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Walapatala
The greyish outer part:
Sachitra MAHENDRA
 Social and political upheavals are not a trend only in Sri Lanka; in
fact it is a universal phenomenon. Sri Lanka’s latest major rebellion
perhaps should be the 70’s resurrection, giving vent to an uprising of
creative medium in the following decade.
Vijitha Gunarathne, in this background, was more known as a theatre
man who had a lot to do with what took place in the ’70s. He gave life
to the creativity risking his own. Walapatala, or Penumbra, is his
maiden cinematic attempt that tells a lot in the title itself.
‘Penumbra’ is defined as the greyish outer part of a sunspot; this
outer part hides the beauty of the sunspot. So is the society as
Gunarathne sees. The beauty of the society is covered by the greyish
outer part, and he names it Politics.
The picture is about the conflicts and differences between two major
parties: powered and commoners. It starts with an awareness programme
held in a school; however Gunarathne poses the questions the effect of
awareness programmes. Can mass be made aware of the social injustice
they are forced to face? Penumbra provides a brilliantly carved
philosophical answer.
Jayasundara, the MP and his servant Amarapala have two battles to win
out: power and hunger respectively. Amarapala represents the working
class, which is inferior than the MP’s aristocratic class, and fails to
see injustice exercised on him.
When he first leaves the working place to attend to his dying baby,
Jayasundara is least concerned about his servant’s welfare, but angrily
remarks who will replace Amarapala.
Towards the end of the scenes, Jayasundara smells a favourable pit in
Amarapala’s crisis situation, and willingly takes care of Amarapala’s
dying baby. Amarapala, who stands for the commoner, takes this
positively.
Amarapala is yet to realise the folly later on, and it signals the
birth of a rebellion. This is the case with many common workers which is
creatively laid out in Penumbra. The hypocrisy of the politicians affect
the other sides, especially health sector which is creatively shown in
Penumbra.
See how Dr. Manoharan is physically made unsuitable to the job
because of an unpleasant environment. Why he consumes liquor and gets
two-hour late for the operation marks a crucial factor towards the
development of scenes.
However, the strict discipline in physicians, who are scholars, are
cleverly portrayed in the picture. However they are also helpless within
the vicious circle of politicians. For instance, the Doctor in charge
has to carry on as the MP wishes, despite his own respect for the
elderly and much more qualified Dr. Manoharan.
With lush greenery shown throughout the picture, Penumbra gives you a
fresh experience.
Director had a tremendous task in rolling back the setting into ’70s
environment. Apart from Dr. Manoharan being addressed as Mr. Manoharan
by his colleague, a goof is hardly observed.
Jayalath Manorathna plays even better than his role as the teacher in
Siri Raja Siri. His role of the shrewd politician is probably the best
of his recent character performance.
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