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| Thursday, 3 April 2003 |
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Features | |
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Review: Flying With One Wing and NGO lore by Somachandre Wijesuriya Asoka Handgama's new film 'Flying with one wing' has met with viewer interest as it explores the theme of a woman, posing as a man who exists in a prejudiced and a hostile society. The opening of the film shows the he/she woman (Jinadiri) working as a garage hand and runs gamely after a car driven by a fellow male worker (Mahendra).
The film has a message of parablic proportions and Handagama struggles with a theme old as humanity. In the NGO lore there are accepted terminology like 'gender inequality' 'female oppression' etc but exploitation of women by man is linked to the growth of productive forces in human civilisation. At a certain stage in this process a division of labour originated. The role of females in the family and in society as we know it today did not exist. Based on the research of the American anthropologist Morgan and others Fredrick Engles shows that the origin of family and private property is a stage in man's struggle against nature to produce and preserve its species. Engels says 'According to the materialistic conception, the determining factor in history is, in the last resort, the production and reproduction of immediate life. But this itself is of a twofold character. On the one hand, the production of the means of subsistence, of food, clothing and shelter and the tools requisite therefore; on the other, the production of human beings themselves, the propagation of the species. The social institutions under which men of a definite historical epoch and of a definite country live are conditioned by both kinds of production: by the stage of development of labour, on the other hand, and of the family, on the other'. Hence, the exploitation of women cannot be isolated from the form of production the human society engages in. That exploitation can not be ended without changing the conditions of current mode of production. The NGO lore does not explain this and thus does not reveal the essence of the problem. Instead appeals to good senses are employed to change the lot of women. Having said that, it is not fair to Handagama to review his film based on abstract materialist theories of history. A film is an artistic creation and has to be judged in aesthetics that can be applied to the particular art form. Yet, art itself reflects the reality of human existence and therefore whatever we create is intrinsically bound with the question of our existence. 'Flying With One Wing' is a bold attempt to examine a controversial topic and it does it with consistence. Handagama brings into the screen the drab existence of a prejudiced community and one wonders whether their conditions of existence influences the morals the community believes in. The exposition of the characters seems to be weak and therefore the film does not hold the viewer enthralled. The he/she man has entered into marriage with another female and keeps house. It is not revealed how this marriage was consumed. Was it a marriage of convenience to deceive others and lead an existence? The film shows frolicking of the female and he/she man on bed under cover of darkness and finally it was revealed that fornication was with the help of an artificial object. The 'wife' says that a man is not judged by his sex object but on the money he brings to run the house. There is immatureness in the script which has led to melodramic scenes that disturbs the theme. The playing of Jinadiri and Mahendra holds the viewer. Yet, the acting is organically combined with the script and the theme of a film. Other players have not come to prominence, not because they are bad actors, but they do not seem to know what they are doing in the film. The character of the doctor played by W. Jayasiri suffers because of this reason. Perhaps the director wanted to give a Freudian explanation for the behaviour of the queer doctor but the rubber teat sucking actor cannot carry it. The 'sex scenes' of Wilson Gunaratna looks a chapter out of Seven Characters! In spite of these shortcomings Handagama shows gleams of creativity. The last scene in which Jinadiri stands naked includes a small girl who has painted a beard on her face and climbs a wall to see the mockery of the elders. A scene pregnant with meanings and shows Handagama's capacities. I must admit that to bring out a controversial work of art is not an easy task because the system is hostile to genuine artistic creations that question the accepted values of society. The film met with such hostility because it showed a woman smoking a cigarette. In that sense Handagama should be congratulated for his attempt and let us wish him success in his future endeavourers (The writer is the author of controversial novel 'First Rising' dealing with the first youth uprising in 1971). ######### Edward Jayakody Prathibavalokana Edward Jayakody, the talented vocalist, music director,stage and tele drama actor, lyricist and a playback singer of modern times celebrates his 49th birth anniversary on April 6, this year by launching his autobiography "Marambari" and his songs cassette "Dedunu paalama"in an evening musical rendezvous titled "Edward Jayakody Prathibhavalokana" at John de Silva Memorial Theatre, Colombo, at 5.00 p.m.
