DANCE

Gotaimbara Kolama:

Ritual given a dramatic twist

Gotaimbara Kolama, an experimental play by young film maker Dennis Perera, will be staged at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo, on March 18 and 19 at 7.00 p.m.

The play is an attempt to develop a new dramatic form and a language catering to identified and ignored needs of the over dramatised and ultra-complex life of an average Sri Lankan whose mental universe consists of devils, goblins and demons and whose political fate is governed by planetary movements which cannot be interpreted by an art form like the current theatre plays.

The story line of Gotaimbara Kolama which takes the influence of Kolam and Shanthi Karma (ritualistic dance for curing illnesses and offers blessings) is acted out by the Nayakathuma (leader) similar to a consistent character appearing in old kolam drama and the team as a traditional ritual for the advancement and wellbeing of the country. In the 'Gotaimbara' nation of this story the women fall prey to mysterious disease, which gives them the power to rise above men.

As this disease gradually invades the country, the king finds out that it's a deed of 'Mahasona' (a feared local daemon in disguise of a man) who lives in the mythical island of Giri. The king, in order to save the country goes into war with Mahasona, but is unable to identify who it is until the country is at the verge of absolute disruption and chaos.

Gotaimbara Kolama, a political comedy containing diverse meanings at different tiers, is written and directed by young film maker Dennis Perera. It is produced by Hippie Tribe Theatre Group, with a cast line-up that includes Amila Sandaruwan, Dhanuska Dias, Nilanka Dahanayake, Nino Jayakodi, Dilum Buddhika, Pradeep Ramawickrama, Chamara Gamaathige, Thiwanka Don Ranasinghe, Chaminda Dissanayake, Thenni Arachchige Sumudu and Shalitha Dissanayake. The play is enriched by the choreography of Sankha Jayalath, lighting by Dr. Chandana Aluthge and costume designs by Thisara Imbulana.

The play is sponsored by the Sunethra Bandaranaike Foundation, with publicity by Chandana Prasanna, production management by Anuradha Kodagoda and background set design by Milindu Randika and Chathura Dissanayake.