‘Mini
Palanga’ tackles a social problem
By Susitha R. Fernando
‘Mini
Palanga’ (Gem Throne) is another teledrama produced by G.
Mampitiya who had contributed the highest number of dramas to the
mini screen.
This is the story of a servant in a Walawwa who passed out as a
doctor later returning to the village with a proposal to the daughter
of the Walawwa. The teledrama is directed by Sen Thilakawardena.
The plot begins
with the news of a new young doctor, Jayampathi Alapatha who plans
to start a dispensary in the village. The villagers of Navaneligoda
became interested in the idea. This new arrival arouses the interest
of ‘Colomba Mudalali’ a millionaire and a gem businessman
of the area who is searching for an influential man to give his
daughter in marriage. Shalini is a village schoolteacher. The Mudalali
thinks the young doctor is the best to be his future son-in-law.
But Dr. Jayampathi
has other idea’s. He is dreaming about Ranmenika, young daughter
of Navaneligoda Walawwa family. But the young doctor has to overcome
the hurdle of his birth as he is the son of Magalin who was a domestic
help the Walawwa. The director’s attempts to hide his identity
are foiled by old Samanchi, a labourer of Navaneligoda Walawwa when
he reveals that Dr. Jayampathi is none other than Jayasena, the
son of Magilin.
Meanwhile the
young doctor’s idea becomes public and the aristocratic Walawwa
owners consider Jayampathi’s proposal as an act of humiliation.
It specially enrages Lokumenike (Ranmanika’s mother) and the
loyal servant Samanchi. But contrary to the parent’s ideas,
love begins to bloom in the heart of Ranmenike.
Gunarath, Ranmenika’s
brother encourages his sister. Meanwhile over ruling the daughter’s
objection, Mudalali decides to propose Jayampathi to Shalini who
becomes helpless in the matter.
Ignoring the
protests of Lokumenike and her servant Samanchi, Gunarath wages
war to unite Ranmenike and Jayampathi. Gunarath realises that not
only his mother but Mudalali’s daughter Shalini too stand
on the way of his sister’s marriage to the young doctor.
Who would get
the hand of Dr. Jayampathi? Would it be Shalini or Ranmenika?
This will be decided at the end of the twenty-five episode ‘Mini
Palanga’.
The cast in
the play are Palitha Silva, Ruwanthi Mangala, Priya Ranasinghe,
Hemasiri Liyanage, Menike Aththanayake, Sandeepa Sewmini, Prasannagith
Abeysuriya, Anton Jude, Hasinika Karaliyadda, Gayana Sudarshani
and Vishaka Siriwardena. |