Mama Venama Malak to take centre stage

by Omar Rajarathnam

Some are fortunate to be born with a silver spoon in their mouths while others have to earn fortune and fame through skills and hard work. Yet, only a handful of the truly talented individuals are given the opportunity to excel in the field.

Nalaka Swarnathilake has an eye for creativity. The young director began his stage venture with his maiden play Dangamalla Saha Amuthu Iskole which introduced Natasha Perera to acting. It was based on Enid Blyton's novel 'The Naughtiest Girl in the School' and won the best drama award at the State Children's Drama Festival 2003.

Tasting success with his debut effort Nalaka developed the plot and turned Dangamalla into a television series. He also directed a second teledrama titled 'Anne' which was based on Lucy Maud Montgomery's 'Anne of Green Gables'.

Taking a break from children's projects he turned another leaf in his career when he took to directing 'Jeevithe Lassanai', an educational program which deals with matters of daily life.

The program was an instant success. Now he had returned to home ground to stage his second play, Mama Venama Malak.

"When it comes to Sri Lankan children's culture, there is a tremendous shortfall in creations for children. My attempt is to fill this void. I have only directed one stage play but people still discuss Dangamalla Saha Amuthu Iskole with me. I realised then that if one is dedicated to a task and puts best efforts to one's work, the production will leave a timeless impact in the viewers," Nalaka opined.

There are only a few creations which cater to family entertainment. Some productions are limited to keeping children entertained while other programs cater to adult tastes.

Only a handful of events keep children and adults engaged while leaving a message for them to reflect on.

These are the features that Nalaka had focused in this play.

"The story has a family orientation. It is not based on another's work. I have penned the tale by reflecting on some episodes which I have encountered in life," he explained.

Mama Venama Malak is an exploration of one's hidden potentialities. These skills make us different from one another and form our personality. People might resemble each other but they are different in personality. It is similar to the fact that each type of flower possesses its own beauty and fragrance.

Therefore, it will be a better sight to see different types of flowers blooming in your garden rather than ones of the same kind.

Eleven girls from some of the leading schools in Colombo will portray the key roles in 'Mama Venama Malak'. The lead role be played by St. Paul's, Milagiriya's student Thisuri Lavanya Heenthilake. She said that she had acted in several schools dramas in the past. This includes the lead role of Oliver in the school's English drama 'Oliver Twist' by Charles Dickens.

The other students who will participate in the play are Chaturni Indrachapa and Nuwanthika Kaushalya St. Pauls Girls School, Nipuni Narmada, Tehara Kannangara and Amaya Senaratna of Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Niromi Nawanjali, Chalani Himansha and Pramodi Atigala of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Balika Vidyalaya, Sanduni Edirimanna and Ithara Silva of Visakha Vidyalaya. Akila Dayaratne of Royal College will be portraying the role of Thisuri's brother while Kusum Renu takes on the adult lead.

Music is by Nuwan Vithanage while lyrics are by Amitha Rabbidigala and Nuwan Katugampola.

Harshika Rathnayaka is the choreographer, Banu Prasanna the make up artist and Ranga Samarakoon is in charge of the lighting.

The team is engaged in rehearsals and the play will be staged on June 5 at Tower Hall theatre.

Pic: Rukmal Gamage