'Sokari', The Folk Play

Sokari is a very famous and popular folk play in hill country and Badulla which consisted of unique rural features. 

This rural folk drama is usually played soon after the paddy harvesting. 'Kmatha' is used as the stage and it is acted out to many purposes. They are to relive stress of farmers for prosperity and to offer pooja to Goddess Patthini. 

According to the area, the folk drama is played the actors use 'gate beraya' or kandyan drum, Dawula, Uddekkiya etc. They too use colourfully painted attractive face masks which represent the characters of the 'Sokari' play. 'Sokari', a female character is the main protagonist of the play. This play consists of unique and culturally valued drum bearing rhythms, music, singing and dancing forms and dramatic conversations. 

📷 courtesy- www.nethfm.com