Author: Esteem Magazine

Black Pepper – It’s more than just crab

A fusion of Sri Lanka’s natural essence, crab and pepper are the main feature at Black Pepper (BP). Taking its name after the king of spices, Black Pepper is located at one of the most happening parts of the city – Dutch Hospital. The restaurant is owned and managed by Earl’s Hotel.

An array of authentic local recipes has been selected from the four corners of the country to highlight the flavours of each region.

BP is a multi-cuisine combination of Sri Lankan crab, seafood and meat. They have a simple menu, focusing on the main culinary treasures. The head chef Charles Samarapala has been in the industry for years and heads the action inside the kitchen. He makes it a point to ensure that all ingredients are very fresh.

Service

A key to customers is good service and that is something BP is excelling at. From greeting you to showing you to your table, they are on their toes to serve you. Food arrives in 15 to 20 minutes, which is faster than other seafood restaurants and the waiters are very friendly and courteous.

Manager Manoj Fernando took me on an exclusive tour including a visit to the kitchen to experience the cooking. He made an effort to enlighten me about the concept of the restaurant and made my visit more pleasurable.

Ambience

The pristine black and white interior is the first thing that hits you when you enter. The restaurant has an upscale and elegant set up. It is on two levels and can accommodate more than 150 people in one dining room. The walls have been decorated beautifully, adding a very cozy vibe.

The standing wine rack is a significant feature. There are two fully-stocked bars and they have an exclusive menu, where they serve mocktails and cocktails as requested. The open kitchen is an interesting feature as diners can watch the cooking through the glass paneling.

Food

I started off with an iced tea, which was very refreshing as it was very different to the standard iced teas I have tried elsewhere. It was very flavoursome and made me go for seconds! Moving on to a light starter, I opted for the ‘chef’s special mixed salad with ‘kochchi’ sauce’. It was a generous portion of a vegetarian option with a spicy kick from the kochchi.  Next, I got my apron on, because I just had to indulge in the crab with my fingers. The star of the night without a doubt was their signature ‘black pepper crab’. It was huge and very fresh. The black pepper did justice to the lagoon crab, highlighting the authentic taste of our country. It was super flavourful and made my tongue tingle for more! Complimenting the crab curry was the oven-roasted bread (dara paan). It was a classic combination, which cannot go wrong!

Being a person with a sweet tooth; the dinner wasn’t complete without dessert. I tried the watalappam served with a kolikuttu banana; the presentation was worthy of notice since it was served on a king coconut decorated with banana leaves. I always tend to compare the watalappam to my grandmother’s, which is always the best for me. Well, this was beyond my expectations to be honest.

It was delicious, with the right amount of jaggery. It was delicious and complemented the banana well. Overall, I had a very heavy indulgence of crab and the messy hands were worth it. Will I visit again or recommend it to my friends? That’s a big, fat crabilicious yes! Bon Appétit! 

Reviewed By Shafiya Nawzer

Blouse Story – The right cut and perfect fit

The festive, wedding and seasons of celebrations are approaching; a saree comes in handy for women. Be it the bride or the guests at the weddings or functions that sometimes require a saree.

Women love to wear the five and nine-yard saree, originally was a garment of the Indian subcontinent, which is typically draped around the waist and one draped over the shoulder baring the midriff. Adding to the saree is the jacket, back then women didn’t wear a saree blouse, it was the pallu of the saree covering the chest.

Today the saree blouses/ jackets are worn in various designs for different occasions and for casual wear. Designers and stylists have experimented with multiple designs to craft the unique blouse to standout. One such designer is Aslam Hussein, under his designer brand Geebees Designer Studio. He believes in adding a twist to the beautiful drape, and that can be achieved by choosing the right blouse from the many options available, and it can be from the new trends or trend inspired from the past, and giving it a new look.

“For the saree blouse to standout essentially it’s very important to have the right fit and cut, wearing an expensive saree or a favourite saree, and not doing justice to it by getting a proper blouse done is very wrong”.

Aslam has mastered the art of observing his clients’ personality, and with that the body structure. This is one trait he has carried on with him since he started his journey as a designer. “I respect the body structure of the client and do my best to enhance the best attributes through the blouse specimen. 

The Zip story

“When I created the zip, I found it stylish and more than that it was convenient. Actually, it was the convenience factor that let me do more of the zip design blouses. The concept behind is the hooks don’t let the fabric spread evenly”.  He has already started to experiment with other creative methods to raise the bar of the blouse, adding it’s in the process.

Inspiration from the 40s and 60s

“Inspiration is the key to creativity, I get inspired by people and things for my designs. Even the jackets I do, I go back in time to the 40s and 60s and few of my jackets have been inspired from that era. People have said you should start an exclusive jacket boutique, but I am happy with the clothing boutique I have, yet I am open to new ventures”.

