Cultural Catalysts
UMAC acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the unceded land on which we work. We pay respect to their Elders past and present, and their enduring traditions of knowledge sharing, performing and storytelling on this land.
Actors name
Chars name
Cultural Catalysts: Creativity in the Sri Lankan Diaspora
When
12pm-1pm
Where
Union Theatre
Arts and Cultural Building
The University of Melbourne
159 Monash Road, Parkville VIC 3052
Get Directions
S. Shakthidharan's debut play Counting and Cracking began with a shoebox of his great-grandfather's letters. Working with his family and the wider Sri Lankan diaspora, he excavated his family’s history, weaving threads of culture and connection into a multi-award-winning theatrical epic following four generations over five decades.
To celebrate the Melbourne debut of this global hit, Shakthidharan is joined in conversation by Masterchef sensation Minoli De Silva, who infuses her culinary artistry with Sri Lankan flavours at Darwin's Ella restaurant, and actor and comedian Suren Jayemanne, whose stand-up work draws on his experiences as an Australian with Sri Lankan heritage.
Hosted by journalist Bhakthi Puvanenthiran, these acclaimed Sri Lankan creatives come together for an insightful and celebratory exploration of how personal narratives and cultural influences shape their craft, from family kitchens to international stages.
Tickets
Full Price
$20
Concession
$15
Pay What You Wish Available
Book Signing
S. Shakthidharan will be signing books after the event. The bookseller for this event is Readings.
Accessibility
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Accessible toilets available
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Assistive Listening
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Auslan interpreting available by request
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Companion tickets available
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Registered Assistance Animals welcome
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Wheelchair accessible
Photo by Brett Walker
Cast & Creatives
Minoli De Silva
Minoli De Silva is a passionate chef that brings a vibrant energy both on and off the screen, most recently won the hearts of a national and international audience with her delightful personality, endearing mannerisms and flavour packed food on MasterChef Australia Season 13. Minoli made it to the top 10, wowing the judges and world class chefs with her perfectly harmonised flavours.
The foundation of Minoli’s cooking stems from her Sri Lankan heritage, from cooking alongside her mum from early childhood and being taught that she could incorporate absolutely any ingredient into a delicious meal. No food was put to waste in their household.
Minoli has a degree in chemical engineering and has recently taken the leap towards her desire for a life and career around food as the proud owner of Ella By Minoli in Darwin.
Suren Jayemanne
Suren Jayemanne is an award-winning comedian, writer and presenter. Due to a lack of CPD hours, he is no longer allowed to call himself an accountant. While not himself an industry darling, he does play squash with some, making him industry darling adjacent. Suren’s TV appearances include Question Everything, The Weekly, Celebrity Letters and Numbers and he can even be seen in the background of a Thor flick.
Bhakthi Puvanenthiran
Bhakthi Puvanenthiran is a writer and editor. She is currently Editor of ABC Everyday, which covers family, money, sex and relationships, culture, food and much more. Bhakthi has previously worked as managing editor of Crikey, deputy arts editor at The Age and small business editor at The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. She is currently working on a piece of fiction set in her ancestral home of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
S. Shakthidharan
Shakthi is a western Sydney storyteller with Sri Lankan heritage and Tamil ancestry. He’s a writer, director and producer of theatre and film, and composer of original music. Belvoir: The Jungle and the Sea (Co-written with Eamon Flack) and Counting and Cracking (Associate Writer Eamon Flack). His other theatre credits include Zana Fraillon’s The Bone Sparrow (Pilot Theatre, York UK), 宿Stay (Sydney Festival); and has in development a new play with Belvoir, his first novel, a feature film with Felix Media and a new TV project. His debut play Counting and Cracking received critical, commercial and community acclaim. The script won the Victorian Premier’s Literature Prize and the NSW Premier’s Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting; the production won 7 Helpmann and 3 Sydney Theatre Awards. Shakthi’s most recent play The Jungle and the Sea, again was met with rave reviews and had a profound impact on the Sri Lankan community. It recently won the 2024 Victorian Premier’s Literature Prize and 4 Sydney Theatre Awards including Best Mainstage Production. Shakthi is the Director of Kurinji and previous to this was Founder/Artistic Lead of Co-Curious (2018-2022), sister company to CuriousWorks where he was Founder and Artistic Director (2003-2018). Shakthi was the Carriageworks inaugural Associate Artist and is a recipient of both the Phillip Parson’s and Kirk Robson awards.
