A powerful means of expression

Title: Asian Shadow and Puppet Theatre

Author: Jayadeva Tilakasiri

Published by: The Department of Cultural Affairs

Reviewed by Tissa Kariyawasam

Countries in Asia have all been endowed with an interesting phenomenon in the field of folk theatre known as puppetry. Historically, puppetry was preserved and protected by people as a form of art which would enhance the path to the netherworld, assisting them to learn the moral values of life.

During the 20th century, Asian shadow and puppet theatre was enriched with the assimilation of Western elements into folk theatre. Sri Lanka was also benefited by this global trend during the 1950's and the pioneer research scholar was none other than the author of this highly acclaimed volume on Asian shadow and puppet theatre.

With the emergence of modified national culture, Sinhala drama and the "Rukada" Theatre won the utmost interest of the scholars at the University of Peradeniya. Prof. Sarathchandra diverted his talents towards the Sinhala Nadagam style, in order to create a new tradition in drama.

Meanwhile a scholar in the department of Sanskrit after establishing a Rukada Sangamaya at the University of Ceylon with the few anthusiasts developed the modern tradition of Sri Lankan puppetry.

Prof. Tilakasiri is the pioneer researcher not only in the field of Sri Lankan puppetry but also in the Asian shadow and puppet theatre. He has collated material from all over Asia and compiled the history and development in Asian puppetry and shadow theatre.

This new volume deals with the origin and the proliferation of this form of art throughout Asia.

During the 19th century, when the royal family visited the colony, the Sri Lankan elite organised puppetry shows for their entertainment. Despite such prominence, folk dramas like the Nadagam deteriorated after the arrival of the Hindustan Dramatic Company and the assimilation of other followers from Mumbai Nadagamas to the Nurti system.

The traditional Nadagam was forced to retreat to the remote villages. However, puppetry was adopted by the rustic system as it was accepted by the Buddhist temple.

The author has detailed various views on the origin of the puppet theatre enunciated by Indian and European scholars during the 19th century.

Sri Lankan puppetry and the manipulation of the figures are associated with the traditions of India, according to the writer G. Podisirina from Ambalangoda is believed to be the pioneer of this art form. However, some are against this view and say that Balapitiya - an adjoining village, was the birth place of puppetry.

The origins of Sri Lankan puppetry can be gleaned through classical literary texts from the 13th Century onwards. During the 12th century and later, the modern term Rukada came into existence following in the mould of the Sanskrit term, Rupa Khanda.

In this volume Prof. Tilakasiri discusses the origins, manipulations and specialities of the puppet and shadow theatre in Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Korea, Philippines, Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Japan, China and Australia.

The water puppet theatre in Vietnam and the Wayang in Indonesia are areas covered in the volume that the Sri Lankan readers may be unaware of. The case of Japan where artists have modernised puppet theatre in order to suit contemporary needs in the field of education and the television, is also of great interest.

After the establishment of the Rukada Sangamaya at the University of Ceylon Czechoslovakian, American and German artistes came to Sri Lanka at the invitation of Prof. Tilakasiri and modern puppetry was introduced to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is now a member of UNIMA - the world association of puppeteers.

His untiring endeavours in the field of research and creative work, for over fifty years has crystallised in this volume. Its addition to the corpus of literature will undoubtedly provide visibility for Sri Lanka's traditional art forms.

Pen your thoughts

Invitation from the English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka

The English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka will be publishing Volume 14 Number 1 of the CHANNELS magazine, sometime mid 2007.

The EWC is now collecting material for this issue, and invites entries for short stories, poems, translations and excerpts from plays and novels.

Rules

All work should be original and unpublished.

Short Stories: Maximum 2,500 words of creative writing.

Poems: Maximum 40 lines of creative writing.

Plays: Maximum 3,000 words of creative writing (either complete plays or excerpt)

Translations: translations have to be in English - maximum 3,000 words.

Written permission must be obtained from the original Author if she/he is alive, or from the Trustees of the Estate of the original Author if she/he is dead. Copy of such authorization should be enclosed with entry under this category.

Format: Manuscripts should be neatly typed on one side only of A4 paper, double spaced, one inch margin all round, font size 12. Pages should be clearly numbered with the name, address, telephone and email details of the author at the beginning and end of each story, play and translation and on each page of poetry. Pages should be firmly stapled together.

Work should be edited by the author so that the material submitted is the final product.

Fee: An entrance fee of Rs. 50/= per short story, Rs. 50/= per translation, Rs. 50/-= per excerpt of novel, Rs. 50/- per excerpt or complete play and Rs. 30/- per poem should be sent with each submission.

Payment should be either by CASH or CHEQUE made out to The English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka. Money orders and Postal Orders will not be accepted. The entrance fee is non-refundable. Members of the EWC are not required to make this payment.

Manuscripts will NOT be returned. Authors must ensure that a copy of the work submitted is retained.Entries should be addressed to: The English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka,C/o Mrs Anne Ranasinghe, 82, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7Envelopes should be marked CHANNELS on the upper left hand corner.

Entries should reach Mrs. Ranasinghe on or before 15th May 2007. Late entries will not be accepted.

The Editorial Board's decision will be final in the selection of suitable material for publication, and reserves the right to edit where it deems necessary.

Short story and poetry competition 2007

Rules:

Short Stories - Maximum of 2,500 words of creative writing, original and unpublished.

Poetry - Maximum of 30 lines, original and unpublished.

Format: All manuscripts to be neatly typed on one side only, on A4 paper, a margin of one inch all round. Pages should be numbered. Name, address, telephone/email details of the author should be set down at the beginning and the end of each story, and on each page of poetry. Pages should be stapled together.

Entrance fee: Rs. 50/- per short story

Rs. 30/- per poem.

Material submitted will not be returned so please ensure that you have the original or extra copy with you.

Please pay either by Cash or Cheque made out to the English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka. Money Orders/Postal Orders will not be accepted.

The entrance fee is non refundable. Entries should be sent by Registered Post to reach on or before 30th April 2007, addressed to Mrs. Vijita Fernando, The English Writers' Cooperative of Sri Lanka, 572/10, Welikadawatte, Nawala Road, Rajagiriya.

Envelopes should be marked COMPETITION on the upper left hand corner.

Late entries will not be accepted. Winning entries will be published in a subsequent issue of Channels Magazine. The Editorial Board's decision will be final.

Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third places respectively, in each category.