Akuru Hakuru in Horana (March 1) “My drama can take the audience from ecstasy to wisdom”-Sugath

A still from Sugath Moragahakumbura’s drama Akuru Hakuru

Sugath Moragahakumbura’s drama ‘Akuru Hakuru’ has received many positive reviews in recent times. The drama largely caters to schoolchildren and gives a strong message that lessons can also be learnt outside the classroom. The character that is used in this drama to underscore this point is that of ‘Sundara Mama’. Professional artiste Chinthaka Pathirana players the role of Sundara Mama. Moragahakumbura’s new drama has been booked for March 1, 2025 to be shown at the Sanasa Theatre at Bandaragama, Gammanpila which is in the Horana precinct. Shows will be held at 3.30 pm and 6.30 pm respectively on that day. This is the seventh show in the Akuru Hakuru drama series. 

Akuru Hakuru comes to the drama scene at a time when the school syllabuses are outdated and so much of knowledge is readily available on the internet. But Sundara Mama gives a strong message and that is if you keep your eyes and ears open in society there is so much to be learned. However, the director of the drama Moragahakumbura says that in the subject of learning, dramas can only reach out to people who are moderately or half educated. “If the individual is fully educated he will not come to watch dramas. I can take people watching a drama from ecstasy to wisdom. I think that’s the role of a drama director,” said Moragahakumbura during an interview with the Daily Mirror. 

He believes that a drama director and the crew must receive the blessings of everyone. This is why he chose to do the maiden show of Akuru Hakuru for ‘free’ on December 6 at the Public Library auditorium in Colombo. That was to coincide with the Public Library celebrating 100 years in existence. “Given that entrance was free, people came in their numbers and watched the drama. Later many of them visited my Facebook page for dramas and wrote positive reviews. That feedback was invaluable for me” he said. 

Moragahakumbura said that he uses the Facebook a lot to promote drama. “Social media is a wonderful tool to work with during these days. I have 6600 followers and when there is a post about an upcoming drama, about 100 people inquire where they can buy tickets from,” said Moragahakumbura who added, “these are exciting times to be in and use Facebook to promote drama”.

He said that he uses his drama to nurture young talent. The majority of the crew in Akuru Hakuru are schoolchildren, hence they have a lot to learn. Moragahakumbura said that young artistes in the present generation think they know it all, but there are things, especially professionalism, which can be learned from old hands in the drama scene. “I always tell my students to watch and learn from veteran artistes like Kulasiri Mallikaarachchi and Mark Samson, because they do their homework before coming for rehearsals. Another factor I like about them is that they are punctual,” he said. 

Talking about his latest drama Akuru Hakuru, he said that this drama production comes after the successful creation of ‘Arundathie Mang Manamalai’ ; another feather in the cap of drama director Moragahakumbura. “At present I’m using Arundathie Mang Manamalai as the platform to showcase myself more as a drama director through my latest creation Akuru Hakuru,” he said. He is also the director of stage plays such as Vilanguwa, Dharmistala and Minissu. He is also the director of the short film ‘Christmas Gift’. 

Many in the cast for Akuru Hakuru are schoolchildren, hence he makes the request that the audience must forgive them for minor errors when performing on stage. The children in the cast are, Sandali Wickremesinghe, Vinuli Punsisi, Kisandu Dias, Mahindi Sadithma and Rithuki Nimhara, who plays the role of Dewmini. The others in the cast are Chinthaka Pathirana, Nadeeka Alahakoon and Jeevani Meegoda. The music is produced by Sameera Subasinghe, lighting is by Jinadasa Hengoda and the stage manager is H.A. Sunil. 

This time around, Moragahakumbura and his cast are performing in Horana, a place, according to him, which has a taste and culture for stage dramas. Horana also has many theatres where stage dramas can be shown. “Most theatre halls in Horana can house large audiences and there is a large culture of watching dramas in this area,” he said indicating that there can be not less than a brilliant performance by everyone; given the circumstances at the next show.