Mahasamayama, a precursor to grand theatre tradition

By Anuradha Kodagoda

The Theatre of Sri Lanka originated from traditional rituals and folk dramas in the 19th century. Until that period, the art was confined to small villages and didn't have a national presence. Influential dramatist Ediriweera Sarachchandra attributes this to the influence of Theravada Buddhism, which he believes has "tended more towards solitary contemplation and the attainment of insight than towards Congregational practices or participation in community life."

Prof. Ariyarathne Atugala

"Dramas in Sri Lanka began with ritualist performances of early polytheistic religions.

Masked dances

Originating as masked dances interspersed with short comic scenes and improvised dialogues honouring gods and ridding demons, they gradually became free of religion and organised forms of entertainment," Prof. Ariyaratne Atugala said. His latest theatrical production is Mahasamayama.

"With the continual studies that I do in mass communication, I used to refer to most of the Sri Lankan rituals such as Kolam, Shanthi Karma, Bali Thovil and tried to examine the way they have woven together loosely-structured characters from everyday life in a casual fashion.

However, none of these plays ever grew beyond their initial crudeness, but of course they contributed to the development of Sinhala theatre," he said.

"With Mahasamayama, my foremost attempt is to bring back or to continue the grand tradition that Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra has brought to the Sri Lankan theatre. It's pathetic to observe the current trends of petty traditions that almost every dramatists follow in Sri Lankan theatre.

On the other hand, it is a known fact that today there are massive productions in every art form produced around the globe.

Therefore, Mahasamayama would be an influential Sri Lankan theatre to go back to the roots and bring back the grand tradition for every art form," he described.

Mahasamayama is a mythology based on Maha Sohona ritual folk tale. Maha Sohona was originally a giant named Jayasena, who had offered Gotaimbara, one of the 10 giant worriers of King Dutugamunu. Jayasena had never been defeated in battle before, so he accepted Gotaimbara's challenge to a duel.

God Senasuru

However, Gotaimbara easily defeated him and kicked his head off. Upon seeing this, the planet God Senasuru took off the head of a bear and fitted it on-to Jayasena's body, bringing him back to life. However, Jayasena returned from the dead as a demon and started haunting graveyards, and was thereafter called Maha Sohona meaning the 'great graveyard demon.

However, we find the same character in Hinduism and it says Maha Sohona was born from Asura's ashes. Mahasamayama based on the ritual folk tales and I tried to enrich it by using the characteristics of grand traditions such as opera and ballet," Prof. Atugala said.

Mahasamayama is the outcome of a combination of great artistes in our country.

I was quite conscious about the characteristics of each role in the play when selecting the cast and developing the character.

Channa Wijewardhana and Ravibandu Vidyapathy are two types of choreographers who have gained international recognition for their uniqueness in traditional and modern dancing.

Imprint

Samantha Perera is the music composer who can be reform to as an extension of Premasiri Kemadasa. There's no need to introduce Jackson Anthony, Shriyantha Mendis and Nissanka Diddeniya because they have left their imprint on the theatre and cinema. Indika Upamali is a well-known opera artiste. Madini Malwatta and Chathurika Peries are the other two female characters.

Prof. Athugala said that his latest theatrical venture is not another historical production, but it is based on mythology. "In every mythology there can be a historical background, but Mahasamayama is not a historical story. We selected Nelum Pokuna to stage the play because it is the only theatre for such giant productions. The play is staged to mark the first anniversary of the Nelum Pokuna.

Mahasamayama would open new avenues for grand theatre tradition in the future, he said.