Sadeeptha kindles light
Sadeeptha (Kindle) trilingual drama musical was staged at The British
School Auditorium before a distinguished gathering to kindle hope for
our nation.
Sadeeptha (Bright Light) was the expectation for all our peoples
following on ‘Apeksha’ and ‘Pooja’. Inauguration was the lighting of a
nine foot tall, beautifully handcrafted image of Sri Lanka to bring out
the unique contribution of each province. Nine pink candles were lit on
the map by Senior Citizens drawn from diverse fields of endeavour -
Business, Medical, Law, Academia, Hospitality, Services etc.
Sadeeptha was more than an evening of song; it was more than a dance;
it was even more than an act. Sadeeptha is a Sinhala word signifying a
brighter light.
The sundown concert offered hope to a nation caught in the ravages of
conflict and the upheaval of never-ending greed. It was almost a cry to
Heaven to intervene. The old and the young, the high and the simple folk
came together to present their gifts to a King and to ask for a great
light to shine on a people sitting in darkness and gloom in the
auditorium and beyond.
The theme song Sadeeptha opened out with Kandyan dance by young
children choreographed as a haunting faded flower. With the opening
strains of Sadeeptha and the tableau that ensued, the lament of a nation
in the throes of years of bloody confrontation was ingeniously captured.
Pleading the cause of lost innocence was the rich, persuasive voice
of Dilrukshi singing Amme Yanna Epa. Perhaps the pathos which rang out
in her tone of voice may have made every mother seeking greener
pastures, pause in her tracks and think again.
As the musical unfolded through the next 110 minutes, the flower
would bloom to vivacity, rhythms changed to joy and lights went from dim
to gay brightness.
Thus did a full audience agonize and move to ecstasy with hope as the
Nation’s present issues were dramatized, sung, performed through ballet
and Bharatha Natyam. As the Prorogue pitched the tone Southern Sorrow
and Northern Anguish was woven through the Nativity Message and
reconciled.
The choir led by Havi Gunewardene had quality.
The Kurullane event (Bird parable) performed by children, deserves
special comment as they brought out the similarities between competing
birds and man. ‘Arise, My Love!’ was a fascinating rendition and the
intriguing dance routine using sticks was brilliantly coordinated, which
only could have been achieved with hours practice.
It was heartening to see a Bharatha Natyam included in the
presentation. Christina’s impressive ballet was a request for all to
sing. ‘How Great is our God!’
The blend was unique, the diversity breathtaking, the scope mammoth.
My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Concerned Professionals’ Forum for
giving us a meaningful evening, rather than light entertainment, when
our country was pitched in such a difficult phase. Sadeeptha almost
anticipated the hope we now have with A9 freed to provide amenities and
accelerate development to that part of our beloved nation.
As Sadeeptha moved on, in carefully choreographed sequences from
darkness to light and greater light, one could not only hope, but be
willing to give peace a chance and herald a dawn of bright new
beginnings.
Special comments were brought by Meryl J Fernando (Dilmah Tea) and
Justice Andrew Somawansa. At the conclusion Dr. Lalith Mendis briefly
collated the happenings of the evening.
A second revamped performance would happen at the same venue on April
4. Watch out. Do not miss. The Sadeeptha recording is available on
request from [email protected]. from Rosie Fernando or Dr. Hiranthini de
Silva.
- P.M.
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