Tracing Sinhala Catholic drama
Uvindu ILLEPERUMA
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Vijith Rohan, the senior lecturer of University of Keleniya
delivering his speech |
The sun was still very composed to molest the fresh nature by its
acrimonious rays. The village Duwa, Negambo was yet a region where
tranquility reigned sans the hustle and bustle of daily fishing life as
now it was the eve of Christmas. It seemed that Duwa was prepared to do
something special today.
Duwa, is a Sinhalese word that carries the very meaning of a little
island. Duwa in Negambo is not mere an island but an island where there
is a treasure. A treasure island! The treasure possessed by Duwa people
is non other than the artistry handed down to them from their ancestry.
Duwa fishing folk is a regular feature which contributes a lot to
supplement the Sri Lankan Soul of art.
'The concept of village' is largely nourished depending on its
contribution to the exceptional creations in arts. It was not a good
reason to get taken aback at seeing separate cultural identities related
to villages vis a vis its contribution to art.
Native identity
Crafted its own native identity it is the villagers of Duwa who still
perform the Rajathunkattuwa Nadagama for 200 years. Rajathun Kattuwa
Nadagama is the oldest Sinhala Catholic drama.
They staged Rajathun Kattuwa Nadagama 10 years earlier. After a long
show of silence and inactivity Duwa people felt the necessity of
rekindling their artistry again, which had been retreated to the
recesses of their hearts and minds in course of time? Accordingly Duwa
Rajathunkattuwa Nadagama will come to light on 8th, 9th, & 10th of
January 2010 at the open round theatre stage erected at the beautiful
sea shore in front of Duwa, Negambo church of Our Lady of Good
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Duwa children performing Nadagam. Pictures by Saman Sri Wedage |
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People of Duwa are exceptional in performing their artistic
competencies |
Voage.
This drama will be produced, presented and organized by the Duwa
Deevara Jana Ranga Kendraya( Duwa Fisher Community Art Circle)
Rajathunkattuwa Nada-gama goes synonymous with the very story line of
the journey of the Magi. Given the direction of the star which rose in
the sky they visited Bethlehem to witness the holy birth of the Jesus
Christ, the redeemer of the mankind.
'Though it is not mentioned in the Gospel that those three wise
people visited and witnessed this sacred prince who ultimately emerged
the savior of the suffering man it is according to the tradition that we
believe the three wise men as Melchior, Gaspar, Balthazar.', opined.
Vijith Rohan, the senior lecturer of Christian Culture at University of
Kelaniya.
Vijith Rohan in his speech put some of the opinions of Prof. M.H.
Goonatileka regarding the drama to the discretion of the audience. He
remembered how the Prof. M.H. Goonatileka explored into the roots of
these kinds of dramas. To study the roots and the origins of the dramas
of catholic basis he had to learn Portuguese language to the hilt.
One of the schools of thoughts in Sri Lanka poises the fact that the
art of drama existed before 16th century.
But much to the opposition of the above opinion another school of
thought opines that the art of Drama took its roots in the Sri Lankan
soil with the advent of Christian folk dramas in 16th century.
We have to go through Rajathun Kattuwa Nadagama being in between
those two opinions. ',said.Vijith Rohan.
Nadagama style
'Actually they were wise men though they were mentioned as kings.
Anyway we can assume them to be the men who had possessed extra ordinary
faculties in their minds. That was why they came to know such a sacred
thing was going to happen by seeing the star in the sky' said. Vijith.
According to Professor M. H. Gunatileka the Rajathun Kattuwa Nadagama
is a dramatic presentation in the style of a Nadagama. It is an operatic
and balletic thearitical performance. In the Rajathun Kattuwa it is
denoted a meaningful integration of theology and social aspiration of
the fisher folk of Negambo Duwa.
Today the little fishing village, Duwa is a hive of activity
organizing this gala event. The enhancement of cohesion in the village
community and the independence of Duwa people would be displayed through
the drama itself.
'This is what the God presented us; it is our obligation to preserve
what the god gave us. Our ancestors bequeathed us this cherished gift of
the God which was held in high esteem. Now we have to bequeath this to
the backborn of our village.'said Lucas Fernando, the secretary of the
Duwa Deevara Jana Ranga Kendraya (Duwa Fisher Community Art Circle) told
Daily News. |
