Viyali Teledrama

"Viyali", directed by Chandana Irugalbandara, is a teledrama that takes viewers into the heart of rural Sri Lankan life, exploring the relationships, struggles, and deep emotions of a family and their village community. Based on the novel "Dadamankada" by Shanthi Dissanayake, with a screenplay by Samantha Kumara Gamage, the drama revolves around a small group of characters whose lives intersect in an arid region of the country. Through its intricate portrayal of love, rejection, isolation, and human connection, Viyali captures the essence of life's endless journey.

The Setting and Storyline: Life in an Arid Region

The story of Viyali is set in a dry, harsh environment that mirrors the struggles and hardships faced by its characters. This arid backdrop plays a significant role in shaping the lives of the villagers, as it reflects their daily challenges, resilience, and survival. The interactions between family members and the community are painted with a realistic brush, showing how social and personal relations are influenced by the environment in which they live.

Two parallel storylines that converge as the story progresses. On one side, we have the characters Kaluwa, Mala, and Karunapalana; on the other, Naomi and Ranaweera. These two narrative streams gradually intertwine, symbolizing the interconnectedness of human experiences, regardless of their initial distance.

The Characters: Symbols of Struggle and Emotion

The main character, Kaluwa, represents a deep sense of alienation. He is a young man who chooses to leave behind societal constraints, retreating into the forest to seek isolation. His journey into the wilderness is not just a physical departure but a symbolic attempt to escape a social system in which he feels he cannot belong. Kaluwa's isolation reflects the universal theme of disconnection, a feeling of being out of place in a world driven by societal norms and expectations.

Mala, one of the most intriguing characters in the drama, is portrayed as a strong, independent woman who thrives in solitude. Living alone in the heart of the forest, Mala embraces isolation, far removed from the social expectations of village life. Her solitary existence is a testament to her inner strength and courage, qualities that set her apart from other characters in the story. Mala’s pet is a cobra. This choice of a cobra as her closest companion symbolizes Mala’s fearlessness and her bond with the wilderness. The cobra, often a symbol of danger and mystery, reflects Mala's resilience and her ability to survive in an environment where few would dare to live alone. Her relationship with the cobra highlights her unique ability to connect with nature, finding solace and strength in her isolation.

 Mala’s independence, however, raises questions about gender roles and societal norms. Her life in the forest and her preference for solitude reflect her rejection of the traditional expectations placed on women in rural communities. Instead of seeking human companionship, she finds strength in her isolation, challenging the conventional idea that a woman’s worth is tied to her relationships with others.

Naomi, on the other hand, is a figure of sacrifice and resilience. With a mother working abroad and a father employed as a laborer, Naomi bears the responsibility of caring for her younger brother. Her struggle to protect and nurture him despite the economic and emotional challenges highlights the strength of familial bonds. Naomi’s sacrifices are a reflection of the many unsung heroes in families who quietly bear the weight of responsibility. 

A Tale of Deep Emotions: Love, Rejection, and Sacrifice

The brilliance of Viyali lies in its exploration of intense human emotions. The screenplay, crafted by Samantha Kumara Gamage, skillfully weaves together themes of love, rejection, and sacrifice. Every character in the story is navigating their own emotional landscape, and their interactions with others are colored by deep feelings of longing, frustration, and hope.

Through these characters, Viyali encapsulates the human experience in its entirety—the sorrows, joys, and moments of fleeting happiness. The emotions in the drama are not exaggerated but grounded in the reality of life. The audience can relate to the characters’ struggles because they represent universal truths about human existence.

Kirihami and the Endless Journey

A particularly compelling aspect of Viyali is the character Kirihami, who adds a philosophical layer to the drama. His words, “an endless journey,” spoken at the beginning of the story, resonate throughout the series. These words serve as a reminder of life’s ongoing nature—the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the struggles and victories—all of which form an endless cycle. By the end of the drama, Kirihami’s message becomes a thematic thread that ties the entire narrative together.

Kirihami’s role in the teledrama is brief, but his presence is profound. His simple words reflect the continuous flow of life and the idea that no matter where we are, we are always on a journey. The scriptwriter uses Kirihami to illustrate a universal truth about life—that it is not static, but ever-evolving, an endless journey that we must navigate.

A Beautiful and Complex Creation

Viyali is a remarkable creation that transcends the boundaries of traditional teledrama storytelling. Chandana Irugalbandara's direction, combined with Samantha Kumara Gamage's heartfelt screenplay and Shanthi Dissanayake's evocative novel Dadamankada, results in a drama that touches the soul.

Through its portrayal of life in an arid village, Viyali speaks to universal human emotions and experiences. The drama’s characters, each on their own journey, reflect the challenges we all face in navigating life’s relationships, isolation, and societal pressures. With its rich emotional landscape and strong thematic elements, Viyali is not just a teledrama but a moving exploration of life’s endless journey.

In every scene, the viewer is invited to reflect on their own life, to see themselves in the characters, and to find meaning in the struggles and joys that make up the human experience. Through its beautiful storytelling, Viyali offers a timeless reminder that no matter how difficult life becomes, we are all on an endless journey toward understanding and connection.