“This is the best time for a play,” -Handagma
View(s):Almost after 30 years internationally awarded filmmaker Asoka Handamga’s return to theatre with his newest play-‘Antique Kadeka Maranayak’ or “A Death at an Antique Shop” depicts his deep attachment to the stage and its importance. Having started with the theatre Asoka introduced novelty to both television drama and cinema, the two medium of arts he joined subsequently.
His maiden theatrical production ‘Bhumika’ on the emergence of ethnic crisis in Sri Lanka, won the National Youth award for best direction in 1985. ‘Thunder’ his second play won the second runner up in the Best script at the State drama Festival in 1987. During JVP insurrection and the terror period of 1988 and 89. Asoka produced ‘Magatha’and it went around the country till 1993 until Asoka had to leave Sri Lanka for his higher studies. The play won the Best Original Script and Best Director award at the State Drama Festival 1989.
Asoka Handamga
“Even though I was away from theatre my interest was always with the stage. Having being staged in almost all parts of the country, ‘Magatha’had to be stopped in 1993 as the play could not be run without the director,” said Asoka.
“In early 1990, with the crushing of the JVP insurrection there was a different political culture in the country. When I returned after my studies I realised that the the things have changed a lot. The social and political changes were reflected in the plays that were staged at that time.
“With the new generation of playwrights there were changes in the content and the form in Sri Lankan theatre. I was following these changes. I was observing and studying how this new generation grasped the political and social changes that were taking place,” said Handagama who obtained his MSc in Development Economics at Warwick University in 1995. He joined the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and rose to become one of the Assistant Governors.
However over the time theatre going culture went downward but Asoka is of the view that there was
a revival in Sri Lankan theatre.
‘With new playwrights like Rajitha Dissanayake, Dhananjya Karunaratne and Buddhika Damayantha new ways and forms were introduced to theatre. Unlike those days, politics have engrossed our mindsets and become part us,” Asoka said. The playwrights were able to grasp this new trends and analyse them theatrically.
Asoka said that he dedicated more time to cinema and with his job he hardly found time for theatre. However he has come back to the form of art that he has loved always.
“I feel this is the best time to do a play,” said Handagama who invited theatre lovers to experience his theatrical presentation.
‘Antique Kadeka Maranayak’ on March 19, 20, 21 at Lionel Wendt, Colombo
Opening performances of ‘Antique Kadeka Maranayak’ or “A Death at an Antique Shop” will go on the boards at 7 pm on March 19, 20 and 21 at Lionel Wendt theatre Colombo.
The cast of the play includes Saumya Liyanage, Pasan Ranaweera, Nipuni Sharadha and Stefan Thirimanna.
The special shows are organised by Jude Srimal.