A Film on the Practice of Polyandry in Lanka
‘Eka Gei Sokari’, a movie revolving around ‘Eka Gei Kema’ the practice followed in certain parts of the up-country where two brothers lived with one wife, made by actor and director Jackson Anthony will be released soon.
‘Eka Gei Kema’ or fraternal polyandry, the marriage practice was followed in some parts of Sri Lanka, was banned by the English Colonial masters. But in parts of upcountry it is said to have continued mainly over the land ownership and the ‘Rajakari’ system where professions were decided on the family heredity.
Set in a remote village Akiriyan Kumbura in Wellassa, the story spans over the period of 1930s. Surrounded by the forest, Akiriyan Kumbura is completely cut off from other villages and there are only a handful of houses with an ancient cave temple.
This is one of the villages where people who suffered from 1818 rebel hide themselves.
The cast of the film include Udari Warnakula, Akila Dhanuddara, Sajith Anuththara, Wilson Gunaratne, Terry Jayasinghe, Ruwan Perera, Senali Fonseka, Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi, Sampath Thennakone, Susila Kottege, Ruwan Wickremesinghe, Lalith Rajapaksa, Ivon Anthony, Iresha Lakmal, Didula Thathsara Wickremesinghe, Prasanna Dekumpitiya, Sampath Wanniarachchi, Sampath Wanniarachchi, Pubudini Gunawardena and Thathsarana Melanika Wickremasinghe.
Behind the scene, production manager is Harald Karunathilake, still photographer is Nilhan Seneviratne, computer animation is handled by Anuja Basura Shivankara, make up by Harsha Manjula, assistant director is Sarath Senaratne, production executive is Dinusha Rajapathirana, editing and colour grading are by Tissa Surendra and music director is Chinthaka Jayakody.
Lyrics by Bandula Nanayakkarawasam, vocal renditions are by Madhavi Wathsala, Sajitha Anuththara, Dilan Karunaratne, Dinupa Kodagoda, Harshana Dissanayake, Chamila Madushan, Nandimal Perera, Ewantha Vithanage and Dilmin Perera.
Cinematography by Channa Deshapriya and screenplay and direction of ‘Eka Gei Sokari’ are by Jackson Anthony.