Subsequently he was admitted to St. Mary's College of Kegalle for secondary education. There, for the first time in life he came to learn music under a music teacher who happened to be H. Samarapala entrusted with the task of composing the College Song at that time. Incidentally when the college song saw the dawn of the day, little Edward led the group as the obedient pupil of music teacher Samarapala whom Edward recalls with great respect and admiration to date. He stepped in to the music field since singing as an amateur in the Maliban Guwan Thotilla and participating in amateur music programmes over Radio Ceylon during the period from 1968 to 1976. He entered the Government College of Music in 1976(presently the Faculty of Aesthetic Education of Kelaniya University) and forged ahead his endeavour while taking part in music programmes conducted by Amaradeva, Victor Ratnayake,G.S.B.Rani and several other popular maestros of the period. In 1992 he graduated himself from the Bhathkand Music Faculty of the Lucknow University. In the course of time he made a niche for himself in the music world by composing music for Dr. Amaradeva, Victor Ratnayake, Sanath Nandasiri, Malini Bulathsinhala, Rohan Shantha Bulegoda, and Krishantha Erandaka. Edward Jayakody shares a contended family life with Charitha Priyadarshani whom he married in the year 1991 to be subsequently endowed with a son Chandeepa Sharanath and a daughter Sharanya Rasodi all of whom he holds in bosom with deep love and pride. On this occasion with his 50th mile post in the journey of life at heels we welcome Edward Jayakody, to many more years of successful entertainment for us all and wish him a happy birthday. - Somadasa Wijeratne ######### Crafts - Women into Focus Keeping the art of handicrafts alive The National Crafts Council has organised a festival of crafts together with a Cultural pageant, specially featuring the womenfolk involved in creating hand-made products. The Sale and Fair which opens to the public at the Janakala Kendraya in Battaramulla on the 4th Friday at 10.00 a.m,is scheduled to continue over the weekend until Sunday the 6th from 10.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m. by Prasad Abu Bakr
Almost entire families have sustained over the years,in the past, producing a variety items generally of use to the local housewife and also used in home decor. In recent times under the flagship of its new Chairman, Buddhi Keerthisena, the National Craft Council has expedited many of its programmes to make these products created by our own dedicated craft people,available to the general public of Colombo through numerous exhibitions and fairs organised by them.
The event is organised in collaboration with the Lakhanda Radio station. ######### Review: Dizzle dazzle of professor and doctors Hello? Did I hear that same voice I heard last year? Yes, of course, S.L.M.A. concert once more. I would make it somehow to Hotel Lanka Oberoi on 27th March. I was there on time and wow! What a show, hilarious, exciting and full of talent amongst those professors and doctors.
Another caricature of Dr. Marlene Abeywardena was very apt too, It said LOVE that smile of course there. She was seated next to her husband Asoka with her charming smile and Asoka was smiling too. Marlene who was the Social Secretary of S.L.M.A. last year took a back seat this year, but she is going to rise higher as she will very soon be the President of the College of Obstetricians. Then there was the caricature of Prof. Wilfred Perera which said 'Be fruitful and multiply'.Very true. Coming to the show the chief guests were Prof. Carlo Fonseka and his wife. The variety entertainment opened with a colourful Kandyan Dance, most glamorously dressed as Kandyan Dancers. This was by 3 doctors, Vasantha Rathnayake, Upamalika Amaratunge, and Iresha Mampitiya. 