Distinction between history and poetry
Professor Kamani Jayasekera
Department of Western Classical Culture, University of Kelaniya
Why do the dramatists of Sri Lanka in the 21st century bring on to
stage plays that have been produced in the Classical West in the Fifth
Century BC? What fascination could be there for modern Sri Lankan
audience in a play of Sophocles in Athens? Yes, the plays were classical
and contained a universal value that surpassed the boundaries of time
and place.
But what topical value could they contain - what contribution could
they make to the contemporary social, political field in the country?
Priyankara Rathnayake, a senior lecturer in drama and theatre in the
University of Kelaniya, seems to answer all these questions through his
latest production Antigone.
Aristotle when he made a distinction between the historical truth and
the poetic truth, he allotted the qualities of probability to poetry.
“The difference is that one tells of what has happened and the other
of the kinds of things that might happen. ‘Poetry is something more
philosophical and more worthy of serious attention’, and ‘poetry is
concerned of universal truths’. (Aristotle, On the Art of Poetry 9)
Divine laws
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A scene from Ada Vage Davasaka Antigone |
The conflict between territorial laws and the divine laws could be
taken as an example. The mentality of a mighty leader who had been newly
victorious in war and how peace itself becomes a test of his character
is interesting. i.e. When the law is passed according to the will of the
leader and ultimately the pathos when the leader becomes not only the
law but the state itself. Hence all who oppose the leader become an
enemy of the state and is branded as traitor.
Safely in the cocoon of falsehood woven around him by his henchmen he
goes as far as to abuse and threaten even those soothsayers who predict
his future, branding them enemies of the nation. The story relates the
predicament of a political leader who considers and takes any sort of
criticism personally and as a challenge to his position.
I myself have been a student of Classical drama for more than twenty
years and true to the description of Longinus on sublimity of a great
piece of art, I have managed to find fresh meanings to most of the works
I have read repeatedly. But the true meaning of the relevance of some of
the ideas put forth came to me as a shock when I watched Antigone on the
Sinhala stage directed by Priyankara.
The topical value of some of the words and phrases in exact
translation came as an enlightening experience when set in the
contemporary backdrop. Many seem to have shared my sentiment when
considering the audience reaction.
Gender themes
The gender theme, I personally feel, Priyankara had highlighted -
Antigone being a woman dares to forfeit the king’s laws that he would
never let a woman over power him. This makes us realize how, when a
person finds himself corned against all reason, he resorts to the gender
factor.
The impotentiality of the very refuge in his ‘maleness’ comes through
quite forcibly in this production. Strong enough to spread a titter of
comradeship among males as well as females in the audience.
On the subject of the audience the Sri Lankan modern dramatist would
have faced a fresh problem that was alien to the Classical dramatists.
This is the fact that the audience in Classical Athens would have been
familiar with the stories regarding the ancient royalty along with their
tragic fates.
But the majority of our audience would be in ignorance of the
background. May be this is one of the reasons we who possess a bit of
Classical knowledge approach the subject of reproductions or adaptations
with careful reservations.
But Priyankara gently forces one to set aside such fears. The beauty
of the whole production is that he had been faithful to the original
text in almost all the scenes. The introductions or innovations were
carefully integrated if and when they were required. Or may be as a
subtle interpretation.
Traditional details
The artist has kept true to the traditional Greek convention of not
depicting violence on stage. Hence he makes one of the characters on
stage describe the scene in detail so that the listening audience
participates in the action mentally. Making them experience the event
first hand. At times he makes an actor mime an event which also seems to
be quite effective. The manner in which Antigone buried her brother
could be taken as an example.
The manner in which the messenger cum soldier who delivers the burial
of the traitor is thought provoking. For it lessens the tension while
retaining the significance of the action. Comic relief is brought out by
the superb acting of Thumindu Dodanthanna.
The brief encounter on stage between Haemon, the prince and Creon,
the king is also enlightening. The conflict of openion is portraied with
a clash that almost amount to physical violence in the production.
This enables the audience to notice the deeper currents even more
sharply. Haemon refuses to become an ‘yes man’ to his father dragging
him on to more folly. But his honest attempt to enlighten him on the
reality and truth of public opinion is met with self assured and over
pampered arrogance and rage.
Praise for play
It would have been easier for Haemon to paint a rosy picture before
Creon and enjoy the luxuries that power entices him with. But he point
blank refuses. On the other hand his love is at stake here as well. His
love of Antigone.
The soothsayer in the Sinhala production is a woman. One wonders if
Priyankara had intended to put across a mother image through this. The
relationship between the soothsayer and the king seems quite close. As a
result the emotional insults and threats delivered by Creon becomes more
effective.
The distinction of an academic institution does not solely depend on
its excellence in theory. The plays produced by the Academic Players of
the University of Kelaniya makes an impact and contribution to the
society they live in.
The vision as well as the mission of the University at the National
level is clearly emphasised through the production of such an ambitious
and a courageous venture as Antigone. All of us should appreciate the
success of their mission. Congratulations Priyankara. Congratulations to
a play well done. |
