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DRAMA REVIEW
The unnoticed laughter and smiles of the downtrodden
A review of the drama Hinawela Miniththuwak:
by Dilshan Boange
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Director and playwright Akhila Sapumal. |
To the observant eye and sensitive ear, a story, or a kernel of a
story paves the world around us every moment. Tales of mirth or sorrow
or envy or anger or love or loss, surround us though not always narrated
to the world at large. "The Universe is made of stories, not of atoms,"
wrote the American poetess Muriel Rukeyser in The Speed of Darkness. And
as I watched playwright and drama director Akhila Sapumal's Hinawela
Miniththuwak at the Tower Hall on 23rd March this year I felt this play,
in one respect speaks of how there are so many 'stories' we encounter
that there is at times a difficulty in deciding what to believe.
A group of donation seekers consisting of an ensemble of mimes and
musicians led by a social service activist say they are collecting funds
to build a park dedicated to young lovers in a far off rural area, a
young man says he unintentionally killed his mother as a result of an
altercation over her strong disapproval of his sweetheart, an aged man
claims he is collecting 'data' about young lovers for an academic
research.
Those are just some of the main encounters the protagonist couple of
young lovers face during their habitual meetings in the park. How are
truthful those stories that 'pass them by'? Their veracity is questioned
within the play's text itself.
Believe
How much of the stories we hear from the world around us are we to
fully believe? And similarly, how much of our own story will the world
fully believe? I think that is at the crux of the psychosocial
investigation this play embarks on through the life of Samith and
Nishani as a young couple who strove hard to make a good life for
themselves against the odds.
 Between
the bouts of misfortunes they suffer, their love for each other together
with their spirit of resolve to build a happy life, the fortitude to
brave the tides and succeed someday, holds them together.
It is a tragedy, yet the spates of misfortune they are beleaguered by
do not alone form the sum total that defines their life together.
They also have their moments of laughter. They do possess an outlook
of optimism that allows them a moment to smile; sharing hope that
strengthens them.
Love
One of the realities that the play reflects to its audience is that,
although the ideal of love is admired and applauded by the world, lovers
do not necessarily find the world at large being very generous and
understanding towards them.
Much as to what can determine how well lovers are allowed to blossom
in their life of togetherness depends on which 'social stratum' they
inhabit. No, not all lovers can claim to have the bliss of a 'William
and Kate' union. HinawelaMiniththuwak thus speaks of how among the
simple and faceless masses are young lovers who have their beautiful
moments of togetherness that shines through their loving affection for
each other even though the world at large shows them little regard.
The narrative craft must be noted as one of an appreciable calibre.
The proscenium's space and the function of lighting for defining space
for performing the narrative as a nonlinear story, was achieved
commendably.
 Electronic
amplification was used to narrate thoughts of characters in solitary
moments on occasion as voice-overs. Elements of song and music not only
functioned as beautification but signposted what the title stands for
with respect to the young lovers' spirit of optimism.
Stagecraft was very tastefully done to move between semi-realist sets
that effectively presented the physical settings the scenes unfolded in
such as the park and slum locales. Costumes and makeup too were
convincing.
Commendable
The acting that was delivered by the cast was overall commendable
while the lovers themselves deserve a round of robust applause for their
performance. I have seen Ishara Wickremasinghe who plays the role of
Samith act in Udayasiri Wickremaratne's Pem Yuvalak and Priyankara
Rathnayaka's Premavantha Kumarayo.
In both those plays he skilfully delivers comedic performances. And I
was impressed to see how well he was able to deliver the character of
Samith whose emotional being is more varied and layered switching
between romance, anger, emotional embattlements and so on.
 Nayomi
Thakshila who plays the role of Nishani whom I first saw perform in
Sampath Perera's Muhudu Lihiniya, was very convincing and evoked much
empathy. She shows promise of becoming a versatile actress.
Suitable
On account of the expletives spewed out by the character of the
enraged researching academic whom Samith suspects of making advances to
Nishani, I feel this play may not be optimally suitable for children.
Hinawela Miniththuwak however does seem to me a play that many a Sri
Lankan is likely to find worthy on account of the themes it deals with
and the manner in which the tragedy lashes out at the end. The force of
'drama' in Hinawela Miniththuwak which moves at varying paces and tones
will surely capture the viewer as a memorable experience. Watching the
story of Samith and Nishani you will smile, you will laugh for sure at
times, but as you see the tragedy that over-arches their lives you will
see that those are but sadly 'fleeting moments'. But for what it's
worth, do note their lives too are ones that shared moments of joy and
laughter even on occasions that last just a minute. |