The Blouse Master

“The perfect fit is important to me. I give a lot of prominence to the fit, it’s pointless doing a jacket or wearing one without a fit. Another thing is the comfort, I don’t want the client to feel uncomfortable wearing my designs. He likes experimenting with his blouses, will he experiment with his saree collection as well? Well, if customers want me to add a zip to the saree why not and I won’t hesitate to do it.

Aslam is celebrated for his creative brilliance in fashion, both in Sri Lanka and India. His designs have caught the attention of many. Having been in the company of high profile celebrities and designers, such as Indian legendary designer Manish Malhotra.

The Temple of nATANDA

 

I’ve had the fortune of meeting Kapila Palihawadana numerous times during the past year, and found his story a true inspiration. It is true when they say that artists really do suffer for their art, and this is quite true when it comes to dance as well. Consider the fact that when it comes to the aspect of art, there are many ideas that need to be looked into. Forever smiling away, Kapila is very enthusiastic with his work and he also is very committed to dance as a whole. I had the fortune of interviewing Paul Upali Gouëllo a few issues back, and it really did broaden my perspective when it came to understanding how dance can be an extension of one’s personality.

Having studied Kandyan Dancing for many years and even the geta beraya, I know the hours or dedication that one needs to put into mastering an art form. Kapila has dedicated his entire life to his art, which is an art form that I find very hard to describe. I’ve seen him and his entire dance troupe — nATANDA — in action, and it is truly an unbelievable example of artistry. I suppose the best way I can describe what he does is by saying that it is a melting pot of dance styles that is both Eastern and Western. There are definitely elements of Kandyan dancing and ballet as well. Interestingly, there are also elements of Angampora with a great deal of emotional flailing of the limbs and incredible acrobatic jumps that can only be thought of as magical.

Yet at this particular juncture, I would think it is best that we talk a bit about Kapila’s background, which is very interesting to say the least. Having studied contemporary dance in Ohio in the US, he decided to start a contemporary dance troupe that focused on the various dance styles that he has experienced throughout his life. This was an idea that was born in the early 2000 era, and it is something that he worked hard at to differentiate. While his exposure has been international in a sense, he truly did believe in giving enthusiastic Lankans a chance at choosing an alternative career. When there is hardly any opportunity around, then there is no commitment and discipline. Ultimately, dance in all its forms do not have a chance to flourish locally; and, this is something that he wants to change specially for the future generations.

One of the most proactive initiatives that Kapila has started is known as nATFEST. It was an effort in bringing the whole concept of dance to a wider audience. Speaking about his dancers, he mentions how they are very geared towards learning as much as they can; as a testament to how accepted his philosophy with regard to dance is, he talks of how his dancers have practiced and performed with him for close to two decades. Kapila has launched some groundbreaking productions recently and can only be described as being incredibly visionary to say the least. He also believes in the youth and how dedicated they are simply because they are very forward-thinking. Additionally he firmly believes that more exposure is required in order to create a sense of enthusiasm from the younger generations. This is where nATFEST comes in; the latter festival of dance has hosted dancers from Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Lebanon, USA, Malaysia, Russia, India, Switzerland, Australia and Luxembourg over the past few years and has mesmerized over 8,000 audience members collectively.

Art is indubitably a medium that can help people connect and even overcome boundaries. It is something that can help communities unite and not end up falling for divisive politics. While there is certainly an underlying focus on unity and embracing culture whilst also giving an opportunity to the younger generation, when it comes to sheer entertainment value, Kapila and his inimitable dance troupe is unparalleled in all aspects. Svelte and flexible, his dancers stay true to form and showoff the fruits of hard discipline by stretching the boundaries of physical endurance. I’ve been to many of his productions, and the combination of music and ideology along with the various dance forms that are displayed is breathtaking to watch.

For more information with regard to nATANDA, please visit the following page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NatandaDanceTheatreOfSriLanka/

 

By Rohitha Perera

Wild & Free

My heart skips a beat every time someone tells me that we’re going to Yala. Don’t ask me why. Just know that I simply love the place. Whether it is the wildlife or the tranquility of the place or the complete disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city, it has a certain allure to those who love the great outdoors. Having been to the second largest national park in Sri Lanka on several occasions and been fortunate enough to see the elusive leopard, the majestic elephant and most of the other flora and fauna of the incredible habitat, this time around I kept wondering what more does this place hold for me. Little did I know that a whole new world of experiences awaited my senses.

 

Resplendent Ceylon, the leisure arm of Dilmah clearly has pleasing the senses in mind with their three unique boutique experiences scattered around the country. Cape Weligama, Ceylon Tea Trails and Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Yala are poles apart in terms of weather, accommodation facilities, ambiance and even the food they serve, but one constant is in their impeccable service.

 

From the get go of contacting the reservations hotline in Colombo, it was evident that the superior ethics of Dilmah’s founder have trickled down to every branch of its operations. Bookings were meticulously processed and followed up on and we couldn’t wait till the day arrived.

