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| Sunday, 05 March 2006 |
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Wijaya Nandasiri's Sri Gajaba : Exposed: Ancient officialdom by Ranga Chandrarathne Based on the legend of the warrior king Gajabahu, who conquered the
ancient South Indian State of "Chola", and freed the 12,000 Sri Lankans
enslaved by the "Chola" king during the reign of the king Vanka Nasicca
Tissa, Gajabahu's father, Wijaya Nandasiri's Sri Gajaba,
It is a satire which highlights the inefficiency and corruption in bureaucracy and depicts how they were able to deceive their rulers who often became victims of inner circles, oblivious to the stark reality of abject poverty, extortion and institutionalized corruption in society at large, as they were, most of the time, solely dependent on self-serving officials and so-called advisers. Veteran playwright, Somapala Gunadeera who was also a civil servant, had amply made use of his knowledge of the Sri Lankan bureaucracy in an ancient context, so as to drive home the truth that self-serving officials are not interested in the development or the welfare of the ordinary citizens of the country, but to feed themselves on the misery of the people procrastinating their work and abusing their positions and privileges. They are more interested in participating in workshops and seminars conducted abroad, than addressing the crucial issues that the people were faced with. When I entered the tightly packed Tower Hall, even after a few shows, it was obvious that the audience thoroughly enjoyed the drama; not the cheap jokes like in many other dramas or soap operas, but sharp humour at the expense of the bureaucracy in the ancient context. This is something that you could not enjoy in any other media; cinema, television, radio. The story unfolds with Sri Gajaba (brilliantly portrayed by Wijaya Nandasiri) meeting with Anantha the Naga King, personified eternity, (Jayanath Bandara) on one of the king's night strolls on a cold night. Sri Gajaba engages in such night strolls, specially to find out the plight of the poor and the marginalised segments of the population. On that night, the king identifies Anantha from the Cobra-hood and expresses his intention to make Anantha his chief Adviser the next day, when the royal adversary council convenes. Then, the king accompanied by Anatha visits the house of an old granny. It is revealed that the granny lives alone after her children and husband had been abducted by the 'Chola' king, and was taken to the 'Chola' kingdom to be enslaved and deployed in construction work under harsh conditions. It is now that the king heard of an invasion that took place during his father's reign. The scene shifts to a meeting of the royal advisory council at the palace, and the council consists of the Maha Amathi, the Chief Minister (Wasantha Vittachchi), Maha Lena (Richard Manamudali) and Maha Senavi, Royal Army commander (E.D. Sriyapala). On arrival, the king is greeted and ushered into the council by his Ministers praising the king in verses and singing hosannas. As promised, the king, Sri Gajaba appoints Anantha as his new Adviser. Thetheafter, king Sri Gajaba questions his Ministers of the prevailing situation in the country. They start to paint a colourful picture of the country, which is shown as an Eldorado abounding in wealth. To disclaim what the Ministers told, the king summons the granny who reveals what befell on her children and husband and reveals, for the first time, an invasion of the country by "Chola" king and an abduction and enslaving of over 12,000 Sri Lankans. The rest of the drama deals with the invasion of the "Chola" kingdom, and emancipation of Sri Lankans in "Chola" kingdom. Victorious King Sri Gajaba arrives together with his new Army Commander Nila, only to find that his Ministers dressed in traditional "Chola" costume and his Queen (Kusum Renu) has also changed apparently on the advise of Maha Lena who predicted the king's defeat, as king Sri Gajaba and Nila went to "Chola" kingdom. An angry king dismissed his cabinet of Ministers and the princess. Apart from the legend, playwright Somapala Gunadeera has tried to highlight the shortcomings and corruptions in the bureaucracy and how the officials cheat and mislead leaders. What he wants to show is that the Sri Gajaba concept (the ruler himself cross check his advisers and Ministers) should be applied in modern day governance. Characters like those of Maha Lena and so-called intellectual advisers to the State are still alive in the corridors of power and in Ministries. Therefore, Sri Gajaba is a drama that should be watched by every politician of all hues and at every level. Though the playwright has used a down-to-earth language, it will, certainly, be outstanding for its double-edged words and conversations laced with satire. Saluva dovalai apata dahadiya - Saluva andalai rajuta dahadiya Bojun vadalai ratata dahadiya - bojun madalai rajuta dahadiya. (We were tired of washing the clothes, but the king was of wearing it We sweated in serving the meals for the king, but the king sweated in partaking them). Here the playwright highlights the plight of the working class who toiled day and night to provide for others, while those who enjoy the fruit of their labour 'sweated' in partaking or enjoying the services. In one instance, Anantha who represents infinity says that growing family trees (nepotism) is a national industry, which has a history and will not stop in the near future. Through the character of the Queen, it is depicted how wives of the leaders exert pressure on them to appoint relations to important position in the Government. Bakkiyata nomathi gonnu- thanapitiya ka damai Yuddhayata nomathi kadu-kinihiriya geva damai. (The bull that is not yoked to a cart, is grazing on the meadow. The sword which is not used in war, warns out the sharpening plate). In a figurative way, the playwright conveys the cowardness on the part of the so-called Maha Senevi (Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces) by stating that the 'rapier' in the hand of such generals would only 'warn out the sharpening plate'. All in all, Sri Gajaba will be an engrossing theatre experience for Sri Lankan theatre and would be an eye opener for all public-spirited citizens. Sri Gajaba is also a drama full of humour and this is present throughout the drama. Credit for the production of this superb social critique, would go to Wijaya Nandasiri, and a team of actors who did justice to their respective roles in the play and contributed to its success. |
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portrays a
bureaucratic system in the ancient times; continues to be an eternal hazard
which the present day citizens endure, in a satirical way. 
