Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne’s latest dynamic, directorial excursion into the upper reaches of film production has yielded a cinematic gem, titled simply as ‘Kathaava’ (Elephant story). Behind the plain, unadorned branding, the film goer will discover, to his overwhelming surprise an enchanting world of, hitherto unrevealed entertainment. I make this observation, with great restraint and responsibility.
The total range of elements, that Director Sunil Ariyaratne has so adroitly fused together into a rare cinematic product, has been freely available to anyone, who would utilise it for a creative film.
But, many of those film makers, who exerted an effort to build a cinematic work on that thematic material ended up at various levels of failure. In such a context, with his keen cinematic vision, Director Sunil Ariyaratne, presents to the discriminating film goer a multi-faceted film lyric, that registers a marked impact on a wide variety of viewers.
Though characterised as a ‘Children’s film”, its story-line thrills adults too, no end. The child-element is emphatically present. The leading player is Bhanu – a little boy. The Director’s main non-human actor is Raju – the little elephant.
“Kathaava” possesses a story-line, that touches our souls. A beautiful Queen saddened because she has not given a son to be enthroned, is a perennially appealing oriental theme. Then come the elephants, wild and threatening, taking the story line closer home.
Two leading members of the King’s Court – the Prime Minister (Wilson Gunaratne) and the Royal Physician (Giriraj Kaushalya) turn in character portrayals, slanted towards the comic, leavened by an appealing eccentricity, as an essential concession to the child viewers.
Veteran Actress Dulika Marapana at her rotund comic best, adds a touch of exceptional fun by resorting to a dialogue delivery rhythm, which keeps the young ones exceedingly amused.
The presence of the indigenous tribal group has been managed as a laughter enhancing stance.
Three major characters in the film, do not get called upon to add anything to the comic stream of the narration – The Trio are the King – played with due dignity by Dhananjaya Siriwardene, the portrayal of the sage reputed cinema personality Ravindra Randeniya and of course, the Queen, though there are some instances, when she has to make a slight contribution to the eccentric aspects.
‘Kathaava’ is distinguished by its series of lyrics – composed mostly by the Director. These are admirably functioned. I was quite impressed by the discovery, that the lyrics echo the spirit that usually pervades a kids’ party. The words are simple. Their swing is conducive to juvenile dancing. Lines are easily remembered.
The sustained joint performance, in which Bhanu (Kaushalya Fernando) and Raju the Little Elephant figure, is a triumph of disciplined rehearsing. The human child and the elephant calf, together, endow upon the total production an authenticity, that ensures the film an extensive audience.
The story of the making of the film “Kathaava” is by itself, an effort of epic proportions. When all attempts at finding a little elephant, here in Sri Lanka, failed, due to a series of unexpected developments, the production team had to travel to Thailand, to get the little pachyderm, destined to play the lead role.
The experiences they endured, during their prolonged stay in Thailand, should be chronicled for the benefit of all those associated with cinema and also for those persons to whom cinema matters. If you carefully consider, the profile of the end-product, you have to allow that, all the privations they went through have not at all been in vain. The film “Kathaava”, can without any hesitation be esteemed as one of the most outstanding cinematic products, created in the seven-decade long Sri Lankan cinematic tradition.
The technical details of the completed film are a great tribute to those who looked after those aspects of the production. The cinematography elevates the total work to international stature. The visual technology is undoubtedly world class.
Incidentally, a universally significant message comes through it all. The film is a brilliant plea for the preservation of ecologically sacred values.
The film probes, obliquely though, the harsh conflict between elephant and man, an occurrence that continues to plague our society.
The adorable ways of the lead person – Raju – will invariably engender an endearment towards animals. Reading beyond, it will teach our children to love nature.
‘Kathaava’ is a technically praiseworthy cinematic creation. Over and above this it endows upon our people a heart-warming little story, that should become part of our mass memory.
Those who played their allotted roles – both young and adult – seemed to perform with a clearly visible dedication.
We must esteem the exceptional gesture of Dr. Gunapala Ratnasekera, the producer of the film, who has a keen eye on the generations to come, to inherit this ecological endowment. Director Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne, performs a duty, which is an exemplary synthesis of cinematic duty and national service.
The best tribute the people can offer to the creators of this cinematic work is to view the film ‘Kathaava’ and imbibe the precious lesson of learning to lead lives of friendly co-existence will the whole world.