The Ants Are Back!

                                               … with a message more relevant than ever

When Kumbi Kathawa (Ant Story), the ballet from the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya, premiered in 2007, it played to packed audiences and received rave reviews.  The themes portrayed in the ballet—working for the good of the community, perseverance through adversity, courage in the face of danger, and ultimately compassion and forgiveness—are universal in nature and resonated with audiences of all ages.  These themes take on greater significance in 2009 as we come together as a nation to begin anew.

At its heart, Kumbi Kathawa is a simple story about a colony of ants that live in harmony, sharing the workload and resources of the community.  Their tranquil lives are shattered one day when an evil force—a mosquito—arrives and terrorizes the ants, chasing them all away.  The ballet follows the story of one ant family as they seek a new home to rebuild their lives.  The family does so successfully, and to celebrate, host a party in their new home (a giant tin) to which they invite a multitude of creatures from the insect world.   When the party-goers are threatened by a sudden flood, the quick thinking ants float their tin and proceed to rescue many of their insect friends.  The final creature they save?  The very mosquito who wrought misery on their lives!

When the ballet first opened in 2007, it became yet another classic from the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya because all aspects of the production had been honed to perfection.  Reviewers were effusive in their praise for the acting and choreography, the costumes, the music, and even the lighting.  The historical standards of the Kalayathanaya—creators of classics such as Karadiya and Kinkini Kolama—had been maintained, and some might say, even surpassed.   The creation of Kumbi Kathawa is an interesting story in and of itself, with some key messages for all those involved in the performing arts.

The entire process, from conception to production, took five long years!  Some of the time taken was due to not having the proper facilities to work in, but it is refreshing to know that they did not rush the creative process, and let it take its natural course, resulting in a production of the highest quality.

Now the Ants are back!  Kumbi Kathawa is being restaged at the end of August, providing those who missed it the first time, and those who want to see it again, an opportunity to enjoy this wonderful production.  And as children and adults get drawn in by the magic that is Kumbi Kathawa, they may also absorb some important life lessons.  Who could ask for more?

Photos courtesy of Alefiya Akbarally.

Kumbi Kathawa will be staged at the Bishop’s College auditorium from August 28^th to August 30^th.  Show times are Friday 8pm, and two shows each on Saturday and Sunday at 5.30pm and 8pm.  Tickets are available at the Chitrasena Kalayathanaya, 590 Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 5 (next to Apollo Hospital).  Telephone: 0602150570, and the Bishop’s College Auditorium.  Sponsor Rithihi, style of expression.  Print media sponsors The Sunday Observer and Silumina.  Electronic media sponsors Sirasa, MTV, SirasaFM and YesFM.