#Sri Lankan-American artist

[pinkstarlightcomputer]

Shyama Golden

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

M.I.A. - Paper Planes 2008

"Paper Planes" is a song by British hip hop artist M.I.A. It was released on 11 February 2008 as the third single from her second studio album, Kala (2007). It samples English rockband the Clash's 1982 song "Straight to Hell", leading to its members being credited as co-writers. A downtempo alternative hip hop, pop track combining African folk music elements, the song has a less dance-oriented sound compared to other songs on the album. Its lyrics, inspired by M.I.A.'s own problems obtaining a visa to work in the USA, satirise American perceptions of immigrants from war-torn countries, and said that the issue was probably "them thinking that I might to [sic] fly a plane into the Trade Center".

M.I.A. had wanted to work with American producer Timbaland for the album Kala, but her application for a long-term US work visa was rejected. This was allegedly due to her family's connection to the Tamil guerrillas, commonly known as the Tamil Tigers, a claim M.I.A. denied. Her visa problems were also attributed to her criticism of the Sri Lankan government's discrimination and alleged atrocities committed against the Tamils, with whom M.I.A. shares an ethnic and cultural heritage. She expressed this on her politicised debut album Arular. The unexpected success of "Paper Planes" paralleled M.I.A.'s condemnations of the Sri Lankan government's war crimes against the Tamils, generating accusations that she supported terrorism.

The song received widespread acclaim from contemporary critics, who complimented its musical direction and the subversive, unconventional subject matter. It won awards from the Canadian Independent Music Awards and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and earned a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year. The song has received praise in publications such as NME, Pitchfork and Rolling Stone, each naming it among either the best songs of the 2000s decade or of all time. The review aggregator Acclaimed Music reports it as the second-most acclaimed song of the 21st century.

"Paper Planes" was used in the theatrical trailer for the 2008 stoner comedy Pineapple Express, directed by David Gordon Green, which catapulted the song to mainstream success in the US. "Paper Planes" and the DFA remix appear on the soundtrack to Danny Boyle's drama Slumdog Millionaire, released in 2008. The video game Far Cry 3 (2012) begins with "Paper Planes" used in the opening cinematic sequence.

"Paper Planes" received a total of 68,9% yes votes!

[theoffingmag]

Samira Idroos’ works in textile The Greatest and Fans cheekily reimagine Islamic prayer rugs with the embroidered additions of Nike and Supreme logos. The repetition of a rotated Nike swoosh reads like a calligraphic articulation of “Allah” in Arabic, while the word “supreme” makes reference to the ninety-nine words to describe Allah as the “most good” in the Quran. Idroos prompts her viewers to consider their worship of commodity and the power of slogan and icon to garner loyalty and following. With the prayer rugs hung against the wall at eye level, the Sri Lankan-American artist also demonstrates the physical impossibility of kneeling for prayer with these reimagined readymades of faith as they are installed as art objects. 

Contemporary Exhibition Inspired by the Sacred – ALTER – Leaves One Changed

[samisadeangirl]

Get to Know the Blogger

I wasn’t tagged by anyone specifically, but @peach-coke included “and everyone who wants to do this” on theirs, so here we are:

Name: Sam

Sign: Leo

Height: 5′3″

Birthday: August 16th

Time: EST

Favorite band/artists: For classic rock, it would be either Led Zeppelin or Metallica. For modern hard rock, it’s Shinedown.

Last movie: Despicable Me 2 on Netflix

Last show: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

When I created this blog: November 2017 IIRC

What I post: Fan fiction (Wincest), occasional smackdowns of Hellers and other trolls, reblogs of pretty fan art and fan edits

Last thing I googled: Types of sensation play for a BDSM fic I’m working on

Other blogs: None

Do I get asks: Sometimes but not very often (sniff)

Following: Currently 283, but quite a few are inactive now

Average hours of sleep: 4 - 5 during the week, which is something I’m trying to work on (I’m a night owl)

Instruments: None really; I used to play piano and clarinet as a kid, but that was decades ago

What I’m wearing: Nightie and robe (WFH FTW!)

