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Kala Korner by Dee Cee Folk poem in cinemascope Professor Sunil Ariyaratne has made an excellent film. It's titled Sudu Sevaneli (Shadows of White) and is based on the award winning novel by Piyadasa Welikannage. The backdrop is the 1848 rebellion against the British. Yet it is not a historical piece. It's a fine human story with glimpses of significant historical sequences. The Buddhist clergy is sympathetic towards the anti- British movement. The patriotic monks give up their robes and join the rebel ranks but soon face the wrath of the British who use their loyal Sinhala officials to annihilate the kith and kin of those sympathetic to the rebel cause. Sudu Banda,
superbly portrayed by Roshan Pilapitiya in his first big break on
the big screen, is one such monk who, after the failure of the rebellion
escapes to Colombo and learns carpentry. The story begins
ten years later when Sudu Banda decides to return home and start
life afresh. All is not rosy. His elder brother Heen Banda is in
prison. Podi Menika, his sister-in-law (Vasanthi Chaturani once
again turning out an excellent performance) has to fend for herself,
her two children and the mother who is mentally inbalanced. The
human conflict which follows, forms the theme of the film. Sunil concentrates
on the human angle right through the film. The concerns of a mother
(yet another cameo performance by Iranganie Serasinghe), who lives
in hope that her two sons will return home - one having joined the
rebels and the other in prison having killed the village headman
for making advances to his attractive wife, the young man in prison
(a candid portrayal by Linton Semage) pinning his hopes on the younger
brother to see that his children have a future, the young woman
who lives in hope of a brighter future, the young boy having become
a convert in the English missionary school finding the home a strange
place, and Sudu Banda having made a success of his vocation as a
carpenter finding a void in life when his hopes of living with his
sister-in-law (allowed under the Kandyan custom) are dashed with
the unexpected return of the brother from prison. Each supporting
role is also played perfectly. Just to pick a few at random - Hemasiri
Liyanage who seldom lets down his fans, playing the subdued role
of a 'transport mudalali' (using double bullock carts in place of
lorries); G. R. Perera as the elderly guardian of the family; the
Catholic priest in a convincing role in converting the poor villagers;
and Kanchana, the disappointed village belle. Sunil cleverly
avoids the obvious flashbacks that cinemagoers would have been waiting
to see. He just lets the characters talk about such situations while
building up the tempo through extreme close-ups portraying the individual's
reactions. So the more intimate situations are handled in a most
sensitive fashion. Sudu Sevaneli
is a fine team effort. Suminda Weerasinghe conveys the pastoral
beauty around Rattota and Laggala through his lens. Tight editing
by Elmo Halliday, Dharmasena Hemapala's clever art direction, Rohana
Weerasinghe's music to suit the varying moods, Nanda Malini's rendering
of thoughts of lead characters at critical moments - all this add
up to make it a complete job. Sunil obviously was determined to capture this 'folk poem' as he calls it, in cinemascope. It has paid dividends. Even though it was a long wait (ten years) for fans to enjoy a film by him, Sudu Sevaneli they will feel was worth waiting for. Fluid
forms in bold strokes To many established
artists of today, their early struggle to have their medium of expression
recognised must be recalled with a feeling of nostalgia and perhaps
wistfulness. Contemporary artists especially, have had more than
their share of trials and tribulations. Udayshanth
Fernando, the indefatigable personality behind the successful Paradise
Road chain of stores and restaurants has helped many talented artists
to break into the public eye. Presently,
his mission is to launch 27-year-old Yamuna Kumari Moonesinghe's
collection of paintings. Born in the
far-flung village of Godakawela in the Sabaragamuwa Province, Yamuna
Kumari's leaning towards aesthetics was recognised by her humble
family. With admirable fortitude, Yamuna was never too far away
from her brushes, paints and canvases, during her school life. Having
completed her 'A' Levels, she ventured out to Colombo and joined
the Vibhavi Academy of Art where she schooled under celebrated artist
Chandragupta Thenuwara. Under his expert guidance, she evolved and
metamorphosed from an uncertain, callow and timid expressionist
to the artist who has her brush strokes almost reverberate in a
deafening crescendo. Yamuna's paintings
are markedly fluid. There is such locomotion and mobility in her
strokes that they have an instantly rejuvenating effect on the viewer.
She favours the female figure, painting them in amazing detail,
in everyday situations. Not unlike the famous American painter,
Norman Rockwell, who painted situations that the average citizen
could identify with, Yamuna takes a leaf from his book but adduces
an abstractness that is fascinating. Precious Youth
- a study in aqua, Prussian and teal with details picked out in
stark black depicts adolescents in animated conversation. More haunting
is The Decision in shades of vermilion, russet and earth tones,
where a bride is shown in obvious bashfulness. Suffused and almost
invisible is her husband in the background and the innuendo is poignant
and touching - a portrayal of a woman about to taste the first sweetness
of fulfilment. Blossoming
shows a moving depiction of a young girl, gazelle-like, with a pot
of water near at hand. It depicts the 'coming of age' but ever so
subtly. Just as brilliant are the studies entitled Expectations
and Repose, both portraying women in everyday situations. Especially
beautiful is her painting titled What if... in a brilliant palette
of hues, blue, mauve, teal, aqua and brown combined in perfect harmony. The courage
of this young woman must certainly be noteworthy. Yamuna works as
a sales assistant in an up-market jewellery store in Colombo. Her
wages go to fund her accommodation and purchase her beloved art
materials and for this purpose, she struggles with employment although
within her, is a restless soul yearning to be a full-time artist.
Such is the stuff dreams are made of, and there is no doubt that
with the grit and perseverance this young woman is blessed with,
it would only be a matter of time before her dreams are realised. An exhibition of Yamuna Kumari's recent works will be held at Paradise Road Galleries, 2, Alfred House Road, Colombo 3, from July 2 to 18, from 10 a.m. till midnight daily. Lively show
of light music Well-known
producer Jith Pieris will present "Keyboard Fiesta", with
pianist Beverley Rodrigo, for the first time in a solo concert.
The pianist's wide repertoire will be amply demonstrated as he takes
the audience through a programme of semi-classical through Latin
and rhythmic eastern to show-time. Several-talented
artistes have got together to support Beverley's concert debut.
Among them is Aruna Siriwardhana with his legendary drumming, and
singers Penny Ferdinand, Shanelle Fernando and Ally Fryer who recently
performed in Springtime on Fifth Avenue which ran to packed houses
at the Wendt. Beverley will
be accompanied by the carnatic rhythmist Nesan Thiyagarajah on the
gadam and the mirudhangam in his segment "The Mystic East".
Priya Goonetilleke and Drucille G of the popular dance band, Pearl,
will be on the drums and electric bass. The show will
be in keeping with the Liberace tradition. In fact, the instant
surges of colour and rhythmic variations of melodic development
are Beverley's forte. This brand
of light music should warm the hearts of many a music lover, says
producer Jith. |
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