‘Handewa’ pictures a tragedy in a colony

‘Handewa’ (The Dusk) is a minifilm which depicts a tragic tale of a family that lived in the colonies in the 1950s. Directed by Shirly P. Delankawala and produced by Rimency Fernando, the thirty eight episode teledrama stars Nilmini Tennekoon, Nihal Fernando, Nilanthi Heendeniya, Rohana Beddage, Awanthi Aponsu, Prasannajith Abeysuriya, Somaweera Gamage, Hansamala Janaki, Kumara Thirimadura and Suraj Mapa play the stellar cast.

Living in the hill country, Muthubanda and Tikirimenika have three children. Tikirimenika prevails upon her husband to leave for a colony allocated by the government. More than obtaining an eight acre cultivable land free, for Tikirimenika this departure is to be rid of her annoying mother-in-law and the sister-in-law. Encouraged by Tikirimenika, Muthubanda too decides to settle in the colony and this is inspite of the objection by his own family members.

Having started their life in the colony, the first neighbour they meet is Public Singho, who is famous for his sorcery. More than the respect, the people in the colony are frightened of him because they think that he would harm them if they befriend him.

Most of the families in the colony depend on cultivation. But it is hard to involve in cultivation alone. Those who have relatives get them down for the assistance. But Muthubanda who is now totally cut off from the rest of his family members has no one to help except Paalis Appo a childless young married man in the colony itself.

Muthubanda soon gets used to life in the colony. And it is his little son of whom he is fond brings the much needed happiness. Even Paalis Appo who lost his child at birth loves Muthubanda's son. It is at this stage Publis Sinno, the sorcerer starts to visit Muthubanda's residence. The visits without their invitation brings them much trouble.

Suddenly Muthubanda's son gets malaria and Muthubanda thinks the illness is a result of Publis Sinno's evil spell. This infuriates Muthubanda and he develops a grudge against the sorcerer.

Muthunbanda who thinks that all his problems are due to his coming to the colony at the insistence of Tikiri Menika, starts quarrelling with her too. One day he takes the child and sets off for Anuradhapura hospital. Tikiri Menika who does not know the way to the hospital starts worrying about the child. But one day Muthubanda returns without the child. When he break the news that the child died at the hospital and the final rites too had been done there, Tikiri Menika gets upset.

Following this incident, the family members get distanced from each other. Muthubanda even stops talking to his wife and starts quarrelling with the sorcerer whom he believes is responsible for all the misfortune brought to his family. All attempts by Tikiri Menika to get friendly with Muthubanda fails.
One morning she finds that even her husband too has disappeared. Tikiri Menika thinks that the sorcerer, Publis Singhno is responsible for the disappearance of her husband too. Would her conclusion correct? What would be her reaction? What has really happened to her son and Husband?

To unravel all, watch 'Handewa' every Saturday at 9.00 pm on Swarnavahini. Story by Shanthi Dissanayake, Pusphakumara Ellawela wrote the screenplay. Camera direction by Chandana Jayasinghe, edited by Rangana S. Prasad and art director is Jagath Imbulpe. Gayan Ganakadhara handled the music score while J. Suranimala was the make up artiste. (SRF)