2 Solos were sung by the sons of the President Dr. Sunil Epa Seneviratne - Dinesha & Dilum. Next came the "Show of the Night" - 'Magul Joduwa' with Prof. Dayasiri Fernando, Dr. Chithrangani Kariyavasam, Medico Anushka Kotalawela. Also Doctors Preethi Abeywardena, Dennis Aloysius, and his wife Chrissie and Mahendra Amarasekera. Prof. Dayasiri acted as the Magul Kapuwa and didn't he bring laughter to the entire audience! He was all dressed up complete with the 'Kalu Kudey' of a Kapuwa. He has a feather in his cap no-doubt -and a big hand shake - his acting was tiggerty - boo. Mahendra was the deaf Bridegroom who answered questions to "Koheda Yanneh - Malle Pol". What a scream it was. The petite Anushka acted as a 'fat old' bride. Prof. Mohan de Silva sang a Sinhala song 'Bolanda Katha' and Mahendra & daughter Manique teamed up with a song 'Moon River'. A team of Neurologists unit II staged an extremely humorous act - Mummy, Nanny and bubby - Oh that Bubby was absolute laughter "rolling away on the ground, kicking his feet and screaming and crying - also wetting his pampers where Nanny was getting annoyed. There was a young nurse too who was flirting with the Doctor whenever she got the slightest chance. Back on stage was Anushka Kotalawela who played on violin. "Meditation" and pepped up the tempo with "Tango in D". Proxy Baba by Drs. B.A.V. Perera, Suriyakantha Amarasekera and Preethi Abeygoonawardena was "Stupendous". There was the husband who could not produce babies in spite of all 'tablets' which he even tired - therefore he agreed to have a baby by proxy. Gosh, what a 'Rumble & Tumble' as a cameraman walked in earlier before the Proxy' husband. It was real chaos and good laughter. Suriyakanthi was the wife of "Pus Vedilla" and she too is a veteran actor and a plus point as a competent Compere. Prof. Carlo Fonseka surprised the audience at the end of the show by releasing his latest composition on 'Peace' which was welcomed by the crowd. All in all the show was very grand and very hilarious. - Yvonne F. Keerthisinghe |
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Jinadiri
is knocked down unconscious when Mahendra, in jest, suddenly applies the
breaks. In panic Mahendra takes her to a doctor who discovers her secret
and makes advances on her and rejected. The doctor reveals the secret to
Jinadiri's boss who is depicted as a womaniser taking advantage of his
office secretaries. The boss organises his garage workers and reveals
Jinadiri's sex by forcefully undressing her. Once her existence is
revealed to the community Jinadiri faces hostility and her house is
stoned. In order to counter her harassers she comes down naked and stands
in the threshold daring anyone to throw the first stone at her. The police
arrive and bundles her to jail.
Born
to a Catholic business family of Hettimulla off Bulathkohupitiya in
Kegalle district, his father Don Raphial Jayakody and mother Victoria
named their 6th child as Jayakody Arachchige Don Edward Timothy Jayakody
whom now we know as Edward Jayakody of music fame. Edward received his
preliminary education at Bandaranaike Junior School of his village of
serenity where folklore and songs, church choir and swing song heralded
the surrounding. His entry into the choir of the church of his close
neighbourhood fascinated him immensely. Thus music became virtually his
life blood.
"Diriya
Kanthawo" is its recent project bringing forward the creative ability
of mainly the rural womenfolk. Products covering a wide range will be
available on sale, Cane, Rush and Palm Leaf products beside Wooden,Pottery
items, a wide range of Garments, Crochet lace,preserved food items,Hand-made
paper,jewellery and many more like Leather and Coconut shell products will
be some of them.
Taking
into consideration the current New Year season the organisers have planned
to keep the fare opened till as late as 10.00 p.m daily so that everybody
will not miss this opportunity at owning a piece of work specially created
by our own rural womenfolk who have spent most of their life keeping the
Art of Handicrafts alive, adding a sense of national pride to our lives at
present.
One
cannot imagine the way these professionals let themselves "go"
at these shows. Lots of laughter, jokes and I must say, to have seen -
that great compere Suriyakanthi Amarasekera doing a top job behind that
mike. I really missed her last year, but was happy to see her and hear her
again this year. As the Caricature described her "Flies like a
butterfly and stings like a bee" was apt as she was flitting like a
butterfly each time she jumped out of her seat to throw in a spicy joke
while sometimes "did" sting like a bee. Gosh the jokes were
medical fun.
