Cancer sees no age when it takes over a victim, for Dr. Tiam’s youngest patient is about two years old and the oldest patient is 75. Dr Ang Peng Tiam earns reputation as one of the best cancer specialists in the Southeast Asian region. He currently serves as a Consultant Medical Oncologist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, where he was recently sharing his specialty with a foreign delegation.
This C word has the natural tendency to give people the creeps sometimes creating the worse misconception that it is a terminal disease. The disease can be cured or at least controlled, Dr. Tiam emphasizes, on two grounds: early but accurate detection and best but proper treatments. The patients in late stages should be given treatments that lengthen their lifespan assuring them a serene death.
“Confidence is ultra important. It is the bridge between the doctor and the patient. Most of the tumours can be wiped away, and we can make the patient’s life long. I always point that people have no reason get scared of this disease.”
Majority of Dr Tiam’s patients come from Malaysia and Indonesia, while he gets a good number of patients from Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar as well. He is well respected for his expertise in oncology, study of tumours, which is essential in cancer treatment. He frequents foreign seminars on cancer to freshen up his expertise.
Many come to him for his opinions both physically and over the phone.
“Consultations do not cost me anything, so I don’t charge people for consultations. But I cannot see everyone all the time, and I know some patients would not want to ask certain things, either because they are scared, embarrassed or just confused. So I wrote a book called ‘Doctor I have cancer. Can you Help me?’”
Patients like to hear things. Mostly positive, but that’s not always a possibility. But there should be words of comfort to lift their sunken spirits. The book that runs for 120 pages is consisted of 10 chapters with interesting stories of cancer survivors in Dr. Tiam’s life.
“All doctors understand the fears that our patients have. We do not and should not brush such fears aside.”
Dr Tiam has his own strategies of winning his patients’ confidence. He keeps a database of every patient. In case a patient does not believe that their doctor has seen enough of worse cases and fared well with them, Dr. Tiam has the records as examples.
Controlling cancer can sometimes sound costly. One of his patients wanted to stop medication because it was too expensive. The doctor had to accept the terms, and he did. Within a few months her left breast’s tumour made a comeback causing the lady to get back to medication however expensive it turned out to be.
When Dr Tiam started specializing oncology back in 1990s, there were only five experts in the whole Singapore.
“It’s a subject that keeps on changing. We have a good number of drugs with minimal side effects. Its exciting nature itself brings me satisfaction. First we study the natural history. Then comes the treatment methods, which is the deciding factor.”
Oncologist’s work role starts with the diagnosis that confirms positive cancer. They have to stage the disease to survey how far the disease has spread to decide on the treatment option. Some stages require radiation surgery which means the oncologist has to work hand in hand with the surgeon and radiotherapist. Dr Tiam has come across the three commonest kinds of cancer: breast, lung and gastrointestinal cancer.
His line of work may seem full of despair to somebody. “Being optimistic is an essential requirement for an oncologist,” says the doctor, “if you get frustrated over seeing some of your patients dying of cancer and in worse stages, then you are in the wrong position. I always enjoy looking after cancer patients, because I always believe on cure. And if I feel it’s really too much some day, I’ll quit this job for a teaching position or research.”
Dr Tiam came back to Singapore in 1991 completing his overseas training to found and head the Medical Oncology Deparment at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH). He has the natural knack for research, although he hardly has time for any now. He was honoured for his medical contributions in 1996 which was to be followed by many of the genre.
Even at 50s, Dr Ang Peng Tiam looks very much younger with his face always smiling full of hope. Whoever sees him will be left with the memory that will keep on haunting: cancer – no worries about exceptions - can be cured, and we are not alone fighting against the ‘dreadful disease’.
Showing posts with label Workaday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Workaday. Show all posts
Sunday
Live without water!
“We have always thought big about water. With giant dams and canals, men move rivers, stop oceans, create massive lakes, make deserts green. Some of our feats of water engineering are great successes–such as the polders and dikes of the Netherlands or thousands of years of irrigation along the Nile. They save lives, reclaim land, and enrich whole populations. Some have been disasters, muddying waters that once ran clear, their benefits never outweighing their cost in destruction. Diane Raines Ward , Water Wars,”
- Author unknown.
In simple, water is an essential requirement for any living organism, including the human. Its abundance in some countries contrast with many countries where it is but quite a luxury.
Because of its vast impact on the society, it has become a social subject attracting political attention. Water politics is more known as hydropolitics coined by John Waterbury – the author must have really wanted to bury the part of his name! - with his book called ‘Hydropolitics of the Nile Valley’. The book deals with political conflict linked with the world’s longest river.
The abuse of water in many ways lead to social crises like global warming and desertification. Many countries exist largely dependent on water, and has the tendency to run into crisis if the water availability goes down. This is despite the fact that fresh water is the human right as well as the requirement.
The Middle East is well known to be affected by the dearth of water supplies, mainly because the primary rivers flow through international frontiers. Statistically the region, which is 5 percent of the world’s population, has only 1 percent of the world’s fresh water supply. They keep on reusing the water.
The areas that needs conservation of drinking water have adapted grey water for latrine purposes. This kind of water is mainly processed from dishwashers and washing machines. Many countries however do not necessarily conserve drinking or potable water. The majority of the world’s population drink polluted water, yet they survive dreaded diseases such as diarrhea.