 

The Journey

The experience actually began with the bus ride from Matara to Tissamaharama. Although the Expressway buses from Maharagama to Matara are relatively comfortable and the ride is just 1 ½ hours, from there on its regular buses and an almost 3 hour journey. In order to avoid the nauseous feeling of winding roads, and super crazy drivers choose to plug in your earphones, and lose yourself in your favourite tunes. Wild Coast graciously offered to pick us up from the Tissamaharama main bus stand and we were happy to be escorted in a luxury van after quite literally having our heart in our throats for 3 hours! (Word from the wise, don’t take the bus, drive instead!)

 

The Place

One of the only properties allowed to build within the Yala National Park itself, Wild Coast shares the same entrance as Uga and Cinnamon with a Hilton property also coming up in close proximity. Upon entry the first thing you notice is the road block made up of a recycled tree trunk complete with all its branches. In fact sustainability plays a huge role at Wild Coast with maximum effort made to preserve the environment surrounding. This is particularly why there are no electric fences or otherwise cordoning off the property, allowing wildlife to roam freely.

As soon as we got there we were greeted by the staff with wet towels, the sweetest iced tea and pineapple popsicles to quench our thirst while waiting for the check-ins to be completed.

Once that was done we followed a semi-cleared path dotted with cocoons and what looked-like onion-shaped tents with our “guide” Lahiru. Our home for the weekend was one of the cocoons which was an elevated tent cum tree house. Do not be fooled by outer appearances though because this is by no means an ordinary tent. We were soon to learn by a detailed description given by Lahiru that this was one of the most luxurious and high-tech tents you can think of. Designed to emulate a planter’s bungalow almost everything in the tent is made of copper, including the open bathtub which has its own special bath foam. (You can’t use regular ones because they may react with the metal!). The furniture is all teak wood with comfy chairs and a four-poster bed. Then there’s the well-stocked mini bar which is all inclusive in your package. Talk about plush! Wild Coast does not however leave food inside the tent and advices guests not to do so as well, lest you are paid a visit by inquisitive monkeys or worst case an elephant on his way to a watering-hole. The high-tech side of the tent comes with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee machines, and a Sonos speaker system that allows you to connect your mobile device and listen to any radio station or podcast from around the world. If not for having to explore, we would’ve been quite happy to simply lie in bed and relax all day!

The People

Wild Coast takes service excellence beyond excellent. Taking care of guests comes naturally to everyone here and its smiles all around ever-obliging to attend to every whim and fancy, and even chase away the occasional spider or land monitor who happens to cross your path while walking or dining at the restaurant. The culinary team led by Chef Ranil also certainly know how to please your taste buds with carefully curated meals to fit even the most discerning. Every type of meal requirement is taken care of and presented with elegance, whether it be dining under the stars by the beach or inside the jungle itself. We were taken on several culinary journeys around the world at every meal we sat down to enjoying cuisines from India, the Mediterranean, Italy and even some local fare. Special mention must be made of the Passion Fruit and Green Chilli Sorbet which had so much kick in it, the mixed Surf & Turf that was too big for two super Foodies like us and Slipper Lobster Salad that I personally could just eat every day! We also had the opportunity (or Sanura did while I manned the camera!) to cook our own Sri Lankan rice and curry inside the forest assisted by Chef Ranil of course who was such a gracious teacher.

The Outdoors

One of the greatest assets for Wild Coast is the luxury of being situated within the national park and on the coast of an untouched, pristine beach. They like to keep it that way and the restaurant, bar and library are designed to emulate the boulders by the sea. The pool that accompanies the building is also a great place to watch the sun go down over the horizon while listening to the Backstreet Boys softly playing in the background. (For some reason a playlist of BSB songs was on repeat every time we went down for a meal… Not complaining though being that I love BSB!)

What would a trip to Yala be without a sojourn in to the wild? And this time we were to do it on foot. Yes, you read right… we were to take a trip in to the wild on foot. Not alone though. Wild Coast employs the services of an ex-South African military man turned environmentalist names Nick. Now Nick is just something else. Physically we can describe him as six-foot something, bald, modern-day Indian Jones (he dresses the part too!) but it’s the wealth of knowledge inside him that we absolutely adore. From being able to identify an animal by its low frequency call, to gauging whether a buck was walking or running by the distance between footprints, and even being able to look at a pile of rocks and differentiate between its origins, this guy is a walking natural encyclopedia. He also made us put the worse thing we’ve ever put in our mouths, all in the name of playing a game from back home in the bush in South Africa. “Bokdrol Spoeg Competiesie” or the Deer P**p Spitting Competition involves putting dried up deer p**p in to your mouth and spitting it out as far as you can. We tried… And failed… miserably…

 

Like, I said earlier this trip to Yala was a whole new world of experiences. It was also an eye-opener to the wonders of God’s creation. An ode to freedom in the wild… A feeling we hoped would last forever… A place we didn’t want to leave… Ever…

 

Written by Nishu Gunawardana

Photographs by Sanura Gunawardana

 

Address: Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Yala National Park.

Colombo Office: 46/38 Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 2.

