DD/24/282 Nethmi Divyanjani

When looking at ballets, Swan Lake can be pointed out as a ballet that belongs to the romantic ballet genre💟💫. Swan Lake was created in Russia based on a German folk tale. It can be identified as a creation based on royalty, royal families, and aristocratic families. It was first performed in Russia in 1877. It was at the Mariansky Theater in St. Petersburg. The theater's choreographer was Marius Petipa.  He is a Frenchman and, upon an invitation from Russia, he became the theater's choreographer. Marius Petipa's original production of Swan Lake, produced in 1877, can be recognized as a very powerful creation. Swan Lake was re-produced in 1894 and remains popular to this day. The music for the ballet Swan Lake was composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. These have become socialized in the name of the musical director while popularizing ballets in the world. This is because in Western countries, there is a greater appreciation for music than for dance, and for this reason, b...

The Madhu Church🕂 can be pointed out as a special sacred place of pilgrimage for Christian devotees. Located in the middle of the Madhu forest in the Mannaram district, this church has a history of more than 400 years. That is, during the 16th century, the religion spread in the Mannaram area during the Portuguese rule, and later, due to religious pressures during the Dutch rule, they fled to the forest for safety.  It is said that they brought a statue of the Mother Goddess from Mannaram to the Madhu area. Later, this church was built under the leadership of a Catholic woman named Helena and is known as Marada Madhu. There are many miracles in this church and many people regardless of religion go to worship the National Shrine of our Lady Madhu Goddess🙏. The Madhu festival is held on the 15th of August. This is the biggest festival of the year.

Holy Week can be considered the most important week of the Christian calendar, the Holy Week.  Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday. On this day, palm branches are blessed and palm crosses are made from them, commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Then comes Maundy Thursday. On this day, the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples is specially remembered. Just as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, so it is done today. This day is special because the Eucharist and the priesthood were established.  After that, there is a sad day for Christians, Good Friday. On this day, Jesus Christ was crucified. On that day, Christians dress in white and attend church services.  After that is Holy Saturday. On that day, silent prayers are said, remembering the time when Jesus lay in the tomb. However, at midnight on that day, the Easter service is held. The main blessing of fire and water is performed.  On Easter Sunday, Jesus' triumphant resurrection from the dea...

This Lent can be seen as an important period for Christians🙏💗 . Lent is the 40-day period used to prepare for the Easter festival. This can be seen as a period of repentance. That is, during this time, people remember the time that Jesus Christ spent fasting for 40 days in the wilderness, repent of their sins, and spiritual renewal occurs.  During this period, Christians spend more time with God through prayer than usual. They also abstain from meat, especially on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and every Friday.  They also help the poor and needy during this time. During this period, the altar is also decorated with purple because Christians use this color as a symbol of repentance. The 2026 season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 18, and ends on Maundy Thursday, April 2.

Rice can be considered as a staple food in Sri Lanka. Various dishes are made from rice. Among them, Milk Rice is a very special dish. Milk Rice can be served as a dish that is definitely on the table on a good day in Sri Lanka. For example, New Year, weddings, and various festive occasions can be pointed out.  So, this Milk Rice is made by boiling the rice we eat normally in water, adding coconut milk to it and making the rice. Rampa is used to enhance its taste and aroma. This milk rice can be enjoyed with lunumiris or chicken curry or any type of curry. Another type of milk rice that young children love is Ibul milk rice. This is made by adding coconut pani to the middle of the milk rice after it is cooked. It is a very delicious dish. In addition, many types of milk rice are made, such as green bean milk rice. Milk rice can be shown as a dish that everyone in Sri Lanka likes, regardless of age.😃💗

I started learning dance at the age of 4. My mother took me to a dance academy when I was little. Dance became my life through this academy. The name of the academy is Sanchitha Rangana Kalayathana. My teacher's name is Prabhavi Rangana. But those who love her call her Sigithi. Even today, we call her Sigithi Teacher. It is special that she is also my godmother.  She opened the eyes of many children like me by forming correct shapes from a young age. She is a loving character but she is a bit strict. The reason is that we want to pass on the love and skill to our children. She trained me for 11 years, taught me the skill well, and even performed a paimapath ceremony to make me a dancer in it. It was a very beautiful period in my life that I will never forget.  Also, through her guidance, I learned Kandyan dance as well as Bharata Natyam. We have also participated in state dance competitions through the Sanchitha Rangana Kalayathana and have achieved victories. If I have come a...