The rivers had and continue to cause disputes among the nations. For instance the Ganges has caused a fight between India and Bangladesh, which was a part of the former sometime back. This was so even during the Buddha’s time.
Water privatization is another major conflict. This stems from poor quality, price increase and ethics of water consumption. Previous governments attempted to privatize water, but did not succeed because of mounting protests. It was the same in Bolivia when its privatization schemes were immensely fought against. Privatization Gurus opine that the process is the only answer to water related crisis such as diseases. But it does not seem to be so in countries such as Philippine where water was privatized with the consultation of World Bank. Prices have gone up, hence do not reach the poor inviting outbreaks of diseases.
The fast decline in water availability signals quite a trouble. This questions the stability of health and biodiversity essential elements of the globe. Although a UN report stated ‘there is enough water for everyone’ it would not be seem so in the future, with high level abuse of water.
Water used in the production is termed as virtual water, and it becomes virtuous in its religious uses. There are certain terms coined according to the religious rituals. Ablution is a ritual of washing in many major faiths such as Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Shinto and Judaism. Christian priests baptize with water and respect Holy Water, because ‘the earth was formed out of water and by water’ as the Bible rules. Fake Buddhist saints are known to have the ability to convert water into sacred water with threads.
In food science, salt and sugar affect the boiling and freezing points of water. A food scientist must understand the nature of water to determine the success of their products. Hardness of water has a dramatic effect in the quality of products such as beverages.
The world has a rich history of human awareness on water. Etruscans used the knowledge on hydrology and hydraulics in their water management systems. The ancient knowledge evolved into the present set up creating a legal background to this natural element.
The standard formula of human intake of water varies, because the kidneys is flexible for different levels of water. More water make the kidneys generate more urine. Medical recommendation for travelers in desert, where the water is a luxury, is to drink sparingly, decreasing the intake daily.
Any living being – we repeat - has the natural right and requirement of uninterrupted access for Water. However still most parts of the world deprive their living beings of this rights and requirement.
Tuesday
Our heritage to the world!
Who wants to be the authority on culture and heritage in our land? For those interested, Hema Nalin Karunaratne is set to floor the gas pedal with his Heritage TV channel on Dialog TV - available free of charge 24/7.
Following his trails along the hallways of Rupavahini and Swarnavahini for quarter of a century, Nalin now heads a satellite channel, a meeting place for culture and nature. Heritage TV has been broadcast on Sri TV since September, 2008 two hours a day.
“I believe we have a robust heritage that the world should learn, study and research. So my foremost aim was to build up a channel thoroughly focused on our heritage. We are now in the process of creating a world audience for Sri Lankan programmes by using more and more foreign languages.
We should tell specifically the Western world what Sri Lanka is.” started off Nalin in a voice thickened with firm resolution.
The channel was officially launched on May 31 at the BMICH with the distinguished participation of Speaker W J M Lokubandara, Culture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Prabath Gammanpila, Youth affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, former Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Professor Tissa Kariyawasam and Dialog TV Chief Nushard Perera.
Speaker Lokubandara went back to the times when our ancestors worshipped natural elements such as sun and tree: “We had such respects to natural elements. That became part and parcel of our culture. Even today, we are the archetype of our own past.”
Nalin was a lad full of spirit when he left Royal College in 1980. He headed many a college functions such as debating team, Sinhala Association and Health Club.
Nalin chose science stream for A/Ls, but still his heart went for Arts. He was still occupied with the college’s arts scene for the next two years, until he stepped into Rupavahini as an Assistant Producer when legendary M J Perera held the Chairman’s office. Rupavahini molded the monumental design of Hema Nalin’s career.
“It so happened when I had to read out a bomb awareness announcement. That was in 1983, when that ‘famous’ catastrophe took place. That was enough for the management to gauge my language and announcing skills. Since then I have been known as a presenter, though producing is still my teacup.”
Nalin introduced the way of the art to announcing, which was quick, witty and original. When the way the many elders passed down the knowledge bored the younger generation, Nalin made it animated. Rupavahini’s education service was a milepost in his life. He was only to see his future with 9.05 fame and the variety of others tagging along him in both Rupavahini and Swarnavahini.
Ever since his childhood, Nalin has been fond of travelling. Today he is a much travelled man both at home and abroad. Even for university dissertations, he used to present the documentary programmes he produced.
“My first overseas visit was to Germany and UK both for three months respectively. I obtained a scholarship for USA for an year when I was in Swarnavahini. I travelled in many countries when I was doing magazine programme Dutu Nudutu.”
Why a special channel for documentaries, when the normal channels have allocated a particular airtime?
“Obviously they can’t spare a prime time for documentaries. They have to divide the time for everything ranging from entertainment.”
Nalin’s channel is not for SMS addicts - this is completely for those who love serious stuff. “But,” adds Nalin, “I don’t look down on teledrama or anything like that. What I wanted is a channel completely focused on documentaries. That’s it.”
Nalin is determined to make his Heritage TV the local Discovery model one day. But he has other issues too. Marketability is such one.
“I buy documentaries - in fact fifty-percent of our programmes. But I ask producers to have the lowest possible budget. We are not teledrama producers, so we don’t enjoy such a lavish market.”
