Arts

'Upanda Maranaya':

Laughter, amidst confounded confusion

by Ranga CHANDRARATHNE
 

Scenes from the comedy.

The play is woven around a mishap of a politician and his face saving efforts which yield a host of situations culminating in the revelation of his true nature. The Hurly-burly activities commence when the politician Nilaweera Deshapriya is on a day out with his mistress, a popular actress, at his private residence. Although he is in his private residence, Nilaweera is to chair an international conference in Colombo. In a hurry he leaves his purse and identity card in the hotel room. Meanwhile, a bomb explodes in the hotel inflicting injuries on the participants of the conference. Soon the police find Nilaweera's purse and identity card which confirm that he has been killed in the bomb explosion. A television channel announces his death and a police curfew is imposed in the city. Nilaweera's mistress Saroja is trapped in the house without being able to get out of it because of the curfew. The story unfolds amidst confusion as Nilaweera's private secretary Subasinghe tries hard to salvage him from the predicament. The unfolding events further confound the already tense situation.

dramatic situations

One of the significant features present throughout the play is the playwright's ability to create dramatic situations. Sometimes, seemingly insignificant events such as the domestic aid Simon's sending garments that were dropped on the floor to the laundry, leads to utter confusion. The sudden breaking down of Subasinghe's car is another instance which aggravates the already tensed situation. Nalaka Vithanage should be commended for his skill in creating such excellent dramatic situations, which are linked up like a chain to retain the audience's attention to the very conclusion of the play. The confusion building up throughout the play, in a way, is similar in features to literary work like Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'.

Nalaka Vithanage

Although the plot is not complex and the play is confined to seven characters, Upanda Maranaya, in a peculiar manner, sheds light on the flip side of the political establishment. Nilaweera seems to be a very busy politician. However, when the bomb explodes at the hotel where he is scheduled to be as the chief guest, he is in his private residence with his mistress Saroja. In terms of the portrayal of characters, almost all actors have done justice to their allotted roles. At first, Nilaweera Bandara's character (portrayed by Amitta Weerasinghe) seems to be somewhat artificial. However, as the play progresses, Amitta assimilates the salient features of his alloted character.

Perhaps, one of the challenging roles in the play is the character of the politician's wife Anoma (Duleeka Marapana). Among other things, the character demands quick change of moods. Anoma is portrayed as a domineering wife who exercises a considerable influence over Nilaweera. Although Nilaweera's liaison with Saroja is an open secret among political circles and among politicians' wives, Nilaweera has always been cautious enough not to be caught red handed by his wife. Duleeka Marapana brilliantly portrays the character with appropriate facial expressions. She seems to have understood the subtle nuances of the role and Anoma's mentality.

Saroja's character (Ayesha Dissanayake) has also been portrayed well. Her facial expressions and the delivery of dialogues were natural. None of the actors do not over act. For instance, Kingsley Lose who portrays Inspector Gajasinghe, adopts the matter-of-fact tone of a police officer. After some time, his delivery of dialogues becomes natural and seems to be sychoronised well with the rest of the cast. Most of the actors have lived up to their roles.

Prasad Sooriyarachchi as Subasinghe, Nilaweera's secretary, plays a memorable role. Given the significance of the role, Suriyarachchi plays the challenging role admirably. It is Nilaweera's secretary Subasinghe who tries to handle the delicate situation. Suriyarachchi is able to capture the salient characteristics of a typical secretary of a politician.

Although Simon's (Upali Bandara) is an insignificant character, as a domestic aid to Nilaweera, he, in fact, sets the backdrop for the hurly-burly to be unfolded in Nilaweera's private residence. Upali Bandara's performance, though artificial at times, is up to expectations.

He shows his talents as a performer, particularly on instances where he acts as a freelance journalist with Saroja (Ayesha Dissanayake). Although brief, Bandula Vithanage as Prime Minister has once again proved his thespian talents. Underneath the stair lies the exposure of shady characters in society who command respect from the people. Nalaka has skilfully exposed them citing a mishap that occurred in the private residence of a politician.

There was a high degree of coordination among the cast and shift of one scene to another was done smoothly so as not to disturb the mood and the zest of the play. Upanda Maranaya is an excellent comedy in the contemporary Sinhala theatre.

Shesha Palihakkara (June 5, 1928-July 12, 2009):

Shesha leaves indelible footprints on the sands of time

by Indeewara THILAKARATHNE

Dr.Lester James Peries on Shesha Palihakkara

"My involvement with Shesha Palihakkara, unfortunately, confined to Rekawa.

