Elmo Fernando in Chilaw

	New talent enacting age old tradition

She was been guided towards perfection by a group from an early generation.

They were all endeavouring to revive a centuries old theatre production depicting the visit of three wise men to baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

I witnessed their effort in the fishing town of Chilaw in the coastal belt of north western province of Sri Lanka famous for coconuts, crabs and Catholics.

Three wise men

They were practising the lines and steps of a stylised drama genre known as Nadagam. It is named as Rajathun Kattuwa or The Three Kings.

	Drama based on three hundred year old script

A researcher and retired Deputy Director of Sri Lanka Planning Service Nimal Kurera argues the Rajathun Kattuwa based on Ephipany was the first ever Sinhala stylised drama written in Sri Lanka three centuries ago.

Epiphany that follows the Christmas season is based on the wise men or magi: Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar who started the gift-giving custom of Christmas by bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ child on Epiphany, the day on which the infant was presented.

Since 1746

The three magi have been described not only as wise men, but also as kings or Persian priests and astrologers.

	Nimal Kurera

“Rajathun Kattuwa was a creation of a Sinhala scholar Mihindukulasuriya Liyanage Gabriel Fernando in 1746 AD,” says Nimal Kurera.

“The Southern Indian street drama style known as Therukkuttu was the influence on Sinhala stylised drama,” he added.

The melodious voice I heard was Marian Dinusha Fernando as the angel singing the glad tidings of the birth of Christ to the shepherds.

Following the same steps

All the lines, lyrics and music created three centuries ago were handed down from generation to generation.

Rajathun Kattuwa was a creation of a Sinhala scholar Mihindukulasuriya Liyanage Gabriel Fernando in 1746 AD

A harmonium and two drums are the only accompaniment to the singing.

''The songs and the music of this drama is not the same as what we hear from television and radio, the difference attracted me," Marian told me.

The enthusiasm of younger generation was rejuvenating their elders to train them on the centuries old drama.

Old kings and new kings

''Youngsters are showing a keen interest to learn what we know. They come before us for practices,” says English teacher Stanley Costa who until 1961 played the role of King Herod ruler of Judea during the birth of Jesus Christ.

The ultimate responsibility such as bringing Rajathun Kattuwa on stage lies on the shoulders of Mihindukulasuriya Malcolm Fernando.

Three generations ago his grand father Mihindukulasuriya Manuel Peter Pinto played the role of Lucifer, king of devils.

Siyappa and the grandson

''I was astonished to see how my Siyappa kept steps and danced. Now it is my duty to keep the flag flying and train another generation''.

I was astonished to see how my Siyappa kept steps and danced. Now it is my duty to keep the flag flying and train another generation'   Lucifer - Peter Pinto

The aspirations of Malcolm Fernando will definitely bear fruit since I have experienced the determination and courage of a budding generation during my visit to Chilaw.

Generations may fade off, but Rajathun Kattuwa, I hope, will shine for ever and ever on stage to lead the three kings.