Nalaka: One of a kind

Mama Venama Malak brings young blood into the limelight :

Ruwini Jayawardana

Nalaka Swarnathilake is no stranger to the children's art and entertainment scene. He had already directed one children's stage play: Dangamalla Saha Amuthu Iskole based on Enid Blyton's work. It topped the list at the State Children's Drama Festival 2003. Later, with more demands and audience applause coming his way, Dangamalla even took form as a tele series.

Tasting success with his maiden efforts Nalaka soon dished out his second teledrama titled Anne. It was based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables. Following it up with another production with a different course, Nalaka then took to directing Jeevithe Lassanai, a program which distributes knowledge on various matters that are linked with day to day life.

Thisuri with her friends. Pictures by Rukmal Gamage

Mama Venama Malak is Nalaka's second stage play. He had chosen to return to his comfort zone, taking on an opportunity to work with children again.

"Though I have only directed one stage play a lot of people began to talk of me as if I am an expert in the field. I realized then that if one does a good job of whatever one takes up and puts his or her best efforts to the project then that is enough to leave an everlasting impact.

There are only a few truly good creations suited for children in the entertainment scene today. The popularity of teledramas exceeds stage plays. However this time I have come up with my own story rather than a translation. It is based on concrete facts," Nalaka explained on his latest stage venture. Mama Venama Malak rotates along the theme of discovering one's hidden potentialities. These skills make us different from one another and form our personality. People might resemble each other but they are different in personality.

This is the spice of life. It is much like the fact that scores of different flowers adds more beauty to a garden rather than one with just one type of flower. This unique theme runs in the story of Nalaka's creation. Interestingly the key roles of the play are portrayed by girls who are still schooling. Thisuri Lavanya Heenthilake, a year eight student from St Paul's, Milagiriya, had been cast in the lead.

"I was not in class when Nalaka uncle visited our school. Luckily he met me in the corridor and asked me which class I am from. Then he informed my teacher to send me for the interview. Days later my parents got a call informing them that I had been chosen for the play. I did not know that I will be portraying the lead role till much later. I am simply thrilled," an elated Thisuri shared her views with the onlookers.

Nalaka speaks at the muhurath. DSI Chairman Nandadasa Rajapaksa, Prof Kusuma Karunaratne and Kusum Renu look on.	The Mama Venama Malak team

She informed the Daily News that she had taken part in a number of stage plays at school. She even portrayed the role of Oliver in the school's English stage drama Oliver Twist based on Charles Dickens' legendary tale.

Around 11 girls will take part in Nalaka's Mama Venama Malak. They are from Vishaka Vidyalaya, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Sirimavo Bandaraniyake Vidyalaya and St Paul's Girls School. Renowned actress Kusum Renu will portray the adult lead. Nalaka is still looking for a suitable boy to take on the role of Thisuri's brother in the play. Though he had interviewed several students from various schools he has yet to find the child that he has in mind.

Rehearsals will begin this month. Nalaka hopes to stage the drama towards the end of May at Tower Hall.

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