Mahasamayama back on stage

Mahasamayama, the grand opera produced and directed by Prof. Ariyarathne Athugala will be staged again today at 6.30 p.m. at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.

A scene from Mahasamayama

Mahasamayama is woven around ancient Sri Lankan and Indian mythology and folklore based on an ancient legend 'Gotaimbara and Mahasona'. It is a massive production designed to fit into the ultra modern Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre.

Mahasamayama is the first grand opera of this magnitude. The Nelum Pokuna stage and the state of art techniques and the facilities of the theatre have immensely contributed to this majestic and splendid production.

The Mahasamayama script is based on the studies carried out by Prof. Athugala on myths and legends as well as on the subject of perception to go deep into communicative interactions on the traditional art.

The Mahasamayama which follows folk drama tradition opened a new chapter in the local drama scene. Masks are used in the opera to depict aspects of humanity, psychology, spirituality and demonical forms.

The cast includes Nissanka Diddeniya, Jackson Anthony, Sriyantha Mendia, Ravibandu Vidyapathi, Channa Wijewardena, Indika Upamali, Madani Malwatte, Janaka Ranasinghe, Kumara Thirimadura and Chathurika Peris, together with the cultural troupes of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Choreography was by Channa Wijewardena, Ravibandu Vidyapathi and Darshana Piyarathne. Music was composed by Samantha Perera. Sets were by Lalith Jayashantha (Sri Lanka Navy) and make-up by Buddhadasa Galappatti. Sampath Sanjeewa was the costumes designer and lighting director was Mahesh Umagiliya while stage management was done by Upali Ariyasiri.