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| Sunday, 1 February 2004 |
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Sinhabahu : In English - the musical by Farah Macan Markar
Growing up within the imprisoning love and protection of a father whose word is law, the son wants out and he goes out to the world of civilisation his mother came from, leaving a distraught, angry, violent Lion behind in the forest. He is Sinhabahu-Son of the Lion. This traditional yet contemporary play will be done in a whole new way, in English and as a Musical. Translated and directed by Namel Weeramuni, Choreographed by Wasantha Kumar, with music by Premasiri Kemadasa the English Musical "Sinhabahu" will be produced at the new Punchi Theatre somewhere around mid February (inside sources tell me they hope to launch it on stage from the 12th but the date as when I did this interview was not as yet finalised). The cast will see the acting talents of Jehan Aloysius as Sinhabahu, Manoj Singanayagam as the Lion (Sinhabahu's father), Juanita Beling as Princess Supadevi (Sinhabahu's mother), Shanuki de Alwis as Sinhaseevali (Sinhabahu's sister), Dominic Kellar as the Viceroy and Deshaka Sampath as the Narrator. There will also be a Chorus of around 10-12. While many of you may and probably know this ancient mythological story, for those who don't like me (who was in "Ignorance"-probably the most shameful word to even mention in this country of Know-It-Alls, until Dominic explained it over) here's a summary.
One day as she is travelling through the forest in a caravan, the Lion attacks it. Supadevi falls in love with the lion, renounces her fortunes, kingdom and lifestyle to go live with him in the forest. They have two children-a daughter-Sinhaseevali (Shanuki) and a son-Sinhabahu (Jehan). The children live under the overprotective authority of their father, imprisoned in their den (which has a stone blocking its entrance). While Sinhabahu grows up he constantly questions his mother as to why they cannot leave the den. His very first words in the play are "Why, beloved mother are we condemned to be thus imprisoned in this cave, is it to be our fate forever?". This questioning leads to rebellion against the supreme authority of his father. One day he pushes the stone away, takes his mother and sister and leaves the forest. They come to a nearby village ruled by a Viceroy (Dominic) who gives them shelter. Supadevi later marries the Viceroy as an assurance her children will have a place to stay. The Lion angered and upset for his family had left him goes wild, destroying flocks and everything within his way. The villagers complain of this mad lion and the Viceroy sends warriors to have him killed. None succeed. Finally Sinhabahu who does not know that it is his father undertakes the job. Even when his mother tells him it is his father he still goes forth to do it, wanting to put an end to his father's tyrannical behaviour and rule. A climatic confrontation issues between father and son in which the Lion asks Sinhabahu to return home.
Every individual in the play has to make a choice. Sinhabahu as a son rebelling against the supreme authority of his father. Supadevi as a wife and mother, torn between her love for her husband and her love of her children. Sinhaseevali as a sister, the peace maker and diplomat of the family, the Lion as a father, not knowing where to draw the line. The feelings, crisis and choices these characters have to make is applicable to anyone in society, be it a mother, a father, a son or a daughter. The play itself if very much a local, traditional play. Says Shanuki "It is different from the original version, the whole structure of the play being changed". It has a lot of culture which is reflected through its music, songs and dance. The music is a blend of Indian and Sri Lankan, Oriental and Western. It has the melody of violins mixed together with the beating of drums. Handled by veteran Khemedasa the music creates atmosphere in the play, building its climaxes. The music flows and suits the play which is in most parts carried on like a ballad. What about Dance? Says Juanita it is not so much about dance as it is about movement. "We don't dance as much as move in rhythm. Simple gestures and expressions are stylized and carried out in flowy movements". However there is a climatic frenzy of a dance scene between father and son in their final confrontation and battle. Shanuki next enlightens me on her character-Sinhaseevali. "Sinhaseevali's character is basically there to highlight her brother's stubborn, strong willed and rebellious nature, through her utterly contrasting characteristics of placidity, shyness and diplomacy. She has a lot of love and joy and is the peacemaker of the family. The go between of father and son".
She loves her husband and she loves her children. In the end her maternal love prevails. She leaves the forest with her children and marries someone else, but her love of the Lion never dies". Next on line is Manoj, the Lion, who describes his character as human and majestic. "The Lion is human in the sense he goes through very human emotions of love, betrayal and anger. He is at the same time majestic, powerful and physically strong. The villagers fear him and even his family respect him. He loves his family and keeps them within the confines of his den for he fears they will otherwise leave him, and go live with other human beings as themselves. However it is ironically this very over protectiveness and control, which leads his son to rebel against him and finally take his family away into that civilisation he does not belong. When the family leave him he is disoriented and the love he had for them turns to hate. He's a very human character". The rebellious Sinhabahu being missing during the interview, I get a few words about him over the phone, from the Rebel's mouth itself. Says Jehan "Sinhabahu is a classic example of the rebellion of an individual against supreme authority and tyrannical rule. He hates being confined to his home, which is a Lion's lair. He wants to go into the outside world. He loves his father but hates the way his father rules over him. As he grows up he sees the difference between his father and himself more clearly, his father being a beast and himself a human. He inherits an immense physical strength from his father which is why he is able to push the rock away. He is inflexible in his beliefs. He sees good and evil as two separate things. He does not see that they could be one. As he makes his way up in civilisation he is blinded by heroism and blind to his father's love". |
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A Princess and a Lion. Two children brought about through this union of
love. A Daughter calm, loving and diplomatic. A son, rebellious, stubborn
and strong willed.
The Lion (a very unlionish looking Manoj whom I met in the interview)
is the King of the forest. Supadevi (Juanita) is a Princess of the land.
He refuses. The Lion gets angry and attacks him only to meet with his
death at the hands of his son. A play with a lot of melodrama it is about
human emotions of love, hate and anger. It is about the choices we make.
Supadevi, Juanita next has her say. "Supadevi is probably the most
complex character in the play. Once a Princess, she renounced civilisation
to live in a forest with a lion. She's a wife and a mother.
