Hindus join Passion play in former war-torn Jaffna

Mar 18, 2016

COLOMBO: Hindu students have joined Catholics in recreating the suffering and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a Passion play currently being put on in the northern Sri Lankan city of Jaffna.

Jeyaraman Thirukumara, a 27-year-old Hindu, is playing one of the high priests in the play, which he first watched as a teenager. Now actually taking part in the production, he said it further appreciates how the play is able to enhance relationships between the communities.

He said no one has opposed him being in a Catholic play and he added that his family regularly watches it when it's put on at the church–run Center for Performing Arts.

Among the other Sri Lankan Hindus involved in the volunteer production are the music director, a subdirector and a number of stage workers, said the center's director Father Maria Saveri.

"By putting on the play we are able to teach each other how to be brothers and sisters through the arts," Father Saveri said in reference to how the play can assist with Sri Lanka's reconciliation process.

The city of Jaffna and its people were caught up in the country's 25-year-long civil war, which ended in 2009.

Over 200 amateur actors, including children, are taking part in the play, which is also supported by a choir group, the priest said.

At least 25 percent of the thousands of people who see the play, put on at the center's open air theater, are Hindus, said Father Saveri.

The priest said that the performance is mainly based on the theme of sacrifice and presents a message on the value of suffering.

The Passion play is a traditional part of Lent for Sri Lankan Catholics and it helps them to reflect and find inspiration, he added.

The priest first helped students put on their initial Passion play in 1964 and it was first staged at the center the following year.--ucannews.com