| Gajaman
Nona comes back to stage again
By Susitha R. Fernando
Dayananda Gunawardena's highly acclaimed
‘Gajaman Puwatha’ to go on boards again
after twenty six years.
The drama ‘Gajaman Puwatha’,
first staged at the Lionel Wendt Theatre on October
14 1975 and will be revived and go on boards again at
the Lumbini Theatre, Colombo on October 13 at 6.45 pm.
There will be a repeat performance at 3.30 p.m. and
6.45 p.m. on October 21 (Saturday) at Elphinstone Theatre..
The main objective of this exercise
in recreating this drama is to revive the enthusiasm
once again in self-style drama among the youth of this
country. ‘Gajaman Puwatha’ was the first
theatre production in Sri Lanka to adopt the docu drama
style.
‘An artiste in reproducing a
historical event attempts to project a relevant contemporary
value Gunawardena observes in When asked about, what
is the significance of the Gajaman Puwatha?
‘I observed the characters and
incidents in "Gajaman Puwatha" relative to
the social problems we face today. Once I was deeply
impressed by the relief enjoyed by a cinema actress
after a discussion I had with her on the misconceptions
of the artistes prevailing among the public. The opinion
that performing artistes are a group of social outcasts
is not limited to this country or the present era. I
felt Gajaman Nona was a fitting model in portraying
these facts. Further, the numerous aspects of the life
of Gajaman Nona provide useful insights in to the emotions
of different artistes’ he said
‘Gajaman Puwatha’ the
highly acclaimed production of the late Dayananda Gunawardena
is presented by Nalu Keerthi Sabha theatre troupe. The
sponsors for this venture are Chandralal Sooriyaarachchi
and Bandu Liyanage.
The role of Gajaman Nona is played
by Rathmalie Gunasekara while Nissanka Diddeniya acts
as Elapatha Mudali. Support cast includes Rohana Beddage,
Neil Alles, Jayalath Manoratna, Chandrasoma Binduhewa,
Rodney Warnakula, Chandra Kaluaarachchi, Rathnasheela
Perera, Nelum Kalubowila, Nilanthi Heendeniya, Tharanga
Kumari, Kumara Liyanage, Indika Jayasinghe, Sujani Nisanka,
Ferni Roshini, Dulanjani Weerakkody and Shalika.
The music and dance compositions are
by Rohana Beddage. Music is directed by Ranjith Balasuriya
while stage management and props are by Asoka Jayasinghe.
Constumes are by Irangani Gunawardena.
Makeup is by Gomes Hewa while Lighting is by Upali Rupasiri.
| 