Telephone: 011 7 745730

E-mail: reservations@resplendentceylon.com

Website: www.resplendentceylon.com

A Mediterranean story is about to unfold at Mövenpick Hotel Colombo

It’s all about Santina

Mediterranean is a vast term, covering over 20 countries across the globe. When you think of Mediterranean food, you envision hummus and pitas, but the cuisine surrounding the Mediterranean Sea is extremely diverse as it includes dishes from European countries such as Italy and Spain, as well as Middle Eastern and North African countries. With a wide variety of ingredients and spices, this cuisine pops with flavour and is prepared with fresh, healthy ingredients.

 

Introducing Santina – Truly Mediterranean. Located on the first floor of Mövenpick Hotel Colombo, Santina is cosy, affordable and the newest entry to the city’s culinary options featuring the finest Mediterranean cuisine from the European region. Craving food from the lands of Southern Spain, France and Italy? You don’t need a passport to indulge in savory Mediterranean fare. The menu is stuffed with reliable favourites with clean flavours, showcasing the freshness together with high quality cuisine, served with passion and a true knowledge of how to cook traditional dishes.

Every item on the menu has its own story that wanders back to the Mediterranean region, much like the first paellas, made by farmers in Valencia using rice and available local ingredients to cook lunch in a pan over wood fire. Taste the fresh chicken or seafood paellas at Santina and savour their expertise in fish preparation with their locally sourced catch-of-the-day.

 

Santina promises Mediterranean flair with homemade linguine and penne with an array of meat and fish, with a selection of gnocchi. Its simplicity is in fact its complexity. It’s the real deal that melts on the tongue depicting the true Italian comfort dish, defining home-made goodness and the richness of Nonna’s cooking. Make sure to save some room for an Italian baked apple gateau or frozen cappuccino parfait.

Santina wins extra points for its vegetarian options and exceptionally friendly service. Be sure to feel at home and savour the finest Mediterranean flavours. Doors are open for both lunch and dinner. To make a reservation, please call 117 450 460.

Peterites ‘87 Batch Golden Reunion Dinner Dance

Peterites from the 1987 Advanced Level (A/L) batch born in 1968, who celebrate their 50th birthday this year, organized a grand Golden Reunion Dinner Dance at the Colombo Hilton on September 1st.

Most of the old boys in the 87@50 group met for the first time after 31 years since leaving St. Peter’s College, Colombo, and embarking on their chosen careers, with many coming from many parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, the UK and USA for the memorable event.

Rev. Fr. Samitha, Vice Rector of St. Peter’s College, was the chief guest, while OBU President and the General Secretary, were special guests at the gala event, considered one of the best ever dinner dances in the history of the school.

 

Former Peterite cricketer Romesh Kenny headed the organizing committee, while Nilantha Swaris of the same batch handled the event management through his company Smart Events. Firoze (Shabbir) Asgarally coordinated and sponsored most of the activities through his company M. M. Noorbhoy Pvt. Ltd.

Apart from personal contributions, George Ajith Perera, owner of Miracle Property and Real Estate Group in Melbourne, Dr. Ajith Perera, proprietor of Medichecks Colombo, Ahsam Refai from Zam Gems (Pvt) ltd., Autobahn and Tererence DeKrester from California USA, Dr.Rezmi Cassim representing the same batch, were major sponsors of the mega celebration.

However, due to unforeseen circumstances, both George Ajith Perera and Tererence DeKrester, who contributed immensely towards the success of the get-together, could not attend the event.

Dallas Kelaart of the renowned auctioneers organized the music band and DJ, while Rajive de Silva, a member of the ‘87, batch flew in from the UK to be the master of ceremonies. Shevon Goonarathne, a well-known lawyer from Moratuwa, was instrumental in organizing raffle air tickets to overseas destinations.

A Chat with Chandran Rutnam

 

Legendary Film Director Chandran Rutnam needs no introduction to those who are in the cinema industry and are ardent movie goers. As an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, a producer and one of the veterans in the industry, his achievements reach far beyond Sri Lanka, gaining high praise from international filmmakers. He has directed many international and local award winning films such as ‘’anelaya’’ (Witness to a Killing), “Alimankada” (Road from Elephant Pass) and “Sri Siddhartha Gautama” and international releases, “A Common Man” and his latest release “According to Matthew” which is based on a controversial true incident. He has been the Line Producer of several International award winning and box office successes on several international productions including the Sri Lankan location shoot of Paramount Pictures “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and the Academy Award winning “Indochine”.

 

As a child, Chandran always loved to watch films, which was the only mode of entertainment at the Cinema Hall, apart from the radio at that time. He came from an artistic family, where his mother was the sister of Donald Wijeratne, the owner of Donalds Studio whose family had been photographers for generations. Obviously, being artistic ran through his veins. His parents were very encouraging, and Rutnam considers himself as being a very lucky person to have such parents, and a student at one of the best schools of that time – St. Thomas’ College Guruthalawa. At the age of seventeen, he went to Hollywood to pursue his dream of becoming a filmmaker. Before that he got a job on the film ”Bridge on the River Kwaii”, which was one of the turning points of his life. His whole idea was to learn everything and come back to Sri Lanka and open his own studio. Living in America for many years, he was still very Sri Lankan and did not want to give up his identity. But for him, America was an amazing country – it gave him so much to bring back home.

