Suddek Oba Amathay: fresh perspective to Sinhala theatre

Francis KEENAWINNA

Udayasiri Wickaramaratne chooses a less-travelled path, but he strives in it. Because 'Suddek Oba Amathay' is not the type you see on traditional stage. The viewer has to listen to three long speeches on diametrically opposed subjects, and rarely anything dramatic.

Wickramaratne's play has one common label: 'boring'. But it is not, since its 100th show is around the corner.

The speeches are common anywhere across the globe. The speeches and rallies attract a large number of people. So it may not be for a play which is hardly anything apart from three speeches. People like to listen. We love listening to politics. We love listening to gossip and so many other subjects. How important such information are, we don't care much.

That's why popular speakers are born. That's how some politicians can only talk, and yet maintain their popularity.

Wickramaratne seems to have been inspired by this concept. No playwright would have been otherwise brave enough to stage such a drama. And what is discussed is an ironical look at the society. He takes three main subjects: patriotism, pro-white talk and feminism. Nalin Udawela, the Whiteman who speaks in Sinhala, delivers his speech in favour of the Whites. He praises everything the Whiteman is capable of. On the other hand his fellow speaker emphasizes the positive features of our own culture.

We laugh when the Whiteman talks in Sinhala and praises everything they do. It makes us laugh at ourselves, since it's what we do too exactly. We admire the Whiteman's punctuality (whether we follow it or not is a different matter) and so many other progressive features putting on his attire. Naturally one of us raises the question: why do we talk in favour of the Whites? The cross question is what's wrong with it? What is wrong with seeing the bright side of the White?

It is not neo colonialism or experience of being a one-time colony to see the bright side of the Whites? They deserve some applauding comment.

It is no crime to appreciate another nation. We do not hesitate to admire when the local speaker praises our culture. We have been groomed to do so since our childhood. What is different between this play and the commonplace political rallies is how it is presented.

If politicians can keep masses without moving for hours, then more dramatised it would attract a larger crowd.Politicians' draw attraction mainly because they touch contemporary issues. Wickramaratne achieves his goal by employing two techniques: dramatising and let an exceptionally talented cast handle the job. Dramatisation is confined to the speech.

The stage is given least glamour, which will not divert and distract the audience's attention. They will be more keen on getting to know what their speakers have got to say.

Many modern abstract stage plays are too absurd. That kind of theatre is meant only for a limited crowd. They don't touch the core human issues.

'Suddek' is boring to hear, as I mentioned elsewhere in this essay, but not when you go and watch. You laugh out loud, but then you know you laughed at yourself.That's precisely why 'Suddek' becomes a precious treat.

That's precisely why it came a long way to its destination of 100th milepost, and we hope it will continue even beyond.