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| Thursday, 16 December 2004 |
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Fr. N. M. Saveri's 65th birthday : A scholar, historian, director and devoted priest
Rev. Fr. N. Maria Saveri, Director, Thirumarai Kalamandram (Centre for Performing Arts) has reached another milestone on the eventful road of life's pilgrimage. He entered his 65th year on December 3, 2004. We are privileged to tender to him our respectful felicitations on the auspicious event. "As is a tale, so is life, not how long it is, but how good it is," wrote Seneca. One may grow old by the years that one has lived, but one keeps ever young by the events and achievements of enduring value that are packed into one's life. By that standard Rev. Fr. N. M. Saveri can never be said to have grown old. Aided by superior intelligence and an indomitable will he has attained eminence and greatness on account of his contribution he has made for the promotion of peace, justice and equality among all communities through art and culture particular by his drama on 'War and Peace'. Rev. Saveri was born at Illavalai and had his secondary education at St. Henry's College, Illavalai and St. Patrick's College, Jaffna. He joined the National Seminary at Ampitiya at the age of 16 and completed his philosophical studies. Thereafter, he proceeded to the Propaganda Fide College in Rome to pursue his theological studies and was ordained a priest in 1962 for the Diocese of Jaffna. While working in Urumpirai parish, Prof. Saveri established the Thirumarai Kala Mandram (Centre for Performing Arts) in 1966. His main aim was to inculcate human and humane values through cultural activities and to identify and foster literary and artistic talents both in individuals and groups. He staged a Passion Play in Urumpirai in 1967 with 250 actors taken from different parts of Jaffna. Apart from cultural activities, he proceeded to Madras and obtained the title 'Vidvan Pulavar'. Thereafter he joined the London University and obtained his Masters and Doctorate Degrees. In 1978, he submitted a study on the relations between Roman Catholics and Hindus in Jaffna for his doctoral research at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London. According to him that peace and war are external reflections of internal states of mind. If one were to be a messenger of peace, one needs to change the hearts and minds of those who inspire and instigate violence that breeds bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers. Though inter-cultural activities between Sinhala-Tamil speaking communities, Prof. Saveri endeavours to bring about peace, harmony, co-operation and mutual understanding among all the communities. The Centre for Performing Arts has already stated a cultural inter-active awareness program called 'Kalai Palam'; exhibition, seminars, concert and plays in many parts of the island. At present the Centre for Performing Arts has more than 3,000 artistes including Tamils, Sinhalese and Muslims and the Centre has spread its wings not only to different parts of Sri Lanka, but to centres like Germany, France, England, Canada and Australia as well. Recently, Prof. Saveri took nearly 10 artistes including Muslims, Tamils and Sinhalese to 8 countries to perform cultural programmes highlighting international peace. Prof. Saveri's selfless, admirable and inestimable services in the promotions of peace through inter-cultural activities has been in steady progress for more than three decades and it has been duly recognised and immensely appreciated by all communities and denominations living in Sri Lanka and abroad. 'Kalabhoosanam' Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar (Member of the Advisory Board of the Centre for Performing Arts) |
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