 

A successful filmmaker and currently holding the position of President and CEO of Asian Film Locations Services, and Asian Aviation Centre, this cinema veteran joined us to have an interesting discussion to talk about his latest film, his career, his love for aviation and motion pictures, aspirations and the cinema industry in general.

 

The Q&A session is as follows:

 

Q: You released the film “According to Matthew’’ recently. Please tell us about it.

 

A: Well, I did not release it as yet. Because we had some issues and objections from various quarters which I have resolved now, and the picture will be released towards the end of September in Sri Lanka; America and other places, after October of this year.

 

Q: What was the response from the Sri Lankan audience?

 

A: The only screening we had was a preview, almost a year ago and it was a positive response, and the people seemed to like it. But then, they were invitees; I would actually like to see the reaction of the people who pay to get in. I also showed it in Australia and got a very good reception there, but now we are ready to go forward and release it in September or October.

 

Q: What was the response from the Catholic Church, especially since it was related to religion?

 

A: The Catholic Church published an article in the newspapers saying they had nothing to do with this project, and that this has got nothing to do with Catholics. I’ll go back to your previous question a bit. You see, we all want to distance ourselves from unpleasant events. But this has become a current subject in the world, because a lot of religions are hiding the fact that these abuses occur. I would say – all religions do that. Just because you wear a cassock, does not make you a saint. Just because you wear a robe, or a uniform, that does not make you superior and that does not make you different from others. Therefore, I’m very proud of this film, for one reason, because I want young people to know, that they cannot be too trusting towards people who wear uniforms of any sort, or authority. We have to respect authority, we have to respect uniforms, but we have to be a little bit more cautious and vigilant, and not give up on ourselves one hundred percent.

 

Q: How would you see the cinema industry in Sri Lanka then and now?

 

A: A very good question. In my generation, it cost a lot of money to make a film. If I remember correctly, a 400-ft reel of negatives cost Rs. 25,000. How can a young man get 10 reels for Rs. 25,000? The sad part about my generation is that there were a lot of unknown talent that didn’t even get a chance, not even discovered or bloomed, but that died away unknowingly. Now it is completely different. You can show your talent by using a telephone as a camera. You can demonstrate your talents. With new technology, it’s much easier to produce and say, “This is what I can do”. But in my generation we could not do that. It was too expensive for us to experiment and show what we could do. So the industry all over the world is much better with an abundance of talent emerging. Recently I visited an academy, where I was the chief guest, and I could not believe their level of talent present. You know, these are all talented people; they are as good as Hollywood. We just have not given them the opportunity. They’re full of enthusiasm, and I intend to make use of their talent. Also I must mention, if you visit Disney Studios or any of the studios that does animation, you’ll find that a lot of the people there are Asians. So they are utilizing our talent. Why don’t we utilize ourselves? I think we’ve got to think on those terms, and be very aggressive and have confidence in ourselves, because we are as good as everybody else or even better. So to answer your question, I think the industry today is very positive and it should grow and grow, much better than before.

 

Q: Do you think that the Sinhala cinema has yet to be competitive in reaching the global level?

 

A: We are award-oriented. We want to make films to win awards. I don’t make films to win awards; I make films for a wide audience. I want people to see my films. I don’t want just a jury, or a few people who come for the award show to see my films. And also we have to think of the producer. They are doing a business called “show business.” They do the show, and they also take care of the business part. If they do not take care of the business part of it, the producer will not come again. Also, I think, they should go for a global audience. I believe in that and I have. Yes, we can show our culture, but show it in an interesting way that the world will respond to, or that the world would want to see twice. Or where the world will recommend their friends to see it. I’m not saying they should not win awards. They deserve to win awards. But we are aiming our films at a jury. And also talking about awards, it’s not the best picture that wins the award. There’s a lot of influence. It’s nice to win an award, I have won and I’m very proud of it, but let’s not make that the only thing that matters. I think we should make movies for an audience. The greater the audience, the better it is. More people will see our hard work.

 

Q: As a location provider, what are the best locations which you have seen in Sri Lanka?

 

A: We have incredible locations like lush rain forests, ancient colonial buildings, and beaches as well. Several movies were shot in the hill country; for instance, Indiana Jones was shot in Kandy, and so too was Tarzan. So we have a lot to offer, and the colonial architecture of our county is very attractive to filmmakers. And also like I said, we possess experienced technical staff that is well-versed in their own unique art form.

 

Q: Do you think film tourism has been recognized in Sri Lanka?

 

A: Not at all. It has not been recognized in Sri Lanka, and I have been insisting on it for 50 years, and now people are listening, and if they allow us to build this bridge and make it a tourist attraction, it’ll be great. And even now, you can build a bridge in Kitulgala. It’s still a phenomenal thing. People go there. They know that the film was shot in Sri Lanka. Kitulgala is also beautiful. We are not utilizing these things and that is a shame.

