Individual escapade

Mama Venama Malak to unfurl at Tower Hall in June:

Ruwini Jayawardana

Individuality is a great feature for self-growth. The most exciting place to discover talent is within yourself but remember that different individuals possess different talents. Just because one person excels in one field it does not mean that others need follow suite.

Akila, Kusum and Thisuri

They may be able to stand out in another field. Individuals need to discover their innate talents instead of becoming a part of a fruitless rat race to get to the top notch of an area which they do not harness any passion for.

These ideologies are voiced in the society but very few actually put them to practice. Hence only a handful are encouraged to pursue that which had captured their heart and soul. Renowned dramatist Nalaka Swarnathilake has based his latest drama on this subject. Titled Mama Venama Malak, the play rotates around Gimhani and her friends and family. A family drama which addresses children, parents and teachers, Mama Venama Malak emphasises that rather than parents trying to realize their own aspirations through their children, it is important to identify children’s strengths and direct them to achieve their own greatness.

Just one drama and two teledramas old, Nalaka had already carved a niche for himself as delivering creations with substance. His maiden play, Dangamalla Saha Amuthu Iskole, based on Enid Blyton’s work, won accolades at the State Children’s Drama Festival 2003. He followed this successful venture by taking the drama to the mini screen. Later his second teledrama Anne also took to the screen. It was based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables.

“Mama Venama Malak is not a translation or adaptation. The concept, story and script are my own. Personally I am not happy about the present teledrama trend. Not a single teledrama telecasting on the channels can be called a children’s teledrama. Most of the creations do portray children but they have caricatured characters or other adult characters playing bigger roles and simply label themselves as ‘children’s teledramas’. Mega teledramas have taken over the scene. Actors are like machines as they shoot for one story in one location in the morning and shift to another project and character somewhere else in the afternoon. Directors should never attempt to make mega children’s teledramas. It disturbs children’s rhythm,” Nalaka noted.

He admits that the lifestyle of children has changed much since he worked with the Dangamalla team. Children’s lives too have become ‘instant’ meaning that they have to go to school in the morning and are frisked off to classes in the afternoon. Stage creations are one of the only settings that children can enjoy in peace.

Thisuri and the basket ball team

“Even at rehearsals I learn certain things about the lifestyle of the children. We live in a fantasy world. We cannot get away from this fact. I have brought some of this glamour into my sets,” he added.

Speaking about the lead character of his latest creation Nalaka stated that Thisuri Lavanya of St Paul’s Girls School fitted the appearance of the character that he had in mind. He soon found out that she has a flair for acting and is able to get into the skin of her character beautifully.

Queried on how confident he is on sending the message of the play across to his audience Nalaka said that he had never made productions for mere entertainment.

“I always wanted the audience to think along the lines of the story and not forget about it the instant they leave the hall. We live in a culture where parents accompany children to the theatre. Therefore I have to cater my play to the adult audience as well. It is a family drama. The two adult characters, the mother played by Kusum Renu and the coach played by Sanjeewa Upendra, embody a symbolic value. I’m confident that this drama will make them rethink these issues,” he said. Asked why he prefers to work with children and mostly does productions which revolve around girls, Nalaka broke into a smile.

“Young girls are very talented at performing live on stage. They embody an innate rhythm for performing arts. Very few male children possess this ability. However now that you have asked that question, my next production will hopefully be based on boys,” he smiled.

Mama Venama Malak will go on boards Tower Hall, Maradana, on June 5 at 3 pm and 6 pm. The Event is sponsored by DSI Samson Group (Pvt) Ltd.

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