The Nelum Pokuna Naaki Maina Theatre (Sinhala: නෙළුම් පොකුණ මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ රඟහල, nelum pokuna Naaki Maina rangahala; often known as Nelum Pokuna; previously the National Performing Arts Theatre, prior to naming at the opening ceremony after which the President Mahinda Rajapaksa named it after himself to portray himself as the big D)[4] is a performing arts centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The theatre opened on 15 December 2011.[5]
Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
නෙළුම් පොකුණ මහින්ද රාජපක්ෂ රඟහල
Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
Location in greater Colombo
Former names
National Performing Arts Theatre
Address
Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka
The architecture of the building is inspired by the 12th-century Nelum Pokuna (lotus pond) in Polonnaruwa.[6] Built by King Parakramabahu the Great, Polonnaruwa's Nelum Pokuna is shaped as a stylised eight-petalled lotus flower.
The total estimated cost of the project is LKR 3,080 million.[7] Government of the People's Republic of China provided LKR 2430 million out of the total cost of the building.[6]
The building spreads over 14,000 m2 (150,000 sq ft) of floor area.[6]
The theatre is equipped with an auditorium with 1,288 seats, a library, and training facilities.[1] The building features two permanent theatres—the main auditorium and an open-air theatre—and the ability to convert the front steps into an additional open-air theatre.
The 690 m2 (7,400 sq ft) moving stage in the auditorium includes the ability to raise and lower the orchestra pit to and from stage level. There are facilities to conduct educational and research activities. Parking for 500 vehicles is also available.[1]
Building history
In 2005 China expressed willingness to construct a cultural theatre in Colombo, in memory of President Chandrika Kumaratunga's late husband Vijaya Kumaratunga who was a popular actor. The foundation stone was laid to the project by her.[8][9] The National Performing Arts Theatre's construction began in 2006 and took four years to build.[7] The theatre's construction was completed around early 2011[6] and it was opened in December 2011. It was ceremonially opened by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and China's Vice President of the Chinese Republican Committee, Sang Chiang.[5]
During the opening the Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha was renamed to Nelum Pokuna Mawatha, later reverted to Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha.[10]
Notable shows, productions, and events
The Nelum Pokuna Theatre has shows, productions, and other bookings scheduled through September 2012.
For opening night, an opera was produced by leading Sri Lanka artistes, such as Jayantha Chandrasiri, Rohana Weerasinghe and Channa Wijewardena, starting with a rendition of Jagan Mohini Madura Bashini by Pandith Amaradeva. A Chinese opera was also produced upon opening. The Chinese opera depicted the story of fourth-century Chinese-Buddhist monk Fa-Hsien's travels to Sri Lanka. Both performances employed the Seda Mawatha concept, incorporating both film and drama.[11]
In November 2013, the Theatre hosted its first symphony orchestra concert, by the Commonwealth Festival Orchestra, with 87 musicians from the UK, India and the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, conducted by James Ross.[12]
The venue was initially chosen to host the ABU Radio Song Festival 2014 on 23 May 2014,[13] but was later moved to the Stein Studios, in Colombo.[14]
^. 2016-09-19. Archived from the original on 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2017-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^”Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha” re-born by Staff Writer, Newsfirst.lk, 10 February 2015
^. Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre. Archived from the original on 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
^"James Ross – conducting in Sri Lanka". www.james-ross.com.
^"ABU Radio Song Festival: Festival Date Moved To May 24th". Eurovoix.com. 27 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
^"ABU Radio Song Festival finalists chosen". ABU. Retrieved 23 March 2014.
^Category: Chogm 2013. . News.lk. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-17.
