasure to introduce Gobeshia and Oveyaa, who have both been members of my Dance Academy for eight years. Both girls are obedient, dedicated, and hardworking students when it comes to dance and their other studies. They show a superior level of skill in Bharatha Natyam, which has granted them the ability to perform on his auspicious day. On this great occasion I pray to Lord Nataraja to shower his blessings on Gobeshia and Oveyaa for their bright futures in this fine art.” The Guru also offered his congratulations and best wishes to the dancer’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sureshkumar and Mr. and Mrs. Thusianthathas, who have provided all the support and encouragement throughout this journey to make it a success. The Orchestra: Nattuvangam/Guru: Sri Sinnarasa Nagathas (Vasu) Vocal: “Isai Kala Viththakar” Sri Mohan Thiruchelvam Miruthangam: “Miruthanga Kalaiventhar” Sri Rathiruban Paramasothy Violin: “Sangeetha Kalavithagar” Lasanthi Rajkumar Veena: “Gokulam Institute of Ori-
ental Music” Prabha Thayalan Master of Ceremony: Sutharshan Thuraiappah Chief Guest: Martyn Beckett, Director of Education, Durham District School Board. Other guests and dignitaries included: Mr. Steve Parish, Mayor, Town of Ajax, and Mr. Joe Dickson, MPP Ajax- Pickering.
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