He however has realised the lack of documentary producers, which made him think up of a training institute too.
“We have set up one, and the work will start towards the middle of June. There is an exam for interested ones, and we buy what they produce. It’s completely pointless when I have to go to Kandy to do a documentary on Kandy perahera. There are enough provincial producers who are capable, though they need training. My aim is to generate more documentary producers.”
What else have you got in your mind? No, that’s not at all. Still more to go.
“I need to take these programmes out of Colombo to hold creative workshops. If someone in Anuradhapura has more to say after watching a programme, rather than ‘it’s excellent’, then I think our meaning of education is fulfilled. There are knowledge tanks outside the Colombo waiting to be shared. We have to go find them. For instance Jaffna will be open for us in the near future, meaning we are going to have more to unearth.”
Following all these, Nalin sets sights on a monthly - or perhaps a tri-monthly - magazine containing what was telecast on the channel. When he left his last workplace Swarnavahini, Nalin had no specific idea on what is in store for him.
“I wanted more freedom to do what I am trained in - the documentaries.
I worked at Rupavahini for 16 years and then at Swarnavahini till March, 2008.
You have to leave them when the moment comes in, however much you may love. Whatever happened, I am indebted to my previous workplaces, for they made me who I am today.”
Hema Nalin Karunaratne was more known as a presenter.
However in future he will be the backseat man of many documentaries we watch on Dialog TV. Nalin lives with his wife Dr Iresha Karunaratne and daughter Nalini.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/09/fea23.asp
Following his trails along the hallways of Rupavahini and Swarnavahini for quarter of a century, Nalin now heads a satellite channel, a meeting place for culture and nature. Heritage TV has been broadcast on Sri TV since September, 2008 two hours a day.
“I believe we have a robust heritage that the world should learn, study and research. So my foremost aim was to build up a channel thoroughly focused on our heritage. We are now in the process of creating a world audience for Sri Lankan programmes by using more and more foreign languages.
We should tell specifically the Western world what Sri Lanka is.” started off Nalin in a voice thickened with firm resolution.
The channel was officially launched on May 31 at the BMICH with the distinguished participation of Speaker W J M Lokubandara, Culture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Prabath Gammanpila, Youth affairs Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, former Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chairman Professor Tissa Kariyawasam and Dialog TV Chief Nushard Perera.
Speaker Lokubandara went back to the times when our ancestors worshipped natural elements such as sun and tree: “We had such respects to natural elements. That became part and parcel of our culture. Even today, we are the archetype of our own past.”
Nalin was a lad full of spirit when he left Royal College in 1980. He headed many a college functions such as debating team, Sinhala Association and Health Club.
Nalin chose science stream for A/Ls, but still his heart went for Arts. He was still occupied with the college’s arts scene for the next two years, until he stepped into Rupavahini as an Assistant Producer when legendary M J Perera held the Chairman’s office. Rupavahini molded the monumental design of Hema Nalin’s career.
“It so happened when I had to read out a bomb awareness announcement. That was in 1983, when that ‘famous’ catastrophe took place. That was enough for the management to gauge my language and announcing skills. Since then I have been known as a presenter, though producing is still my teacup.”
Nalin introduced the way of the art to announcing, which was quick, witty and original. When the way the many elders passed down the knowledge bored the younger generation, Nalin made it animated. Rupavahini’s education service was a milepost in his life. He was only to see his future with 9.05 fame and the variety of others tagging along him in both Rupavahini and Swarnavahini.
Ever since his childhood, Nalin has been fond of travelling. Today he is a much travelled man both at home and abroad. Even for university dissertations, he used to present the documentary programmes he produced.
“My first overseas visit was to Germany and UK both for three months respectively. I obtained a scholarship for USA for an year when I was in Swarnavahini. I travelled in many countries when I was doing magazine programme Dutu Nudutu.”
Why a special channel for documentaries, when the normal channels have allocated a particular airtime?
“Obviously they can’t spare a prime time for documentaries. They have to divide the time for everything ranging from entertainment.”
Nalin’s channel is not for SMS addicts - this is completely for those who love serious stuff. “But,” adds Nalin, “I don’t look down on teledrama or anything like that. What I wanted is a channel completely focused on documentaries. That’s it.”
Nalin is determined to make his Heritage TV the local Discovery model one day. But he has other issues too. Marketability is such one.
“I buy documentaries - in fact fifty-percent of our programmes. But I ask producers to have the lowest possible budget. We are not teledrama producers, so we don’t enjoy such a lavish market.”
He however has realised the lack of documentary producers, which made him think up of a training institute too.
“We have set up one, and the work will start towards the middle of June. There is an exam for interested ones, and we buy what they produce. It’s completely pointless when I have to go to Kandy to do a documentary on Kandy perahera. There are enough provincial producers who are capable, though they need training. My aim is to generate more documentary producers.”
What else have you got in your mind? No, that’s not at all. Still more to go.
“I need to take these programmes out of Colombo to hold creative workshops. If someone in Anuradhapura has more to say after watching a programme, rather than ‘it’s excellent’, then I think our meaning of education is fulfilled. There are knowledge tanks outside the Colombo waiting to be shared. We have to go find them. For instance Jaffna will be open for us in the near future, meaning we are going to have more to unearth.”
