Plus

Arts

Dramatic move
By Priyanwada Ranawaka
Colourful flags and decor spur the interest of the onlooker. There are youth hurrying off with a wig or a false mustache in hand. There's a tent made of steel and canvas and lights focused on the stage in its centre. Then three bells ring and the audience prepares for the drama to unfold on the stage before them.

The "Jana Karaliya' mobile theatre that began its programme at the Nomads grounds in Colombo on March 10, plans to carry its cultural mission through the use of drama to all parts of the country.

The mobile theatre, is constructed according to the concept of a 'new arena theatre' that performs to an audience seated on all four sides. "It is one where the cast moves along with a mobile stage to remote areas to perform, giving the opportunity for rural masses to enjoy drama," says dramatist Parakrama Niriella.

The mobile theatre has an audience capacity of 500 adults or 800 children. It can be dismantled and loaded in a single truck and transported to any part of the country. The tent is easy to put up and would not take more than five hours of work. "Those who help us to put up the tent and the stage, the choreographers, light and sound editors, and make-up artistes all travel along with the cast as one team," said Mr. Niriella.

The team will travel all over the country not only performing but also conducting workshops based on theatre education and theatre in education. "We are going to use this as a method to reach out to those who are interested in getting into the field of drama and also for their personal development," says Mr. Niriella.

The multi- ethnic drama troupe of 23 talented young artistes are from various parts of the country and were selected through auditions. H.A.P. Malkanthi is from Bibile. Having participated in many dramas in school, Malkanthi says she is looking forward to the next two years.

Suneth Shanthapriya from Monaragala and Dulip Ratnayaka from Kegalle agree that performing in the mobile theatre poses a challenge for them as actors. "Since the audience is on all four sides of the stage, we have to make our gestures, expressions and words clear to all of them," says Dulip while Suneth adds that however, the interaction with the audience is much stronger. "I feel I can convey the messages of the character I represent to the audience more effectively," says he.

Dinesh Livera from Pinnawela is happy to realize his dreams now that he is part of a theatre troupe. "Not only have I got the chance to act but also to study the theoretical and practical side of drama from well known dramatists," he says.

After the 'Jana Katha Karaliya' festival in Colombo which concluded on March 15, the mobile theatre will go to Anuradhapura on the first leg of a long journey that would last nearly two years covering 28 towns, including Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Badulla, Matale, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Matara, and Hambantota.

'Jana Karaliya' expects to make use of the mobile theatre for entertainment purposes such as screening of quality films, giving space for photographic and painting exhibitions and musical shows. "With a quick adjustment, the structure of the tent can be changed to suit our needs," says Mr. Niriella. He stressed that the theatre can be almost considered a 'mobile cultural centre'.

The foundation for the mobile theatre was laid by a creative team of veterans, led by Parakrama Niriella and H. A. Perera who co-founded the organization and directed the dramas. Ravindra Mapitigama assists in choreography. Dilip Rohana is the manager of the 'Jana Karaliya' while Hemasiri Abeywardena is the manager of the mobile theatre and the theatre group. They are supported jointly by HIVOS, FLICT and USAID. The festival is held with the assistance of the Ministry of the Cultural Affairs and National Heritage.

Easter special from Camerata Musica Chamber Choir
The Camerata Musica Chamber Choir is preparing for its second major concert on Easter Saturday, March 26, with a programme which will include Mozart's last work, his magnificent Requiem and Purcell's profoundly moving 'Funeral Music for Queen Mary'. The concert is in aid of tsunami relief.

Lalanath de Silva, formerly Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka and currently resident in Geneva, will be the guest conductor of the Requiem. It will be performed with a classical chamber orchestra led by Thushani Jayawardane and a quartet of soloists- Anagi Perera, soprano, Avanti Perera, contralto, Asitha Tennekoon, tenor and Adam Smyth, bass.

