Lights, sets, action

Ruwini Jayawardana

"The Child is Father of the man
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety
See my heart leaps up when I behold."

William Wordsworth "Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of early childhood"

DRAMA: "Think about us" is a stage play, directed by M. Safeer and Udeni Alwis, which went on boards the BMICH for its debut performance on September 18. A second performance followed on September 20 at 7.00 p.m. at the Tower Hall Theatre. This production brings a cast of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim debutants and is a result of a workshop done at the Kotagala area.

Human reaction to different situations has always been a subject of deep interest to artists on stage and screen. A kaleidoscope of stories are presented by the actors and actresses in the play. What is significant here is that they are able to relate their own personal experiences or what they have learnt from the outside world, to the audience.

"We did not rehearse the cast. We advised them and guided them but it was the youths themselves who selected their roles and the stories they relate," comments Udeni Alwis. The drama begins grippingly with all the characters on stage in colourful attire.

There are no specific stage costumes but casual, every day type of clothing is selected by the team with certain accessories used to indicate what type of characters they signify. The soliloques are recited in turn in either Sinhala or Tamil. For many of these young men and women, a public stage performance was a new experience.

However, their enchantment had vigour, intensity, and conviction. With their physical actions, they turned descriptions into a running footage of scenes. Through this we are able to identify the characters as those existing amongst us or even as a part of ourselves.

The music for the play is taken from popular tracks and there are a series of dancing routines such as the Bharata Natyam, the Tamil Thappu dance, and the Sinhala and Tamil classical dancing.

The stories go on, showing that though people share experiences in life, a diversity of emotions can be reflected according to one's personality. For example, in one scene, while one person laments the death of a loved one, another person feels overjoyed. There is no protagonist in the drama.

This philosophical play includes a character which runs throughout the play. He is a small boy who does not respond to any of the happenings on stage. What is indicated here seems to be that children live in a world of innocence, cut out from the problems of the society and responsibilities. Gradually, as we age, we burden ourselves with dilemmas.

"Basically, there are no issues in this play. Our attempt is to show another side of our existence. Our intention is to bring fore the hidden talents of today's younger generation from rural areas of the island," said M. Safeer.

As the winner of the title of best set designer for a continuous three years at the State Stage Drama Awards, Safeer has directed a number of plays including "Kandura", "Oya Dora Arinna" (a translation of a German play), "Dushantayake", and "Mama Ipadune Eeyay Nemai". He is also the author of several books, "Paschathapaya" and "Weedika Kalamanakaranaya" to name a few.

Wasantha Kumara was in charge of the light set ups in "Think about us" while Sashi Kumar, Nalaka Ginendra, and Ajith Rohana took over their roles as management assistants. The cast includes Sangeetha Palliyaguruge, V. Krishna, Shanika Sanjini, R. Manimegala, Anthony Raj, Nalin Tharuka, S. D. Ramya, S. G. Nurjan, Rasika Piyadarshani, G. Shajida, R. Raja, Chathurika Sujeewani, Priyanka Sujeewani, Saumya Sandamali, Damayanthi Dhanushika, Priyanka Iroshani, Emesha Deepamali, Tharanga Kumari, and Ashoka Malkanthi.

"This is not a traditional play. All of us worked hard for nearly four months at Kotagala to make this play a success. These youths should be encouraged and the public's opinion matters a lot to them. I hope this production was a new experience to the audience," Safeer hastened to add.

He also stressed on the lack of interest of the authorities of the country towards such projects that help to motivate young talent from rural areas.

It was refreshing to see over a dozen young people working together, despite their nationality or religion. They themselves, including us spectators appreciate this opportunity given to them to gain stage experience. It was certainly a drama with a difference.

Navarathri or Sakthi worship for peace and prosperity

CELEBRATIONS: Navarathri fast or Sakthi worship or Saraswathy Pooja in honour of the Hindu Pantheon of Goddesses namely Durgai, Lakshmi and Saraswathy will be celebrated for nine nights. This festival which is dedicated to Devi worship commenced on September 23 and concludes with Vijaya Dasami celebrations on the 10th day.

