Apey Gama Theatre revival:

Aiming at a culturally inclined society

The Apey Gama Theatre Complex, at Jana Kala Kendra Battaramulla is being revived under the Megapolis project and artistes invited to collaborate with the project.

The revival plan, initiated by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, is carried out by a group of experts headed by Ajita de Costa, who is also the Chairman of Western Region Megapolis Planning Project (WRMPP).

De Costa said, PM Wickremesinghe has entrusted him with the task of making and promoting the ‘Apey Gama Theatre’ as the ‘Lionel Wendt’ among the Sinhala and Tamil audience. “We have already made initial plans to launch a host of cultural activities in the Apey Gama complex. Key artistes are supportive of the project and have already started various training sessions,” he said.

Some of the key artistes involved in the project include; Ravi Bandu Vidyapathi, Anthoney Surendra, Donald Karunaratne , K.H.Dayaseela, Rohan Ponnniah, Gayathri Khemadasa, Dharmajith Punarjeewa, veteran dancing Guru Welabadage, Guru Dayaseela and musician Ranjith Balasuriya.

Dancer and dancing guru Ravi Bandu Vidyapathi told the Sunday Observer, the program has many objectives. “One of the key objectives of the revival plan is to create a vibrant cultural atmosphere in the city, especially, to provide an opportunity for the common masses to enjoy the best cultural performances created by Sinhala and Tamil artistes,” he said.

Avenues

Secondly, it provides avenues for young artistes to advance their professional careers. Young people build confidence and gain experience while working with professional artistes, as mentors and instructors. Hence, it is a great opportunity for talented youngsters to build their careers and the veterans to present their creations and performances to an appreciative audience. Since the project is aimed at promoting Sinhala and Tamil performance art and cultural values, we anticipate it to be a platform for communal harmony as well, Vidyapathi said.

Artistes and performers from around the country will get the chance to present their modern and traditional forms of art.

“This is an important stage for art loving people. On the other hand, the project is aimed at producing good quality performances in theatre, dance and opera. It will help highlight the identity and assets of each of these cultural fields by improving their skills. It is only the beginning. It will be the connector of art and people,” de Costa added.

He said, they also intend to draw up programs targeted at tourists coming to the city; therefore, travel companies can include ‘visits to the Apey Gama cultural theatre’ in their itinerary. “I have already discussed the idea with the chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism, Paddy Withana. He was very supportive of it.” The Apey Gama complex also includes jewellery and handloom sales centres and various spaces creating a ‘village atmosphere’ which could also be a tourist attraction.

The programs for visitors will begin in October. “At present we are doing some renovation work at the theatre which had been abandoned for some time. We will call for tenders to set up a complete restaurant for visitors,” de Costa said.

Vidyapathi added, the team is planning to conduct performances at regular intervals.

Throng

“We will focus on dance, music and theatre to begin with. We want to make this a cultural hub where people throng and enjoy cultural events; we want to create a more culturally inclined society where people have the ability to enjoy local theatre more often, mainly to create a good dance and music culture for the Sinhala and Tamil speaking public.”

“We have done the initial planning and within the next three months, I can assure you there will be regular performances,” he said.

At present, young dancers and musicians are practising under the guidance of such veteran gurus as, Guru Welabadage, Guru Dayaseela and Ranjith Balasuriya. “Some of these students have already completed their diplomas in dancing and music at Jana Kala Kendraya. We would further support them to become national level performers under the new initiative,” said de Costa.

Vidyapathi who is also a member of the artistes’ committee of the Apey Gama Theatre Complex said, they are in the process of designing ‘suitable courses’ for those who wish to build their careers in theatre and the performing arts.

Besides performances, the committee will offer training programs for young enthusiasts in many different art fields. One of the new courses to be offered is the ‘Art and Film Appreciation Program’, suggested by well-known cinematographer, Donald Karunaratne. The painter, Raju will conduct painting classes and all the programs and performances are available at a nominal fee.

(C.J.)