Artscope

First Rising comes as Yuga Andaraya

by Sarath Malalasekera

A muhurath for a new Sinhala teledrama “Yuga - Andaraya’ based on Somachandra Wijesuriya’s ‘First Rising’ the controversial novel was held recently at the Punchi-Theatre at Borella with the participation of the artistes and all the other parties involved in making of the teledrama.

Director Somachandra Wijesuriya and Producer Kosala Tantula lighting the traditional oil lamp at ‘Muhurath’ ceremony. Pictures by Roshan Pitipana

The Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation has given approval to the screenplay based on the controversial novel “First Rising,” said producer Kosala G. Tantula of Kosalya Films (USA).

Kosalya Films (USA) would be encouraging new film makers to experiment talents with them, said producer Tantula.

Lead role will be done by Maureen Charuni with several new artistes, producer-author Somachandra Wijesuriya said.

Asoka Hewage will handle the camera while Ratnasiri Paranavithana will assist in directing.

The film is produced by Kosalya Films USA.

The novel is about the background to the first uprising in 1971 and was a nominee at the Gratiaen Award in 1988.

Prof. Thiru Kandiah at the award ceremony said, “First Rising” portrays the betrayals in the postcolonial era that led to an impasse. These are the kind of writings that meet the need of the day.” The reviewers have commented that a TV production of the story will have a tremendous impact on the youth of today who are unaware of the reasons for the 1971 armed uprising against the State.

The story of “First Rising” is about the decay and collapse of a fictional middle class family in Kegalle district, which lived in the post 1956 era.

The son of the teacher family finally marches to join the rebels, as there was no mechanism to resolve his long unemployment after graduation. The novel intensively examines the socio-political reasons for the 1971 uprising on a broad format of postcolonial history.

The writer himself will direct the teleplay and is currently assembling the crew. The production is to commence in mid-June and the teleplay will be ready for telecasting in the latter part of the year. The teledrama will be shot in scenic locations in Rattota of Matale District.

Wijesuriya said a host of new faces will be cast as talent in the teledrama. The teledrama will not include professional talent from the star galaxy.

Somachandra says that his story is the tragic story of the people in an era and normal people will play the characters. One character is played by an estate worker.