Reflections on genuine and original art depict culture

Trinethra cultural pageant:

by Ranga Chandrarathne in Tamil Nadu

“Doothikawo” , exploring a universal theme , Aesthetic quality incomparable. Drums of Sri Lanka

As the Trinethra cultural pageant toured Tamil Nadu, stopping at diverse educational Institutions, one of the fascinating documentaries shown and, which is of both educational and artistic value was the documentary on 'Traditional Drums of Sri Lanka'.

It was the end-result of a meticulous research into the almost forgotten area of Sri Lankan cultural landscape as traditional drums of Sri Lanka are diverse in form and shape as well as the purpose they are used for and for the sounds they produced.

As the living tradition of playing drums vanishes into oblivion, many traditional drums also disappeared with those traditions, leaving behind their precious names for their posterity.

History of playing drums in Sri Lanka can be traced back 2500 years of written history. Different forms of drums have been associated with the lives of people on various occasions.

Though it has not been established the exact time when drums came into being, they have been used for entertainment at the inception and subsequently, the traditional drums became part and parcel of rituals and were widely used in Buddhist temples. From Tom-Tom beaters to king's messengers, drums had been played to convey either a degree of the king or an important official communique to the public.

In addition, there were numerous references to the use of drums on various occasions in classical Sinhalese literature and the monumental work such as Pujawaliya (a book of prayers), Thupawansaya (Chronicle on Buddhist pagodas) and Dalada Siritha (Chronicle of the Buddha's tooth relic).

The documentary which was shown at the University of Madras, was well-received by the audience, stirring an informative discourse on the vanishing traditions of art forms and preservation of them, especially in a global milieu. It was a soul-searching exercise as the audience reflected upon their very cultural roots and diverse music an instruments heired to respective traditions both Indian and Sri Lankan.

Principally there are ten varieties of drums currently used in Sri Lanka which are different from one another on account of the sounds they produce and purposes they are used for; Geta Bera (Bera-drum), Yak Bera, Davula, Thammattama, Udakkiya, Dakkiya, Bummadiya, Hand-held Rabana, Bench Rabana and Dandu Beraya.

Apart from contributing to improve the understanding of similarities between Sri Lankan and India art forms, the programme was able to dispel some of the misconceptions on the part of audience in Tamil Nadu such as the stereotype ideas that Sinhalese are anti-tamil and war mongers.

These prototype beliefs were reinforced by harrowing tales related by large number of resident Sri Lankan Tamil refugees in Tamil Nadu, in addition to misinformation campaign launched by separatists who are hell-bent on creating an anti-Tamil image of Sri Lanka.

Sympathy on the part of the Tamil Nadu population is understandable given the close cultural, linguistic and geographical links they enjoy with their brethren across the narrow Palk Strait. It is Tamil Nadu that Sri Lankans often visit seeking medical facilities and seek refuge in at difficult times.

'Doothikawo', children's anti-war drama

The fact that all Sinhalese in the South are not war-mongers and that there are elements against people who do not advocate war, was amply manifested following the screening of 'Doothikawo', an anti-war drama based on terrorist attack on the Chechnyan school which was script-written and produced by the students of Holy Family Convent in Kalutara.

The children were prompted to produce the drama as an indirect impact of the separatist struggle in Sri Lanka and the drama had to be halted following a threatening letter sent to the Principal of the school by pro-war-element.

Especially striking dialogues in 'Doothikawo' which were subtitled in Tamil grabbed the attention of the audience who commenced an interactive and educative discussion on contemporary Sri Lankan art and culture and war-mongers in the South who are hell bent on driving a wedge between Tamil and Sinhala amity.

It was indeed a bridge-building exercise which drives home the fact that Sinhalese of the South also share a common regional identity amidst a highly evolved culture.

'Doothikawo' is based on the Chechnyan guerrilla attack on Baseland College and the crust of the drama is denouncement of war which is a universal theme. It is obvious that the students produced the drama as a protest against volatile situation and the war imposed on them by society.

However, the drama was prevented from being staged following a threatening letter sent to the Principal by extremist elements in South, a fact which is being widely discussed in Tamil Nadu.

"Why are we given a gun instead of a pen", one of the striking lines of the play, epitomises the universal appeal of children caught up in war. What these children are pleading for is their life, their childhood, education deprived by war.

It is the fervent cry of children in armed conflicts anywhere in the world. This message was well received by the intellectuals and scholars among the predominantly Tamil speaking population.

What was the central theme of the programme is that the medium of art that it cannot be used to spread a doctrine of violence and to propagate war. It should be, by and large, reflection of the hope and aspirations of people celebrating life in its abandonees.

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On-focused artists in India

Anoja Weerasinghe is one of the few actresses the Indian audience know of Sri Lanka. When the 'Trojan Women' was screened in Tamil Nadu, her mastery in portraying diverse characters was highly acclaimed by the audience consisting academics and scholars.

She has received Silver Peacock award at the 11th Film festival of India for the Best Actress for characters Jane and Soma (double acting) in D.B. Nihalsinghas Maldeniye Simion in 1987.

She has proved her metal in both cinema and drama and even on small screen. One of her remarkable traits in action is her genuine depiction of facial expression to suit the changing moods of the character.

Her portrayal of characters in the seminal production of Bertolt Brecht's 'Mother Courage' as well as Euripides 'Trojan Women' are held as outstanding performances by an international audience. Tamil Nadu Governor, Sri Bhishma Narayan Singh awarded Anoja the 'Kohinoor Ratna' in recognition of her outstanding contribution to cinema.

She was also honoured as the State Gust and conducted three retrospective Film Festivals in the states of Kerala and Calcutta and the capital New Delhi.

In addition, a Retrospective Film Festival on Anoja Weerasinghe. Indian Film directors such as Shyam Benagal, Aravindan and Mani Ratnam highly appreciate her inborn talent. She is also one of Sri Lanka's cultural ambassadors.