‘Dutugemunu’ on stage
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Kithmini Thathsarani
‘Dutugemunu’ a theatrical direction by Desha Kala Keerthie, Laka Bhooshana Irangani Kaluthanthri and presented by the Youth Aesthetic Foundation was staged recently.
An arts graduate of the Peradeniya University with a post graduate course in Drama from the university of Colombo, a teacher and principal of schools, and a veteran dramatist, and an ardent pupil of late professor Ediriweera Sarathchandra, Irangani Kalutanthri has a few dramas to her credit. They include Koovanna (Vijaya Kuveni Story). ‘Le Nayo’ (Unmada Chithra and Pandukabhaya), ‘Kusa-Natakay’ (based on the Kusa, Jataka Story) ‘Pramila-Daskon’, and ‘Dayaka Kandulu’- Kelani Tissa Vihara Maha Devi (Story, with connection to present day). Based in Canada, she produced and presented several dramas in a few provinces. She produced “Glimpse of Lanka” for Vancouver, ‘Shadows of Life’ for Surrey, ‘Pride of Lanka’ for Edmonton, ‘Kusa Paba’ for Calgary, Abimana Lanka for Toronto, and enthralled the fully packed audiences.
The story of Dutugamunu’ is too well-known to be retold. The theme of ‘Dutugamunu’ is based of the well-known life story of this great national hero, whose statue at Ruvanvelisaya, breathes in to life, with the lamentations and pleadings of the, present day pilgrims, in the sacred city.
The cast in Dutugamunu includes Dinindu Ekanayake as Prince Gamunu, Nishantha Kularathne, as King Elara, Kithmini Thathsarani as Vihara Maha Devi, Bandara Jayasundara as King Kavantissa, Danushika Rajakaruna as Gamunu’s wife Kathie, Mallika Geeganarachhi, Pradeep Rohana, Suranga Wickremasinghe, Vimal Asoka, and Manoj Perera as the Purohitha. Behind the screen music is by Weerasena, and Lalith Amarasinghe, make up by Palitha Abeylal and Padma Gunasekara, chorus singing by Titus Perera, Dilrukshi Ranatunga and Nadeeka Rajapakse.