BERTRAM NIHAL’S ‘AMARAPURAYA’: EPIC SAGA OF TURMOIL AND TRANQUILITY
Over a span of three long decades, I have been able to view a plethora of Sri Lankan tele dramas.
As things are, currently, I can find time, amidst my pressing priorities, to watch only a limited number of distinguished Teledramas that are creatively and artistically exceptional. In the relentless flood of questionable mega teledramas that has inundated the electronic media, there is hardly any work, that one could satisfactorily focus upon. Most of these are haphazardly put together and smack of an unpleasant cheapness as they are technically and artistically crude and are over-commercialized exercises. These have been able to monopolise the small screen, smothering the viewers with their pathetic attempts at making Teledramas leaving a bad impression that has marred the Sri Lanka Teledrama field, crushing the taste of the captive audiences.
When we consider the history of Sri Lanka's Teledrama, we see in hindsight, those pioneering days dominated by such stalwarts as D.B. Nihalsinghe, Dhamma Jagoda, Bertram Nihal and Bandula Vithanage. As the genre progressed, geniuses of the caliber of Lester James Peries, Tissa Abeysekera, Dharmasena Pathiraja and others left an indelible mark on this medium. In more recent times, Jayantha Chandrasiri, Nalan Mendis, Ananda Abeynayake and a few others made a marked effort to enhance the quality of Teledrama.
All this leads us to an inevitable conclusion – only a handful of Teledramas in Sri Lanka contribute substantially towards the elevation of Teledrama appreciation among local viewers.
My considered view of the matter is, in the whole history of Teledrama in Sri Lanka, the creative Individual who has made a worthwhile contribution towards the refining of the tastes of Teledrama viewers, is Director Bertram Nihal. His primary asset is his unwavering quality consciousness. He brings to his distinguished creativity, an impressive quantum of knowledge about the total field, which is further enriched by his prolonged experience, through a practice, spanning three fruitful decades. His adeptness in efficient script-writing and expert cinematography, cumulatively qualify him to be classed among those in the highest rung of cinematic and teledrama creativity. His works in the Teledrama medium, possess an innovative touch, with a revolutionary tinge, as is displayed by his ‘Rupiyal Satha' (Rupees and Cents) ‘Dadabima' (Hunting Ground), ‘Gamperaliya' (The Changing Village), ‘Kadawara' (Demon God), ‘Bhavana' (Meditation) and ‘Isurugira' (Castle of Wealth).
Each of these Teledramas had a telling impact on the viewers, leading them towards higher reaches of entertainment.
A central feature of Bertram Nihal's creativity is, that in each of his Teledrama's he establishes an impressive advance over the prevailing norms of Teledrama. Equally, his own works also differ from one another, reflecting his continuing creative progress.
His latest work, the serialized Teledrama ‘Amarapuraya' (The Immortal City) pre-eminently establishes Director Bertram Nihal's deftness in pursuing new paths and fresh avenues of creativity. His innovative dexterity, expresses itself with a vigorous eloquence in this latest Teledrama – ‘Amarapuraya'.
His ‘Amarapuraya' is an epoch-making crea- tion, that impacts upon the viewer's sensitivities, with an overwhelming effectiveness.
‘Amarapuraya' is remarkable for its complex structure. The plot-line is a two-streamed narration. In a medium, dominated by naïve, utterly simplistic attempts at storytelling, ‘Amarapuraya' sets a trend in constructing a narrative element, with a multitude of depths.
The anxiety-riven, power crazy rat-race of those who are grasping and greedy, is depicted in total contrast to the handful of truth-seekers who dwell in a calm forest hermitage, discarding the chaotic turmoil of concrete jungles.
Exhibiting an impressive creative maturity, utilizing his versatile in-depth awareness of human issues and the ephemeral values of ordinary lay life, Bertram Nihal presents to the world an epic cinematic saga of ordinary man's folly and the lasting wisdom of exceptional human beings. The central character of ‘Amarapuraya' is an affluent Businessman, Charles Balawardene. His relentless pursuit of monetary gains and material power has withered his human emotions. He presides over a family where love is lost, leaving behind a routine affection akin to an inhuman cynicism.
The dramatic dynamism of ‘Amarapuraya' is ensured by another principal character, that is in complete contrast of the heartless Tycoon. This other character-an American named Ralph Ford, has discarded his rich paternal legacy, and seeks inner solace in a forest hermitage. Charles Balawardena (Jeevan Kumaranatunge) and Ralph Ford (Christophi Henri) traverse two opposing paths.
In the culminating denouement of ‘Amarapuraya' the two paths converge registering a surprising impact.
As the drama gradually unfolds, it brings to centre-stage from time to time, a gallery of personalities, that enlivens the play into living and breathing reality. Unscrupulous politicians, centers of human activity reeking with the stench of immorality, mooring-less youths, drug pushers and addicts are among the compelling elements, that elevate ‘Amarapuraya' to the stature of an unprecedented Teledrama triumph.
This swamp of corrupt human behavior, is not exclusively black. An occasional innocent, reflects the positive and the wholesome in human life. The rural youth Amesh (Ruwan Wickremasinghe) upholds the unspoilt purity that blossoms amidst all this.
The total teledrama ‘Amarapuraya' is an elevatingly didactic cine-sermon, which effortlessly celebrates the triumph of the Good over the jarring presence of many-faced evil.
The character – deployment of the Teledrama ‘Amarapuraya', is a classic object – lesson in casting. As Charles Balawardene, veteran actor of cinema and the small screen – Jeevan Kumaranatunga, presents his most outstanding role – portrayal to date. All those who contribute through acting, whether in prolonged portrayals or bit-part.
The collective contributions of Christophe Henry (Ralph Ford- Nilmabe Samitha), Daya Alwis (Nanda Weerasuriya) Vishaka Siriwardene (Suvineetha) Veena Jayakody (Kamini – Female Political Boss) Dilhani Asokamala (Sulochana), Nilanthi Dias (Shakya), Anjula Rajapakse (Nikini), Dananjaya Siriwardane (Keminda), Chinthaka Kulathunga (Mahasen) and Ruwan Wickramasinghe (Amesh) have transformed ‘Amarapuraya', into a real authentic world, that will continue to echo and reecho in the memory of the viewers, for years to come.
Together, all elements of ‘Amarapuraya', celebrate in one voice, the exceptional creativity of Director Bertram Nihal. Bertram Nihal, has re-created a world inhabited by a vast variety of contrasting characters. Providing an unprecedently exalted level of entertainment to Sri Lanka's Tele-drama viewers. At the end of it all, the Teledrama, opens a path towards liberation, illuminated by the Torch of Eternal Truths, held aloft by the ever-lasting words of the Supremely Enlightened Buddha. But, in communicating such a profound spiritual message, Bertram Nihal does not fault the pace of the Smooth flow of his epic teledrama ‘Amarapuraya'.
Bertram Nihal, has given to Sri Lankan Teledrama viewers and creators of works in that medium a profound lesson, without any sense of pride or egotism. The didactic element is naturally implicit in ‘Amarapuraya'.
Bertram Nihal has, infused a new creative vigour not only to his players, but even to the location of his choice. The stream, that has to be crossed to reach the forest hermitages, acquires a ‘life' of its own, through Bertram Nihal's adept utilization of this non-living member of his cast.
‘Amarapuraya' is an epic Teledramatic saga, the kind of which dawns upon the Sri Lankan landscape of cinema and television, only very rarely.
Dr. Somasiri Dayaratne Former National Project Coordinator –
UNDP Former Deputy Director (Planning) –
Ministry of Plan Implementation