Heartening performance by students in spite of hard times

When compared to our young days the present-day child is suffering, deprived of education, health, sports and affordable travel.

When they return from school there is no power! This steals their their precious time, even to attend to their school work.

Recently I happened to go to Kurunegala through the Meerigama – Kurunegala expressway. I was hypnotised by the beauty--the mountains stretching far far away with white ribboned waterfalls, the never-ending green paddy fields etc. making you forget all the troubles. But it lasts only for a second and once again, we have to step back to a world of trouble, hunger, frustration and interminable queues.

Yet despite the hardships children are resilient. This we saw at a recent wonderful performance by a group of Musaeites (prefects 2019/2020) transporting the audience to another world.

There was song and dance and recitations in Tamil, English, Sinhala, perfect Kandyan, Indian and Western dancing, Kings, Queens, Princesses, armies (Sinhala and Portuguese ) farmers, men and women reaping the harvest with sickles, performing of Tamil religious services and items featuring the often overlooked PHIs and the street cleaners.

Among these was one of a frustrated, tired father, carrying many petrol cans tied together pleading, “Just help me to find a shed with a drop of petrol.” But finding no solace he finally collapses on the street (stage) with the cans!

The value of this performance cannot be gauged – the unity, hard work, effort and involvement was amazing. Children! you broke all the barriers and showed us your unimaginable talents, during such difficult times.

Swarna Wanniarachchi Pilapitiya Via email