Dream job: Full-time writer (imagine if we could make a living from writing fanfic?), maybe something like book reviewer where I’d get paid to read all day?

Dream trip: Greece, particularly to visit Mycenaean & Minoan archaeological sites

Nationality: American (ethnicity: Sri Lankan, specifically Singhalese/Tamil)

Favorite songs: Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas (duh), Atlas Falls by Shinedown, Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, Ramble On by Led Zeppelin, Wrong Side of Heaven Righteous Side of Hell by Five Finger Death Punch, Blaze of Glory by Jon Bon Jovi

Last book I read: Crowbones by Anne Bishop

3 fiction universes I’d live in: Hmm, tough choices . . . Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Jurassic World: Dominion (sorry not SPN because I’d just end up dead)

Tagging: @missjackil, @nancylou444, @jaytwo, @jerk-bitch-67, @aoifelaufeyson, @alexa-alcantara, @deanscarlett, @wif-san, @holding-out-for-hea, @eisforeidolon, @canonerarecsonly if you feel like playing

[dear-indies]

Hello muns of the greatest and most helpful blog in the entirety of the rpc!!!! I need a bit of help. The ideal fc for the blog I’m thinking about making is Taz Skylar, however unfortunately he has like zero gifs on the entirety of the internet it seems. So I was wondering if you could recommend some alternate fcs for him? I’d appreciate the help! Thank you 🙏🏾

Haaz Sleiman (1976) Lebanese - is gay.

Riz Ahmed (1982) Pakistani - had blond hair in Sound of Metal.

Çağlar Ertuğrul (1987) Turkish.

Zeeko Zaki (1990) Egyptian.

Mena Massoud (1991) Coptic Egyptian.

Ramy Youssef (1991) Egyptian.

Jade Hassouné (1991) Lebanese - is queer - has had short dyed hair.

Mandy Sekiguchi (1991) Japanese / Nigerian.

Jacob Artist (1992) African-American / Polish - had blond hair in Now Apocalypse.

Kofi Siriboe (1994) Ghanaian.

Ryan Potter (1995) Japanese / Ashkenazi Jewish, Swedish, English, German, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish - is queer - had blond hair in Genera+ion.

Boun Noppanut Guntachai (1995) Thai.

Rish Shah (1995) Indian - has short dyed hair in Do Revenge.

Aria Shahghasemi (1995) Iranian.

Brandon Perea (1995) Puerto Rican / Filipino - is blond in Nope.

Michael Evans Behling (1996) Nigerian / German.

Emilio Sakraya (1996) Moroccan / Serbian.

Josh Heuston (1996) Sri Lankan.

Evan Mock (1997) Bisaya Filipino / Unspecified White - has short dyed hair.

Archie Renaux (1997) Indian and English - had blond hair in Gold Digger

Omar Ayuso (1998) Moroccan / Spanish - is gay.

Hey anon! Taz is Unspecified Arabic / British so here are some general suggestions with resources based off vibes!

[lokuhapuarachchi]

The Rhythm of Sri Lankan Music Heard in Liverpool City Centre

Liverpool, a vibrant city on England's northwest coast, has a rich and influential musical history that has left an indelible mark on the world. Renowned for its maritime heritage and dynamic cultural scene, Liverpool's music landscape boasts a diverse range of genres and groundbreaking talent.

On Saturday, May 18th, Liverpool's Britannia Adelphi Hotel hosted the city's most successful concert of the year, "The Invitation." Organized to raise funds for the Liverpool Buddhist Temple, the event provided an engaging evening for Liverpool's Sri Lankan community. The concert featured stunning performances by Falan Andrea, Annesley Malewana, and Gayan Gunawardana, with music by Britain's most popular Sri Lankan band, Exceed.

Despite some attempts to disrupt the show, the strong bond between the organizing committee, the three artists, and the band ensured that the event went ahead as planned. Their efforts brought the concert to life, creating unforgettable memories and marking it as a successful event in Liverpool's vibrant cultural calendar.

