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Gleanings:
Two colourful events in Colombo
K. S. Sivakumaran
Two colourful events took place in Colombo last week. One was a dance
drama and the other launch of 60 Thamil books. Both are connected to our
cultural influence we have had with our friendly neighbour India.
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A scene from Shri Ram |
Whether we admit or not the majority of our population has had their
roots in Bharat. There is no need to be shy about it; and in fact we
should be proud of the fact that religion and culture are traditionally
imbibed by the varied culture of India.
I am grateful to Dinkar Asthana of the Indian High Commission for
extending an invitation to me as well to be present at the Dance Drama
called ‘Shri Ram’ held at the Kularathne Hall, Ananda College in
Maradana.
This presentation was in celebration of the 61st Anniversary of
India’s Independence.
As the title suggested it was an exposition of dramatic scenes from
the great Indian epic ‘Ramayana’ by Vaalmiki. Understandably the whole
episodes could not be enacted and judiciously selected scenes of
dramatic impact from the growing up of Rama and his brothers and the
conquest of Ravana were depicted in the form of variety of dance forms
and music.
I need not retell the story of the Ramayana because my review is
concerned only with the performance on the stage. To my appreciation it
was near professional with the collaboration of various artistes
belonging to the different communities in the island. I was more than
gratified of the confluence of talents transcending ethnic prejudices.
‘Shri Ram’ was presented by Aru Sri Art Theatre and produced and
directed by Kalasuri Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan. She over the years has
become a famous international artiste by her vocal and allied musical
presentations in many parts of the world.
She started as a Carnatic music instrumentalist. Apart from the
customary invocation, there were snapshot 12 scenes conveying the
development of the drama. The transition from one scene to another was
marvelously smooth. The dances were rhythmic in terms of movement and
the styles were within styles without glaring exclusivity. There was a
graceful flow in the foot work, poise and ‘abhinaya.’
I liked particularly the beautiful and relaxed and at the same time
purposeful and restrained body movements of Chandra Wikramasinghe (he
has a Dancers Guild). He played the roles of both Dasaratha and Ravana.
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Kalasuri Arunthathy Sri Ranganathan |
Ravi Thamilvanan |
The majesty of the king of Lanka’s (Ravana) portrayal and in the
depiction of the ferocious battle scenes on behalf of his sister (Mandothari)
and his luring for Sita (Rama’s wife) were all portrayed adequately by
the dancing thespian, Chandra Wickremasinghe.
Saravanapava Guhendran with his supple body and very fair complexion
maintained his poise as cool as possible and transmitted a combination
of both feminine and masculine physical traits in the appropriate
scenes. His interpretation was pleasingly acceptable.
I also liked the charmingly feminine portrayal of Sita by Subodini
Adman. I liked the famous balcony scene beautifully described in the
Ramayana of the Thamilian poet Kamban. Rama and Sita for the first time
eye each other without words.
All players displayed talent and contributed to the overall
performance. Here are their names that deserve applause: Abiramy
Kandeepan, Jositha Peter, Luxmi Sarma, Geeth de Silva, Rishanthi
Sanjeevan, Divya Sivanesan, Dakshit Samaraweera, Madushanka Priyadesh,
Duminda Dharsana, Johannes Madawaala, Janaka Perera, Jagath Jayasundara,
Anushka Ekanayake, Subitha Gnanarajah, Kanchana Jayatilatha, Nadeka
Rabddagoda, Chathurika Ranawaka and Kanchana Smudini.
The music compositions were rendered fairly well but I could have
liked more melodious voices to suit the delicacy of scenes. However the
voices of the singers carried through in various tongues. The
orchestration was fine. The choreography at various hands was exquisite
and serene I line with the tempo of the play and the period in which the
scenes occur.
The next scene which I would like to call ‘colourful’ was the launch
of 54 books by Lankan writers and six by Indian writers published by a
Chennai firm Manimekalai Prasuram on August 16 and 17, 2008. Manimekalai
Prasram promotes publication of Lankan writers in Chennai and takes the
task of distributing these books worldwide, which is a great thing.
Ravi Thamilvanan, the Managing Director of the publishers was in
Colombo for the two day full session of book releases. Reputed Indian
personalities also came with him and rendered fine thought provoking
speeches.
Periyaar Dasan, Kavi Dasan, J. N. S. Selvan, Jaffar Ali, Thirupoor
Ramasamy, Saraswathi Ramasamy, Senguttuvan, Premalatha Senguttuvan were
the Thamilnadu visitors.
There are many talented Thamil writers from the East that are not
well-known to readers in other parts of the country. In that respect
Ravi should be congratulated for publishing the first 10 books from the
Maddakkalappu district.
These include three by researcher and parliamentarian K. Thangewary,
writer and former SLAS officer R. Nagalinagam (Anbumani) and others.
There were two books by Gnanamanohari Sriskandarajah from
Thirukoanamalai, two books by K. S. Sivakumaran, four books by the
couple S. Muruganandan among others on the first day and on the next day
30 books were launched.
Even with the absence of usual assemblage of Colombo based writers
the function went on well with new participants who came to be known.
However a few celebrity writers were present on the different timings of
the launch.
Despite the unwelcome move by competitive publishers of books in
Thamil in Colombo of Ravi Thamilvanan’s adventure in the publication of
books by Lankan writers, one should thank him for his undertaking of
distribution of books by Lankan Thamilians worldwide.
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