‘Heeye Manaya’ discusses heritage

'Heeye Manaya' the maiden debut of actor Udeni Chandrasiri is a tale set during the colonial era in 1930 is the newest teleplay starting on ITN channel.

This twenty nine episode miniplay is played by Sriyantha Mendis, Udeni Chandrasiri, Maureen Charuni, Nita Fernando, Sandun Wijesiri, Bandula Vithanage, Sanath Wimalasiri, Meena Kumari, Roshan Pilapitiya, G. R. Perera, Madani Malwattage, Hasanika Karaliyadda, Ranjith Silva, Gunasekara Bandara and Harry Wimalasena.

'Heeye Manaya' set in Kelegama is an area administered by the village headman. The villagers are deeply bound by conventional rituals such as Variga Sabba, Mutti Mangalyaya, traditional agri customs and beliefs and traditions such as Pehi Pattalaya. The village is not spared of the influence of English rule in the nineteen thirties. The influence of English rule flows in to the village through the Village Headman, who serves as a powerful link with the English masters. He is greedy for power and serves the English in a servile manner to enhance his power and influence. His servility to English rules causes harm to the traditional culture of the village.

The one who stands up for traditional rights is Bastian. He is a Police Sergeant. His attempts to revive and protect traditional culture of the village with the aid of the Buddhist priest, the native physician and the youth of the village, lead to clashes with the the village Headman. He subdues Puran and his supporters, the instigators of many lawless activities and attempts to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.

Puran who is more docile now, makes efforts to wean away the Village Headman's daughter Victoria's slavish adoption of western culture and imbibe in her the values of traditional culture. This culminates in a love affair between the two.

The Village Headman's son Edward, a womanizer of disrepute, who preys upon innocent village damsels, turns his attention on Sirimalee.

Sirimalee is apprenticed to the Native physician to learn traditional medicine. Her skills in the performance of Nila Shrastraya, enables her to overcome Edwards amorous advances. She is able to change Edward by her gentle and kind attitude towards him.

Initially Bastian is able to overcome the conspiratorial schemes of the Village Headman to banish him from the village. Eventually Bastian is transferred to a distant station. Puran and others are arrested by the Village Headman as a result of the scheme to lead an assault on the Government Agent. In order to obtain the release of Puran and others, Victoria pleases her father by changing her life style and embracing western culture.

The Village Headman is interdicted from his duties for his role to obtain the release of Puran and others in custody. Victoria is compelled to acceed to the amorous advances of the Government Agent in order to get her father reinstated. The Village Headman is reinstated in the job. Upon learning that his reinstatement was as a result of Victoria's seduction by the Government Agent, he commits suicide.

Bastian unravels the mystery of Village Headman's death. Victoria transforms herself completely to English way of life in keeping with the pledge she gave to her father. Bastian values his role as a father and resigns for the sake of social obligations and for the sake of his child.

On the basis of evidence that the Government Agent harassed the people who were instigated by the Village Headman, Puran and others are set free. The Mutti Manglyaya for the Yala season is celebrated by all on a grand scale. Camera handled by G. Nandasena, musical score by M. R. Chilasinghe, story, screenplay and direction by Sen Thilakawardena. Heeye Manaya' is telecast every Tuesday at 7.30 pm. (SRF)