Liverpool's musical revival is not limited to its past with The Beatles and the Merseybeat movement. The life of the city is intertwined with a bustling live music scene. Venues such as the Echo Arena, O2 Academy, and Philharmonic Hall host a wide range of concerts, from contemporary pop and rock to classical and orchestral. Grassroots venues such as Zanzibar Club and The Jacaranda provide platforms for emerging artists, ensuring the continued evolution of Liverpool's musical identity.

The Beatles, formed in 1960, are perhaps the most notable contribution to music from Liverpool. The legendary quartet—John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr—rose to global fame with their innovative sound and timeless hits. Places like The Cavern Club, where the Beatles honed their craft, remain pilgrimage sites for fans around the world. The band's success not only put Liverpool on the map but also inspired countless musicians and bands around the world.

The early 1960s saw the rise of the Merseybeat movement, named after the River Mersey. The genre, characterized by its upbeat sound and catchy melodies, was pioneered by Liverpool bands such as Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Searchers, and The Merseybeats. Merseybeat helped define the British Invasion in the United States, a period in which British music dominated the American charts.

Liverpool's commitment to celebrating music is also evident in its various festivals, including the Liverpool International Music Festival (LIMF) and Africa Oye.

"Aardhana" added a uniquely Sri Lankan note to Liverpool's rich musical background, showcasing the city's embrace of global musical influences and its thriving multicultural community. Taking these personal photographs was unofficial, but I aimed to capture the essence of a night where music strengthened cultural bonds as a gesture of support to the dear organizers.

Photographs and Notes - Anuruddha Lokuhapuarachchi

[papercherries]

I've always wanted to live.

I've always wanted to live on an island. The ability to walk from one end of something to another is rewarding. I'd like it to take a day or two to complete. I'd like there to be a small village, consisting of: 10-20 residents, a green grocers, a butchers, a general store and a single bar that hosts karaoke every Thursday. I'd like there to only be dirt roads with very minimal cars. Lush forests and interesting wildlife, particularly birds. Migratory birds would visit the island at the same time every year, I'd even become friends with the older ones. It wouldn't be extremely hot, but not cold either. 5-10c in the winter and 15-25c in the summer. The heat would be dry. I'd spend my days relaxing, creating, whatever I saw fit. Creative work, I couldn't live without it. Sometimes, the wild boars of the island would come up to me, this was a sign I'd be allowed to feed them by hand. The water surrounding the island would be a deep dark blue, there wouldn't be a sign of rubbish. Marine Biologists would visit once a year to check how the local ecology was. One of them would be awful at karaoke but we wouldn't be able to break it to them. In the morning, you'd hear the fisherman set off for their days work, pipping throughout the morn, bearing the night before on their faces. Seagulls wouldn't visit the island, they wouldn't need to, there's plenty of fish in the sea. On the weekend, from the shore of the island you could hear our resident musician out at sea. The instruments he chose to play weren't pleasant to be around unless they were performed correctly, so he always made sure to practice a good distance away. Sometimes he'd play something in the bar, usually on a Tuesday. One night, he'd choose the trumpet and play a sorrowful ballad that filled the eyes of all who had the pleasure to hear it. For events such as weddings and funerals, he'd play the bagpipes. Unless asked otherwise. He'd believe it to be a sign of respect. It would be peaceful.

I've always wanted to live in the city. The quiet of the field surrounded town was too much to bear. The fear of being outed for something I couldn't share. Harassed and accosted for the person I am. None of this would happen in my sprawling city. It would be impossible to get from one end to other in a day, even with the incredible infrastructure. Buses, trams and metros would be free for all and bicycles would be incredibly safe to ride. There would be something to do every night, a new possibility in a new neighbourhood. The punk bars up north, the central jazz section, the indie film club showing films on 8mm. I'd have a million lovers and a million more friends. I'd never be alone. Every night from the rooftops you'd be able to hear the neighbourhood dogs barking and cats meowing to be let in. The people! Not one would look alike, yet they'd all have their clique. The businessmen would all wear their tight fitting suits, some experimented with colourful ties and garish socks. You could spot a jazz singer from half a mile away, dark shades for every season, big baggy trousers and a half buttoned down shirt. It would be the style but not a uniform, they would experiment with crazy hair and when they belted their hearts out of their throat. Babies would cease their screaming and lovebugs would click their fingers. Art would be free to express itself, galleries would be full of artists who were showing something new and daring. Shocking and soothing. Smothering and comforting. Food would be cheap and with extreme variety. Polish, Indian, Scottish, Romanian, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Sri Lankan, Pakistani, Moroccan, Spanish, Portuguese, American, Finnish, Swedish, Nigerian, South African, Ethiopian, Zimbabwean, Mongolian, English, Irish, Brazilian, Chilean, Argentinian, Taiwanese, Korean, French, German, Palestinian, Greek, Turkish, Laotian. There would be a single street that featured a beverage establishment of all these varieties, with more spreading out in the further streets. Every year there'd be 10 music festivals, 4 in summer, 2 in spring, 2 in autumn and 2 in winter. It would be a city of artists. A city of food and culture. A city of love.

