Army bands and military traditions create a spectacular scene – depicting the passing out parade of young soldiers on stage. The scene then shifts to a war zone- the sound of artillery fire and visuals of the wounded being airlifted creating an eerie feeling in the minds of the viewer. On a wheelchair comes a [...]
By Dhananjani Silva Army bands and military traditions create a spectacular scene – depicting the passing out parade of young soldiers on stage. The scene then shifts to a war zone- the sound of artillery fire and visuals of the wounded being airlifted creating an eerie feeling in the minds of the viewer. On a wheelchair comes a disabled young soldier, accompanied by his lover frustrated and dejected due to his disability. He takes refuge in the Abhimansala Wellness Resort to undergo rehabilitation and healing. Here is where he gets a new lease of life- his world of darkness gradually fades away, giving him a sense of hope and new meaning to life. Thus unfolded ‘Perseverance’ – a moving ballet presented by a group of injured soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army at Nelum Pokuna recently. The ballet highlighted the story of the disabled war hero, who, having sacrificed his limbs to safeguard the motherland from the enemy is now facing another battle- a personal one of trying to come to terms with his own altered state- post war. The first-ever production organised by the Sri Lanka Army Directorate of Rehabilitation, the ballet brought on stage 85 battle injured soldiers who acted with a 283- member cast made up of a cross section of non- disabled actors drawn from military personnel, schoolchildren, teachers and parents. Also taking part in the ballet performance were dancers of Team Gajithra. The performance touched the hearts of those in the audience as it brought out great parallels between the theatrical performance and the real life situation faced by many of the soldiers on stage. Organised and initiated by the Directorate of Rehabilitation, headed by Brigadier S.K. Thirunavukarasu with the full backing of the Army Commander, the performance used theatre as a therapeutic tool to bring out the aesthetic talents of the disabled soldiers to boost their confidence and aid their re-integration to society. According to the Brigadier Thirunavukarasu, often the injured soldiers who undergo rehabilitation at the centres have a sense of isolation deep within them. “Due to their disability they hardly talk or show an interest to mingle with the rest of society. Whenever people come to entertain them, these soldiers clap in appreciation of their talents while their own talents often go unnoticed,” says the Brigadier adding that the idea behind this ballet was to tap their hidden talents. The actors underwent three months rigorous training – a process somewhat difficult due to their disability as the ballet performance had a little over one hour of continued performing. The professionals behind the production included Asanka Thilakarathne (choreographer), Sakura Senevirathne (assistant choreographer), Subashee Karunarathne and Nuwan Danushaka Pathirana (stage assistance), Nadeeka Guruge( music composer) Upali Ariyasiri (stage management), C.S Nandasena (light mangagement), Prof. M.R. Podinilame (stage decor), Lakma Piumi Wijeratna (costume designing) and Jayantha Kapuge (make up).
More than 85 battle-scarred soldiers take part in a ballet that tells their own story
View(s):
Army bands and military traditions create a spectacular scene – depicting the passing out parade of young soldiers on stage. The scene then shifts to a war zone- the sound of artillery fire and visuals of the wounded being airlifted creating an eerie feeling in the minds of the viewer. On a wheelchair comes a disabled young soldier, accompanied by his lover frustrated and dejected due to his disability.
He takes refuge in the Abhimansala Wellness Resort to undergo rehabilitation and healing. Here is where he gets a new lease of life- his world of darkness gradually fades away, giving him a sense of hope and new meaning to life. Thus unfolded ‘Perseverance’ – a moving ballet presented by a group of injured soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army at Nelum Pokuna recently.
The ballet highlighted the story of the disabled war hero, who, having sacrificed his limbs to safeguard the motherland from the enemy is now facing another battle- a personal one of trying to come to terms with his own altered state- post war.
The first-ever production organised by the Sri Lanka Army Directorate of Rehabilitation, the ballet brought on stage 85 battle injured soldiers who acted with a 283- member cast made up of a cross section of non- disabled actors drawn from military personnel, schoolchildren, teachers and parents. Also taking part in the ballet performance were dancers of Team Gajithra. The performance touched the hearts of those in the audience as it brought out great parallels between the theatrical performance and the real life situation faced by many of the soldiers on stage.
Organised and initiated by the Directorate of Rehabilitation, headed by Brigadier S.K. Thirunavukarasu with the full backing of the Army Commander, the performance used theatre as a therapeutic tool to bring out the aesthetic talents of the disabled soldiers to boost their confidence and aid their re-integration to society.
According to the Brigadier Thirunavukarasu, often the injured soldiers who undergo rehabilitation at the centres have a sense of isolation deep within them. “Due to their disability they hardly talk or show an interest to mingle with the rest of society. Whenever people come to entertain them, these soldiers clap in appreciation of their talents while their own talents often go unnoticed,” says the Brigadier adding that the idea behind this ballet was to tap their hidden talents.
The actors underwent three months rigorous training – a process somewhat difficult due to their disability as the ballet performance had a little over one hour of continued performing.
The professionals behind the production included Asanka Thilakarathne (choreographer), Sakura Senevirathne (assistant choreographer), Subashee Karunarathne and Nuwan Danushaka Pathirana (stage assistance), Nadeeka Guruge( music composer) Upali Ariyasiri (stage management), C.S Nandasena (light mangagement), Prof. M.R. Podinilame (stage decor), Lakma Piumi Wijeratna (costume designing) and Jayantha Kapuge (make up).
Army bands and military traditions create a spectacular scene – depicting the passing out parade of young soldiers on stage. The scene then shifts to a war zone- the sound of artillery fire and visuals of the wounded being airlifted creating an eerie feeling in the minds of the viewer. On a wheelchair comes a disabled young soldier, accompanied by his lover frustrated and dejected due to his disability.
The ballet highlighted the story of the disabled war hero, who, having sacrificed his limbs to safeguard the motherland from the enemy is now facing another battle- a personal one of trying to come to terms with his own altered state- post war.
According to the Brigadier Thirunavukarasu, often the injured soldiers who undergo rehabilitation at the centres have a sense of isolation deep within them. “Due to their disability they hardly talk or show an interest to mingle with the rest of society. Whenever people come to entertain them, these soldiers clap in appreciation of their talents while their own talents often go unnoticed,” says the Brigadier adding that the idea behind this ballet was to tap their hidden talents.