INTROSPECTION

2013 Passion Play-

Rev.Fr.Theodore A.Peiris, (1965-1974), Rev.Fr.Gregory I.Fernando (1974-1979), Rev.Fr.B.J.Fernandez (1979-1985), Rev.Fr.Kinsley Kushan Gamini De Silva (1985-1992)

We, Sri Lankans, are indebted to the early missionaries for their significant contribution towards the fields of literature, fine arts and formal education in addition to the religious and cultural contributions. The Jesuit priests deserve much credit for their initiation. The most significant contribution during the early days was made by the Catholic scholar Rev.Fr. Jacome Gonsalves (1705) who arrived in Sri Lanka eighteen years after the arrival of Blessed Joseph Vaz (1687).

Rev.Fathers Pierre Berguin SJ, Matthew Pelingotti SJ, Antonio Peixoto were able to compile and compose many works in Sinhala before printing was introduced in Sri Lanka and were appreciated much. Their works have inspired scholars such as Alagiyawanne Mukawati to accept the faith. During this period some outstanding works in Tamil too have been produced in Sri Lanka. The introduction of the printing machine and the publication of the first printed book that contained prayers and verses in Sinhala was a turning point in the history of Sri Lanka.

The Church can be called the pioneer in the field of drama that has come into existence in the form of a strict sense. Some of these were adaptations of Tamil ‘Nadaham’ the ‘Dukprapthi Prasangaya’ and other works of Rev.Fr.Jacome Gonsalvez have inspired the folks to stage passion plays as was customary in India. The ‘Raja Thun Kattuwa” (The magi), the ‘Marigidaa nadagama’, the Estaakki nadagama and Simhavalli nadagama were performed in Chilaw and Colombo. Simultaneously the Catholic community of Duwa, Chlilaw and Pesalai performed annual passion plays and Nurthi traditions that were of great inspiration to many including the legendary ‘Maname’ of Prof.Ediriweera Sarathchandra.

The inspiring works of Rev.Fr.Marcilin Jayakody OMI, Bishop Edmond Peiris, Rev.Fathers S.J.Perera, Stanislaus Tanninayagam, V.Perniola, D.J.Anthony, S.Gnanaprasar OMI, Piter Pillai- who was called the most learned person in the British Empire by the British press in 1936, have been sons of the soil who have contributed immensely towards the advancement of literature and fine arts in Sri Lanka. 

The Nuwara Eliya St Xavier’s Parish whose history is anterior to the year 1838 also has contributed much towards education through the establishment of St Xavier’s College, Good Shepherded Convent, Good Rest Convent, St Anthony’s School and Our Ladies School in the District and continues to serve a large population in the district.

As in the good old days, the modern-day priests who served the parish in Nuwara Eliya with zeal also have possessed the elements of writing and fine arts in them. This was evident in the 125th Jubilee magazine published by the scholar Rev.Fr.Theodore A.Peiris in 1973, and the Passion play ‘Pilathge Asadarana Nadu thinduwa ’ directed and produced by Rev.Sr.Janet and Ms.Selin Paris who were on the tutorial staff of St Xavier’s College, under the guidance of Rev.Fr.Gregory I.Fernando in 1976. It became a masterpiece and was staged in the ensuing years 1977, 1978 and 1979.

On the invitation of Rev.Fr.Gregory I. Fernando, the script of the passion play was fine-tuned and the first crew was given intensive training by Mr.Joseph Keerthi Chandraratna Kulathunga who has rendered yeomen service to Catholic literature. He was a versatile writer, lecturer, dramatist, lyricist, and journalist. He has edited ‘Shri vachana’ , ‘Nawa Minisa’ and ‘Sudatum Gamana’ and has composed more than four hundred hymns with a native touch including the hymns ‘Osawa yana se patawun rajaliya uge’ and ” Nithi apa surakina ” which is sung at the end of the passion play. Having identified his talent, the Ceylon Bible Society entrusted him the printing of the latest edition of the Sinhala Bible when he was the Manager at the Pubuduwa Press. The Nuwara Eliya Xavarians are ever grateful to this multi-talented artist for his valuable contribution. 

In 1979 the title of the passion play was revised as “Ridee Thihalk Kala hadiyak”. Being invited by Rev.Fr.Kinsley De Silva the play with the same caste was staged in Mathale in 1980. Unfortunately from 1980 to 1986 the drama hadn’t been performed. In 1986 under the guidance of the Parish Priest, Rev.Fr.Kinsley De Silva, a stand-in passion play was performed at the St Xavier’s College hall with the combination of three parishes: N’ Eliya, Hatton and Mathale, each parish performing a different scene on the same stage in which the writer also acted a character of an adolescent boy. In 1987 once again the play under the title ‘ Ridee Thihak’ was performed at St Xavier’s Church with the collective participation of former and present members of the CYO and the Old Boys of St Xavier’s College.

In 1988 the play with a difference was performed as ‘Kithu Samidunnge Duk Prapthiya’ directed by Rev.Fr.Kinsley Silva.

In 1989 the play was performed and the financial contribution that was earned through the play was utilized to purchase a Sound system for the Church. The 7th play was performed in 1990 while the following year there hadn’t been a performance. Again in 1992 the crew was back in action on the 30th March. Stepping on to another step ahead, it was also performed in Mathale and Katugasthota. 

After a lapse of six years, the 9th performance took place in 1998 under the guidance of the Parish Priest Rev.Fr.Ignatius Samarakoon. 

The 2013 performance is the 13th effort by the parish of St Xavier’s Nuwara Eliya in collaboration with the Old Boys’Association of St Xavier’s College (Founded 1947) which is the exclusive strength of the College.

It is remarkable that the distinguished musician Mr.Paul Perera of the celebrated ‘Rubicons’ who has directed music for the passion plays since 1976 is once again in action to share his talent for this worthy cause. Hats off to Old Xaverian Paul Perera !. The enthusiasm and dedication of the intransigent Old Xaverian S.Vincent and his crew is highly commendable.

Joe Banabass, George Medagama, Cecil Palpola, Henri Mack, Anthony Joseph, Gamini Palpola, Robin Corera, Andrew Fernando, Fr.Nandana Manathunga, Gnanam Sigamoney, Lawrence Barnabus, were some of the pioneer actors who gave life to the passion play of the N’Eliya parish. Priya Hewage, Leonard Rosario, Paul Raj, Tony Wimaladasa, Fr. George Sigamony, Ravi and Ranil Kodithuwakku, Navesh Nadelson, Richard and Boniface Rajaratnam, Melvyn Nicholas,Rev.Fr.Niroshana De Zoysa, Trini Rayen, Anthony Francis. Joy Crooze, S.Alexender, Ranjith Tunnard, Richard Tunnard, Nishakamini, Trilini and Kamini Seneviratne, Asela Jayaratne, Nalin Perera, Nalin Medagama, Shammi Medagama, have lined up for the continuity of the passion play in the 90’s.

May the 2013 passion play ‘Thirty pieces of silver’ be of inspiration to us to comprehend the reality of the Suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ with empathy ! 

Thomas Benjamin MA (University of Kelaniya) Jt.Secretary OBA of St Xavier’s College