A Study of Bharatamuni's Theatrical Rules Mentioned in the Maha Madupura Poetry

Abstract

Geemadu Shantikarmaya can be introduced as a ritual performed to obtain the blessings of Goddess Pattini for the country and the nation. These Shanthikarma have spread to Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces of Sri Lanka. Geemadu Shanthikarma contains a rich literature consisting of thirty five poems. Out of these thirty-five poems, the poem Maha Madupuraya describes the story which was the basis for performing this Geemadu Shanthikarma. The poem describes the illness of King Seramanan, the cause of the disease, the actions taken to cure the disease, and how the Brahmins who came to Sri Lanka from India performed the first Gee Madhu Shantikarma in the Ruwanwella area. The objective of this research study is to identify whether the poems included in this Maha Madhupura confirm to the rules that are mentioned in Bharatamuni's Natyashathra. Adopting a qualitative research methodology to gather data for this research study, the researcher has analysed palm leaf manuscripts as its primary sources, along with Bharatamuni's Natyashathra, other literary texts and magazines. Analysis of the data gathered revealed that, the features of Bharatamuni's theatrics, pre-acting, theatrical performances, lyricism, choir, actors, and theatrical creations are also evident in the Madupura Poetry. Accordingly, this research concludes that this Maha Madupura was written based on Bharatamuni's Natyashathra, contributing to the existing research studies in the field of anthropology.