Rekava
Encyclopedia
Rekava 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.
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.
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 come to become one of the best known Sinhala movies and is considered as marking the birth of a uniquely Sri Lankan cinema.
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.
a pioneer in Sinhala Music and the lyrics were composed by late 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, Sirira Senaratne and Ivor Dennis contributed to the vocals.
1956 in film
The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by...
film based on village life and their mythical beliefs in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
(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.
It was the first feature length film by Sri Lankan director Lester James Peries
Lester James Peries
Sri Lankabhimanya Lester James Peries is an internationally acclaimed Sri Lankan film director, screenwriter, and film producer. An active filmmaker since 1949, Peries has been involved in over 28 films, including shorts and documentaries...
. The film was well-received internationally. It was shown at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival
1957 Cannes Film Festival
-Jury:*André Maurois *Jean Cocteau *Maurice Genevoix *Georges Huisman *Maurice Lehmann *Marcel Pagnol *Michael Powell *Jules Romains...
and was included in the main competition.
It is still the only Sri-Lankan film to be nominated for the Palme d'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
. 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 come to become one of the best known Sinhala movies and is considered as marking the birth of a uniquely Sri Lankan cinema.
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
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Somapala Dharmapriya | Sena |
| Myrtle Fernando | Anula |
| Sesha Palihakkara | Miguel |
| Romulus de Silva | Village Headman |
| Mallika Pilapitiya | Premawathie |
| Iranganie Meedeniya Iranganie Serasinghe Iranganie Roxanna Serasinghe is a Sri Lankan actress. Since her debut in Rekava, Serasinghe has become recognized for playing motherly figures in various films and television serials.- Early life and education :... |
Kathrina |
| D. R. Nanayakkara D. R. Nanayakkara Don Ruter Nanayakkara was a leading character actor of Sri Lankan cinema. Playing lanky villains, Nanayakkara gained popularity in films like Rekava, Kurulu Bedda and Sikuru Tharuwa.... |
Sooty |
| N. R. Dias | Podi Mahaththaya |
| Ananda Weerakoon | Nimal |
| Winston Serasinghe | Kumatheris |
| Nona Subaida | Rosalin |
Music
The Music in this film was composed by late legendary Sunil SanthaSunil Santha
Sunil Santha was a renowned and influential Sri Lankan composer, singer and lyricist. He was pivotal in the development of Sinhala music and folk songs in the mid to late 1940s and early 1950s. He composed the beloved soundtracks to Lester James Peries' Rekava and Sandesaya in 1956 and 1960...
a pioneer in Sinhala Music and the lyrics were composed by late 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, Sirira Senaratne and Ivor Dennis contributed to the vocals.
External links
- Rekava in Sri Lanka Cinema Database
- National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka - Official Website
- http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2007/3/12773_space.html
- Official Website of Lester James Peries in association with Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
- Video Song - Rekava Opening Theme (YouTube)
- Video Song - Olu Nelum Neriya Rangala..
- Video Song - Sudu Sanda Eliye..
- Video Song - Vesak Kekulu Athu Aga Inda..