Arts

Across cultures; Fused cultures?

A ballet - opera in Sinhala:

by Indeewara Thilakarathne and Ranga Chandrarathne

“The emperor doest not know the love,

The great wall runs through China,

As a meandering serpent,

Burying the blood, toil and sigh,

Of thousands of innocents”

These evocative lines sum up the crust of the story which makes the ballet-opera Patavi which was held recently at the BMICH. Patavi is woven around true Chinese story in the days when the Great Wall of China was built. The emperor was cruel and did not care about thousands of men who had been forced to work on the construction of the Great Wall of China. Thousands of men died and buried under the wall.

“The Great Wall,

Being built against life,

Burying humanity,

With forced labour”

The construction of the wall was a tragedy as thousands who did not comply with the royal decree, were summarily executed by soldiers. Patavi lives in a remote hamlet with her husband. They were just married and soldiers took her husband to work at the wall. Patavi’s husband died whilst shouldering a huge boulder. His body was laid on the bank of the river where the wall was being constructed. Patavi without knowing her husband’s tragic death puts final touches to a jacket for her lover. Upon failure to send the jacket through a messenger, Patavi herself embarked on a long journey in search of her husband, braving harsh winter.

She reached the wall only to be find her husband’s body lying on the site while the workers were busy working on the wall paying no respect to the dead.

Patavi cursed the emperor and Ministers who were executing the work. Suddenly, weather changed and the wall collapses under a horrendous thunderstorm. Workers stopped work and the emperor punishes his Ministers for failing to get the work done from the workers. The story comes to an end when the emperor visits the site and makes an unsuccessful bid to win the heart of Patavi. He saw the genuine love in her eyes. However, courageous Patavi changes her plan for a moment, agrees to marry the emperor if he offers a decent funeral for her husband. Accordingly a funeral was performed with State honours. However, Patavi takes her life in the name of love by jumping into the river.

Although the story was woven around a Chinese legend, it has been aptly adapted into Sinhala theatre with indigenous characteristics so that it would be a part of Sinhala theatre. The storyline has been altered to give an authentic Sri Lankan flavour. Beneath the storyline lies the eternal class struggle and triumph of the working class against the oppression of the ruling class.

Thanuja wants to highlight how workers won their rights by collective bargaining. Even the emperor had to bow down to the people’s power. The ballet-opera is also a romance which among other things, highlights that strong bond between lovers cannot be severed even by death. Patavi sacrificed her life on alter of love. It was love that enabled her to brave harsh weather and even to defy the mighty emperor.

Costumes and music scores for the ballet-opera was by Thanuja herself and she has made a genuine effort to create a true Chinese ambiance. Bright colours like red, blue and yellow typified with Chinese culture have been heavily used in the set so that it not only look Chinese but feel Chinese.

Although theoretical aspects of opera music has been used in composing music scores, Thanuja has employed an array of instruments, instead of using a keyboard to generate sounds of different instruments of music, including a double bass, cello, six violins and a flute. Significant characteristics of the music scores is that Thanuja has tried to use Chinese traditions of music. She has been influenced by Chinese authentic dress habits. This can be seen in costume design. For instance, the outfits of Chinese workers have been used. Chinese style of ballet has also been employed in the production.Patavi will offer a meaningful theatre experience for Sri Lankan theatregoers and is poised to be a remarkable adaptation in the contemporary Sinhala theatre.Although the production seemed to be just right, it has to be noted that the movements of members of the troupe were jolted perhaps, due to the slippery nature of the BMICH stage. Music scores, at times, failed to completely integrate into the ballet-opera. Sometimes the music scores generated an abortive effect on the ballet-opera. In fact, at some points, the music drowned the ballet effect.

Although costumes have been localized, it should be noted here that they were not as colourful and pleasing to the eyes as the authentic Chinese costumes are.

Work shop for puppeteers

THIDORA - Theatre Institute for Disability Oriented Research and Advocacy has embarked on a project to give a helping hand puppeteers.

The project which is launched with the sponsorship of CEPA, intends to conduct a one-day seminar and a five-day workshop for traditional as well as amateur puppeteers.

Details of the seminar and workshop can be obtained from Rohana Deva, Chairman Thidora, No. 1136/B5, Pannipitiya Road, Thalawatugoda. (R.C.)

‘Reflections in Colour’

“Reflections in Colour”, an exhibition of paintings by Jayani Pinnawala will be held from October 3 to 5, at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery. (R.C.)

"Harmony "in Galle

"Harmony ", a multicultural concert of music by Aru Sri Art Theatre in

collaboration with Sleills Development Fund Ltd and Ministry of Vocational

and Technical Training will be held on September 26 ,2008, at 6.00p.m at

Town Halle Auditorium in Galle.

Leading performers of all ethnic groups will participate in the concert

which is focused on the unity in diversity. Contact Sudath Indrajith

( 077-3187291 ) and Gamini Somarathne ( 077-7447530 ) to obtain invitations.

Dreamscape - a world a dream

Dreamscape, an exhibition of paintings by Sanoj de Alwis will be held on September 20, 21 and 23 at the Lionel Wendt - Harold Peiris Gallery. Sanoj has used media such as oil on canvas, pastels and charcoal.

Sanoj who graduated from the Swinburne University of Technology, had completed his work in Australia. He has evolved his own style over the years. (RC)