There is truth in both of these statements. I want to live in both of these places. I want to live in more places; the calm village surrounded by endless rolling hills and fields, the freezing cold icy forest, in a shitty basement flat under a sweltering city. The point is, I want to be everywhere. Luckily, I don't want to be anyone else. I want to be in these places and be the same people. But for now, I am banished to the metropolises. One day I will have my field, beach, island, city. I will find them, they call to me. I plan to answer, as my queer self. Even if I am a criminal in 71 countries. In the end I just want to live.

[thatbatman]

•𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨•

A/n I thought it would be a good idea to introduce my self before I start writing

★About Me★

Hi I’m Kai(not my real name) I’m Sri Lankan American and I live in Canada

Fav things

Artist-Melanie Martinez,alt!,Marina and the diamonds,liana Flores, good kid,lil darkie

Songs-highschool sweethearts, genocide,mother tongue,we all fall,bloodline

Food-ramen ,noodles ,rice , red-bull ,gum,cherries

Clolors-sage green,pastel purple,burgundy red

Characters-choso(jjk),hobie brown,moxxie (helluva boss),

My hero’s-Motaz,besain,palistinia,and all of the amazing people in palistine

Hobbies-making clothes/cosplays,reading,music(I play the string bass and I’m learning the electronic bass soon),history, writing,poetry

Btw im a libra,bi,a minor,an ENTP,and i struggles with insomnia,bulimia,depression,anxiety,ADHD,dyslexia,and igsn (I’m gonna strangle nyetenyaHoe)

DNI if you are :homophobic ,Islamophobic,anti semetic,zionest🤮,raistis,

Fandoms i will do

ATSV

JJK

BSD

Helluva boss

Marvel

DC

Percy Jackson

(These are just some fell free to request anything and I’ll see if I can)

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨

Fluff

Eds(not promoting only recovery)

Sh(agian not promoting only comfort and recovery)

Mental health issues/Neurodivergent reader

Platonic friendships

Romantic relationships (to a certain level )

Lgbt

Yander

Ect like I said ask me and I’ll see if I can

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐨

Smut(I’m still to young)

[brookstonalmanac]

Birthdays 11.26

Beer Birthdays

Georg Schneider (1817)

Simon E. Bernheimer (1849)

Five Favorite Birthdays

Johannes Bach; German organist and composer (1604)

Eugene Ionesco; Romanian-French writer (1912)

Rich Little; comedian (1938)

Charles M. Schulz; cartoonist (1922)

Ilona "Cicciolona" Staller; Hungarian-Italian porn actor, politician (1951)

Famous Birthdays

Bob Babbitt; bass player (1937)

Garcelle Beauvais; model, actor (1966)

Natasha Bedingfield; English singer-songwriter (1981)

Elizabeth Blackburn; Australian-American biologist (1948)

Margaret Boden; English computer scientist (1936)

Willis Carrier; air-conditioning inventor (1876)

Roz Chast,; cartoonist (1954)

William Cowper; English poet (1731)

Cyril Cusack; South African-born Irish actor (1910)

Frances Dee; actress and singer (1909)

DJ Khaled; rapper (1975)

Adolfo Pérez Esquivel; Argentinian painter (1931)

Lefty Gomez; New York Yankees P (1908)

Robert Goulet; American-Canadian singer (1933)

