Modern western dramas and Sri Lankan demon ceremonies: A study in the use of dialectics, the concept of blessing in exorcism and the aesthetics of healing in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The major objectives of this research are to study how to achieve the blessing concept of human mental and physical purification and the use of dialectics in Sri Lankan exorcism. A remarkable amount of Sri Lankan and foreign studies have been done about modern western drama and Sri Lankan demon ceremonies earlier. Also many Sri Lankan and foreign scholastic attention have already been paid to this area, based on concept of human mental and physical purification in Modern Western Drama and Sri Lankan Exorcism separately. As a consequence, a considerable number of academic research studies have been done about ritual arena, technique, stage, stage language, gesture, posture, décor, masks, costume, props, sound, music, mime and lights . Yet, they have not paid attention to the use of dialectics in both traditions . Purification is a ritual concept used in modern western drama originated in the 20 th century as a resolution of modern human problems in western society instead of producing a well-made play. As a consequence, Antonin Artaud’s the theatre of cruelty that abstracted purity of mind was based on the Balines e Theatre. Bertolt Brecht’s epic theatre was designed to bring about change on the macro or social level. Brecht attempted social change with his plays that engaged the viewer by presenting objects, issues and characters alienated using alienation effects in Chinese acting. Jerzy Grotoweski produced a poor theatre which eliminated all nonessential to eliminate human internal complicit. Sri Lankan exorcism (Sinhala: Sanni-yakuma, Maha-sohonsamayama, Riddi-yagaya, Suniyamkapuma) is being held for the wellbeing of society. According to Prof. M H Gunathilka, Kolam is held to benefit pregnant mothers and it is a ritual prevalent in the Southern province of Sri Lanka.