Colombo, 08 June 2023. The current edition of Rendez-Vous with Yasmin and Kumar now showing on the YouTube channel of the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, takes viewers on a visit of two of the most beautiful gardens in Sri Lanka and France – Geoffrey’s Bawa’s Lunuganga in Bentota and Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France.
Coincidentally the show is presented at the De Saram House in Ward Place which Geoffrey Bawa designed for Druvi, one of Sri Lanka’s most acclaimed pianists, and Sharmini De Saram. In fact the house is designed with a music room in the centre.
Joining the show is architect Channa Daswatte, referred to as the “spiritual successor” of Geoffrey Bawa. He talks about how Bawa’s work influenced him to become the renowned architect he is today. He also shares his views about how Lunuganga, considered Bawa’s personal architectural odyssey, ended up as one of the most important Asian gardens of the 20th century.
The show them shifts location to Giverny, a commune in the region of Normandy in France and best known as the location of French impressionist painter Claude Monet’s home and garden. After buying the property in 1890 he set out to create the magnificent gardens he wanted to paint. He believed that it was important to surround himself with nature and paint outdoors. He created many paintings of his house and gardens, especially water lilies, the Japanese bridge, and a weeping willow tree.
Rendez-Vous with Yasmin and Kumar come to you on the 30th of every month on the YouTube Channel of the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.