Some significant events
 The
past few weeks saw some very significant events in the cultural field.
On January 19 Parakrama Niriella, one of the foremost men of the theatre
of the eighties, chairman of the Sinhala Drama Panel until very
recently, saw the realization of one of his 'dreams', one of our -
meaning all theatre people - dreams come into fruition.
Parakrama has put together after a mighty lot of hard
work, a complete Travelling Theatre replete with a group of actors,
actresses, stage managers, stage hands, a lighting unit, curtains, sound
systems and to cap it all a real solid travelling theatre hall, together
with an all-purpose stage.
The dismantle-and-carry canvas enclosure is very
attractively fine-tuned, so to say, with all the necessary facilities
provided within its folds. There are two dressing rooms with provision
for make-up, tiered sets of fairly comfortable seats, steps and the
whole lot.
Parakrama tells me that the lot could be dismantled
within an hour and stacked away in a truck, to be carried to the next
destination of his travelling group - and the group is called 'Jana
Karaliya' (People's Stage) a very apt title.
The group has permanent stage directors, musicians,
instructors on its staff. The actors and actresses are also in a steady
pay-roll.
Relaxation
They are not encouraged to take part in anything else
while they are on tour, under contract to Jana Karaliya.
Starting from 5 a.m. with Yoga and physical exercises
each day, the group is busy the whole day, rehearsing new plays,
sprucing up and working on new ideas. They are given regular breaks for
meals, relaxation and rest. The group live together. I am not certain if
they cook their own meals. Perhaps they do.
Parakrama is very ably assisted by his long time
lieutenant associate, the very versatile H. A. Perera. Dilip Rohana and
a host of others help.
In his introductory speech at the opening ceremony
Parakrama spelt out the purposes and functions of the People's Theatre.
"We have had a fair amount of Street Theatre in our country," he
declared. "But not a permanent Travelling Theatre.
All these years we have had to make do with available
space - be it a school hall, Municipal Hall, community centre or any
other space that is available to stage our plays. In the process we have
got used to the 'Proscenium' kind of presentation irrevocably.
This invariably hampers the style of the director, actor
and all others involved. Now we have a Stage and theatre which could be
adjusted to suit any style of production, any style of acting and any
sort of location.
tsunami disaster
We were hoping to travel from East to North and then
proceed to the South with our varied theatre-fare. But because of the
tsunami disaster, we have had to change our plans. After an initial run
of our theatre-fare at the Jana Kala Kendraya premises where, you are
now seated inside our Travelling Theatre, we will proceed South and work
our way to the North and the East.
Mighty project
Not only our fare, we will also invite groups from those
areas too, to perform in our Theatre, to conduct workshops and exchange
ideas...." Parakrama Niriella, and later H. A. Perera and Dr. Sunil
Wijesiriwardhana spoke to the audience (a little too long, I thought)
about the project, its far-reaching influences and its future plans.
Bravo! Parakrama, you have achieved something that none
of us could. I wish you all the success you so richly deserve for this
mighty project. May your long strides in this new direction be always
useful ,purposeful and worthy of emulation by the younger ones you will
be grooming.
I am sorry I could not stay for your short presentation
'Andara Mal' that afternoon (which Dr. Sunil Ariyaratne tells me, was
excellent) I had to visit a patient in hospital before 1 p.m. But I am
looking forward to your full presentation of Jana Karaliya fair in
mid-March.
One of the most celebrated and revered artistes in the
field of Kandyan Dancing and drummer-par-excellence of our times,
Kalaguru, Kalamanya S. Panibharata was felicitated with the performance
of a 'Devolmadu Shanthikarmaya' (Devolmadu blessing) at Sri Suramyarama
Temple at Madinnagoda, home town to Shri Panibharata, on the 21st of
February, in honour of the Guru's 85th birthday. It was aptly organized
and presented by the Channa-Upuli Kalayatanaya - daughter and son-in-law
of the Master.
Long long years back, I remember with great pleasure how
Master Panibharata, himself a product of Nalanda Vidyalaya, was invited
by our Guru and mentor, U.A.S. Perera (Siri Aiya) to train our dancers
of the play 'Harischandra' about which I have written so much during the
past couple of weeks.
Among the others Master Panibharata also trained me and
my Radha for the Radha Krishna sequence in a later revival of
Harischandra. (By that time I had grown too big for Prince Rohitha)
Master Pani was very young at that time very erect, very handsome and
very popular especially among the young females. No disrespect meant,
dear Sir...
When I received the invitation for Guru Panibharatha's
birthday Shanthikarmaya, I was so moved by memories of at least three
decades, that I sat down and wrote a little poem of veneration for the
Master. I would like to reproduce part of it in translation for readers
of these columns. It is my Birhtday gift to you, revered Sir.
I see revered Sir
The strength, the
great poise
Of the craftsmen of old
Of this beloved land
of mine-
Of those who sculpted
Statues of the Buddha
Crafted the
'Sandakadapahana',
Of those who built
The great Stupas
And the massive tanks -
I see their strength
Their poise
In your face....
I see the fortress
Of Sihagiri
In your face
In your stance
In your indescribable
power...
I see the carefully crafted
Letters of the Sigiri
grafitti
On your broad forehead
Wise and knowing...
I see your strength
In the powerful band
of the tuskers
That keep guard
On our great Stupas
I see your grace
In the sculpted
Drummers
The conch-blowers
The graceful dancers
of yore
I see the Sigiri Damsels
Move in lightening
rhythm
In your spirited
creations...
Nay,
Not five and eighty
You will be with us
For eternity
'Chiran Jayathu
Sukhi Deeghayuko Bhava...' |