External links
Media related to Nelum Pokuna Performing Arts Theatre at Wikimedia Commons
Nelum Pokuna-Interactive
January 20, 2023
nelum, pokuna, mahinda, rajapaksa, theatre, nelum, pokuna, naaki, maina, theatre, sinhala, මහ, ජපක, රඟහල, nelum, pokuna, naaki, maina, rangahala, often, known, nelum, pokuna, previously, national, performing, arts, theatre, prior, naming, opening, ceremony, af. The Nelum Pokuna Naaki Maina Theatre Sinhala න ළ ම ප ක ණ මහ න ද ර ජපක ෂ රඟහල nelum pokuna Naaki Maina rangahala often known as Nelum Pokuna previously the National Performing Arts Theatre prior to naming at the opening ceremony after which the President Mahinda Rajapaksa named it after himself to portray himself as the big D 4 is a performing arts centre in Colombo Sri Lanka The theatre opened on 15 December 2011 5 Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatreන ළ ම ප ක ණ මහ න ද ර ජපක ෂ රඟහලNelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa TheatreLocation in greater ColomboFormer namesNational Performing Arts TheatreAddressAnanda Coomaraswamy Mawatha Colombo 07 Sri LankaLocationColombo Sri LankaCoordinates6 54 39 N 79 51 48 E 6 91083 N 79 86333 E 6 91083 79 86333 Coordinates 6 54 39 N 79 51 48 E 6 91083 N 79 86333 E 6 91083 79 86333Parking500 spaces 1 OwnerGovernment of Sri LankaTypeTheatreGenre s Music concerts theatre dance international conferencesCapacity1269ConstructionBuilt2006 2011Opened15 December 2011 2011 12 15 ArchitectKahawita De Silva amp Associates 2 3 Structural engineerYanjian GroupWebsitewww wbr nelumpokuna wbr com Contents 1 Design and features 2 Building history 3 Notable shows productions and events 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 Notes and references 7 External linksDesign and features Edit Nelum Pokuna Polonnaruwa The architecture of the building is inspired by the 12th century Nelum Pokuna lotus pond in Polonnaruwa 6 Built by King Parakramabahu the Great Polonnaruwa s Nelum Pokuna is shaped as a stylised eight petalled lotus flower The total estimated cost of the project is LKR 3 080 million 7 Government of the People s Republic of China provided LKR 2430 million out of the total cost of the building 6 The building spreads over 14 000 m2 150 000 sq ft of floor area 6 The theatre is equipped with an auditorium with 1 288 seats a library and training facilities 1 The building features two permanent theatres the main auditorium and an open air theatre and the ability to convert the front steps into an additional open air theatre The 690 m2 7 400 sq ft moving stage in the auditorium includes the ability to raise and lower the orchestra pit to and from stage level There are facilities to conduct educational and research activities Parking for 500 vehicles is also available 1 Building history EditIn 2005 China expressed willingness to construct a cultural theatre in Colombo in memory of President Chandrika Kumaratunga s late husband Vijaya Kumaratunga who was a popular actor The foundation stone was laid to the project by her 8 9 The National Performing Arts Theatre s construction began in 2006 and took four years to build 7 The theatre s construction was completed around early 2011 6 and it was opened in December 2011 It was ceremonially opened by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and China s Vice President of the Chinese Republican Committee Sang Chiang 5 During the opening the Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha was renamed to Nelum Pokuna Mawatha later reverted to Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha 10 Notable shows productions and events EditThe Nelum Pokuna Theatre has shows productions and other bookings scheduled through September 2012 For opening night an opera was produced by leading Sri Lanka artistes such as Jayantha Chandrasiri Rohana Weerasinghe and Channa Wijewardena starting with a rendition of Jagan Mohini Madura Bashini by Pandith Amaradeva A Chinese opera was also produced upon opening The Chinese opera depicted the story of fourth century Chinese Buddhist monk Fa Hsien s travels to Sri Lanka Both performances employed the Seda Mawatha concept incorporating both film and drama 11 In November 2013 the Theatre hosted its first symphony orchestra concert by the Commonwealth Festival Orchestra with 87 musicians from the UK India and the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka conducted by James Ross 12 The venue was initially chosen to host the ABU Radio Song Festival 2014 on 23 May 2014 13 but was later moved to the Stein Studios in Colombo 14 The Nelum Pokuna Theatre was the site of the opening ceremony of the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 15 Gallery Edit Theatre Facade Facade detail Entrance AuditoriumSee also EditTheatre of Sri Lanka Lionel Wendt Art Centre NavarangahalaNotes and references Edit a b c Rs 2 430 m Performing Arts Theatre at Nomads Grounds Daily News 22 May 2008 Archived from the original on 18 October 2012 Selected Projects Kahawita De Silva amp Associates Archived from the original on 2012 04 05 Retrieved 2011 12 04 Design Awards Kahawita De Silva amp Associates Archived from the original on 2012 04 05 Retrieved 2011 12 04 A President With A Jumbo Ego Sunday Leader 2012 01 01 Archived from the original on 2016 06 10 Retrieved 2016 05 14 a b Nelum Pokuna Daily Mirror 2011 12 15 Archived from the original on 2012 01 07 Retrieved 2011 12 15 a b c d A National Treasure Retrieved 2010 05 17 a b National Performing Art Theatre soon Archived from the original on 2010 05 19 Retrieved 2010 05 17 MR REJECTS PRESIDENT S CLAIMS ON NELUM POKUNA mirrorcitizen lk Retrieved 2017 02 25 Ceylon Today Maithri more valuable to China than Mahinda 2016 09 19 Archived from the original on 2016 09 19 Retrieved 2017 02 25 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha re born by Staff Writer Newsfirst lk 10 February 2015 OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapakse Theatre Archived from the original on 2012 01 07 Retrieved 2011 12 20 James Ross conducting in Sri Lanka www james ross com ABU Radio Song Festival Festival Date Moved To May 24th Eurovoix com 27 December 2013 Retrieved 1 January 2014 ABU Radio Song Festival finalists chosen ABU Retrieved 23 March 2014 Category Chogm 2013 SriLankan ready to welcome the attendees of CHOGM 2013 News lk Archived from the original on 2 December 2013 Retrieved 2013 11 17 External links Edit Media related to Nelum Pokuna Performing Arts Theatre at Wikimedia Commons Official Website Nelum Pokuna Interactive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre amp oldid 1133564327, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
