Young dramatist infuses harsh reality to entertainment - Rajitha Dissanayake

Source: Daily News

Date: 14/08/204

Sihina Horu Aran comes to stage:

Rajitha’s latest drama “Sihina Horu Aran (Dreams Robbed) will go on the boards at the Elphinstone Theatre today(14). The cast comprises Gihan Fernando, Jayani Senanayake, Priyankara Ratnayake, Prasad Suriarachchi, Dayadeva Edirisinghe, Dharmapriya Dias, Shyam Fernando and Tharindi Fonseka. Music is by Kapila Pugalaarachchi.

He is undeterred by existing problems or challenges in the drama field. Young dramatist Rajitha Dissanayake is determined to present dramas with meaning and entertainment to attract more crowds to the local drama field.

In line with this motive, Rajitha has made a comeback to the stage with his latest drama "Sihina Horu Aran" (Stolen Dreams) which revolves round contemporary lives. This is two years since he presented his last stage play.

"My new drama is about men and women living in present society, engaged in all sorts of things including politics, business, love etc to find more satisfaction and enjoyment in the life," Rajitha says in an interview with Stage & Screen.

The drama is woven around the lives of a Minister, a person arriving from Europe for a holiday, a member of a musical group, a police officer, NGO person and a soldier. All these characters meet together at a holiday resort and the drama unravels how their lives go on within a four-day period.

"These people are willing to sacrifice anything to obtain what they are eagerly expecting to achieve in life and the drama is based on the conflict that arises in their struggle," he added.

Rajitha says like his previous creations, this drama too has a contemporary value as it sheds lights on the day-to-day issues engulfing in society. Even in his previous dramas, Rajitha was critical about the consumer oriented society which we are experiencing right now.

"Everyone has a dream to obtain a better life than what they are having at the moment and this consumer oriented society amply encourages them to go after those so called dreams regardless of whether they achieve it or not." Rajitha's preceding drama "Veeraya Marila" (Hero is Dead) staged two years back focused on how people are affected owing to the impact of the media.

"My latest drama has gone beyond that. I have attempted to widen that scope in this drama. This time, I have taken up very broad issues confronting the society we are living in," he said.

Like many artistes, Rajitha commenced his artistic career since his school days and he further sharpened his skills while attending university. A significant fact in Rajitha's drama career is that he had always focused on contemporary social issues.

"Even in the past, my focus was on what was happening around us and we thought that we could express our opinion through drama." Rajitha's previous dramas have been very successful both winning critical acclaim and attracting large crowds. His previous dramas Sakwadawala (1994), Hansaintath Man Asai (1996) and Veeraya Marila (2002) were box office hits.

Veeraya Marila (Hero is Dead) drew much response from both critics and drama fans. "There was a tremendous response for this drama and so far we have staged 75 times this drama around the country."

Besides, the drama won a number of awards including the Best Drama, Best Director and Best Script at the 2002 State Drama Festival. "The public also extended a very positive response to this drama."

While many others claim that the public enthusiasm had been reduced towards stage plays, Rajitha thinks otherwise. "If we produce good dramas, people will come to see them. I believe that such dramas should be based on contemporary social issues."

Rajitha says there many people who prefer stage plays. "We must make an attempt to make dramas with a meaning and entertainment. Such dramas should be based on real issues which are close to the people. People like such dramas."