Following all these, Nalin sets sights on a monthly - or perhaps a tri-monthly - magazine containing what was telecast on the channel. When he left his last workplace Swarnavahini, Nalin had no specific idea on what is in store for him.
“I wanted more freedom to do what I am trained in - the documentaries.
I worked at Rupavahini for 16 years and then at Swarnavahini till March, 2008.
You have to leave them when the moment comes in, however much you may love. Whatever happened, I am indebted to my previous workplaces, for they made me who I am today.”
Hema Nalin Karunaratne was more known as a presenter.
However in future he will be the backseat man of many documentaries we watch on Dialog TV. Nalin lives with his wife Dr Iresha Karunaratne and daughter Nalini.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/06/09/fea23.asp
Monday
Fear not tumour!
Dr Anselm Lee is Consultant Paediatric Haematologist-Oncologist at Children’s Haematology and Cancer Centre, ParkwayHealth, Singapore. He recently shared his views on this three-fold subject area at a seminar organised by ParkwayHealth.
His expertise is Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). This is also known as Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It is a medical process in haematology and oncology often treated on people with disorders of blood, bone marrow and mostly cancer.
Dr Lee helped established the paediatric BMT program in Queen Mary Hospital and started the first paediatric BMT in the hospital that year. He performed the first BMT for thalassaemia, a severe form of congenital anaemia that is common in Southeast Asia, India and Lee performed the first case of umbilical cord blood transplantation in Hong Kong. In 1995 in response to the needs for a growing population in another part of Hong Kong, Dr Lee moved Tuen Mun Hospital where he restructured a paediatric haematology and oncology service, establishing a successful team and providing a quality and world class service to a population of 1 million.
HSCT is required mainly for three diseases: Acute Leukaemia, Neuroblastoma and Thalassaemia. This process includes both mature and immature forms. And also stem cells. Stem cells or Bone Marrow when infused can repopulate damaged bone marrow.
He treats cancers in children including leukaemia, brain cancers, lymphomas, neuroblastomas (cancers of the adrenal gland), Wilms tumour (cancers of the kidney) rhabdomyosaromas (cancers of the skeletal muscles) and other sarcomas, germ cell tumours (cancers of the testis, ovaries and related organs, bone, liver, retinoblastomas (eye cancer) and other tumours.
HSCT is an answer to malignancies such as Leukaemia, Neuroblastomas, Advanced Solid tumours and recurrent cancers, but has negative features too. First you have the complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Infections. Graft rejection and drug toxicities are some of them.
Dr Anselm Lee had his initial training in London 19 years ago. He first graduated from the University of Hong Kong and underwent his postgraduate training in the Department of Paediatrics, Queen Mary Hospital, the university of Hong Kong. His subspecialisation in paediatric haematoloy and oncology started in 1990. As a Croucher Foundation Fellow, he underwent training in paediatric oncology and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in the Institute of Child Health Department of Haematology and Oncology, the Great Ormon Street Children’s Hospital in London.
Lots of students select all these three subjects basically because they have lost interest in the reduced number of patients.
And on the other hand local health does not have enough facilities. It needs looking after patients and then it becomes more of a family thing. Lots of students do not like to delve in family affairs.
In Singapore the specialists are less than 10. But in London you get quite a number of specialists. Dr Lee has been to Sri Lanka twice.
“I think Sri Lanka has many qualified doctors. But technology wise to be honest they are quite lagging behind. They need a little more training as well for that reason,” he said.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/05/11/fea25.asp
His expertise is Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT). This is also known as Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). It is a medical process in haematology and oncology often treated on people with disorders of blood, bone marrow and mostly cancer.
Dr Lee helped established the paediatric BMT program in Queen Mary Hospital and started the first paediatric BMT in the hospital that year. He performed the first BMT for thalassaemia, a severe form of congenital anaemia that is common in Southeast Asia, India and Lee performed the first case of umbilical cord blood transplantation in Hong Kong. In 1995 in response to the needs for a growing population in another part of Hong Kong, Dr Lee moved Tuen Mun Hospital where he restructured a paediatric haematology and oncology service, establishing a successful team and providing a quality and world class service to a population of 1 million.
HSCT is required mainly for three diseases: Acute Leukaemia, Neuroblastoma and Thalassaemia. This process includes both mature and immature forms. And also stem cells. Stem cells or Bone Marrow when infused can repopulate damaged bone marrow.
He treats cancers in children including leukaemia, brain cancers, lymphomas, neuroblastomas (cancers of the adrenal gland), Wilms tumour (cancers of the kidney) rhabdomyosaromas (cancers of the skeletal muscles) and other sarcomas, germ cell tumours (cancers of the testis, ovaries and related organs, bone, liver, retinoblastomas (eye cancer) and other tumours.
HSCT is an answer to malignancies such as Leukaemia, Neuroblastomas, Advanced Solid tumours and recurrent cancers, but has negative features too. First you have the complications of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Infections. Graft rejection and drug toxicities are some of them.
Dr Anselm Lee had his initial training in London 19 years ago. He first graduated from the University of Hong Kong and underwent his postgraduate training in the Department of Paediatrics, Queen Mary Hospital, the university of Hong Kong. His subspecialisation in paediatric haematoloy and oncology started in 1990. As a Croucher Foundation Fellow, he underwent training in paediatric oncology and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in the Institute of Child Health Department of Haematology and Oncology, the Great Ormon Street Children’s Hospital in London.
