Sokary on stage

by Panchamee Hewavissenti

Sokary, one of the popular humorous stage dramas in bygone days in Sri lanka. Sokary depicts and addresses several social dilemmas in society such as adultery, infertility and sexual inclinations. Sokary is played during the Buddhists' religious festival time such as Wesak and Poson.

This drama is played after harvesting and at their leisure time, in order to express their happiness and merriment. Bedecked paddy field, communally called as 'Kamatha' was used as the theatre and audience would gather round the stage to watch Sokary filled with wonderful humours incidents.

They use special symbols in order to uphold the characteristics of Sokary. The motor - 'Wangediya' which is placed in the middle of the stage symbolises prosperity. The expectation of the drama is to bring prosperity to the particular area.

This is played throughout seven days and after a few day's break it is played again for another seven days. Customarily Sokary is played once a year. After the drama is played the patron of temples dedicated to deities - Kapurala will perform some religious observances in order to invoke blessings for the villagers. This pooja is called Paththini Pooja dedicated to goddess Paththini.

Due to many weak points discovered in playing 'Sokary' drama, it has been driven out from the stage many moons ago.

Those who admire and love this type of entertaining drama which has unique characteristics, will deserve a chance to enjoy this distinctive drama on stage once again by talented contemporary drama players of Kurunegala.

'Sokary Sellama' in other words 'Guru Hatana' is believed to be the oldest folk drama in Sri Lanka.

The modern version of 'Sokary' is produced without harming the originality of the ancient 'Sokary' but extracting the characteristic qualities of the drama which was played in Kandy. The exceptional feature in this modern 'Sokary' is that the presentation of the imitative gesticulation with innovative feathers without harming the original source.

This endeavour of bringing Sokary again on stage is made by Jaliya Rajapakse a mathematics master of Maliyadewa College, Kurunegala.

The team consists of all characters comes in Sokary drama is ready to expose their talents all over the country. The distinguished feature of this team is that they try to preserve the originality of the Sokary culture without taking hardship in to account that they have to undergo. The team makes arrangements to adhere to the proud culture of Sri Lankan ancient dramas.

The prominent characteristic of the Sokary is mimicry and ascribing of roles. Silent actions, dialogues, chanting of poems add tenor to the Sokary drama. All female roles are played by males according the ancient custom.

Roles will be depicted by Padma Eranga Ilangakoon - Sokary, Athula Jayasooriya - Guruhamy, Sujeewa Thennakoon - Paraya, Eranda Gunasinghe - Golaya, Prasanna Karunajeewa - Wedarala, Pradeep Kewitiyagala - Punchi Gurunnanse, Palitha Bandara Palapathwala - Loku Gurunnanse, Thepula Dhanushka - Soththa and Anura Pushpakumara - Suwandi. Background music by Dimuthu Manoj and the music directions by Shamila Dinuwan Rajapakse. The drama is organised by Saman Gamini, the director of 'Induwara Asapuwa'.