Adam Smyth previously a choral scholar at one of Oxford's foremost chapels will conduct Purcell's 'Funeral music for Queen Mary'.The concert will be at St. Michael's Church, Kollupitiya at 7.30 p.m. Admission is by programme available from the Lionel Wendt Arts Centre and at the church door.

The art, the design, the dance
By Vidushi Seneviratne
Anyone would consider himself lucky to have one particular talent. To possess three, would surely be a blessing. "Thrimana," a unique exhibition by a few such multi-talented individuals, celebrates the three-dimensional sense of the artists.

Presenting the creative skills of two eras, Thrimana will showcase a contrasting variety of styles and subjects in a selection of paintings ranging from portraits and landscapes to temple murals and costume designs. Thrimana gets its variety from the fact that every artist featured, has had a distinguished career as a dancer as well as being involved in other professions.

While the exhibition will present the work of Ouida Keuneman, Ravibandhu Vidyapathy and Mohan Sudusinghe, the highlight will be the felicitation of maestro Somabandhu Vidyapathy, Sri Lanka's pioneer designer of costume and décor of national dance and ballet. "It was my grandfather who led me into the sphere and it was he who taught me the basics of dance and all its other aspects," says the veteran artiste.

Hailing from Pannipitiya, he grew up surrounded by the artistic influence of many family members. "My father specialised in building houses in keeping with the Dutch method.

“Also another uncle of mine, popularly known as Jamis Unnahe, used to organise many nadagam and bali thovil, bringing together numerous artistes from areas such as Padukka, Homagama and Negombo. So my childhood was spent in the midst of extremely artistic people," he explained.

Though fundamentally an exponent of Low Country dance, Somabandhu had his earliest instruction under the legendary Chitrasena, thus expanding his knowledge of the dance traditions of Sri Lanka. Receiving his education at St. Thomas' College, Kotte and Pannipitiya Dharmapala Vidyalaya, he was primarily influenced by Prof. L. K. Karunaratne. Going on to study painting under the veteran Indian artists Nandal Bose and Rakinkar at Shanthiniketan, Bengal, he mastered the art of the rhythmic line in classical oriental art.

"A man who doesn't know the fundamentals of dance and art, cannot design a costume, since such a creation must embody a sense of totality," he explained. Designing costumes since the 1940s, Somabandhu introduced a new style of costumes for national dance, as required for modern theatre. Designing costumes and sets for all Chitrasena's productions and those of many other renowned artistes, he has also worked for many Western productions such as Oedipus.

His contribution to art is also seen in Buddhist mural painting, with all of the present murals of the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya being his creations. Ouida Keuneman, one of Sri Lanka's veteran artists, is gifted with a strong sensitivity to design and colour. Being involved in dancing in the past, she is also an experienced yoga instructor, bringing out the three-dimensional sense of her career. She is the wife of the late Peter Keuneman.

Ravibandhu Vidyapathy, renowned for his prowess as a dancer, drummer and choreographer, might surprise many with his capabilities as an extremely talented artist. Being the son of Somabandhu, he learnt the basics of painting and drawing from his father, and at present, is an accomplished artist, in addition to his other, better known talents. Being the founder/director of the Ravibandhu-Samanthi Narthayathanaya School of National Dance and artistic director of the State Dance Ensemble, he has produced many experimental ballets based on both oriental and occidental classical literature.

An accomplished hand on a variety of drums, Ravibandhu is well known for successful fusion of oriental drums, with different styles of world music.

Also featured in Thrimana is professional dancer and choreographer, Mohan Sudusinghe. A successful teacher of dance and aerobics at "Heavenly Bodies," Mohan has his own professional gymnasium and dance studio. Growing up with a passion for both traditional and contemporary forms of dancing, his interest in painting initially blossomed with his close association with Ouida Keuneman. Mohan is also the founder of Lak Uruma Art Foundation, which endeavours to preserve our indigenous and cultural heritage.

Put together by the Lak Uruma Art Foundation, Thrimana is open to the public from March 19 to 21, from 10.00 a.m. to 7 p.m, at the Harold Peiris Gallery at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.

Back to Plus