Pattini :

A film on the Goddess of Chastity

by Husna Inayathullah

The Muhurath ceremony of the film Pattini was held at Milina Sumathipala's residence in Colombo recently. Mass Media and Information Minister Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella was the chief guest.

The film is based on the Tamil epic Silapathikaram (100-300 CE). It is a tragic love story. Kannagi, a legendary Tamil woman is the protagonist of the Tamil epic. The story relates how Kannagi took revenge against Pandyan King of Madurai, for a mistaken death penalty imposed on her husband Kovalan by cursing the city.

Guardian deity

The main roles of Kannagi, Kovalan and Madavi are played by Pooja Umashankar, Uddika Premarathna and Aruni Rajapaksha.

The cast includes Veena Jayakody, Ravindra Randeniya, Sanath Gunathilake, Lucky Dias and Jayalath Manorathna.

Pattini is believed to be a guardian deity of Sri Lanka. Goddess Pattini is worshipped by Buddhists and Hindus and she is regarded as the Goddess of Chastity. Goddess Pattini is the deification of Kannagi who is the central character of the Tamil epic Silapadhikaram.

Kovalan in the son of a wealthy merchant in Kaveripattinam. He married Kannagi. Kovalan met Madhavi, a dancer and fell in love with her. He spent all his wealth on the dancer. At last, penniless, Kovalan realised his mistake and returned to Kannagi. Kovalan hoped to recoup his fortunes through trade in Madurai with the capital earned from selling the precious anklet of Kannagi.

Madurai was ruled by Pandya king Nedunj Cheliyan I. When Kovalan intended to sell the anklet, it was mistaken to be stolen from the queen. Kovalan was accused of having stolen the anklet and the King ordered to be beheaded without trial. When Kannagi was informed of this, she became furious and set out to prove her husband's innocence to the king.

Anklet

Kannagi came to the king's court, broke open the anklet seized from Kovalan and showed that it contained rubies , as opposed to the queen's anklet which contained pearls . Realising this fault, the king took his own life having failed to make out justice.

Kannagi uttered a curse that the entire city of Madurai be burnt. As a result, the capital city of Pandyas was set ablaze resulting in huge losses. However, at the request of Goddess Meenakshi, she calmed down and later attained salvation.

The story forms the crux of Silapathikaram written by the poet Ilango Adigal.

Pattini is a Sumathi Films production. It is produced by Milina Sumathipala and directed by Prof. Sunil Ariyarathne. Sumathi Films has been in the forefront of the film industry for over four decades. Its award-winning cinematic productions were Unnath Dahai - Malath Dahai, Ahasin Polowata, Ganga Addara, Duwata Mawak Misa and Uppalawanna.

The cameraman is Channa Deshapriya, Prof. Rohana Weerasinghe is the music director, Chandana Wickremasinghe is the choreographer, Sameera Madu Kidalpitiya is the make-up artist, Venuka Wickremarachchi is the costume designer, Ruwira Dineshka Kahanda is the hair dresser, Bimal Dushmantha is the art director, Chamath Paranavithana is the visual effects technician, Manohari Hewawasam is the production manager, A.D. Ranjith Kumara is the film coordinator and Vimal Deshapriya is the Assistant Director.