Rathumakara Rangamadala: Recent Episodes
RathuMakaraFM
Kelani Palama (The Kelani Bridge) written by the late R.R Samarakoon is a play which can surely be called a modern classic of Sinhala theatre; born on the stage at the juncture Sri Lanka opened its doors to the policy of an open economy, in the late 1970s. On Sunday, August 27, Kelani Palama came alive on the boards of the Punchi Theatre in Borella, and was performed to a near full house, which shows that this is a work of theatre which still draws a good audience. The theme of the work deals with the plight of the urban poor who inhabit shanties or slums, along the banks of the Kelani River, beneath the Kelani Bridge. When the monsoons unleash floods, the residents of the slums become squatters on either side of the bridge’s pavements, which is the only (relatively) safe high ground they can occupy to escape the flood waters. This is a story that depicts the pathos as well as the hardiness and resilience of the poor folk who continually become temporarily displaced people, virtually destitute due to acts of nature as well as the inaction of the State. The latter of the two forces - the State (or government) provides no durable solution to the annual assail by flood waters which leave the homes of the shanty dwellers wrecked as well as endangering their lives and disrupting their livelihoods. Their repeated appeals for suitable land/homes to reside in, away from the danger of floodwaters are never answered. A problem said to date back decades and left unanswered by every successive government.
Guru Tharuwa
Their passion for theater has given birth to seven unforgettable and classic dramas. These dramas are some of the best that Sinhala Cinema has to offer and they are the fruition of this husband and wife team who are well known in society- Rathna Lalani Jayakodi and Sampath Thennakoon. They are two candles who have lit the stage for 30 years.
Cast- Jayalath Manorathna, Rathna Lalani Jayakodi, Suminda Sirisena, Sampath Thennakoon, Priyantha Senevirathne, Dayadeva Edirisinghe, Jagath Benaragama, Sarath Chandrasiri, Lal Kularathna, Dharmapriya Dias.
Narrates the legend of King Sinhabahu
Sinhabahu, a play directed by the celebrated dramatist Prof Ediriweera Sarachchandra is based on the legend of King Sinhabahu, the son of a lion and a royal princess—Suppa Devi. Emphasis has been given in the play to portray the humane feelings of the characters. The dance and the performances choreographed to perfection, delivers a unique experience to the audience.