Retracing the father-figure

Nipuna Jayasri WICKRAMAGE

If you like butterflies then love caterpillars.

Megana, an aspiring young adult in England for higher studies is writing the book ‘Adaraneeya Appachchi’ with her memories in the journey of her life amid her beloved father, the sorrows, happiness and lasting memories, dedicating solely to her hero, her loving father ‘Appachchi’.

It begins when a young father loose the love of his life and a caring mother to his children, Dhamma Bandaranayaka is left alone to raise his beautiful four daughters.

The future he hoped to build with his loving wife and children is no more, what’s remaining of him and his wife’s love is his four daughters and he is ambitions to raise them up with the moralities he and his wife hoped for in their children.

Living near a villu with couple of acres in land, Dhamma has build a wooden house adjoining his small farm – here they build their future dream land.

Realizing the difference between the love of a father and mother, Dhamma with this love for his daughter ensure to be more than a father, but a mother as well, realising that the daughters’ are already depressed after the sudden death of the beloved mother, he ensures that a love of a mother is already provided. Even through its difficult Dhamma ensures that his children stick to the values even if they have to face harsh barriers, several disagreements or problems.

When he thought them to be strong, he also ensured they become open-minded, challenging and be independent, above all to be there for each other and be strong emotionally in front of other people’s laughter even if they feel sorrow.

This is because he thought them that smile and tears are ordinary in life and never to get discouraged but to be content while withstanding all the sorrow. He believed that if they have the ultimate faith, courage and belief, they can take the society to a better place. Be strong and be against injustice and have faith in their own revolt. Reminding them that the life they have received is because of the caring surrounding which was given by him and as a token of his love.

Scenes from Appachchi

While he thought them to be true to their moral conscious and value morality, he forgets to teach them that living according to one’s moral values is likely to lead them towards complications. The four daughters grow into well mannered, good hearted women with valuable qualities. While the movement of life has flown with time, the obstacles they faced has reached the present.

They have grown to be exactly the way Dhamma has initially intend, nevertheless we all know the world the daughters were thought of will never be a reality in the society.

Will they continue to be the women their father thought them to be, will they be able to keep their moral values and face the world, will they continue to be the people their father thought them to be?

All this unfolds in teledrama ‘Appachchi’.

A true story based on the reality every individual face in Sri Lanka, the play depicts the beginning of the 80’s, showcasing the past and present economical, social and political incidents, and societal implications effecting emotionally due to the occurrence.

In the near future the play will provide vital hints to ensure we generate our skills for our future to be bright, while educating such reality and skills, the play will ensure to entertain our viewers while enhancing their skills. The play is telecast every Saturday at 8.30 pm on Swarnavahini. It is directed by Ananda Abeynayake.