Arts

Thotupola:

Drama with multiple insights

By Ranga CHANDRARATHNE

Thotupola by G.D.L Perera will go on the boards on December 20 at 6.30 p.m. at the Punchi Theatre, Borella.

Set against the back drop of 1958 communal riots, the story is woven around a ferryman (Thotiya) and his family. The ferryman's only son, who is a soldier, has gone out on duty. He is later reported killed in action and that a Tamil doctor was responsible for his death.

As soon as the daughter-in-law, who is pregnant, hears the death of her husband, she faints and goes into pre-mature labour. In a twist of faith, the same doctor who was responsible for her husband's death and who is on the run, helps to deliver the baby thus saving the lives of the mother and the baby.

The ferryman who is a racist and in disgust over his son's death, and come to hate Tamils was compelled to seek the help of the same Tamil doctor.

Thereby saving the lives of his daughter-in-law and the grandson. The ferryman, who believes that every Tamil infant should be strangled to death, but by a quirk of fate his own grandson's delivery had to be performed by the very same man!

An insightful plot

The drama highlights the folly of intransigent archetype ideals and misconceptions entertained by a segment of population represented here by the ferryman.

Although the dramatic situations are slowly created at the beginning of the play, it quickly assumes a rhythm which is apt for a drama exploring deep philosophical ideas.

The conflict between right and wrong is very rarely depicted in drama. Here the dramatist achieves his objective convincingly through the story of the ferryman. Though the plot seems to be simple, it has all the essential ingredients for the dramatist to convey the idea. The ferryman (Thotiya) not only represents a biased mindset of a certain segment of the population but also the social strata these people belong to. So the ferryman has become a victim of this conflict between right and the wrong.

The dramatist's ability to retain the conflict until the end of the drama has contributed to its success. However, at the end, the ferryman realises the folly of his biased mind and the universal nature of humanity. The drama is also marked for its excellent sets which are, indeed, a rare feast in contemporary Sinhala theatre. The roles of the middle aged woman and the ferryman have been aptly depicted. However, at some instances, particularly the moral dilemma that the ferryman faces when he realises that the Tamil doctor who saved the lives of his daughter-in-law and grandson, was also responsible for his son's death, is somewhat symbolic.

Universal nature

Significantly, Thotupola is still relevant to Sri Lankan society although the play is set against the communal riots of 1958.

At the time, dramatist G.D.L Perera's voice would have been a lone cry against roaring flames of racial intolerance.

Racial intolerance is not an uncommon phenomenon in Sri Lankan polity. Some of the Sinhalese still, seem to entertain subconsciously the idea that Tamils had destroyed the Sinhala culture.

Though the artistic abilities of Tamil artist are depicted in stone carvings in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the chronicles state that Tamils were invaders.

It was a bold initiative when G.D.L Perera decided to produce 'Thotupola' (The Jetty) at a time the country is enveloped in racial intolerance. The drama strikes the note that at the time of distress, what matters is not one's racial or ethnic origin but the kindred spirit of humanity.

Thotupola was, first produced, in 1964. The original cast included Denawaka Hamine (Marihami), Gamunu Wijesooriya (Dingi Appu), Leonie Weerasinghe (Premawathi), Buddhi Wickrama (Sapin), M.D. Amerasinghe (mail deliverer), and Felix Premawardena (Doctor).

An outstanding theatre personality

According to G.D.L Perera the idea which subsequently develops into a drama, was conceived when he befriended Thangavelu in Jaffna. He was also influenced by the communal riots of 1958.

G.D.L. Perera, the well-known film and drama producer is back to his first love again. His organisation, Kalapela, which he formed over fifty years ago with a handful of friends, started with producing stage plays. Their first play was "Kandulu" (Tears) staged at the YMBA, Borella in November 1956. Since then, they have staged more than 12 stage plays and four feature films. All these plays and films were written and directed by GDL. The most popular among these were die stage productions Saama, Sakkarawattang, Mehev Lokeka and Thotupola. The film version of his very first stage production "Saama" broke new grounds in the local film production scene and was selected by the organisers of the Commonwealth Film Festival to represent Sri Lanka at its Film Festival held in Cardiff, England, in 1965.

He was the second Sri Lankan to have the first feature film selected for an international festival. The first was Lester James Peries. In 1968, he beat Lester to pick up the Best Direction Award for his second feature "Dahasak Sithuvili" at the Sarasaviya Film Festival.

His award-winning stage productions, "Mehev Lokeka" and "Thotupola". Together with late Sugathapala de Silva's "Bordingkaarayo" and "Thattu Geval" pioneered the come back of the 'realistic' drama on the stage.

Thotupola, based on the racial riots of 1958, won the Best Production Award at the Annual Drama Festival organised by the Arts Council of Ceylon in 1964.

G.D.L Perera's reemerges on stage with Thotupola with an entirely new cast, students of his Kandy based Arts Institute Kalaagaaraya. G.D.L introduced a number of actors and actresses to the Sri Lankan theatre including Vijaya Kumaratunga, Dhamma Jagoda, Nilanthi Wijesingha, Douglas Ranasinghe, Chandra Kaluarachchi, Sandun Wijesiri.

The first copy of the book 'Lumbini - The Buddha Janma Bhoomi' authored by the Chairman, Anagarika Dharmapala Foundation of India and Counsellor, Sri Lanka Deputy High Commission, Chennai, Lakshman Jayawardane was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa by the author recently. Executive Director of the Anagarika Dharmapala Foundation (Sri Lanka branch) Chandima Jayawardane is also in the picture.

Pahan Pooja

Chandana Ranaweera, an art teacher at Maharachchimulla Kandegedara Maha Vidyalaya, Alawwa, has won the highest award for creative art for his painting entitled Pahan Pooja at the 120th art exhibition held by the Lanka Kala Sangamaya. The painting was also selected to adorn the cover page of the literary magazine published by the Department of Cultural Affairs.

Meanwhile, Chandana has been given a teacher felicitation award by the Thushara Art Circle. Up to now, Chandana has held nine solo art exhibition.

To God be the Glory

Ruwangie, a member of Sri Lanka's premier all-female vocal ensemble 'Soul Sound', has launched a CD titled `To God be the Glory'. Ruwangie is a soprano of the `Soul Sound' which won two Silver Medals at the World Choir Games held in China in 2006 and three Gold Medals at the World Choir Games held in Australia 2008.

Caucasian Chalk Circle at Punchi Theatre

Bertolt Brecht's the Caucasian Chalk Circle directed by Rohana Deva Perera and choreographed by Ramani Damayanthi will go onboard at 6.45 p.m. at Punchi theatre in Borella on December 19, 2008. The production is presented by Thidora Theatre.