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Kala Korner - by Dee Cee

What's gone wrong with Navarangahala?
Whither Navarangahala? This is what is worrying a band of dedicated old pupils of H. D. Sugathapala-much loved principal of Royal Junior and architect of Navarangahala, who spent a good part of his life striving to build up the Sinhala theatre."Pipes are leaking, toilets are smelling, rubbish is dumped right round," is how one of the enthusiastic old boys, Padmasena Dissanayake described the state of Navarangahala which was meant to be a showpiece for the performing arts. "But no one seems to care for it now," he laments. "Take a little time off, walk into Navarangahala unannounced and see how neglected it is," says Mr. Dissanayake who has even appealed to Deputy Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardena, also an old pupil of the late 'Sugathapala Sir'.

Navaranghala came up at a time when there was only the Lumbini, the school hall at Lumbini Maha Vidyalaya in Havelock Town to stage Sinhala plays. H. D. Sugathapala was Chairman of the Sinhala Drama Panel of the Arts Council, its most active and progressive unit in the 1960s.

With the indefatigable Mahinda Dias, another unforgettable name in Sinhala theatre, he planned the theatre at the Royal Junior premises with the full blessings of the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. Lovers of Sinhala theatre rallied round to make the project a success. Private sector firms lent their support. Several diplomatic missions helped by donating equipment and getting down renowned troupes to raise funds.

The 'Observer' and 'Silumina' sponsored a fund. Actors and actresses did 'shramadana' clearing the site and moving building material. Sugathapala Sir's dream became a reality. Glancing through a scrap book maintained by him, it was sad to see that none of the pioneers were among the living today. In one photograph, examining the model of the Navarangahala at the opening of the Sinhala Drama Festival at the Lumbini in November 1967, was Premier Dudley Senanayake in the company of the Minister of Education & Cultural Affairs I. M. R. A. Iriyagolle and Deputy Minister Gamini Jayasuriya. Explaining the project was Mahinda Dias. The Prime Minister was impressed. The very next day he wrote to the Minister requesting a substantial contribution be made towards the project.

Within 18 months the project was a reality and the Education Centenary ('Siyawasa') celebrations began at the Navarangahala on August 1, 1969. The Prime Minister declared the Navarangahala open.

Unique occasion
"There was colour and splendour and harmony and grace - and superb choreography. Perhaps the highlight was the curtain call when the entire cast of dancers including Sinhalese and Tamils came onto stage and moved to the same rhythm. I believe this was a unique occasion in the cultural activity of this land, and a moving and happy augury to a national unity that can be forged by the theatre arts," wrote reputed critic E. C. T. Candappa. That was 36 years ago.

As a member of the Observer/Silumina team led by that lover of the arts, Editor Denzil Peiris, I was fortunate to have been able to move closely with Sugathapala Sir and his team to see a dream come true. Let us hope that Deputy Minister Gunawardena will pay that unscheduled visit, to see for himself the plight of the Navarangahala and take appropriate action to restore it.

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