| Events & News |
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| Vocational Training |
| The Vocational Training Unite of Thidora exhibited and sold its products at Crescat, Colombo recently. This sells outlet was sponsored by Hameedia. It was a great opportunity for our fund raising and awareness raising activities. |
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| Training of Trainers on music therapy |
| Artistic Director and Chairman of Thidora theatre, Rohana Deva conducted a TOT [Training of Trainers] programme on music therapy at Hotel Janaki, Colombo on June 28, 2011. It was a residential training for Medical Officers [Mental Health] which was organised by the Ministry of Health – Sri Lanka. Dr. Laxmy Somathunga – Director/Mental Health of the Ministry of Health coordinated the workshop. Twenty government medical officers selected from district basis were benefited. |
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| New Year Celebrations |
| Thidora participants celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New Year at its premises on April 25. They took part in number of activities and games during the celebration that was sponsored by the HEMAS. |
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| ThIDORA on Air |
| BBC Radio 3 recorded a programme on Kaffirs in Sri Lanka at Thidora Theatre on April 21. Producer Peter Meanwall and two other crew members from BBC were also present. |
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| We moved to Rajagiriya |
| Thidora Theatre moved to a new location at Rajagiriya. This building complex is specially designed for people with special education needs and located at No. 12, No.12 1/1 and No.14, Cooray Mawatha, Moragasmulla, Rajagiriya. This complex has been allocated to Thidora Theatre by Al Latiff Foundation free of charge on long term lease. |
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| Kaffir Sthrella takes flight |
Sri Lankan Kaffirs at Sirambiady launched their maiden musical album ‘Kaffir Sthrella’ on March 31, 2011 at Town Hall, Puttalam. Along with the release Thidora Theatre organized a public show titled ‘Kaffir Sthrella with Butterflies’ that was staged on March 31 at Town Hall, Puttalam and on April 05 at John De Silva Memorial Theatre, Colombo 07. This project was sponsored by Centre for Poverty Analysis [CEPA]. |
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| ThIDORA at 8th International Puppet Festival |
| Puppeteers of Thidora Theatre were fortunate to perform at the Eighth International Puppet Festival that was held from March 20 to 28, 2011 at the Puppet Museum, Lahore, Pakistan. The festival was organized by Rafi Peer Cultural Centre. Puppeteers from Norway, Sri Lanka, India and Pakistan performed their traditional performances in front of a well applauded audience there. |
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| ThIDORA released Ceylon Kaffirs' debut album. |
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ThIDORA Theatre Sri Lanka proudly presents 'Kaffir Sthrela' the maiden musical album of 'Kaffir Manja'.
The community
Kaffir was brought to Sri Lanka from South Africa by Portuguese during the time Portuguese ruled the Island Nation.
As a result of the vibrant diversified customs and rituals of Sri Lankans this community still exists with their own culture in
Sri Lanka even after more than 500 years though the no of heads are less than 200.
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| A three day residential camp was held in Down South |
 'Appe Petawu' of Hambantota affiliated to ThIDORA organised a three day residential camp on
January 28, 29 & 30 at St. Maris College, Hambantota to enhance the creative talents of
disabled , encourage the parents and train teachers to work with disabled. Chairman and Artistic Director of Thidora theatre conducted seminar series and Moment Therapy workshop for the participant. 84 disabled children, 62 parents and 15 teachers from Hambantota
District were actively took part and gained experience for their future activities.
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| Two more awards at the world disabled day event |
 Thilina Siriwardane and Sachini Ruwanthika received 1st prize at the national
festival on the World Disabled Day 2010, by staging a hybrid dancing with
segments from low-country dancing under the supervision of the acclaimed
choreographers Ramani Damayanthi and Karunadasa Olaboduwa.
The event was organised by the Saviya Development Foundation and the Ministry
of Social Services of Sri Lanka.
These achievements illustrate the extent of the dedication made by Thidora
Theatre which was introduced the first ever integrated theatre troupe in
Sri Lanka and helped in understanding the psychology of these children and
patiently opening doors for their creative output.
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| Thidora theatre bags 4 awards at ESCO 2010 |
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Thidora theatre won 4 main awards at the Very Special Peace Art Festival-ESCO 2010 held on October 30 & 31 at Moratuwa,
Sri Lanka. The event was organised by ESCO Rehab Sri Lanka with the participation of more than 700 disabled youth from all
over the country including Jaffna, Manner, Batticaloa and Tangalle.
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| Our Creative Director wins TOYP 2009 Award |
Thidora Theatres' Creative Director Ramani Damayanthi was the only female to win the Ten Outstanding Young
Persons of Sri Lanka [TOYP2009]. She won the trophy on her contribution to the well-being of children.
The ceremony was organized by the Junior Chamber International Sri Lanka and HSBC bank and was held in
Colombo. D.P.M.T.Jayamanna, Minister Rishard Bathiudeen, M.U.M.Ali Sabry, Wasantha Dukgannarala, Ajantha
Mendis [Sri Lankan Cricketer], Prof; Sisil Kumarawadu, Dr. P.Katulanda, S.A.Anurudha Bandara and Asitha Pinnawadu
were the others who won the awards.
Since 1990 Ramani Damayanthi has conducted Drama Therapy workshops to enable the disabled. Her talent and
commitment makes her a great asset to spread the concept of inclusive education using drama therapy to enable the
disabled and pave the way for disadvantaged to become fully-fledged human beings.
Though she has won the Best Actress Award in 1994, 1995 & 1998 at the National Youth Drama Festival and 1996 at
the State Drama Festival and has appeared in numerous Stage and Television plays as a prominent actress, she
was not contented in just remaining a Star and dedicated her talent to enhance the lives of children with special
needs using theatre art as a therapeutic tool and reached a milestone as a key member of the Thidora Theatre
which was introduced the first ever integrated theatre troupe in Sri Lanka.
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| Launched of a website to support puppeteers in Sri Lanka |
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Thidora-Theatre Institute for Disability Oriented Research and Advocacy launched a website – www.puppetrylk.com under the
patronage of honorable Mahinda Yapa Abewardane -than Minister of cultural affairs and national heritage, to promote Sri Lanka
puppetry. The website from which many can access the work of the puppeteers will lead to a better understanding of puppetry in
Sri Lanka and also get them the necessary international exposure. |
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[In the picture from left; Rohana Deva- Chairman of Thidora
theatre, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana- than Minister of Cultural
Affairs and National Heritage, Mr. Vimal Rubasinghe-
Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National
Heritage, Mr. Pandula Edagama- than Chairman of the Arts
Council of Sri Lanka, Prof; Lionel Bentarage and Dr. Leel
Gunasekara, at the occasion.] |
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- Designing the teacher’s
Manuel to work with Autistic Children
Formulation of Practical Techniques to the Members
of the Committee of Designing the Teachers’
Manuel to work with Autistic Children in
Government
Schools. The Manuel is being designed by the National
Institute of Education of the Ministry of Education.
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