S. Shakthidharan's debut play Counting and Cracking began with a shoebox of his great-grandfather's letters. Working with his family and the wider Sri Lankan diaspora, he excavated his family’s history, weaving threads of culture and connection into a multi-award-winning theatrical epic following four generations over five decades.
To celebrate the Melbourne debut of this global hit, Shakthidharan is joined in conversation by Masterchef sensation Minoli De Silva, who infuses her culinary artistry with Sri Lankan flavours at Darwin's Ella restaurant, and actor and comedian Suren Jayemanne, whose stand-up work draws on his experiences as an Australian with Sri Lankan heritage.
Hosted by journalist Bhakthi Puvanenthiran, these acclaimed Sri Lankan creatives come together for an insightful and celebratory exploration of how personal narratives and cultural influences shape their craft, from family kitchens to international stages.
Cast & Creatives
Minoli De Silva
Minoli De Silva is a passionate chef that brings a vibrant energy both on and off the screen, most recently won the hearts of a national and international audience with her delightful personality, endearing mannerisms and flavour packed food on MasterChef Australia Season 13. Minoli made it to the top 10, wowing the judges and world class chefs with her perfectly harmonised flavours.
The foundation of Minoli’s cooking stems from her Sri Lankan heritage, from cooking alongside her mum from early childhood and being taught that she could incorporate absolutely any ingredient into a delicious meal. No food was put to waste in their household.
Minoli has a degree in chemical engineering and has recently taken the leap towards her desire for a life and career around food as the proud owner of Ella By Minoli in Darwin.
Suren Jayemanne
Suren Jayemanne is an award-winning comedian, writer and presenter. Due to a lack of CPD hours, he is no longer allowed to call himself an accountant. While not himself an industry darling, he does play squash with some, making him industry darling adjacent. Suren’s TV appearances include Question Everything, The Weekly, Celebrity Letters and Numbers and he can even be seen in the background of a Thor flick.
Bhakthi Puvanenthiran
Bhakthi Puvanenthiran is a writer and editor. She is currently Editor of ABC Everyday, which covers family, money, sex and relationships, culture, food and much more. Bhakthi has previously worked as managing editor of Crikey, deputy arts editor at The Age and small business editor at The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald. She is currently working on a piece of fiction set in her ancestral home of Jaffna, Sri Lanka.
S. Shakthidharan
Shakthi is a western Sydney storyteller with Sri Lankan heritage and Tamil ancestry. He’s a writer, director and producer of theatre and film, and composer of original music. Belvoir: The Jungle and the Sea (Co-written with Eamon Flack) and Counting and Cracking (Associate Writer Eamon Flack). His other theatre credits include Zana Fraillon’s The Bone Sparrow (Pilot Theatre, York UK), 宿Stay (Sydney Festival); and has in development a new play with Belvoir, his first novel, a feature film with Felix Media and a new TV project. His debut play Counting and Cracking received critical, commercial and community acclaim. The script won the Victorian Premier’s Literature Prize and the NSW Premier’s Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting; the production won 7 Helpmann and 3 Sydney Theatre Awards. Shakthi’s most recent play The Jungle and the Sea, again was met with rave reviews and had a profound impact on the Sri Lankan community. It recently won the 2024 Victorian Premier’s Literature Prize and 4 Sydney Theatre Awards including Best Mainstage Production. Shakthi is the Director of Kurinji and previous to this was Founder/Artistic Lead of Co-Curious (2018-2022), sister company to CuriousWorks where he was Founder and Artistic Director (2003-2018). Shakthi was the Carriageworks inaugural Associate Artist and is a recipient of both the Phillip Parson’s and Kirk Robson awards.