Sokari cultural drama

Sokari cultural drama 

 

 

 Sokari, Kolam and Nadagam are most popular cultural dramas in Sri Lanka. From these, Sokari is the most popular, because it was very close to the day today life of villagers. This is an independent cultural event which is also conducted to bless the people. The main purpose of performing this drama is give priority to the religious connection between people, bring prosperity and provide some fun to the people.

 This drama is very popular in hill country areas such as Matale, Badulla and Haguranketha. Its origin differs from province to province.

Whatever, commonly the story off sokari as,

In the country named Kasi, there was a beautiful women sokari. King Werabahu and queen Vimala are the parents of sokari. King Werabahu exiled his daughter from his country. And after she got married with baron named Aadi(Guruhami). Both of them have two servants Kaali and Pariya. After marriage they started moving country to country to search a job.

At some point they decided to come to “Sinhala Deshaya” (Sri Lanka). They left their home at an auspicious time and after passing seven oceans, arrived in Sri Lanka.

They went to village named Thambaravita where they decided to settle down and build a house. Then, Guruhami went to the village in search of some rice, but he didn’t know the language, he face lot of difficulties. However he fined some rice. But there was no water to cook it. Thus, he had to go to village again. This time a dog which lived in house of the village doctor bit Guruhami. He somehow managed to come home. He lay down and rested a while. Pariya, who taught that Guruhami was dead, tried to use opportunity to get closer to Sokari. Sokari got angry with Pariya and ordered to call the doctor.

When Pariya went to the doctor, the doctor refused to pay a visit unless Sokari herself came and asked him to see the patient. Then, Sokari went and brought the doctor. The doctor treated Guruhami until midnight, and left the house with Sokari at down. Guruhami, went to doctor’s house and fetch the sokari again. And after they borrow a land from the doctor. And they build a home. After they going to worship Sri Pada. During this tour Sokari having a baby. After they left home. The end of the drama they cook a milk rice, middle of the Kamata (in the faddy field). 

Main purpose of acting the drama,

Protecting from epidemic, Ritual the village

Only men are participating to act this drama, because it is a ritual of god (Paththini Deviya).

Sokari is a very interesting cultural drama which was staged more often during the good old days. But it is very rarely seen now a days. Therefore we wont to protect and continue them to future.