Ilankai Tamil Sangam
Association of Tamils of Sri Lanka in the USA
Published by Sangam.org
The central character is performed by K. Rasarathnam, an actual survivor of Black July. “As a survivor, it's a humbling experience to be able to speak on behalf of the thousands who's voices were permanently silenced on July 83” said Mr. Rasarathnam. |
July 11, 2008
For Immediate Release
ASYLUM THEATRE GROUP PRESENTS WHAT IF THE RAIN FAILS
IN COMMEMORATION OF SRI LANKA’S ‘BLACK JULY’
SATURDAY, JULY 26 AT THE YOUNG CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Twenty five years ago, this month, a state–sponsored pogrom against Tamils in Sri Lanka, widely known as “Black July ‘83”, resulted in the killings of 3000 Tamils and large scale destruction of their properties. Thousands fled as refugees. A significant number of Tamils sought refuge in Canada. Tamils all over the world commemorate Black July, this month. As part of a month-long commemoration in Canada organized by the Canadian Tamil Congress, Asylum Theatre Group of Toronto presents the Toronto premiere of, WHAT IF THE RAIN FAILS on Saturday, July 26 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
Written by Toronto Tamil poet Cheran, the play is set against the backdrop of a refugee hearing in Canada. The play weaves personal testimonies, poetry and dance in narrating a heart-wrenching story of loss and survival. The central character is performed by K. Rasarathnam, an actual survivor of Black July. “As a survivor, it's a humbling experience to be able to speak on behalf of the thousands who's voices were permanently silenced on July 83” said Mr. Rasarathnam.
Saturday, July 26 at 1:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:00pm
Venue: Tank House Theatre in the Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Distillery Historic District
Tickets are $5.00 and available at the Young Centre Box Office
www.youngcentre.ca - 416 866 8666
or Canadian Tamil Congress office - 416 240 0078
About Ayslum Theatre Group
Director: Dushy Gnanapragasam
Dushy Gnanapragasam received his initiation into live theatre in Sri Lanka. He has been an actor with various Tamil Canadian community theatre groups for over 10 years. For the last five years he has been a director at Manaveli Performing Arts Group's Annual Festival of Theatre and Dance. His directorial ventures include Harold Pinter's New World Order, Mario Fratti's The Satraps, Ivan Turgenev's Broke, and Murray Schisgal's The Pushcart Peddlers.
Playwright: Cheran
Cheran has published seven anthologies of poetry in Tamil. His plays have been performed in Sri Lanka, Canada, the UK and France. His poems have been translated into English, German, Swedish, Sinhala, Kannnada and Malayalam. He has performed poetry at various international writers’ festivals. He was the recipient of a writing award from the Banff Centre for Arts, Alberta. This is his first play in English. He is a professor at the University of Windsor, Ontario.
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Media Contact:
Dushy Gnanapragasam, (416) 995-2984
For information about the Black July commemoration, visit www.blackjuly83.com
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