Nurthy songs

A truly urban Sinhala theatre came into being only in the last decades of the nineteenth century. Around that time, there arrived in this country a Parsi theatrical company from Bombay, bringing with it a navel kind of drama quite unlike the performances familiar to local audiences. This Parsi theatre, which soon came to be known as Nurthy (this new drama) in Sinhal, was a singular blend of European and Indian dramatic modes and stagecraft.

In terms of presentation, the Nurthy adhered to the Western concept of an organized, scenic proscenium stage employing painted backdrops and wings – and of course an enclosed playhouse. Against the scenic splendour thus achieved were placed gorgeously costumed personages (chiefly of royal or aristocratic lineage) who acted out exotic tales of romance and adventure to lilting Hindustani melodies. Audiences in Colombo found this unusual stage entertainment utterly captivating, as did their counterparts in the major cities of South and South-East Asia (The Parsi companies toured extensively.)

Practically overnight, the Nurthy was domesticated. Singhala plays were written on similar material, and staged in the same manner to the very same music. Playhouse was built in Colombo to accommodate the Nurthy and its rapidly growing audience. Thus was born the first urban, commercial theatre in Sri Lanka. It flourished in the first tow decades (both male and female) who made a living out of the theatre, a stage-struck audience that nightly crowded the several playhouses in Colombo, and a new profession – that of playwriting.


As an example of Nurthy songs


Wasanadineki meka....

Wasana dineki meka pamu thutin sithe
Wasana dineki meka pamu thutin
pamu thutin natamu mei lee dara athei//

Wasana dineki aha wanasa dineki oho
Wasana dineki meka pamu thitin sithe
Wasana dineki meka pamu thutin

Komala madhura basini mei gee
Sada pawasamu den
Natamu peli peli gesee...
Ranjida thutuwana men

Sriya wasaya urei ashawe bhupathi//
Thejasa thibeya deepe aloka vee apei
Thejasa thibeya deepe aloka vee
Aloka vee rajindu bo prithi vee paei//
Thejasa thibeya deepe aloka vee apei
Thejasa thibeya deepe aloka vee

Nata nata kinkini naada dee mehi
amu parei thuthi di dee bohosei
Bhupathi laka wejambewa//

Nithina nirogi wewa raja mei sinhalei//

Wasana dineki meka pamu thutin sithe
Wasana dineki meka pamu thutin
pamu thutin natamu mei lee dara athei//
Wasana dineki aha wanasa dineki oho
Wasana dineki meka pamu thitin sithe
Wasana dineki meka pamu thutin






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