 

Q.: Lastly, I would like to ask – What is your next movie project?

 

A: This year, I will be producing and directing Rudyard Kipling’s classic story, “Toomai of the Elephants” with Hollywood, Indian and Sri Lankan artistes. It’s a big production with a $50 million budget, for international distribution. This is a great opportunity and I am looking forward to it.

 

Written by Sureshni Pilapitiya

The Batik story –the Success story of Buddhi Batiks

When it comes to the Batik Industry, Buddhi Batiks had always been a household name. By becoming one of Sri Lanka’s leading Batik designers, Buddhi Batiks have been recognized for its quality, creativity, and the wide diversity of designs, patterns, thus creating its own identity in the field of fashion designing. Being the main inspiration in turning Buddhi Batiks into a household name, Deshabandhu Dr. Buddhi Keerthisena recollected the beginning of the Batik Industry in Sri Lanka as well as Buddhi Batiks, recalling an interesting journey towards the early years of Batik, gradually developing up to the international standard where it is now.

 

“When Buddhi Batiks were first established in the 1960’s, Batik was only a decorative item and was limited only for Sarongs, shirts, kaftans and Kurtas” said Dr. Keerthisena, founder and the brainwave behind Buddhi Batiks. “Actually, there was no fashion but there were dresses made out of Batik. Wall hangings were popular, and Batik was first started in Sri Lanka by Soma Udabage, and at that time, it was a new thing in the beginning of 1960’s. Afterwards, Vipula Dharmawardene, Ena Desilva, myself, Bandula Fernando, Douglas Fernando, Eric Suriyasena, we all came at the latter part of the 1960’s. But even at that time, there was no real fashion in Batik. We went all over the world, especially trade fairs. We participated in many trade fairs in the 1970’s. Vipula Dharmawardene and I did Batik exhibitions all over the world. At trade fairs, we got huge orders for supplying of Batik, including wall hangings, dresses, etc. But still there was no proper fashion”. Continued Dr. Keerthisena.

 

Vipula Dharmawardene devoted most of his time to promote Batik abroad, and gained huge success through his effort in promoting the material. Dr. Keerthisena also participated in Frankfurt, Berlin, and Dusseldorf fashion fairs, as well as those held in Brussels, Sweden, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and many others, taking Batik all across the globe. During this period, they were able to bring back a lot of foreign exchange to the country, which was during the 1970’s. From the 1970s to mid 80’s, it was a very successful industry. But however much it became popular, still there was no proper fashion.

 

“My daughter, Darshi, started working at my workshop when she was very small.” Dr. Keerthisena reflected of the fond memories of the beginning of Buddhi Batiks. “Both my workshop and the house were together, so she obviously started associating with Batik. She started doing her own Batik. When she was five years, she started making Batik dresses and scarf’s for her dolls. Then she started making different things. Every day she goes to the workshop, to do some work on her own, and even without our knowledge, she started working on Batik”. Said Dr. Keerthisena, indicating the key reason that laid Darshi’s foundation for success in the Batik Industry, Developing Buddhi Batiks into one of the most sought after fashion labels in the country.

 

When Darshi grew up, she wanted to become a fashion designer and she started her career by joining the De La Salle University, after her A/L’s, ignoring her chance to enter the University of Colombo, since she did not find what she wanted there-fashion. She obtained a diploma from there and went to UK to do her Honors degree in Fashion Designing. Batik was considered as an artistic line, but now it has turned into a profitable business. Darshi came back from England, while having the opportunity to continue as a fashion designer there, she joined Brandix and worked there for 5 years. Afterwards she joined Buddhi Batiks, her family business. While she was working at Brandix, she had the feeling that there should be a change in the Batik industry in Sri Lanka.

 

“In 1983, there was a decline of the demand for Batik in the international market as well as the local market. There was a very big tourism market in Sri Lanka in 1983, and there was a big demand from tourists for our Batiks. But in 1983, during the ethnic violence in Sri Lanka, Tourism dropped to zero, and the export level was also curtailed. The Batik industry nearly came to an end during that time, but with my efforts, I started converting it to a local demanding market. I got a market survey done to find out what was the main issue for the decline since there were no tourist sales, and I had 350 workers in my workshop, unable to do anything since there was no money to pay followed by a lot of problems. So I got a market survey done to find out what was suitable for Sri Lanka. We found Batik shirts and specially sarongs, Batik sarees and Kandyan sarees in demand. So we started making them, and I got my friends from the cinema industry to support us”. He continued.

