The symposium is open to all who register. Register Here
8:30 a.m – Contemplative Practice Session Houston Houston Memorial Chapel
9 a.m – “Identity & Politics” Roundtable Houston Memorial Chapel
In-person roundtable presentations and discussion featuring the following scholars:
- Katie Powell, Director of the Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies and Professor, Virginia Tech
- Chamila Priyanka, Sri Lankan theatre practitioner, Visiting Lecturer, PhD student in Performance as Public Practice, University of Texas at Austin
- Susan A. Reed, Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies and Anthropology, Bucknell University
- Athula Samarakoon, award-winning filmmaker, Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
10:30-10:45 a.m – Break
10:45 a.m – “Building Resilience through Art & Performance”
Hybrid In-Person/Virtual Panel Houston Memorial Chapel
Hybrid in-person/virtual panel, bridging the distance between the United States and Sri Lanka, featuring the following scholars and artists in collaborative dialogue:
- Suzanne M. Bessenger, Barbara Boyle Lemon ’57 and William J. Lemon Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Randolph College
- Tharaka Gunasekara, architect, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Chamanee Darshika Hewagamage, theatre practitioner, Lecturer, Department of Theatre, Ballet and Modern Dance, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Thamali Kithsiri, Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Vijay Madasamy, activist, community organizer, Researcher and Project Coordinator at Law and Society Trust
- Sumudu Manelanga, movement artist, Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Hasanthi Niriella, movement artist, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Dilanjana Pathirana, music scholar, Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
12:30-1:30 p.m. – Lunch Dining Hall
1:30 p.m – “History & Performance” Houston Memorial Chapel
In-person roundtable presentations and discussion featuring the following scholars:
- Gunindu Abeysekera, Sri Lankan American ethnic studies scholar, art and cultural ethnographer, and community archivist; PhD candidate in Culture and Performance, UCLA
- Chinthaka Bandara, internationally acclaimed drummer, Senior Lecturer, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Tyler Lehrer, Assistant Professor of History, Virginia Wesleyan University
- Sudesh Mantillake, Quillian International Visiting Scholar, Randolph College; Professor of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Vajira Dilrukshi Mantillake, dancer, educator, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
3 p.m – Breakout Groups Houston Memorial Chapel
4-4:15 p.m – Break
4:15 p.m – Film Screening & Talkback:
“The Dance Ritual of Eighteen Vannamas” (Public) Nichols Theatre
Director & Speaker: Athula Samarakoon
This screening and talkback is open free to the public.
6 p.m – Speakers Dinner Randolph House
Movement Rhizome: Quillian International Symposium on Sri Lanka
Inspired by the rhizome concept, the symposium will explore the intersection of dance, performance, film, geography, philosophy, anthropology, architecture, religion, music, literature, rhetoric, decoloniality, and migration.
Through performances, mindful movement sessions, roundtable discussions, and film screenings, participants will explore the history, culture, resilience, healing and politics of Sri Lanka and its global relevance.