Sadgunakaraya: A story of six generations

‘Sadagunakaraya’ is a miniplay revolving around the life and times of several generations that lived after the colonial rule. Directed by Ashoka Athaudahetti, produced by veteran actress Wasanthi Chathurani, the miniplay runs through out six generations from 1948 to early 90's. Interwoven with remote village life, the miniplay depicts some of the historical happenings and social changes that took place during the said period.

The fine blend of veteran and award winning stars include Sriyantha Mendis, Cyril Wickramage, Neeta Fernando, Cletus Mendis, Chandani Seneviratne, Jayani Senanayake, Lakshman Mendis, Janaka Kumbukage, Anula Bulathsinhala, Nalin Pradeep Udawela, Nimanthi Porage, Neil Alles, Deepani Silva, Nethali Nanayakkara, Mali Jayaweerage, Rukmal Nirosh, Wasantha Kotuwella, Gihan Fernando, W. Jayasiri, Sujani Menaka, Lakshmi Damayanthi, Kapila Sigera, Somasiri Colombage, Nirda Uyanhewa, Wasanthi Ranwala, Malkanthi Jayakanthi and Lional Wickrama.

This thirty nine episode play is scripted by Sunethra Rajakarunanayake and it is edited by Priyantha Guruge and camera handled by Chandana Jayasinghe. Nawaratne Gamage directed the music and make up by Naleen Premathilake.

The story starts soon after the 1848 uprising against the British. A mother and son who are running away from authority come across a Buddhist monk living in the jungle. The son, Jayabanda who learns traditional medicine from the priest later settles down in a nearby village. He fathers two daughters Vansawathi and Hansawathi but he soon becomes a widow. Jayabanda lives with his younger daughter Hansawathi and teaches her traditional medicine.

The elder daughter Vansawathi lives in another village. A British planter named Tom lives in a nearby estate and he is interested in Hansawathi. But his love is not reciprocated. Living all along Tom is addicted to drinking. One day he meets with an accident and was taken to Jayabanda's house. This gives him an opportunity to win Hansawathi's heart. Tom decides to grow tea and to build a bungalow.

He finds a carpenter from a coastal village. But Tom suddenly gets very sick and he is advised to go back to Colombo. He leaves with Jayabanda but they never return to the village. In the meantime the village headman tries to flirt with Hansawathi and the carpenter intervenes for her protection. Later they start to live together and Hansawathi gives birth to a son and a daughter. The carpenter dies with tetanus. The son Kuda Jayabanda goes to the city with an English priest and the daughter Englathina grows up to be an intelligent young woman.

Years pass and Engalthina has become a beautiful village damsel. Karolis, a carpenter who is on a pilgrimage to Sri Pada who sees Engalthina gets attracted to her and expresses his interest. Before giving her daughter in marriage, Hansawathi, Engalthina's mother tests the carpenter's skills by requesting to make a coconut scraper. He gets through the test and became Engaithina's husband. Vansawathi's daughter Rankiri who is a neurotic woman waiting for a groom, nurse a hidden attraction for Karolis.

When Engalthina is pregnant Hansawathi, Vansawathi and Rankiri go on a pilgrimage. But Engalthina dies giving birth to Rosanona. When the pilgrims return, Rankiri tries to take care of the motherless baby in order to win Karolis' heart. Meanwhile Kuda Jayabanda comes to the village as an English speaking young man who has seen the world.

Now what would be his role with his relatives who are uneducated and ordinary villagers? What will be the future of Hansawathi, Vansawathi, Rankiri and Karolis and the generation to come? 'Sadagunakaraya' goes for several other generations with social changes that took place in the history of Sri Lanka.