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.