Davey Graham; English guitarist and songwriter (1945)

Sarah Moore Grimké; author (1792)

Blake Harnage; singer-songwriter and guitarist (1988)

John Harvard; college founder (1607)

Line Horntveth; Norwegian tuba player, composer (1974)

Dave Hughes; Australian comedian (1970)

Raymond Louis Kennedy; singer-songwriter, saxophonist (1946)

Yumi Kobayashi; Japanese model, actress (1988)

Martin Lee; English singer-songwriter and guitarist (1949)

Bat Masterson; police officer and journalist (1853)

Anna Maurizio; Swiss biologist (1900)

Maurice McDonald; businessman, co-founder of McDonald's (1902)

John McVie; English-American bass player (1945)

Marian Mercer; actress and singer (1935)

Jim Mullen; Scottish guitarist (1945)

Marianne Muellerleile; actress (1948)

Michael Omartian; singer-songwriter, keyboard player (1945)

Ruth Patrick; botanist (1907)

Vicki Pettersson; author (1971)

Velupillai Prabhakaran; Sri Lankan rebel leader (1954)

Marilynne Robinson; writer (1943)

George Segal; artist, sculptor (1924)

Eric Sevareid; television journalist (1912)

Jan Stenerud; Kansas City Chiefs K (1942)

Betta St. John; actress, singer and dancer (1929)

Julien Temple; English film director (1952)

Art Themen; English saxophonist and surgeon (1939)

Tina Turner; American-Swiss rock singer (1938)

Tony Verna; director and inventor of instant replay (1933)

Mary Edwards Walker; surgeon and activist (1832)

Ellen G. White; co-founder of 7th-day Adventist Church (1827)

Norbert Wiener; mathematician (1894)

Earl Wild; pianist and composer (1915)

Bill Wilson; AA founder (1895)

Karl Ziegler; German chemist (1898)

[mi4011tharinpunchihewa]

Animated Biographies

1. Veronica Solomon -

Veronica is a Transylvanian-born animator and filmmaker, currently living in Berlin. She is specialized in stop motion but occasionally attends to creating comics. She has 20 years of experience in visual arts with a focus on animation, art direction, and storytelling.

2. Randy Chriz Perera -

Randy is a Sri Lankan animator who lives in Colombo. He went to St. Sebastian's College and currently works as the chief artist and animator at Meraki united. He is best known for Eminem's "Tone Deaf" music video.

3. Lauren Faust -

Lauren Faust is an American animator and writer who has worked on several popular animated shows, including "The Powerpuff Girls", "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends", and "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic". She is known for her strong female characters and colorful animation style.

4. Don Bluth -

Don Bluth is an American animator, director, and producer who is best known for his work on classic animated films such as "The Secret of NIMH", "An American Tail", and "The Land Before Time". He is known for his detailed animation style and emotionally engaging storytelling.

5. Rebecca Sugar -

Rebecca Sugar is a writer, animator, and musician best known for creating the popular animated series "Steven Universe". She has also worked on other popular shows such as "Adventure Time" and "Gravity Falls"

[adrianvarelablog]

Emerging artists

Cromwell Place Art Gallery

28 Jan 2023

Blog

By Adrian Varela

In 1892 Dvorak landed in the USA, newly appointed director of the National Conservatory of Music of America, in New York City. During his three years in the USA, he was also tasked with the job of spearheading the synthesis, or creation, of a truly (North) ‘American’ musical form of expression. Though still a post-colonialist viewpoint -widespread quintessentially North-American music already existed in the form of the music of black and native peoples- the choice of Dvorak, as a composer who might be able to do this was within the realm of art music, was an inspired one. Dvorak had for years made music of his native Bohemia an integral part of his compositional output. Children of this effort include his symphony no.9 ‘From the New World’, the cello concerto, and the ‘American’ string quartet, performed tonight.

At the Conservatory, one of his black students, singer, composer, and arranger Mr. Harry T Burleigh frequently shared black, and other native music, with Dvorak. It was through Burleigh that Dvorak came to feel that much of this music was (as still is much native music in many other parts of the world) based on the pentatonic scale. Every theme in the ‘American’ string quartet is pentatonic, as is the anonymous negro spiritual ‘Deep River’.

