Return of the warriors

Jayantha Chandrasiri returns to teledrama direction with ‘Sathara Denek Senpathiyo’ telecast every Saturday 8.30 pm on Rupavahini.

Famous for his work for television like ‘Weda Hamine’ and ‘Dadubasnamanaya’ which became landmarks in Sri Lankan teledrama history, his latest is sure to attract the viewers back to the miniscreen who have given up the small screen for its dull themes of middle class family problems or direct copies of Indian soap.

Excavating the heritage of rich and well developed cultures with forgotten and unknown history had always been the subject for Jayantha's works whether they be teledrama for small screen or features for the silver screen. He does it again with the latest ‘Sathara Denek Senpathiyo’ a story that goes back and forth from 360 BC to the modern times.

The drama is inspired by King Buddadasa, who was renowned for his innate knowledge of native medicine and healing touch. Based both on fact and fiction, the characters depict the past and the present created through research and imagination.

This 25 episodes take the viewer on a journey to ancient times, running parallel to the present, with a fascinating storyline that is both relevant to modern society as well as showcasing a moral that the audience can appreciate. The essence of the story is a reflection of the knowledge relating to traditional, indigenous medicine our forefathers had, and of how we, as a modern day society has moved away from this to more conventional western medicine.

The first storyline is based on a doctor, who was known for his knowledge in indigenous medicine, and who helped by his wife, treated the patient and not the disease. The connection is that he worked at the hospital, which had facilities to treat people from ten villages, built by King Buddadasa.

Speaking on the backdrop created for the teledrama, Chandrasiri says " Sri Lanka was the land where there was a very unique king called Buddadasa who had the power of healing people with touch. What inspired me is the fact that he was a man of paradoxes, being both a healer and a king. When you are a healer you are obligated to treat the poorest of the poor to the wealthiest of men, whereas when you are the king, you are expected to keep your distance from the common man and rule from afar."

Making a guest appearance Jackson Anthony plays a leading role in 'Sathara Denek Senpathiyo' while other main roles are played by Sriyantha Mendis, Yasodha Wimaladharma, Roshan Pilapitiya and Mahendra Perera. Nuwan Jayatillake produces the teledrama, while Ruwan Costa is the cameraman. Locations for the teledrama include Galewala, Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Colombo and its suburbs.