TV Times

TV Times

‘Maya Dunne’: New tele tackles the drug issue
By Susitha R. Fernando
Production work on Rathanasiri Paranavithana’s teleplay ‘Maya Dunne’ has been completed and it is now ready to be telecast. The story revolves around the drug abuse issue and its relevant themes concerning the law.

Rathnasiri Paranavithana has earlier directed ‘Ridi Potu’, Tharu Pahana, Ksathriya Mayam consecutively and Maydunne will be his fourth teledrama.

Rathnasiri Paranavithana who graduated at the Colombo University had the privilege of being a student of Dr. Ediriweera Sarathchandra, the eminent dramatist and playwright. Paranavithana also has many credits as a scriptwriter. Passing out from the university his first job was at the Planning Ministry as a Development Assistant. Yet he was unable to continue in the field due to political reasons and in 1972 had to find an alternative.

Deciding to use the full use of his talent and also seeking to get ample job satisfaction he entered the field of drama and arts. His first venture as a script writer was ‘Kusapabawathi’ the stage play produced by Wijaya Nandasiri and he went on to write three more scripts “Vushabha Raja” (Bowine King), Haratha Rejina (Queen of Hearts) and ‘Edipada Enkura’ based on George Orwell’s Animal Farm. These were joint productions and the artistes were mostly amateurs.

Entering the teledrama field in 1994 Rathnasiri Paranavithana used his talent seeking to give a new approach to the field. His latest film Mayadunne subtitled has dialogues in English as well as Sinhala. This conforms with the latest trend where there is scope for a majority of the audience to view and enjoy.

The cast of this twenty two episode teledrama includes Indika Ginige, Sachini Eyendra Stanley, Grace Ariyawimal, Jagath Beneragama, Lukhman Mendis, Sunil Premakumara, Hansamala Janaki, Rohitha Mannage, Dilani Neranjana, Gayana Jayawardena, Nirosha Henadirige, Niroshani Geethanjali, Vinoth Sanjeewa, Isuri Navoda and several amateur artistes.

The technical crew is made up of Henry Premaratne, art director Donald Mapalagama and Neil Ravindra. Mayadunne is filmed by Gamini Fernando and the music direction is handled by Sarath Wickrema.

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