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                       Compiled by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

Little theatre gets big break with Sinhabahu

The English version of Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra's popular Sinhala stage play " Sinhabahu " will go on the boards shortly, coinciding with the opening of Punchi Theatre (Little Theatre), the latest concept to hit the local stage.

Both the English production of Sinhabahu and setting up of the little theatre concept is carried out by veteran dramatist Namel Weeramuni, founder member of the Namel and Malini Art Circle.

Sinhabahu, regarded as Prof. Sarachchandra's best play, is based on the perennial theme of the father and son conflict and the mother who finds her love divided between them. It is a moving exploration of love and its loss.

An ardent student of Prof. Sarachchandra since university days, Namel staged the same English version in Los Angeles in 1997, for the first time while pursuing higher drama studies. Actors for that production were selected from the USA and the drama was a great success.

Sinhabahu is a drama which talks not only about the contrast between primitive and modern civilised life but also the clash of generations.

These days Namel is very busy with the rehearsals of the drama, making little adjustments to make it more appealing to the theatre going crowd and attract a bigger audience to the theatre. "I am very happy with the new cast," says Namel with confidence adding that they would do justice to the roles they are playing.

The new production's music is by Premasiri Khemadasa while choreography is by Wasantha Kumara.

"I am sure these actors will do justice to the roles they are playing as they have already proved their talent during rehearsals," Namel told Stage and Screen.

Namel plans to stage the drama in January next year to coincide with the opening of the Punchi Theatre aimed at promoting a regular theatre audience through a membership drive.

The theatre will have three theatres with 100 seats (main one) and two other little theatres with a seating capacity of 30 - 50. The project is being built at Dr. N.M. Perera Mawatha (Cotta Road), Borella and the construction work is now progressing rapidly. "This will be a landmark in the country's theatre history," Namel noted.

He believes that low cost productions and faithful patrons are the main components of the little theatre concept. "This will foster and promote creative works by way of play writing, productions and performance throughout the year on a professional basis," he added.

The project is estimated to cost around Rs 20 - 25 million. So far, Namel has spent around Rs 14 million while lighting will cost another Rs four million. "I have used all my savings and all other property to raise funds for this project," Namel revealed.

The concept of Punchi Theatre took root in Namel's mind while he was living abroad. Many of the world's celebrated dramas were first played on a small stage before they reached Broadway or West End.

Namel also hopes to conduct training and academic courses in dramatic arts through related lectures, seminars and conferences.

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Wasantha Kumara Kobawaka - An unhurried journey through music

Well-known lyricist Vasantha Kumara Kobawaka will mark a milestone in his career in the music field with a music concert titled "Pama vi a vasanthe" (A Late Summer) at the BMICH tomorrow (02). A book containing his lyrics and two CDs comprising his songs penned by him will also be launched on the occasion.

Like many prominent artistes of the day, Wasantha also received the support of the SLBC to commence his long journey in his artistic career with his first song in "Eka diya biduwen kelesada pavasak sidalanne" in 1975. The song was performed by Bandula Wijeweera and Rohana Weerasinghe while music was also composed by Rohana himself.

The 1980s marked a significant era for Wasantha as he was able to consolidate his position as a lyricist. Being a science graduate did not hinder Wasantha's journey in the music and to date, he has written songs for almost all the leading singers in the country.

Many of his songs have achieved fame and have been able to retain their popularity over the years. Today, the name Vasantha Kumara Kobawaka itself flashes the image of a popular lyricist before your eyes even though he likes to remain unnoticed.

Hailing from Bulathsinhala, Vasantha had his early education from Yatagampitiya Government School, later at Horana Thakshila Central College, and he graduated from the Colombo University in 1978. He now serves as a officer at the Sri Lanka Customs.

Although he was an undergraduate at the science faculty, he forged a unique bond with the art faculty. This gave him the opportunity to meet today's renowned figures in the music field.

His encounter with popular singer Sunil Edirisinghe at an art festival at the university turned a new chapter in his life.

Wasantha also wrote songs for many other leading singers such as Pundit Amaradeva, Victor Ratnayake, Nanda Malini, Edward Jayakody, Malini Bulathsinhala, Deepika Priyadarshani and a number of singers of the young generation.

He also composed lyrics for films and teledramas and went on to win a couple of awards at the Presidential and the Swarnasanka film festivals. His lyrics have focused on village and city life equally.

The event is organised by the Welfare Association of Sri Lanka Customs.

- Anjana Gamage

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Rukmani Devi - screen goddess par excellence

Twenty five years ago on 28th October the nation woke to the shocking news of the death of Rukmani Devi in a road crash. The outbreak of grief was spontaneous. Sinhala cinema's pioneer leading lady had by then assumed the mantle of 'elder stateswoman' of the local film world.

The tragic manner of her death somewhat empathized with the melancholy roles she portrayed on the screen and added to the pathos of her ultimate end.

Daisy Daniels re-christened Rukmani Devi had many firsts in her climb to the pinnacle of filmdom as the darling of the local silver screen.

Hers was a rare blend of beauty and talent with which she held fans spellbound during those early days of the local cinema.

Acting in the first ever sinhala film Kadavunu Poronduwa (Broken Promise) Rukmani opened the doors for all aspiring women artistes to come out of seclusion in an era of taboos and restrictions.

The film which was screened at the Kingsley cinema with D.S. Senanayake as chief guest opened to thundering applause when the opening scene depicting a weeping Rukmani came on screen.

From then on it was no looking back for this comely damsel from Negombo who went onto give some stunning performances on the silver screen with an acting style all of her own.

Her marriage to Eddie Jayamanne added to her popularity and the duo became household names with a teeming fan club enabling the industry to rake in box office returns.

It is as the tragic heroine that Rukmani was cast in a majority of her roles which later had resonance with her personal life rocked by stormy weather.

Some of her outstanding performances were seen in the films "Kele handa", "hadisi Vinishchaya", "Daiva Yogaya", "Perakadoru bena" "Daskon" and the more recent "Ihatha Athmaya", "Hatara Wate", "Ahasin Polowata" etc.

If Rukmani the screen goddess enraptured cinema goers with her stunning portrayals, her singing talents transformed her into a diva. While providing her own playback for the screen she proved her versatility by her resounding success in the pop music arena.

Like her pioneering role in the local silver screen she became an integral part in the birth of pop music in the country. Teaming with the first Sinhala Latin American pop band the los caballeros, she took the nascent pop scene by storm.

Her songs "Sandak Negi" and "Malbara Himidiriye" (dueted with the late Neville Fernando) remain evergreens to this day and earned for her the sobriquet "the nightingale".

(RM)

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