Robin Hood, Robin of Sherwood

So, Rupavahini is doing it again. They are telecasting ‘Robin of Sherwood’ once again. I can’t remember how many times I have watched it. Still it looks so fresh and can watch like a brand new tele serial. Rupavahini’s Sinhala subtitled version is outstanding as it has been done under the guidance of late veteran Titus Totawatta. The way he has adopted from the original version to suit to the Sinhala audience is amazingly admirable.

Michael Praed is extremly handsome as Robin Hood and Lady Marian (played by Judi Trott) also is very attractive and charming. Not to mention the rest of the merry men, Will Scarlet, Little John, Friar Tuck, Much, the Saracen Nasir and the godlike Herne the Hunter. Robin’s adversaries, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Guy of Gisbourne as well as the Sheriff’s brother Abbot Hugo also are casted professionally.

Music of Robin of Sherwood is a masterpiece.  The heavy drum sounds and vocals are synchronizing together to make the stories real. Breathtaking swordfights, fierce archers and horse riders add life to the storyline. One prominent feature is that a number of episodes are based on superstitious beliefs and cults which was apparent in medieval England.

Robin of Sherwood comes in three series. While Miacael Praed stars in first two series Jason Connery plays Robin’s incarnation in the third series. But everyone prefers Praed over Connery.

Series and Story

1.1       Robin Hood and the Sorcerer (Part 1)

1.2       Robin Hood and the Sorcerer (Part 2)

1.3       The Witch of Elsdon

1.4       Seven Poor Knights From Acre

1.5       Alan A Dale

1.6       The King’s Fool

2.1       The Prophecy

2.2       The Children of Israel

2.3       Lord of the Trees

2.4       The Enchantment

2.5       The Swords of Wayland (Part 1)

2.6       The Swords of Wayland (Part 2)

2.7       The Greatest Enemy

3.1       Herne’s Son (Part 1)

3.2       Herne’s Son (Part 2)

3.3       The Power of Albion

3.4       The Inheritance

3.5       The Cross of St. Ciricus

3.6       The Sheriff of Nottingham

3.7       Cromm Cruac

3.8       The Betrayal

3.9       Adam Bell

3.10     The Pretender

3.11     Rutterkin

3.12     The Time of the Wolf (Part 1)

3.13     The Time of the Wolf (Part 2)

It is shocking to hear that the series was abandoned after the third volume as the producers couldn’t continue with it due to financial problems. It is difficult to believe that no one could chip in to invest in such a popular production.

Read more of Robin Hood movies here. http://fandangogroovers.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/robin-hood/

Cheering Visiting Cricket Teams Against Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan supporters supporting the SL team at Gabba, 2010

There are a lot of talks by various concerned people about some of the Sri Lankan Muslims supporting Pakistani cricket team and some of the Sri Lankan Tamils supporting Indian cricket team against the Sri Lankan team when India and Pakistan visit Sri Lanka. Some go to the extent calling the Tamils and Muslims ‘traitors.’ But is there anything more than this behind this phenomenon?

Muslims are more concerned with religion than race or anything else for that matter. So, naturally, they see the Muslims in Pakistani teams as “brothers” than the members of the Sri Lankan team. With the strong beliefs they have towards their religion, this is expected. Besides, only few Muslims have been able to make it to the national team of Sri Lanka. Had that happened, the things would have been different, I guess.

It is the same with India team. Tamils in Sri Lanka have their roots in India and they think they have been discriminated by the Sinhalese and hence their first love with the Indian team. Few Tamils represented the Sri Lanka team but only Muralitharan could make it ‘felt.’ Had there been more Tamils in the Sri Lanka team, the reaction of the Tamils here would have been different. But the selectors cannot name a team to justify racial concerns. They have to adhere with the players’ talents. Non Sinhala players being selected to the team constantly shows that there is no discrimination against them.

In another note, look at the cheering squads in Australia, England or New Zealand that have migrated from Sri Lanka and obtained citizenships in those countries who support Sri Lanka team when they visit those countries?  If we oppose Muslims and Tamils supporting India and Pakistan in Sri Lanka, the British, Australians and New Zealanders should oppose Sri Lankan migrants supporting Sri Lanka in those countries. But they don’t care. Should we take Muslims and Tamils supporting non Sri Lankan teams seriously? It is just a sport. It doesn’t have anything to do with patriotism. The best example is that when the Kandy team plays rugby in Kandy, people from all communities support Kandy forgetting their racial differences as it is ‘their’ team and all communities represent the team.