During the avuduru season, TV channels are full of special features on the subject. We have got used to a set pattern of listening to the same stuff year in, year out. So it was refreshing to watch an excellent production on Sinhala Avurudda titled Kokila Koojana over Sirasa TV. It was a fine musical presentation with fresh talent. The concept, of course, was by a veteran.
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| Sunil Ariyaratne |
Professor Sunil Ariyaratne is never at a loss for ideas. When Sirasa TV approached him to do a feature for Sinhala Avurudda he readily agreed. What's new for a Sinhala Avurudu feature, he wondered. Avurudu being synonymous with our values, he decided to project the traditions, customs and values which have come down the ages but are being fast forgotten or neglected. He wanted to present them in a novel way for people to remember.
Sunil identifying the primary target group for his effort decided on the youth. "They are the ones who are not showing much interest in the values we have cherished for centuries. We have to let them know how precious they are. Of course, they should be told in a language they not only understand but also accept," Sunil said.
Sunil was fortunate in having the cream of youthful talent in the form of the finalists in the highly popular Sirasa Superstar programme. There were 12 of them - a mix of boys and girls. They had the best voices of the many thousands who entered the contest. Selections have been going on in the past few months and the finalists have been chosen.
Sunil's script described the Avurudu traditions in his own simplistic and absorbing style. He then wrote lyrics for a series of songs to feature the main traditions and customs, with the Superstar aspirants being trained to sing them.
Painstaking effort
It was hard work for the Sirasa team. They spent at least a fortnight planning the programme. Suitable locations had to be found, costumes designed, choreography developed and certain sets erected.
The team in charge was youthful. Singer and musician Kasun Kalhari Jayawardena was picked to handle the music. Son of the well-known songstress, the late Malini Bulathsinghala, and music director H. M. Jayawardena, this was Kasun's maiden effort at directing music. Viraj Weliwatta directed the production with Susara Dinal as co-director.
The shooting of the hour long programme took 10 days. The locations were around Sigiriya, Kandalama, Dambulla, Kala wewa, Avukana, Habarana and Galewela.
Apart from creating the feature, Sunil also acted as the presenter narrating different aspects of the New Year in his own inimitable style at the locations selected for each episode. The narrative was interesting and educational. Where necessary, he went into detail. Referring to the sheaf of betel (bulath hurulla or bulath atha), he explained how it should be offered to the elders. He lamented how due to lack of facilities certain rituals cannot be performed in urban areas.
For instance, there were no wells to perform the rituals linked to the drawing of water. The traditional hearth is rarely found in an urban home.
The famous 12-metre 5th century Avukana Buddha statue formed the backdrop for the narration and songs on the religious aspects of the Avurudda. Offering of flowers, reciting of stanzas and the bodhi vandana were covered at Avukana and a village temple. It had been tough work for the Superstars.
They travelled in bara karattha - double bullock carts – dancing, playing in pools of water, singing while balancing themselves on the Kala wewa spillway and flying high on the onchillawa. At least 10 tanks were picked for several sequences where the Superstars performed. A kamatha with stacks of straw was another scenic spot. A typical Avurudu site was created with swings.
Sunil was quite happy with the final outcome. "If we can contribute something for the next generation to enjoy, our effort is worthwhile," he said.
Sirasa TV - well done! It was superb, meaningful entertainment. |
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