In Hinduism the Supreme Lord is represented by Maheswara and His power is represented by His consort Sakthi. Just as the husband and wife take care of the families, so also does Shiva and Sakthi look after the affairs of the universe. Sakthi is the embodiment of power. She is the supreme power by which the world is made to function. As such, Navarathri is also called Sakthi workshop.

In one of the poems T.S. Eliot has described the predicament of man who with all the progress and success he had made in science and technology finds that "Endless inventions and endless experiments bring us knowledge of motion, but not of stillness, knowledge of words and not of the word. Lord Shiva without Sakthi is all stillness.

It is Sakthi which Stirs Him to motion and speech. Shiva is the word, it is Sakthi which moves to words. The union between them is represented by the image of Shiva as Ardhanariswara, half man and half woman. Shakthi herself takes different forms. Sometimes she is stern and formidable. Of the many Gods in the Hindu Pantheon none is revered more than Mother Goddess.

Further, Navarathri is a period of prayers and meditation for moral, material and spiritual uplift culminating in cultural festivities. Goodness, prosperity and knowledge are the three aspects of Navarathri pooja which have to be brought into our lives.

Goodness reveals love, while prosperity brings happiness through selfless service and finally knowledge leads the way to Truth and God realization. The translation through the outward rituals of worship and prayer into the practical aspect is the real invocation and adoration of the Divine Mother, for this truly transforms and spiritualise one.

Devi, Ambal or Sakthi as she is called is the living manifestation of Divinity in its Holy Trinity revealed as the Lila of the omnipotent power. She is depicted as the great Goddess Parvati, the consort of Shiva.

In the Navarathri Pooja the glorious mother in Her aspect as Durgai is first worshipped for three nights in order that the evil nature in man could be destroyed. She as Durgai fought the demon Mahishasha and killed him and is referred to as Mahishasura Mardini. She is the Samhara Sakthi, the all destroying power of God Shiva as Rudra.

Durgai astride a lion and it is the symbolic annihilator of evil. She is represented with many arms each bearing a weapon. Durgai, contrary to Maha Tripusasundari who is the embodiment of love, beauty and joy, is Kali, the terror. In fact, Durgai destroys the evil forces, the Mahashasuras within man.

The next three nights are dedicated to Mother Divine in Her aspect as Maha Lakshmi. The worship of Maha Lakshmi is meant for spiritual and material welfare. Goddess Maha Lakshmi is portrayed on a red lotus draped in a red saree.

She is the protective and sustaining power of Vishnu and the Goddess of Wealth. She blesses Her true and sincere devotees. Wealth has to be acquired by man's endeavour and Goddess Maha Lakshmi blesses the endevoaurs of one who strives in a dharmic way.

During the final three nights the Mother in her aspect as Goddess Saraswathy is worshipped by devotees. She is the creative power of God as Brahma and worshipped as the Goddess of learning. Goddess Saraswathy is depicted seated on a white lotus draped in a white saree, playing the veena indicating that she sings the melody of life inviting devotees to merge into the Naada Brahma.

Further, Goddess Saraswathy's appearance connotes purity and transcendence. The white swan is a symbol of spiritual transcendence and perfection. She is worshipped for knowledge - the wisdom which will guide me on the onward march to the final goal of liberation.

On the 10th day (ie) Vijayadasami special and colourful rituals are observed in temples where the battle between Durga and the Demon is re-enacted. This ritual is referred to as 'Maanampu'.

The arrangements of Durgai, Lakshmi and Saraswathy in the Navarathri pooja conveys a significant truth, a revelation of an actual law, the return journey of the embodied soul to merge with the Paramaatman. In this mundane world, consciously or unconsciously man constantly struggles to realise the Atman within him and be one with the Paramaatman.

These nine days of worship culminating in the Vijayadasami pooja is not merely a religious festival where the social bonds of a life of culture are strengthened, but is also a realisation that the Navarathri which signifies the prowess of Devi and the battles she fought in various aspect to vanquish the Asuras, are in reality battles waged in one's life.

