Sinhabahu Drama Audio - Part 1 of 2

Sinhabahu by Prof. Ediriweera Sarathchandra is considered unequivocally the best stage play up to now in the Sri Lankan theater. The story is created around young Sinhabahu, who was named after his strong arms as a lion. According to Mahavansa, Sinhabahu is the father of king Wijaya, the first sinhalese king. Sinhabahu's father was a lion and mother was a princess in Kalinga region, who fell in love with the lion and lived with him in the forest, giving up all the luxuries in the palace. When Sinhabahu grows and realizes that he is a prince, he decides to leave his father and go to the palace. When the lion found out that his family has left him, he goes in search for them and kills everyone who tries to stop him. To protect the civilians from the lion, Sinhabahu goes to fight his father. Sinhabahu fails to shoot the lion as long as the lion is filled with love for his son, but finally he gets angry that his son is trying to kill him and then with his heart tainted with anger he is hit by the next arrow shot by Sinhabahu. Sinhabahu was first staged on 31st of August 1961. It has been 50 years since then, yet I was disappointed to see that it is extremely rare to find documentation, photos or videos even on the internet. It is true that Prof. Ediriweera Sarathchandra has done an excellent work in writing and producing this masterpiece, yet I think the value added by the cast (I may make a note of them later) for their prominent performance. I was lucky to watch this drama 2 times, in early 90's and early 2000's. I do not know whether this is still in production or if so, is it still as good as what I saw in early 90's. But, at the moment of the completion of 50 years from its first staging, I would like to share this audio with you all, with my highest salutation to the Sinhabahu drama troup. Listen this, Enjoy this and Try to Imagine 'if it is so great when you just listen, how great would it be when you are in the theater watching it live'.