Lots of students select all these three subjects basically because they have lost interest in the reduced number of patients.
And on the other hand local health does not have enough facilities. It needs looking after patients and then it becomes more of a family thing. Lots of students do not like to delve in family affairs.
In Singapore the specialists are less than 10. But in London you get quite a number of specialists. Dr Lee has been to Sri Lanka twice.
“I think Sri Lanka has many qualified doctors. But technology wise to be honest they are quite lagging behind. They need a little more training as well for that reason,” he said.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/05/11/fea25.asp
Sunday
Cruising Singapore's colonial history
The Singapore river flows with a rich story of her journey from colonial times to a much visited entertainment site. It was earlier only a fishing site, and with the advent of the British colonial rule, it became a commercial post. And now that the British gone, it has become a historical treasure.
This island city state is constantly on the ball to keep ahead of technological advances especially in the Asia Pacific region. The Parkway Health Country Manager for Sri Lanka Suvo H said that this is an essential milepost in Singapore's journey of technological development.
"This played a major role in the country's health. That's why Singapore is one of the best South Asian countries to achieve development in health sector," Suvo said.
Colonial rulers saw the commercial significance of the river and made arrangements to use it for trading purposes since 1819. At first it was a place for barge lighters to transport goods to warehouses.
The boat floats on the river with no plunge in the least. The motor sound does not hiss. This was not what I expected. I was bracing myself for some hectic bumps and jolts, but was pleasantly disappointed. Perhaps it was due to the heaviness of the boat. The boat's radio synchronises what we see outside. We passed across the colonial Governor's mansion and other historically important colonial government offices. It gives you a good picture of colonial Singapore. With the well-lit tall buildings the moon seems to be yet another man-made light. The night scenery is glistening though you can have a close look at the outline of the buildings in daytime. Although it's little in the size, the Singapore River has a historical weight. This is one of the 90 rivers in Singapore.
The boatman who speaks to us through an interpreter, for some reason doesn't need his picture or name to go in the paper. But he volunteers for any information.
"We have been cruising along for a long time. As this river was used even during the colonial times, it has become so polluted," he said.
The Singapore Government has replaced cargo services with a new modern facility in Pasir Panjang. The transport has left for their new home and Clarke Quay fell silent. This took place because the Clarke Quay has a colonial value, and the environment was made much better from 1977 to 1987 and made arrangements for entertainment purposes.
The plans were afoot in a serious mode, as it was made compulsory not to change the historical facades of the neighbouring buildings. Some of the buildings are being restored as well.
The quay of the river is popularly known as Clarke Quay named after Singapore's second Governor Sir Andrew Clarke. He is famous for his role in development of Singapore.
The Forbidden City is a luxury you cannot simply afford to pass over.
It gives you a good dining environment open till 6 in the following morning.
It's the Chinese version of Madame Tassauds' Chamber of Horrors, with vernacular music with bali dancers. Although the restaurants do not have many vegetarian dishes, the available ones are quite mouthwatering. Once a colonial area is now refurbished for restaurants and nightclubs.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/03/28/fea11.asp
This island city state is constantly on the ball to keep ahead of technological advances especially in the Asia Pacific region. The Parkway Health Country Manager for Sri Lanka Suvo H said that this is an essential milepost in Singapore's journey of technological development.
"This played a major role in the country's health. That's why Singapore is one of the best South Asian countries to achieve development in health sector," Suvo said.
Colonial rulers saw the commercial significance of the river and made arrangements to use it for trading purposes since 1819. At first it was a place for barge lighters to transport goods to warehouses.
The boat floats on the river with no plunge in the least. The motor sound does not hiss. This was not what I expected. I was bracing myself for some hectic bumps and jolts, but was pleasantly disappointed. Perhaps it was due to the heaviness of the boat. The boat's radio synchronises what we see outside. We passed across the colonial Governor's mansion and other historically important colonial government offices. It gives you a good picture of colonial Singapore. With the well-lit tall buildings the moon seems to be yet another man-made light. The night scenery is glistening though you can have a close look at the outline of the buildings in daytime. Although it's little in the size, the Singapore River has a historical weight. This is one of the 90 rivers in Singapore.
The boatman who speaks to us through an interpreter, for some reason doesn't need his picture or name to go in the paper. But he volunteers for any information.
"We have been cruising along for a long time. As this river was used even during the colonial times, it has become so polluted," he said.
The Singapore Government has replaced cargo services with a new modern facility in Pasir Panjang. The transport has left for their new home and Clarke Quay fell silent. This took place because the Clarke Quay has a colonial value, and the environment was made much better from 1977 to 1987 and made arrangements for entertainment purposes.
The plans were afoot in a serious mode, as it was made compulsory not to change the historical facades of the neighbouring buildings. Some of the buildings are being restored as well.
The quay of the river is popularly known as Clarke Quay named after Singapore's second Governor Sir Andrew Clarke. He is famous for his role in development of Singapore.
The Forbidden City is a luxury you cannot simply afford to pass over.
It gives you a good dining environment open till 6 in the following morning.