Indeed, life is a constant battle, a war between good and evil, light and darkness, knowledge and ignorance, truth and falsehood, immortality and death. Navarathri festival will be celebrated in temples, schools and private and public organisations. The Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs will celebrate Navarathri festival at New Kathiresan Hall, Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4 on Saturday September 30 commencing at 5 p.m.

The Director of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs Mrs. Shanthi Navukkarasan will preside at this function, while the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Tissa Karaliyadde will be the chief guest and the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs P. N. Jinasena, head of the Ramakrishna Mission Swami Athmaganananta and several others will participate.

M. S. Sri Thayalan, Assistant Director of the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs will deliver the welcome speech while 'Kalasoori' Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan will present music recital on this occasion.

'Kalabhooshanam' Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar

Young craftsman needs help

Text and Pix by Ranjith Premadasa

UNIQUE TALENT: All over the world art and nature has fascinated kings, ministers and people, while an artist's creativeness, talents and skills brings pleasure to the audience.

I met 24-year-old Pradeep Sandun Kumara of Nittambuwa, who creates ornaments, modern furniture and different lively images of animals using cane.

It was Pradeep's responsibility to take care of his mother and two brothers after the demise of his father. Sandun created new objects such as crocodiles, deer, swans etc. He was not concern weather it was day or night but kept on doing modern art works which made our eyes see wonders.

Pradeep studied at Pasyala Maha Vidhyalaya, but was unable to sit the Advanced Level examination due to the critical financial situation of the family. Then he stepped into his father's business. His father has been engaged in this for nearly 50 years.

From his small days looking at his father manufacture cane products was one reason for him to take up the business. He also produces modern dressing tables, beds and chairs. He says that using Malaysian cane he could finish a lively image of a crocodiles within two months.

He says due to the high cost of local and Malaysian cane he is unable to supply goods according to the buyers needs and says that he is unable to buy the cane and raw material with his poor financial status.

Pradeep Sandun Kumara requested the assistance of the government or any other organization to help him with his business. He aims to help young people like himself with the development of his business. Pradeep could be reached at No 7, Kandy Road, Radawaduna.

Oliver at Russian Centre

MOVIE: Oliver - the winner of six academy awards including Best Picture in 1968 - will be screened at the Russian Centre in Colombo on September 30 at 5.00 p.m.

Young Oliver (Mark Lester) is an orphan who escapes the cheerless life of the workhouse and takes to the streets of 19th Century London. He is immediately taken in by a band of street urchins, headed by the lovable villain Fagin (Ron Moody) his fiendish henchman Bill Sikes (Oliver Reed) and his loyal apprentice the Artful Dodger (Jack Wild).

Through his education in the fine points of picking pocketing, Oliver makes away with an unexpected treasure, a home and a family of his own. Let Oliver steal your heart. Be at the Russian Centre to view Oliver which includes songs such favourites as "Consider Yourself", "Where is love" and "As Long as He Needs Me." The cast include Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Harry Secombe, Shani Wallis and Mark Lester as Oliver.

A special evening to sing along

MUSIC: It is not always that family and friends, both young and old, get an opportunity of enjoying themselves in a way that truly satisfies. Moreover, when one looks for enjoyment with relaxation, it is not often that one has the privilege of sitting down to a great evening.

But now, there is good news in the air of an opportunity that falls on September 29 at the BMICH, Banquet Hall from 7.00 pm when everyone will 'Sing-along' lustily and happily to melodies that will bring out memories with pleasure.

The Corporate body for commercial and industrial security, The Industrial Security Foundation of (Sri Lanka) Inc., which is spearheading the Golden Jubilee of Private Security in Sri Lanka, has put together an evening of music and song in its efforts to raise funds to construct its own building for an academy which will pursue efforts to professionalise industrial security. Free entry for children under 12 accompanied by parents.

Arangethram

Baratha Natya Arangethram of Hashani Vidulangi Saparamadu will be held on October 1 at the Kularathna Hall, Ananda College, Colombo 10. Hashani is a student of Guru Miranda Hemalatha and an Advanced Level (Commerce) student of Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. Former GA Kegalla K.M. Ariyarathna will be the Cheif Guest.