Rajitha's latest' love story'

Dilshan Boange

Popular playwright Rajitha Dissanayake gave the VERY FIRST interview about his latest creation, exclusively to the Daily News recently, providing a glimpse into his 'Adara Wasthuwa', which will come to life on the boards at the Lionel Wendt on August 2. 'Adara Wasthuwa' will have its maiden run from August 2 to 4.

I asked first how he feels about the period between now and since his last play 'Bakamoona Veedi Basee'. "It was during this period, that the most number of performances of a play of mine happened in a relatively short period of time, since my career as a dramatist began in 1994. Nearly 75 shows have been done of Bakamoona so far. It was appreciated by theatre lovers, although it wasn't held in that similar vein by critics and art fraternity. But then I believe a drama should first focus as its audience the theatergoers more than the art fraternity."

What is at the root of this play? How did it develop? These were my lines of query that followed. Rajitha explained how his craft as a playwright has been one that usually bases his plots on contemporary socio-political climates. However there is also a strong leaning within him to make his works speak of human emotions. One of his early works, Hansaintath Mang Asai, was one such creation, he pointed out. His next work of theatre is one that has at its 'heart', an exploration of the theme of 'love'. "But this isn't one that goes back to look at love felt by youngsters, like undergraduates. 'Adara Wasthuwa' looks at love at the age of 40." I asked him almost reflexively if he was playing on the 'naughty forties' tag! With a laugh Rajitha said that there is a hint of that nature as well!

The play, Rajitha explained, looks at love as felt by mature adults and what engenders when love affairs fall apart. "How do they behave then? Sometimes lovers look back at it with regret, some with hate! And so what I intend to present on stage is an exploration of these emotional fluxes in the face of love affairs breaking down. But through this, what gets worked into the larger picture is whether it is the same when political bonds and affiliations break down? Is it the same with politics?" Rather an unexpected turn along the path of revelation one may say!

Adding to further elaborate the idea structure behind Adara wasthuwa Rajitha said "Love is looked at, in relation to ownership. That is one way I see it. Love, at times, is trying to own what usually cannot be owned. How do you work against someone you loved? That is a question that I bring out strongly. People do that to further their ambitions. We can see that in politics." That being said Rajitha was also conscious to point out that the title of his latest creation isn't meant to solely indicate what is understood by the term 'sweetheart'.

I was curious to know if this new play is meant to satire any actual political episode which may have occurred in the recent past. "When you look at the political environs this drama will certainly critique through its subtext socio-political events no doubt, and will open windows to critique our times. The individual state of emotions is the focus central premise rather than a particular political incident." Was how Rajitha answered. He then detailed how the drama looks at love as a human state of emotions rather than taking on a moralistic standpoint to adjudicate over what is right and wrong in love relationships.

"This deals with love in a wider scope of questioning where singular judgments can be arrived at? There is no clear black and white so to say. Can there be a category of love that is white while another is black?" What comes to mind is that serenading song by Billy Ocean What is the colour of love?

So what 'colour' will 'Adara Wasthuwa' paint on the boards at the Lionel Wendt on opening night? I asked in conclusion whom will we theatergoers 'meet' from the stage that night? "Naveen is a lecturer and also an advisor to a government ministry. Madawee is a former student of his who is a leading figure at the editorial of an internationally acclaimed magazine -Colombo Times."

I ventured not to probe further not only to spare Rajitha the discomfort of having to tactfully evade overexposure of the plot, but also to not ruin the story for me by hearing too much of it beforehand!