Alokayano:
A passion play with a difference
by Trevor Ludowyke
Historical evidence confirms that with the arrival of the Portuguese
in Sri Lanka in 1505, Kotte Sri Jayewardenepura became the cradle of
Catholicism. Incidentally, the 16th century bell found in a historic
belfry at Kayman's Gate in Pettah, was originally mounted on the belfry
of that Catholic church in Kotte, now relocated on the hill of Pitakotte
and renamed as St. Thomas' church, Kotte. With the arrival of Dutch in
Sri Lanka, the original Catholic church at Kotte was demolished and the
bell was relocated at Kaymans gate in Pettah.
The bell bears on it the inscription "Ave Gratia Plena Dominus Tecum
Benadicta Tu in Mulieribus" meaning 'Hail full of grace the Lord is with
thee. Blessed art thou among women', which is itself is evidence that it
belongs to the Catholics who had a great devotion to the Blessed Mother.
The parish community of St. Thomas' Kotte is well known for their
devotion to the Blessed Mother even today, a fact corroborated by the
annual celebration of the May feast felicitating the Mother of God which
is preceded by a month-long daily recitation of the Holy Rosary in their
homes culminating in a colourful procession along the decorated streets
of Kotte bearing the life-size statue of the Blessed Mother upon an
illuminated, floral-decked chariot.
Catholic faith
St. Thomas' Church, Kotte has certainly kept the flame of Catholic
faith aglow and was also the nerve centre of the Cause of the
Beatification and Canonisation of the first Saint of Sri Lanka St.
Joseph Vaz, as its Secretary was none other than Very Rev. Fr. Anthony
Fernandopulle, the Episcopal Vicar of Colombo South region and Parish
Priest of St. Thomas' Church, Kotte.
Jubilant on being the centre for the promotion of the cause of
canonisation of our first Saint and greatly inspired by the pioneering
effort of St. Joseph Vaz, who introduced the staging of the passion play
in the Wanni in 1706, the parish community of St. Thomas', Kotte, has
decided to give leadership to stage the first ever passion play in
Colombo, as a tribute to St. Joseph Vaz and as an act of gratitude to
God for giving Sri Lanka our first Saint. In doing so, versatile talents
in the Colombo region too have been tapped to make this event a
memorable one.
Cast
Aptly named "Alokayano", which could be translated as "Christ our
Light" the passion play will be staged in an outdoor setting on the
sprawling playgrounds of St. Thomas' College, Kotte, behind the Parish
Church and could accommodate a crowd as large as five to eight thousand,
if not more. Indeed, large crowds are expected to attend this mega event
in the Colombo region.
The cast numbering over 250 featuring parishioners of St. Thomas'
Church Kotte, and a few selected talent from the Colombo region have
been working hard attending stage drama workshops on a daily basis under
the watchful eye of its Choreography Director Sunil Costa. The team
working behind the scene include award winning screen actress Veena
Jayakody, a devout parishioner of St. Thomas' Church, Kotte who will
play the role of Mary Magdalene and popular actor Jihan Srikanth
Appuhamy, as Jesus Christ, Ajantha Alahakoone, Art Director, Milroy
Dharmarathne also a parishioner of Kotte as Music Director with Kasun
Liyanage and Nuwan Liyanage as music and lyric composers.
Anthony Adolphus and Anjalie Jayasinghe, both parishioners of Kotte
will lead the vocals backed by a 60 member choir which is currently
undergoing extensive training.
The script has been written by Sunil Costa and Ajith Mendis under the
guidance of versatile stage drama script writer Very Rev Fr. Cyril
Gamini Fernando, National Director for Social Communications.
Costumes and make up will be professionally handled by renowned
make-up artiste Wasantha Vittachi while the stage designing will be
under the direction of Senior Prof Suanda Sagara Jayasinghe of the
University of Moratuwa. The creative department will be manned by Ruwan
Malith Peiris, Jihan Srikanth Appuhamy and Nuwan Liyanage.
The Executive Producer of Alokayano is Very Rev.Fr. Anthony
Fernandopulle, Parish Priest of St. Thomas' Church, Kotte while the
Production Coordinator is Rev.Fr. Sachitha Kelum Jayalath, Assistant
Parish Priest, St. Thomas' Church, Kotte.
The roles of Jesus Christ, Mary, Peter, Judas, Pilate, Annas and John
the Baptist have already been assigned and the emerging talent in these
individuals are outstanding. Alokayano is a passion play with a
difference. The production will utilise modern sound and lighting
techniques to highlight the unique role of Jesus Christ in redeeming
humankind through his passion, death and resurrection.
Alokayano will be staged on Palm Sunday evening on March 29 at 6.30
p.m. at St. Thomas' College Grounds, Kotte. His Eminence Malcolm
Cardinal Ranjith will grace the occasion as chief guest while Pierre
Nguyen Van Tot Entrance, Apostolic Nuncio in Sri Lanka will be among the
guests of honour.
Entrance is free as this is not a stage drama, but a para-liturgical
presentation of the Paschal Mystery of Christ which will set the stage
for a meaningful celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of
Christ during Holy Week. |