The British-Sri Lankan composer Yshani Perinpanayagam has based her ‘We Folk Disquieten’, here a world premiere, also on the pentatonic scale; or rather, several. There is really only one pentatonic scale, which can be anchored to any given note, ie played ‘higher’ or ‘lower’. Perinpanayagam, giving each instrument a distinct pentatonic scale, represents the local voices of different peoples in different parts of the world, gathering them in a single, powerful, unified voice as the work unfolds.

‘Pyramid in an Urban Landscape’ by the Mexican (hence North American) composer Diana Syrse is given here its UK premiere. In it she combines the use of traditional string quartet instruments with pre-Columbian ones. At first, one may wonder why these pre-Columbian shapes and sounds are irrupting into the old, established order of the string quartet- until we realise it is the ‘West’, the colonisers, who have encroached around the pyramids, the ayoyote, the ocarina and the shaker, all of whom were there first.

The title of the concert, ‘Emerging’, evokes the idea of the new: new music, new paintings, new art. But these final expressions cannot be understood without also delving somewhat into the different processes and cultural environments, which lay out the conditions in which artists work, to generate this new art. We invite the audience to join us in being a part of the process that underpins the genesis of some of the works we perform today.

[platinumvoicepr]

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) - “Chamber Szn” (New Music)

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) - “Chamber Szn” (New Music) VIA @PLATINUM4PROMO @PLATINUMVOICEPR #RAP #HIPHOP

Ras Ceylon delivers “Chamber Szn” from his newly-released album “To Srv The Ppl”  Ras Ceylon is a Sri Lankan-American recording artist from Oakland, California. He has been bringing uplifting messages to the masses for over 20 years, releasing 5 solo albums to date and appearing on multiple projects with notable Rap and Reggae artists. He works closely with Chairman Fred Hampton Jr. Black…

[ebonylatashasworld]

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) - “Chamber Szn” (New Music)

(New Music) Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) - “Chamber Szn” POSTED by Platinumvoicepr

Ras Ceylon, Oakland, California Rapper/Activist delivers “Chamber Szn” from his newly-released album “To Srv The Ppl”  Ras Ceylon is a Sri Lankan-American recording artist from Oakland, California. He has been bringing uplifting messages to the masses for over 20 years, releasing 5 solo albums to date and appearing on multiple projects with notable Rap and Reggae artists. He works closely with…

[thisischicagomusic]

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) - “Chamber Szn” (New Music)

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) - “Chamber Szn” (New Music) via @K100_Radio @PLATINUMVOICEPR #RT #RAP #BLM #CHAMBERSZN

Ras Ceylon, Oakland, California Rapper/Activist delivers “Chamber Szn” from his newly-released album “To Srv The Ppl”  Ras Ceylon is a Sri Lankan-American recording artist from Oakland, California. He has been bringing uplifting messages to the masses for over 20 years, releasing 5 solo albums to date and appearing on multiple projects with notable Rap and Reggae artists. He works closely with…

[anahmae]

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) - “Chamber Szn” (New Music)

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) – “Chamber Szn” (New Music)

Ras Ceylon, Oakland, California Rapper/Activist delivers “Chamber Szn” from his newly-released album “To Srv The Ppl”    Ras Ceylon is a Sri Lankan-American recording artist from Oakland, California. He has been bringing uplifting messages to the masses for over 20 years, releasing 5 solo albums to date and appearing on multiple projects with notable Rap and Reggae artists. He works closely with…

[platinumhiphop]

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) - “Chamber Szn” (New Music)

Ras Ceylon (@RasCeylon) – “Chamber Szn” (New Music)

Ras Ceylon, Oakland, California Rapper/Activist delivers “Chamber Szn” from his newly-released album “To Srv The Ppl”    Ras Ceylon is a Sri Lankan-American recording artist from Oakland, California. He has been bringing uplifting messages to the masses for over 20 years, releasing 5 solo albums to date and appearing on multiple projects with notable Rap and Reggae artists. He works closely with…