Originally he was selected to be the dance director of the film. But later on, I thought he would play marvellously as a stilt-walker. With no training at all. He soon acquired skills. That's how Shesha became a stilt-walker.

Shesha Palihakkara

"Shesha was the choreographer for all the dances in Rekawa. He was unrivalled for dancing and choreography and also as an expert make-up artist. I remembered when I was in London as a correspondent of The Times, covering Ramgopal's dance recital. That was the most eagerly watched dance recital as Ramgopal was referred to as the greatest dancer of India. Shesha was in the troupe and presented an independent item representing Sri Lanka. He was also a very good producer. He was very good at handling a budget. Whenever Mike Wilson made a film, he made it a point to select Shesha as the producer. I deeply regretted his passing away. Apart from the acrobatics, as stilt-walker in Rekawa, he had to remember his lines, control the monkey which bit him incessantly and to be the stilt-walker at the same time, "said Dr. Lester James Peries on the life and times of Shesha Palihakkara.

The stilt-walker in Rekawa will linger in the mind of thousands of filmgoers in Sri Lanka as they remember the multi-faceted personality Shesha Palihakkara was. He is best remembered for his excellent portrayal of diverse characters as well as for his singular contribution behind the screen as expert make-up artist, choreographer and a producer. As a producer, he was known as an excellent budget manager.

Veteran actor, choreographer Shesha Palihakkara passed away at the age of 81. Perhaps, an important milestone in his career was his collaboration with Mike Wilson and Sir Arthur C. Clarke in the production of the first ever Sri Lankan colour film Ran Muthu Doowa in 1960 for Shesha's production group Serendib Productions.

However, Palihakkara came into limelight with his starring role as a stilt-walker in Dr. Lester James Peries' masterpiece Rekawa. Subsequent in his cinematic career, he produced several films including Getawarayo, Sarawita and Ran Mutu Doowa.

Inspired by Ciceronian performance by maestro Chithrasena in the Vidura ballet, he developed a strong liking for dancing which led to his studies of dancing together with painting and sculpturing at Shanthi Nikhethan. He also attended the Institute of Kala Kshethra in South India majoring in dance.

Returning to Sri Lanka in 1948, he took part in a national pageant to celebrate the Independence and also ran a dance school in Borella for a short spell before flying back to the UK to join the Indian dancer Ramgopal's travelling ballet troupe.

Born in 1928 in the village of Ruppagoda in Kadawatte, Shesha Palihakkara attended St. Benedict's College in Kotahena and St. Joseph's College in Colombo.

His role in the film Mathalang with Clarice de Silva marked his memorable career in cinema. In addition to his acting in several films including in Rekava, Shesha Palihakkara also choreographed films such as Ahankara Isthri and Puduma Leli. His role as a cruel king and bandit son in the film Mathalang etched his name in the hearts and minds of Sri Lankan filmgoers. In 1954, he worked with David Lean as a makeup artist in the Oscar winning war film Bridge on the River Kwai which was filmed in Belihul Oya.

Apart from involving in the film industry as an actor and choreographer, Shesha Palihakkara produced several acclaimed films such as Getawarayo which was directed by Mike Wilson and Thissa Liyanasooriya and won several awards at the 1966 Sarasaviya Awards. His last production was Sarawita, which was made in 1967.

However, Shesha gave up his career in cinema following the production of Sarawita and settled down to his business in the plantation industry until he re-emerged with a role in Chandran Ratnam's film Romeo and Juliet. He was conferred with Ranathisara award at Sarasaviya Festival in recognition of his life time contribution to cinema.

Raghav to perform here

by Nilma DOLE

Popular pop star Raghav will perform on July 25 at the Taj Hotel. Brought down by Cosmic Entertainment UK, the movers and shakers of the New Year's Eve party at the Galle Face, Copacobana, they will feature Raghav in Sri Lanka for the first time.

Says Stavros B, the man behind Cosmic, "We hope to give Sri Lankan party people a place to let their hair down with Raghav to rave the action because his music is very popular".

Likewise, Raghav, who is famous for his hits, 'Angel Eyes', 'So Confused', 'It Can't Be Right' and 'Can't Get Enough', had told Cosmic that he is thrilled and excited to be performing in Sri Lanka after the dawn of peace. "We call the performance Colombo Rocks: Summer of Love because Raghav will be the first performer to go live in Sri Lanka after the country achieved peace", said Sandy Samarasinghe.

World's Hottest DJ Lauren Pope will load up on the rifts along with UK's Number One Hip Hop star Iceberg Slim will be in action ahead of Raghav.

The dancers who will strut their stuff will be Greek hotties, 'The Bootycat Dolls' who will show how to work your body the right way.