Rekava

Rekava (Sinhalese language word means "Line of Destiny") is a 1956 film based on village life and their mythical beliefs in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). It is the first Sinhalese film which was fully shot in Ceylon and was the first in the country to be shot outdoors. It was also the first film which was free from Indian influence. Many Sinhalese films produced in that era were remakes of South Indian films which were not properly adapted to the Sri Lankan context. Even their dialogs were not natural.

Rekava
A scene in film
Directed byLester James Peries
Produced byLester James Peries
Written byLester James Peries
StarringAnanda Weerakoon
Somapala Dharmapriya
D. R. Nanayakkara
Myrtle Fernando
Music bySunil Shantha (songs)
B. S. Perera (music direction and background score)
Sisira Senaratne (songs Olu Nelum Neliya Rangala)
CinematographyWilliam Blake
Edited byTitus de Silva
Release date
1956
Running time
89 mins
CountrySri Lanka
LanguageSinhala

It was the first feature-length film by Sri Lankan director Lester James Peries. The film was well received internationally. It was shown at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival and was included in the main competition.[1]
It is still the only Sri Lankan film to be nominated for the Palme d'Or. The cinematography was by Wiliam Blake. Despite much acclaim, the film was not a commercial success in Sri Lanka due to its defiance of the mainstream concept of what a film is (i.e. one of a romance between a girl and a boy, fights, comedy, songs with Hindi tunes). Since that time it has become one of the best known Sinhala movies and is considered as marking the birth of a uniquely Sri Lankan cinema.

On 28 December 2006, the film was screened at Ceylon Theatre's Regal cinema at 5 pm to mark its premiere fifty years ago in the same theater on December 28, 1956.[2]

Synopsis

The film starts with a tilt walker cum musician Miguel (Sesha Palihakkara) arriving in the village of Siriyalas with a monkey it performs various antics for the public. Two thieves of the village try to rob him and Sena (Somapala Dharapriya), a young boy prevents the robbery. The tilt walker, who is also a palm reader, read the boy's palm and predict the future, said that Sena will become a famous healer and bring dignity to the village.

One day, when Sena and his friend Anula (Myrtle Fernando) were playing with a Kyte, Anula suddenly loses her eyesight. The native doctor of village was unable to restore Anula's sight but Sena touches her eyes, miraculously Anula begins to see. After that Sena got a reputation of a boy with a magical touch.

Sena's father who is a notorious money lender of the village, used his talent to earn money. His father organize a healing campaign among the villagers. One day a rich land owner brought his son for the treatment, but after that boy died. The villagers are outraged say that it is Sena's fault. To make the situation worse the village undergoes a huge drought. Later on the peace and tranquility return to the village of Siriyala with the blessings of Sena.

Cast
  • Somapala Dharmapriya as Sena
  • Myrtle Fernando as Anula
  • D.R. Nanayakkara as Sooty
  • Iranganie Serasinghe as Kathrina
  • N. R. Dias as Podi Mahaththaya
  • Winston Serasinghe as Kumatheris
  • Shesha Palihakkara as Stilt walker / balloon vendor
  • Nona Subeida as Rosalin
  • Romulus de Silva as Village elder
  • Mallika Pilapitiya as Premawathie
  • Ananda Weerakoon as Nimal
  • Mapa Gunaratne as Doctor M. P. Gunaratne
  • J. B. L. Gunasekera as Kumatheris's friend
  • E. Marshall Perera as Photographer
  • Sunila Jayanthi as Dancer

Music

The Music in this film was composed by Sunil Santha a pioneer in Sinhala Music and the lyrics were composed by Rev. Fr. Merciline Jayakody. The music director of the film was B.S. Perera. The songs of the film are even heard and praised today. Lata Walpola, Indrani Wijebandara, Sisira Senaratne and Ivor Dennis contributed to the vocals. Sisira Senaratne sang the main song Olu Nelum Neliya Rangala.

References
  1. "Festival de Cannes: Rekava". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  2. "Rekawa celebrates Silver Jubilee". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
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