Humanity Beyond Boundaries Sri Lanka-India movies & Music

Humanity Beyond Boundaries Series-5 SriLanka-India similarities in movies & Music

Geographical boundaries can create physical separations between people, but they don’t necessarily divide humanity on a deeper level.

I recently happened to be at Colombo -SriLanka for receiving Asian Iconic award for providing green and sustainable products and services   in Construction Industry. When I met other awardees from other SAARC countries, I noticed that   boundaries can create physical separations between people, but they don’t necessarily divide humanity on a deeper level.

In this article just taking our country India &  beautiful country SriLanka regarding similarities in movies and music. 

 India and Sri Lanka share numerous cultural similarities, particularly in movies and music, due to their geographical proximity, historical connections, and cultural exchanges. Here are some notable areas where these artistic traditions intersect:

1. Cultural Themes in Cinema:

• Storylines and Genres: Both Indian and Sri Lankan cinema often explore family dynamics, social issues, love, and drama, reflecting deep cultural values. Themes like respect for elders, community harmony, and resilience are commonly depicted in movies from both countries.
• Mythology and History: Indian cinema frequently adapts Hindu mythology and epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which also resonate with Sri Lankan audiences. Sri Lankan films, like Indian ones, sometimes draw inspiration from shared mythological and historical figures.
• Rural Settings: Both cinemas often portray rural life, focusing on village customs, agricultural challenges, and the simplicity of rural existence. This theme reflects the agrarian roots of both societies.

2. Music Fusion and Influence:

• Classical and Folk Music: Indian classical music (especially Carnatic and Hindustani) and folk music have influenced Sri Lankan music, especially in the popular music and film industry. Sri Lankan traditional music, which includes forms like Baila and Kandyan dance music, shares rhythmic and melodic similarities with South Indian music.
• Popular Music and Playback Singing: Playback singing is a significant part of both Indian and Sri Lankan cinema. Songs are integral to storytelling, with singers and musicians frequently crossing borders. Bollywood songs are popular in Sri Lanka, and vice versa, creating a blend of languages and musical styles that appeals to both audiences.

3. Collaborative Film Productions:

• There have been several co-productions and cross-casting between Indian and Sri Lankan film industries. Some Sri Lankan actors have worked in Indian cinema, particularly in Tamil-language films, and vice versa. This collaboration fosters mutual influence in acting styles, production techniques, and storytelling.

  4. Influence of Bollywood in Sri Lanka:

   

  • Bollywood Films and Music Popularity: Bollywood films enjoy a large fanbase in Sri Lanka, with Hindi songs, movies, and actors being widely recognized and loved. Many Sri Lankan musicians and filmmakers are inspired by Bollywood, leading to adaptations of Bollywood-style song sequences, dance routines, and colorful cinematography in Sri Lankan films.
  • Dubbed and Subtitled Versions: Hindi films are often dubbed or subtitled in Sinhala or Tamil in Sri Lanka, making Bollywood content accessible to Sri Lankan audiences across linguistic backgrounds.

   

  5. Dance and Choreography:

   

  • Indian classical and folk dance forms, such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Kuchipudi, have influenced Sri Lankan dance, especially in movies and cultural festivals. Likewise, the Kandyan dance style of Sri Lanka shares similarities with Indian classical forms, and fusion choreography that blends both styles can be seen in films and musical performances.

   

  6. Shared Musical Instruments:

   

  • Traditional instruments like the tabla, sitar, and mridangam from India are also popular in Sri Lankan music. Similarly, instruments like the Sri Lankan rabana resemble Indian drums, creating a familiar soundscape that appeals to audiences in both countries.

   

  Several popular Sri Lankan movies have inspired remakes or adaptations in Indian cinema, particularly in South Indian films. Here are a few examples:

   

  1. Aloko Udapadi (Sri Lanka, 2017) Inspired Indian Film: Gautamiputra Satakarni (Telugu, 2017) Aloko Udapadi is a historical epic depicting the efforts to preserve Buddhism in Sri Lanka during the reign of King Walagamba. This film’s style, historical narrative, and thematic elements inspired Gautamiputra Satakarni, which focuses on Indian historical figures and events with similar cultural pride.
  2. Sarigama (Sri Lanka, 1980) Indian Remake: Ek Duje Ke Liye (Hindi, 1981) Sarigama, a Sri Lankan romantic tragedy, was remade in India as Ek Duje Ke Liye. Both films center around a love story between individuals from different cultural or linguistic backgrounds, highlighting the challenges and emotions involved. The Indian version achieved massive success and became an iconic film of its era.
  3. Kawuda Hari (Sri Lanka, 1970) Indian Inspiration: Naan Avanillai (Tamil, 1974) Kawuda Hari, a Sri Lankan film about a man who deceives women by adopting multiple identities, inspired Naan Avanillai in Tamil. This movie was later remade in Tamil again in 2007, indicating its long-lasting appeal. The storyline’s focus on deception and identity made it a popular premise in both countries.
  4. Gamperaliya (Sri Lanka, 1963) Inspiration in Indian Parallel Cinema: Films like Ankur (1974, Hindi) and Samskara (1970, Kannada) Although Gamperaliya was not remade directly, its realistic portrayal of rural life, societal change, and economic hardship influenced India’s parallel cinema movement, particularly in the 1970s. Filmmakers like Shyam Benegal and Girish Karnad cited such works as influencing realistic storytelling and social themes.
  5. Wekande Walauwa (Sri Lanka, 2003) Similar Indian Film: Charulata (Bengali, 1964) by Satyajit Ray Wekande Walauwa, known as Sri Lanka’s answer to Charulata, shares themes of loneliness, marital dissatisfaction, and upper-class decay, seen in both films. Although not a remake, Wekande Walauwa drew inspiration from Charulata’s themes, showcasing cultural parallels and literary influences across borders.
  6. Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka (Sri Lanka, 2012) Thematically Similar Film: Talaash (Hindi, 2012) While Oba Nathuwa Oba Ekka (With You, Without You) is not a direct remake, its exploration of psychological depth, grief, and suspense shares similarities with the Bollywood film Talaash. Both films delve into the human psyche and emotional struggles, highlighting universal themes that resonate across cultures.

   

  These films reflect a shared cinematic language and mutual inspiration between Sri Lanka and India, showing how stories from one culture can deeply resonate and be adapted across borders, especially in South Asia.

  The cultural exchange between India and Sri Lanka in cinema and music is a testament to their shared history and mutual admiration, resulting in a unique blend of artistry that resonates with audiences in both countries.