‘Tharuka’ : A family divided with wealth

By Susitha R. Fernando

‘Tharuka’, revolving around a wealthy family and the conflicts relating to the distribution among the children is the latest teleserial started on ITN.

It is telecast every Monday at 7.30 pm.

The minplay depicts the life Tharuka, a young girl who is generous and intelligence brings harmony in a family divided for the distribution of property.

Scenea fromthe teledrama ‘Tharuka’

The stellar cast includes Anula Karunatilake, Manjula Kumari, Janaka Kumbukge, Kingsley Lowes, Ratna Sumanapala and Sudanta Tilakasiri.

Anoma Wickremabahu is a wealthy widow with four grown-up children.

The eldest son a businessman is married to a woman who is addicted to fashion. The second son is officer in the Administrative Service married to a model. She has diabetes and high blood pressure. The third son is mentally retarded with the mind of an eight year old. The youngest son a photographer loves his environment. He is a youth with radical concepts.

The mother disabled in a motor accident and confined to a chair, controls her estate from home. She has a 23 year old girl Tharuka who is in charge of all matters related to her wealth and administration of the estate. Anoma has complete trust in Tharuka. She helps her financially to continue her studies. This is a well-guarded secret.

The two sisters-in-law rejected the pleas of their husbands to take their brother home. The mother-in-law is disgusted with the behaviour of her daughters-in-law.
The miniplay takes a dramatic turn with the sudden death of the mother, the two eldest sons and their wives are anxious to know how the assets have been divided. They approach their mother's lawyer to get the details but he says that it can be done only on the death of the mentally retarded brother. The expectation then becomes that the estate had been written solely to the mentally retarded brother. Now every member of the family wants to take this brother under their protection.

There are conflicts among the two elder brothers. This is a worry to Viraj, the youngest son. At this time Tharuka's guardian, her grandmother dies and Viraj participate for the funeral. At his first visit to Tharuka's home Viraj sees a picture of his mother there. This brings new developments in the tale of 'Thaurka'.

In the technical crew Thshula Deepa Thambavita handled the camera, Lasantha de Alwis- art director and Saman Jayawickrema Production Manager.

Produced by Dhammika Siriwardena, the story, screenplay and direction of 'Tharuka' is by Sanjaya Leelaratne.