 

Dr. Keerthisena’s efforts to liven up the Batik industry proved to be fruitful, after including well known celebrities to cooperate and encouraging Sri Lankans to wear Batik again. Thus, well known icons in the cinema industry started wearing Batik to promote the industry once again to its former prestige. “Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sriyani Amarasena, Jeevan Kumaratunga, Ranjan Ramanayake, Malani Fonseka, Lucky Dias, Raveendra Randeniya, Sabeetha Perera, Sanath Gunathillake, all these celebrities started wearing Batiks which I specially designed for them. Support from the media was also was a big success, by taking photographs and publishing, doing commercials and advertisements, and so on. Everything was done free of charge, since this was for a good cause. Everybody was talking about Batik all of a sudden, and celebrities, important and high profile people in society started wearing Batik at parties, including specially designed sarongs and kurthas. A most special person to do so was late Vijaya Kumaratunga. People started talking about it again and the market also gradually developed. I could not supply, but the others in the Batik Industry benefitted through my publicity campaign, thus the once declined Batik industry came back. The lost revenue, demand for the Batik industry came back through this programme.”

 

But apart from this success, obstacles began arising again. The Batik industry again had to go through it’s hardships with the smaller scale vendors specially in the Pettah market selling the material for a much lesser price and was of poor quality.

 

“There was a demand, but unfortunately it was going to the hands of the Pettah traders. It again became a bad time for the Batik Industry because they produced very low quality Batiks through the small shops around the country, which they sold at a low price. By doing that, again the demand for Batik was declined. A lot of people left the Batik industry, not being able to survive. Vipula Dharmawardene passed away, and many people who were in the Batik industry gave up. But I was continuing, in a smaller way.”

 

It was then Darshi came back and revamped the whole thing into a new line. She wanted to give an identity for the real Sri Lankan Batik. Having an Honors degree in Fashion Designing, she took over Buddhi Batiks and became the Director, Design. Finally now it has become a household word, and then again it has become a high up market product with sustainable investment for the village community and enhancing their livelihood.

 

According to Dr. Keerthisena, Batik is teamwork. There’s a designer, there’s a person who decides the colours, but still, you need skilled artisans for this type of work. Artisans are the people who are really working in the production side. They are the manpower behind the scene. So with all this teamwork, Darshi is heading Buddhi Batiks. She’s the designer, consultant, advisor, promoter, all in one. Everything is done by her, and with her innovative thinking, theres a group of artisans using their skills converting a raw cloth into Batik, which has created wonders with its wide range of colours, designs and styles to choose from.

 

“After Darshi revamped the whole thing, those who left the industry also came back and started Batik again. Some of them even started copying Darshi’s designs, but Darshi was not angry or unhappy about it. She merely said “let the industry grow”. Today, you can market Batik from any angle-wedding sarees can be made, and you can market it for $150, 000 a saree. You can start from Rs.60, 000 to Rs.150, 000 a saree. That is where Darshi has brought the industry now. Her thinking is Batik, but Sri Lankan. Design, Sri Lankan. Promotion, Sri Lankan, but fashion, international. That is what I see in her. But she may have a different way of thinking” Dr. Keerthisena further expressed. With all her hard work after coming back to Sri Lanka, she has brought the Batik industry to an international fame. Marketing aspects, design aspects, the recognition, all has gone to international level also benefitting the people who are in the industry. “He further added. Established as the brainchild of Deshabandhu Dr. Buddhi Keerthisena, and further developed into a leading fashion label both locally and internationally with Darshi’s creativity and expertise in the industry, , the success of Buddhi Batiks is simply an example of sheer commitment, dedication and teamwork, proving that anything is possible, and face challenges if it needs to be.

 

By Sureshni Pilapitiya

Chocoholic’s – For your chocolate fix!

 

I am the type of person who could eat dessert all day and still crave for more; yes I am a big sweet tooth! They say something’s are worth getting diabetes for and I would still run to Chocoholics’s for my chocolate fix! Indeed a chocolate heaven, the name does the justice! If you’re a chocoholic or you like chocolate because come on who doesn’t; then the ideal place to visit is to head towards Havelock Road where you can find them on the main road! Chocoholics’s is a café that started back in December 2017, big thanks to the owner as he brought my chocolate dreams to life! They serve a large variety of dishes with the main concept of chocolate being signature; let me warn you they aren’t any normal boring chocolate, this is drool worthy, insta feed famous and tongue tickling good dishes! From the chocolate crepes, waffles, pancakes, chocolate sushi and the list go on!

Ambience

From the outside it looks very dainty; but be aware as looks could be deceiving they say! Its two stores and pretty spacious, more than 40 diners can be accommodated in one serving! The very chic interior with a theme of chocolate quoted frames and the sweet aroma around makes me adore this place more! The elegant hanging lights and the dark brown walls craft a perfect ambience to snap a picture for your social media. It’s very cozy and family friendly too!

Service

Well trained staff is another bonus to this place. After a conversation with the staff, I was more than impressed about their knowledge of the menu! They were fluent with the dishes and making suggestions according to our preferences. The food arrived really fast specially in comparison to other places. They have an open kitchen that is very well maintained and a delight to watch.

