University of the Visual & Performing Arts

This research critically examines Karman Kuttu, a distinctive ritual drama tradition performed by the Tamil Hindu community in Kon Kodiyawa village, located in the Nuwara Eliya District of Sri Lanka. Deeply rooted in the region’s intangible cultural heritage, Karman Kuttu functions as both a sacred offering and a vital mode of performance tradition within local temple festivals. Utilizing an ethnographic study approach, the research incorporates field observations, participant interviews, and photographic documentation to explore the narrative, musical elements, costumes, and symbolic meanings integral to the performance. This study not only documents the performative elements of Karman Kuttu but also evaluates its cultural significance and sustainability challenges within contemporary socio-economic conditions. This research advocates for enhanced cultural preservation efforts to safeguard Karman Kuttu and underscores its significance in representing Sri Lanka’s diverse cultural and religious identities.

This paper presents a comparative study of Swaras in Indian classical music, with a particular focus on the structural, tonal, and theoretical differences between the Hindustani and Carnatic traditions. Drawing upon ancient treatises and modern scholarship, the research analyzes the evolution, classification, and practical applications of Swaras. The study also explores improvisational techniques, modal systems, and ornamentation, thereby offering a systematic understanding of the role of Swaras in pedagogy and performance. This comparative inquiry contributes to the discourse on musical divergence and unity within the broader framework of Indian classical music. This study provides a deeper investigation into the conceptual, structural, and pedagogical interpretations of Swaras in the Hindustani and Carnatic classical traditions. Beyond describing differences, it critically examines how pitch classification, modal systems, microtonality, ornamentation, pedagogy, and aesthetic orientation contribute to unique musical identities. The study contributes to broader Indian musicology by explaining how theoretical frameworks, performance practice, and pedagogy collectively shape Swara interpretation in contemporary practice.

Background: Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) play a vital role in addressing substance use disorders, particularly in underserved regions. Objective: This article aimed to explore the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) screen-based simulation in enhancing PMHNP training by using a large language model to process and understand human language. Methods: Three PMHNP students in a second-semester adult mental health course piloted a web-based AI simulation. Two completed postsimulation surveys assessing ease of use, realism, and educational impact. Results: Students reported increased confidence and found the simulation engaging, user-friendly, and realistic. They noted the absence of nonverbal cues but praised responsiveness and relevance. All respondents recommended the simulation for broader use. Conclusions: AI-based SBIRT training tools are promising for scalable, consistent, and effective PMHNP education. Implications for Nursing: Integration of AI and future virtual reality platforms utilizing a 3D display in a headset may improve mental health provider preparedness, access to simulation in rural areas, and educational outcomes while maintaining the foundational principles of therapeutic communication.

يعد مسرح الطفل من أهم وسائل التربية والتعليم والترفيه, كونها وسيلة جذب مباشرة يتفاعل معها المتلقي(الطفل) في ايصال المعلومة بيسر عبر اللعب الدرامي, فهي وسيلة اتصالية معرفية تجسد الأبعاد الاجتماعية والثقافية والبيئية للواقع البيئي, يمنح من خلاله فرصة للتعبير عن نفسه مما يساعد في تعزيز ثقته بنفسه لذا عنى هذا البحث بدراسة استراتيجيات مسرح الطفل كبديل للعقاب المدرسي, ويقع في البحث أربعة فصول: ضم الفصل الأول الاطار المنهجي, مشكلة البحث المتمركزة على الاستفهام الآتي: ما معالجات استراتيجيات مسرح الطفل كبديل للعقاب المدرسي؟ وتكمن أهمية البحث في المعالجات الاستراتيجية في مسرح الأطفال كبديل للعقاب المدرسي, والبحث يفيد العاملين في المؤسسات التعليمية والتربوية, أما حدود البحث فقد اقتصرت على المسرحية(عشرة على عشرة) للكاتب (حسين علي صالح) واختتم البحث بتحديد المصطلحات, في حين تناول الفصل الثاني(الاطار النظري) مبحثين, عنى الأول: (مسرح الطفل المصطلح والمضمون), فيما عنى الثاني: (استراتيجية المعالجات الدرامية التربوية في مسرح الطفل), وأثرها الذي يسهم في عملية التشويق, والتربية, والتعليم, وأختتم البحث بالمؤشرات التي أسفر عنها الاطار النظري, فيما خصص الفصل الثالث لإجراءات البحث, حيث حددت بالطريقة القصدية في اختيار العينة التي تم تحليلها على وفق المنهج الوصفي التحليلي, واحتوى الفصل الرابع على النتائج التي توصلت اليها الباحثة وأختتم بمجموعة من التوصيات فضلا عن قائمة المصادر, والمراجع, والملاحق, فضلا عن ترجمة الملخص باللغة الانكليزية .

This study aims to explore the asymmetric impact of renewable energy on the sectoral output of the Indian economy by analyzing the time series data from 1971 to 2019. The nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag approach (NARDL) is employed to examine the short- and long-run relationships between the variables. Most studies focus on economic growth, ignoring sectoral dynamics. The result shows that the sectoral output shows a differential dynamism with respect to the type of energy source. For instance, agricultural output responds positively to the positive shock in renewable energy, whereas industry and service output behave otherwise. Since the latter sectors depend heavily on non-renewable energy sources, they behave positively towards them. Especially, electricity produced from non-renewable energy sources significantly influences service sector output. However, growing evidence across the world is portraying the strong relationship between the growth of renewable energy sources and economic growth. However sectoral dynamism is crucial to frame specific policies. In this regard, the present paper’s result indicates that policies related to promoting renewable energy sources will significantly influence sectoral output in the long run in India.

This research paper discusses the complexity of performing, emphasising one’s traditional arts and belongings to claim and represent one's cultural capital or to meet the stereotypical anticipations of ‘others’ in shared cultural spaces, particularly in the context of sociocultural parades. This research also briefly delves into how the dynamics of disempowerment and empowerment of subcultures affect representing identities in shared spaces. It employs archival observations to analyse the Ruhunu Katatharagama Dewala Asala Perehera procession in Sri Lanka. In particular, the study exemplifies the representation of the identities of the contributing sub-cultures ethnic communities and performance groups of Sri Lanka through their residual, modified and stereotypical cultural performances including the performances by Sinhala, Tamil and Indigenous communities representing Buddhist, Hindu, and other religious beliefs and ideologies.

Economics, as a discipline, provides a comprehensive understanding of how individuals, businesses, and governments allocate scarce resources to fulfil their needs and desires. This Paper attempts to introduce Economics as a discipline. It delves into macroeconomic concepts such as inflation, unemployment, and economic growth, alongside microeconomic issues including consumer behaviour, production costs, and market competition. This introduction underscores the relevance and importance of economics in both everyday life and global contexts.