It's the Chinese version of Madame Tassauds' Chamber of Horrors, with vernacular music with bali dancers. Although the restaurants do not have many vegetarian dishes, the available ones are quite mouthwatering. Once a colonial area is now refurbished for restaurants and nightclubs.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/03/28/fea11.asp
Monday
Sinhala cinema 62 years young!
National Film Corporation’s freshly built theatre was swarming with movie enthusiasts on January 21 to give ear to Satischandra Edirisinghe’s thoughts on Sinhala Cinema. With Sinhala cinema turning 62, Edirisinghe is able to sit back with the industry’s seasoned generation.
The evening stirred exotic memories of a classic era with both Satischandra’s filmic thoughts and Tissa Nagodavithana’s lengthy documentary that scanned the local reel from 1947 to 1968.
Satis, as he is fondly nicknamed in the art circle, was Judas in Christu Charitaya, ‘The Christ’, co-starring Vijaya Kumaratunga. His superb performance as the legendary character epitomizes the biblical betrayal. Tissa Nagodavithana’s initials intrude on the beauty of old hits. This is however a drop in the ocean thinking of Nagodavithana’s unsurpassed contribution by preserving the old classics.
Satis likened the cinema history to Mahawamsa account of Lanka. Mahawamsa does not traverse beyond Kuveni’s era. What Kuveni was occupied with when Vijaya landed in, gives a hint on an uncharted rich history.
The Sinhala cinema, in the same track, would not have had Kadavunu Poronduwa, the Broken Promise, just fallen from the skies. Satis took the grandstand back to 1930s, that era when the Leftist hardliner Dr N M Perera performed in Rajakeeya Vikramaya, the ‘Royal Adventure’. It is the bygone tale of a conspiracy of film burned to ashes in India.
“Wouldn’t it have been better to have the cinema inaugurated with ‘Royal Adventure’ rather than ‘Broken Promise’? But we had to face the inevitable.”
Broken Promise, positively or negatively, stepped into Sinhala cinema for record’s sake. It created history, which should be studied before kicking around future. When Dudley Senanayake ruled the country, those were Satis’ young days. Some movie magnates had seen Senanayake to have a talk on cinema developments.
The Premier had the nerve to say that he had more important things to think of than cinema, and of course he paid the price for being that blunt: his opponent Mrs. B. had the blessings of the country’s arts scene. Satis’ stage whispers are all this and then some.
Satis then started on a school for performance. “I remember how the late Professor Sarachchandra kept on penning and speaking about a school for performance. We are a decade ahead of his death, and still we talk about a school.”
Satis had something for Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma as well: mini-theatres. “I have seen many foreign stations having mini-theatres with a large wall clock for people keep watch on train schedules. You can take left-behind cabins for this purpose. You can show old movies too. In a way it ensures passenger safety.”
The documentary on cinema history should have been a better production, while Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa, Consultant T M Sanghadasa and Tissa Nagodavithana should have a pat on back for the effort.
The documentary kicked off with a fascinating scene from the 62-year old Kadavunu Poronduwa, and was on for well over two hours with film chunks up to 1968. Documentary should have easily covered the movie timeline up to 2008; only if the number of films a year were cut down and some episodes were shortened. So much the better if a few minutes were offered to Dr. Lester James Peries’ Rekhava as well.
The souvenir issued by the corporation to commemorate the anniversary is a resourceful guide with rare information provided by Nuwan Nayanajith. The back cover brings in the new era’s symbol for 2009 with its portrayal of Sanath Gunathilake’s latest movie Ekamath Eka Rataka, ‘Once upon a country’.
Corporation’s Consultant T M Sanghadasa made a few references to Mahinda Chinthana’s cinema policies. Businessmen burdened with annual tax over Rs. 2-lakhs will be relieved when they invest on a film production, is one option.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/26/fea20.asp
The evening stirred exotic memories of a classic era with both Satischandra’s filmic thoughts and Tissa Nagodavithana’s lengthy documentary that scanned the local reel from 1947 to 1968.
Satis, as he is fondly nicknamed in the art circle, was Judas in Christu Charitaya, ‘The Christ’, co-starring Vijaya Kumaratunga. His superb performance as the legendary character epitomizes the biblical betrayal. Tissa Nagodavithana’s initials intrude on the beauty of old hits. This is however a drop in the ocean thinking of Nagodavithana’s unsurpassed contribution by preserving the old classics.
Satis likened the cinema history to Mahawamsa account of Lanka. Mahawamsa does not traverse beyond Kuveni’s era. What Kuveni was occupied with when Vijaya landed in, gives a hint on an uncharted rich history.
The Sinhala cinema, in the same track, would not have had Kadavunu Poronduwa, the Broken Promise, just fallen from the skies. Satis took the grandstand back to 1930s, that era when the Leftist hardliner Dr N M Perera performed in Rajakeeya Vikramaya, the ‘Royal Adventure’. It is the bygone tale of a conspiracy of film burned to ashes in India.
“Wouldn’t it have been better to have the cinema inaugurated with ‘Royal Adventure’ rather than ‘Broken Promise’? But we had to face the inevitable.”
Broken Promise, positively or negatively, stepped into Sinhala cinema for record’s sake. It created history, which should be studied before kicking around future. When Dudley Senanayake ruled the country, those were Satis’ young days. Some movie magnates had seen Senanayake to have a talk on cinema developments.
