Spiritual wake up through cinema
Ruwini Jayawardana
More than 2,350 years ago, in the heart of the wilderness, surrounded
by nature’s splendors, a dramatic encounter which will go down in the
annals of history unfolded. Two characters received precedence at this
meet. One was Ven. Arahant Mahinda Thera, son of Emperor Asoka, and the
other was the reigning king of Sri Lanka, King Devanampiyatissa.
Roshan and Udari. Pictures by Rukmal Gamage |
Ven. Arahant Mahinda Thera was on a sacred mission to spread the
teachings of the Buddha. However such precepts cannot be handed over in
one go. The monarch’s intellectual stature was graded after a quiz. He
withstood the test. The island prospered by embracing Buddhism.
Bringing this significant moment of spiritual awakening to mind
thousands of Buddhists visit Mihintale, the cradle of Buddhism in Sri
Lanka, each year on Poson Poya day. This milestone in the history will
be rekindled when director Sanath Abeysekara begins shoot on his much
talked about movie Mahindagamanaya. The Muhurath ceremony of the event
took place at Gangaramaya temple last week. Ven. Pallagama Hemarathana
Thera, Ven. Galabada Thera, Ven. Agalakada Sirisumana Thera and Ven.
Magalle Nabitha Thera took part in the event which evoked blessings for
the project.
The film is part of the project aimed at celebrating the 2600th Sri
Sambuddha Jayanthi in 2011. It aims to send the message of the
compassionate nature of Buddhism across to the world.
Jeevan and Dillhani |
Speaking at the event, director Abeysekara said that President
Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Buddhist Affairs Ministry have been very keen
on the film. He added that he had worked on the script for nearly a year
and had done a lot of background research to include accurate details to
the story.
“The opening chapters of the movie include a few scenes of Emperor
Asoka. We will be flying to India in January to shoot these episodes. We
are constructing the monuments of places and other buildings and working
on the costumes. These have to be done with care so that modern elements
do not emerge in the pictures.
Even the characters acted and talked in a specific manner. We hope to
give the full experience of travelling back in time for the audience,”
Abeysekara noted. He also said that he had to undergo several threats
and criticism when he took up the challenge of making the movie.
“Some questioned why a young and less experienced filmmaker should
take on such a colossal project but I withstood my ground. Shooting is
scheduled for November and December in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa,
Trincomalee and Vavuniya,” he said. He also added that one focal point
of the tale is the moment when Queen Anula and Prince Aritta renunciate
from lay life and enter the Order of Sangha. This will be done in a
realistic manner; Abeysekara stressed while pointing out that it was
only after Buddhism took over the isle that the locals were gifted with
rich literary work.
Producer of Mahindagamanaya, Daminda Upali Fernando of Best Life
Cinema said that one of the main reasons which motivated him to produce
the movie is the fact that the director’s self confidence and
dedication.
He added that the movie will be made as an act of social hospitality
service rather than a tool for profit making. |