Food

The menu offers a wide variety for you to choose from and the pictures used in the menu are surprisingly the same when you receive it! The proportions are huge making it reasonable and light on your wallet! We started off with fettuccine inspired crepe which came with a huge dollop of ice cream and was completely drizzled in chocolate; this was a very interesting dish and not something that you commonly find. The crepe was sliced into strips and drizzled with the right ratio of chocolate and crepe. The ice-cream was an additional delight and made every bite more tasty.

Moving onto the chocolate viennois; it looked exactly like a mug of fancy chocolate drink with marshmallow toppings that you see in the Hollywood movies! Well it tasted just as good as it looked; it was loaded with whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate syrup which worked wonders with the hot chocolate! That’s one drink that you want to grab seconds.

Mixed fruit pancake was a serving of a stack of pancakes, drenched in fine high quality chocolate and a side of grapes, strawberries and banana. Honestly how do I credit this place even more for presentation, they are on their ‘A’ game and the desserts a bit too cute to even cut into it. As elegant as it looked, the taste was just as good! Fluffy and soft, the sweetness from the chocolate and the tanginess from the fruits are an ideal combination.

 

I am not the biggest strawberry fan but I think Chocoholics just changed that after I tried their strawberry and cream cheese milkshake. That was definitely not your average milkshake; it was a punchy blend of fresh strawberries and a generous amount of cream cheese and I am not complaining. I simply loved it!

Lastly the best and my personal favorite dish; chocoholic’s classic it’s a serving of classic waffles filled with strawberries, drizzled with chocolate sauces, vanilla ice cream and a chocolate shot! I have heard a lot of this particular dish but really wanted to see what the hype was about and was it all worth it? It was and I am already planning my next visit. The waffles were very crunchy having the perfect texture and the sourness from the strawberries was balanced beautifully with the addition of ice cream and the extra chocolate shot. The flavors were spot on and not over powering; each element of the dish complimented the other well.

 

Now you know where to head to get your chocolate fix, pay a visit and I promise it’s worth it. Indulge in chocolate!

 

Reviewed By Shafiya Nawzer

AWARD WINNING ADITYA UNVEILS TWO ULTRA-LUXURY VILLAS

 

Placed among the country’s Top 10 Luxury Hotels and Top 25 Small Hotels by TripAdvisor Travellers Choice 2018, the award winning Aditya that sits on the southern beach of Rathgama recently unveiled two ultra-luxury villas, each with a floor space of an impressive 7,500 square feet. Probably the country’s largest stand-alone villas, the two storey villas with its rooftop jacuzzi, has two bedrooms, living, lounge and dining areas with a pantry for added convenience. Spaciousness, which is Aditya’s signature for all its suites is augmented even further at these two villas, with its rooms named after Hindu deities, Shakthi, Rudra, Aditi and Vayu.

 

With Aditya also winning TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels in Sri Lanka for Service and Top 25 Hotels in Sri Lanka for Romance, the water features in the villas have been conceptualised primarily to take the concept of romance and of course R&R to the next level. The ground floor bedroom has its own 30’x12’ lap pool set within a lush courtyard, while the upper floor bedroom is all about imbibing the beauty of the Indian ocean, whether sunbathing for two during the day, enjoying a signature cocktail in the open-air rooftop jacuzzi at twilight or even under a canopy of stars, undeniably where romance knows no limits. Add a candlelit dinner while indulging in Aditya’s delectable epicurean fantasies accompanied to the symphony of the waves lapping at your feet or a spa treatment for two for some rejuvenation, and romance is definitely in the air. Each villa can be booked in total or as a single room option, either the ground floor or the upper floor.

 

Having etched its name indelibly in Sri Lanka’s luxury resort landscape and given remarkable kudos by guest who have repeatedly stayed at Aditya since it unveiled its unique brand of luxury in 2005, the resort’s contemporary design, tranquil milieu and outstanding service with the greatest attention to detail have been the collective mantra for its continued success. “The fact that we have been winning TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards consecutively for seven years denotes that we have won the hearts and minds of our guests,” says Director/General Manager of Hermitage Resort (Pvt) Limited, Shamindra Fernando. “To us, it is our service levels that we concentrate on greatly because while Aditya itself has been designed to present ultimate luxury, it is the human touch in service that places us at the zenith. I extend deserved kudos to our team, who all believe that service is the ultimate clincher in the hospitality industry and ensure that it is the ultimate promise at Aditya.”

 

The chic contemporary design with its Balinese and Sri Lankan antiques artfully interspersed with vignettes from cultural Sri Lanka, relaxation spaces with its tropical hues set against polished cement floors and each suite a haven of privacy, comfort, luxury and elegance heralds unimaginable levels of indulgence, crafted by Aditya to perfection. Add a delectable F&B menu with its a la carte or set menu options for breakfast, lunch and dinner and experience the gourmet journeys that Aditya Master Chef and his team creatively put together. Aditya is “a true secret gem,” as travel writer Philip Woman wrote and can stand proudly holding its four TripAdvisor awards, knowing full well that it continues to be the trendsetter in Sri Lanka’s resort space.