The Premier had the nerve to say that he had more important things to think of than cinema, and of course he paid the price for being that blunt: his opponent Mrs. B. had the blessings of the country’s arts scene. Satis’ stage whispers are all this and then some.
Satis then started on a school for performance. “I remember how the late Professor Sarachchandra kept on penning and speaking about a school for performance. We are a decade ahead of his death, and still we talk about a school.”
Satis had something for Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma as well: mini-theatres. “I have seen many foreign stations having mini-theatres with a large wall clock for people keep watch on train schedules. You can take left-behind cabins for this purpose. You can show old movies too. In a way it ensures passenger safety.”
The documentary on cinema history should have been a better production, while Chairman Jayantha Dharmadasa, Consultant T M Sanghadasa and Tissa Nagodavithana should have a pat on back for the effort.
The documentary kicked off with a fascinating scene from the 62-year old Kadavunu Poronduwa, and was on for well over two hours with film chunks up to 1968. Documentary should have easily covered the movie timeline up to 2008; only if the number of films a year were cut down and some episodes were shortened. So much the better if a few minutes were offered to Dr. Lester James Peries’ Rekhava as well.
The souvenir issued by the corporation to commemorate the anniversary is a resourceful guide with rare information provided by Nuwan Nayanajith. The back cover brings in the new era’s symbol for 2009 with its portrayal of Sanath Gunathilake’s latest movie Ekamath Eka Rataka, ‘Once upon a country’.
Corporation’s Consultant T M Sanghadasa made a few references to Mahinda Chinthana’s cinema policies. Businessmen burdened with annual tax over Rs. 2-lakhs will be relieved when they invest on a film production, is one option.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/26/fea20.asp
Cuba’s golden jubilee of independence
Film was the bread for the revolutionaries against the old order in Cuba. Ultimately it turned out the reveille for a new era that dawned exactly 50 years ago on January 1. Enthusiastic diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka were hot on the heels.
A film festival heads off from today at 4.30 till January 17 at 5pm everyday for the two nations to toast the golden jubilee. The Cuban Embassy and Sri Lanka – Cuba Friendship have made the festival arrangements at Russian Cultural centre to screen the films free of charge with Sinhala subtitles. As Cuban Ambassador Nirsia Castro Guevara weighs up, a good deal of the six films featured in the festival echo the nation’s everlasting revolutionary themes.
The first film ‘Fidel’ is a documentary about Fidel Castro with the coverage of Cuban revolution’s 40 years. It has a rare footage of the ex-Cuban leader’s life such as live moments with the Spanish legend Gabriel García Marquez. ‘Benny More’ narrates a musician’s life wedged between his own ideologies and the real life needs.
The third film ‘The Revolution’, aka ‘Revolucion’, is an hour-long documentary conveying the legacy of people and culture in Cuba. ‘Viva Cuba’, a story about two childhood friends, has clinched accolades in numbers. ‘Scent of Oak’ features an encounter between a beautiful black woman and a romantic German merchant filled with intolerance, incomprehension and love. ‘Che Guevara’ is the biopic titled after one of the key figures in the Cuban revolution.
Brothers Louis Jean and Auguste Marie Lumiere fuelled the celebrated cinema in Cuba. The Cuban cinema journeyed throughout American capitals before stepping into Havana in 1897. ‘Panorama Soler’ and ‘Salon de variedades o ilusiones opticas’ are two major locations set up for the Cuban films. The first in a long list of movie theatres in Havana was set by José A. Casasús, actor, producer and entrepreneur, under the name of ‘Floradora’; it was later renamed ‘Alaska’.
The Cuban cinema marked its position in the show business within the first six year before the World War I. However that memory has a twinge of sympathy as the cinema banked heavily on Hollywood in its initial days of instituting the position.
The infant era of the full length cinema shows a tendency to adapt literary works for movies. This followed the imitation of Chaplin, French comedies and cowboy adventure. With the revolution coming to a halt in a triumphant note in 1959, the newly formed Castro Government founded a cinematography department to take care of productions and documentaries. Critics take in this period as the golden era of the Cuban cinema. Humberto Solas’ ‘Lucia’ and Tomas Gutierrez Alea’s ‘Memorias del Subdesarrollo’ stimulated the mass conscience, and they are considered the best in the country, out of question.
‘Fresa y Chocolate’ is the most recent insightful film directed in 1993. The plot goes about intolerance and friendship between a gay and a unionist. It was the first ever Cuban film to attract a nomination in Oscars.
Documentaries and short films have been the bread and butter in Cuban cinema for the last 40 years. The first documentary ‘Now’ combines a song with an uninterrupted sequence of images digging in the prejudice in US animation. Juan Padron’s formation of Elpidio Valdes, a mambi fighter, became well-liked among Cuban children. Padron’s next movie called ‘Vampiros en La Habana’ also appealed the young crowd.
