Rekava (Sinhala for "Line of Destiny") is a 1956 film based on village life and mythical beliefs in Sri Lanka (then Ceylon). It is the first Sinhala film fully shot in Ceylon and was film shot outdoors in the country. It was also the first Sri Lankan film that was free from Indian influence. Many Sinhala films in that time were remakes of South Indian films and were not adapted to the Sri Lankan context, even having unnatural dialog.
Rekava is Sri Lankan director Lester James Peries's first film and was Willie Blake's first time as cinematographer. The film was well-received internationally, having been shown at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival and was included in the main competition.[1]
It is still the only Sri Lankan film nominated for the Palme d'Or. Despite its critical acclaim, Rekava was not a commercial success in Sri Lanka due to its defiance of mainstream film tropes (i.e., boy-girl romance, fighting, comedy, and Hindi-language musicals). Since then, it has become one of the best-known Sinhala movies and is considered to mark 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 50 years prior in the same theater on December 28, 1956.[2]
The film starts with stilt-walker cum musician Miguel (Sesha Palihakkara) arriving in the village of Siriyala with a monkey that performs antics for the public. Two village thieves try to rob him and a young boy named Sena (Somapala Dharapriya) prevents the robbery. Miguel, who is also a palm reader, reads the boy's palm and predicts that Sena will become a famous healer and bring dignity to the village.
One day, when Sena and his friend Anula (Myrtle Fernando) are flying a kite, Anula suddenly loses her eyesight. The native doctor of the village is unable to restore Anula's sight but Sena touches her eyes, miraculously Anula begins to see. Sena develops a reputation as a boy with a magical touch.
Sena's father, a notorious money lender in the village, uses Sena's talent to earn money. His father organizes a healing campaign among the villagers. A rich landowner brings in his son for treatment, but the son dies which triggers public outrage against Sena. Even worse, the village suffers a severe drought. Later, peace and tranquility return to Siriyala with Sena's blessings.
Video Song - Vesak Kekulu Athu Aga Inda.. on YouTube
January 05, 2023
rekava, village, iran, iran, sinhala, line, destiny, 1956, film, based, village, life, mythical, beliefs, lanka, then, ceylon, first, sinhala, film, fully, shot, ceylon, film, shot, outdoors, country, also, first, lankan, film, that, free, from, indian, influe. For the village in Iran see Rekava Iran Rekava Sinhala for Line of Destiny is a 1956 film based on village life and mythical beliefs in Sri Lanka then Ceylon It is the first Sinhala film fully shot in Ceylon and was film shot outdoors in the country It was also the first Sri Lankan film that was free from Indian influence Many Sinhala films in that time were remakes of South Indian films and were not adapted to the Sri Lankan context even having unnatural dialog RekavaDirected byLester James PeriesWritten byLester James PeriesProduced byLester James PeriesStarringAnanda WeerakoonSomapala DharmapriyaD R NanayakkaraMyrtle FernandoCinematographyWilliam BlakeEdited byTitus de SilvaMusic bySunil Shantha songs B S Perera music direction and background score Sisira Senaratne songs Olu Nelum Neliya Rangala Release date1956 1956 Running time89 minutesCountrySri LankaLanguageSinhalaRekava is Sri Lankan director Lester James Peries s first film and was Willie Blake s first time as cinematographer The film was well received internationally having been shown at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival and was included in the main competition 1 It is still the only Sri Lankan film nominated for the Palme d Or Despite its critical acclaim Rekava was not a commercial success in Sri Lanka due to its defiance of mainstream film tropes i e boy girl romance fighting comedy and Hindi language musicals Since then it has become one of the best known Sinhala movies and is considered to mark 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 50 years prior in the same theater on December 28 1956 2 Contents 1 Synopsis 1 1 Cast 2 Music 3 References 4 External linksSynopsis EditThe film starts with stilt walker cum musician Miguel Sesha Palihakkara arriving in the village of Siriyala with a monkey that performs antics for the public Two village thieves try to rob him and a young boy named Sena Somapala Dharapriya prevents the robbery Miguel who is also a palm reader reads the boy s palm and predicts that Sena will become a famous healer and bring dignity to the village One day when Sena and his friend Anula Myrtle Fernando are flying a kite Anula suddenly loses her eyesight The native doctor of the village is unable to restore Anula s sight but Sena touches her eyes miraculously Anula begins to see Sena develops a reputation as a boy with a magical touch Sena s father a notorious money lender in the village uses Sena s talent to earn money His father organizes a healing campaign among the villagers A rich landowner brings in his son for treatment but the son dies which triggers public outrage against Sena Even worse the village suffers a severe drought Later peace and tranquility return to Siriyala with Sena s blessings Cast Edit 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 DancerMusic EditThe songs of the film are even heard and praised today The music and lyrics were composed by Sinhala musical pioneer Sunil Santha and Rev Fr Merciline Jayakody respectively The music director was B S Perera Lyrics by Fr Marcelline Jayakodi Latha Walpola Indrani Wijebandara Sisira Senaratne and Ivor Dennis contributed vocals Sisira Senaratne sang the main song Olu Nelum Neliya Rangala References Edit Festival de Cannes Rekava festival cannes com Retrieved 2009 02 08 Rekawa celebrates Silver Jubilee Sunday Times Retrieved 8 December 2019 External links EditRekava in Sri Lanka Cinema Database National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka Official Website 1 Official Website of Lester James Peries in association with Ministry of Cultural Affairs Sri Lanka Rekava at IMDb Video Song Rekava Opening Theme on YouTube Video Song Olu Nelum Neriya Rangala on YouTube Video Song Sudu Sanda Eliye on YouTube Video Song Vesak Kekulu Athu Aga Inda on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Rekava amp oldid 1121831352, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
