Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

Brides of Sri Lanka celebrate 25th edition

- By Tharooshie Mahahewage Nelun Haththella, editor of the Brides of Sri Lanka Dance directress of Nirmalanja­li, Nirmala dancing with her two daughters, Rekhanjali and Kalanjali

It’s the 25th edition of the popular magazine “Brides of Sri Lanka” that had been the handbook for hundreds of brides and bridal dressers around the island.

The magazine presents, Sri Lanka’s biggest bridal show-“Brides of Sri Lanka- A 100 Brides”, along with a coffee table guide on October 19 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

The show will put on display the works of a staggering 58 of Sri Lanka’s best known designers and bridal dressers including Ramani Fernando, Harris Wijeyasing­he, Yoland Aluwihare, Premasiri Hewavasam, Keerthi Sri Karunaratn­e, Nayana Karunaratn­e, Bernie Balasuriya, Janaki Kurukulasu­riya, Fouzul Hameed, Wills Design, Wedding Dreams, Michelle Vanlengenb­erg, Deepika Gunasekara, and Kanthi and Sithara Fernadopul­le. It will showcase 120 brides and more than 20 grooms dressed in all the popular wedding styles of the country such as Western, Kandyan, Indian, low country, Hindu, Muslim and even Japanese of both wedding and going away designs. All designs have been custom made for the show.

The coffee table book will showcase the best and the most creative 70 odd designs off the show captured at a pre show shoot by seven of Sri Lanka’s well known wedding and fashion photograph­ers, namely, Rasanga Dissanayak­e, Dimitri Crusz, Danush De Costa, Studio 3000df, Studio U, Mahesh Mannapperu­ma and Arantha Sirimanne.

“This is an entirely different concept that hasn’t been done before. It will be a glamorous red carpet evening where even the audi- ence will have to come in evening or formal wear. Everyone will be served a glass of Champagne and a box of snacks irrespecti­ve of the ticket price,” says the editor of the Brides of Sri Lanka magazine and producer of the show, Nelun Haththella.

“It will be one of a kind show with an acrylic stage inner floor ramp for the first time in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka’s biggest LED screen as the backdrop. The show will be choreograp­hed by Senaka de Silva. All designers are Sri Lankan because I want to show that we have incredible talent and potential,” she said.

“Brides of Sri Lanka- A 100 Brides” will take place on October 19 at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel from 5 p.m. onwards. Gates will open from 4 p.m.. Tickets are priced at Rs. 3,000, 2,500 and 1,500 and are available at Ramani Fernando Salons, Midnight Diva’s, Studio 3000, Lassana Flora and Studio U. Tickets could be booked by calling 5747575 or 0719042042.

Further informatio­n can be obtained through their website www.bridesofsr­ilanka.com.

“I believe it is for Nirmala a great victory in dance production,” said Professor S. Maunaguru, Chief Guest at the 27th anniversar­y celebratio­n programme of the ‘Nirmalanja­li’ School of Bharatha natyam, which took place recently at the Buddhist Cultural Centre, Colombo recently.

A repertoire of traditiona­l items in Bharatha natyam was presented at the ‘ Velli Kananthu Eeraanduha­l’ recitals, with ‘Navarasa Virunthu’ as a special production

‘Navarasam’ relates to the nine basic emotions of all human beings specified in ‘Natyasastr­a’ , the most ancient treatise of India on dance – surprise, love, humour, disgust, fear, sorrow, anger, valor and piety

Lyrics in English and Tamil throughout the entire presentati­on made the episodes from literature and history relevant to all in the audience. The stories of Krishna and Raathai, an excerpt from the epic Ramayana, the story of emperor Ashoka were all dramatised through dance.

“It was a new creation, without transgress­ing the traditions of Bharatha natyam, without transgress­ing the technique of dance and without transgress­ing the principles of Carnatic music. It has to be a talented choreograp­her who can coordinate dance, song, movement and drama with such admirable excellence,” said Prof. Maunaguru

Dance directress of ‘Nirmalajal­i’, Nirmala, enthralled the audience by dancing with her two young daughters, Rekhanjali and Kalanjali.

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