Cuba also provides accommodation for International School of Cinema, Television and Video. International Festival of the New Latin-American Cinema is celebrated every year in Havana since 1979.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/12/fea10.asp
A film festival heads off from today at 4.30 till January 17 at 5pm everyday for the two nations to toast the golden jubilee. The Cuban Embassy and Sri Lanka – Cuba Friendship have made the festival arrangements at Russian Cultural centre to screen the films free of charge with Sinhala subtitles. As Cuban Ambassador Nirsia Castro Guevara weighs up, a good deal of the six films featured in the festival echo the nation’s everlasting revolutionary themes.
The first film ‘Fidel’ is a documentary about Fidel Castro with the coverage of Cuban revolution’s 40 years. It has a rare footage of the ex-Cuban leader’s life such as live moments with the Spanish legend Gabriel García Marquez. ‘Benny More’ narrates a musician’s life wedged between his own ideologies and the real life needs.
The third film ‘The Revolution’, aka ‘Revolucion’, is an hour-long documentary conveying the legacy of people and culture in Cuba. ‘Viva Cuba’, a story about two childhood friends, has clinched accolades in numbers. ‘Scent of Oak’ features an encounter between a beautiful black woman and a romantic German merchant filled with intolerance, incomprehension and love. ‘Che Guevara’ is the biopic titled after one of the key figures in the Cuban revolution.
Brothers Louis Jean and Auguste Marie Lumiere fuelled the celebrated cinema in Cuba. The Cuban cinema journeyed throughout American capitals before stepping into Havana in 1897. ‘Panorama Soler’ and ‘Salon de variedades o ilusiones opticas’ are two major locations set up for the Cuban films. The first in a long list of movie theatres in Havana was set by José A. Casasús, actor, producer and entrepreneur, under the name of ‘Floradora’; it was later renamed ‘Alaska’.
The Cuban cinema marked its position in the show business within the first six year before the World War I. However that memory has a twinge of sympathy as the cinema banked heavily on Hollywood in its initial days of instituting the position.
The infant era of the full length cinema shows a tendency to adapt literary works for movies. This followed the imitation of Chaplin, French comedies and cowboy adventure. With the revolution coming to a halt in a triumphant note in 1959, the newly formed Castro Government founded a cinematography department to take care of productions and documentaries. Critics take in this period as the golden era of the Cuban cinema. Humberto Solas’ ‘Lucia’ and Tomas Gutierrez Alea’s ‘Memorias del Subdesarrollo’ stimulated the mass conscience, and they are considered the best in the country, out of question.
‘Fresa y Chocolate’ is the most recent insightful film directed in 1993. The plot goes about intolerance and friendship between a gay and a unionist. It was the first ever Cuban film to attract a nomination in Oscars.
Documentaries and short films have been the bread and butter in Cuban cinema for the last 40 years. The first documentary ‘Now’ combines a song with an uninterrupted sequence of images digging in the prejudice in US animation. Juan Padron’s formation of Elpidio Valdes, a mambi fighter, became well-liked among Cuban children. Padron’s next movie called ‘Vampiros en La Habana’ also appealed the young crowd.
Cuba also provides accommodation for International School of Cinema, Television and Video. International Festival of the New Latin-American Cinema is celebrated every year in Havana since 1979.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2009/01/12/fea10.asp
Wednesday
Medicos take up the brush
Their abode rests inside de Zoysa maternity hospital. The union room of Colombo University Medical Faculty Arts Society is a total mess-up but you will love it for its atmosphere with their paintings on various themes.
The budding painters and future healers invite us to grace the opening ceremony of their paintings on February 8th at 5.30. It will be blessed by the guest speech of Prof. Dulitha Fernando, Medical Faculty Dean and the presence of veterans of the field: Chandragupta Thenuwara, W A Ariyasena and Stanley Kirinde. The exhibition will be open till February 10th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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Tuesday
Dazzling dwellings of the unknown past
If you say Colombo is just a city full of hustle and bustle, I don't believe you. There are not only high security zones but there are zones of serenity too.
Walk down Gower Street, Colombo 05, and if you are a close observer, you should locate No. 28, an entrance bringing you down to the past unknown. Walk through the doors to be welcomed by two good-natured ladies: Safiya and Yasmin. Once inside, you will get lost among art, antiquated prints, ornamental decorative objects, collectibles, silver, weaves, furniture and accent pieces. I love this place - Hermitage - a serenity zone in Colombo.
Saturday
Wednesday
A festival of literature in Galle
Literature is not just writing. It's more. Cookery, history, architecture, photography, travelling, murals, religion, publishing, cricket and theatre, it's all within literature. If all these blended into a single entity - that's what you are yet to experience - the Galle Literary Festival 2008 from January 16 to 20. The Literary Festival is to be experienced in magnificent historic UN World Heritage Fort - Galle, with writing workshops and competitions, panel discussions, topical debates on issues such as climate change, poetry readings, theatre and children's activities.
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40 years as local Charlie Chaplin
Don Guy, the local Charlie Chaplin, marks the 40th anniversary of his comedian career by launching 'Don Simon' VCD on December 16th at 4.00 p.m. in Katubedda de Soyza Cricket Pavilion, Moratuwa, under the patronage of Labour Minister Mervyn Silva and Kalakeerthi Edwin Ariyadasa.
The evening is going to be full of fun and frolic, says Moratuwa Arts Forum, Don Guy's organisers. Talking of his life as Charlie Chaplin, Don Eardley Nihal Ferdinando or Don Guy says:
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