A Mixtape for Maladies: Tracing Sri Lanka’s Past Through Music

At the heart of this poignant production is its creator, Ahi Karunaharan, whose life mirrors the very themes explored in the play. Having migrated to New Zealand from Sri Lanka at the age of ten, he carries with him the echoes of a past shaped by uncertainty and conflict.

Now, he seeks to bridge the chasm between his memories of home and the experiences of a younger generation who never lived through the war but still feel its lingering presence.

The Soundtrack of a Life

The concept of A Mixtape for Maladies emerged from a deeply personal place. The playwright recalls how, as a child, he would watch his mother and uncle listen to cassette tapes sent from Sri Lanka.

These tapes, filled with handpicked songs and heartfelt poetry, served as more than just entertainment—they were messages of love, survival, and hope. “There’s a guilt when you come over and can’t bring the others in,” Karunaharan reflects. “These songs were a reminder that life goes on.”

The play follows a unique narrative structure where 17 songs, spanning from the 1950s to 2000, shape the storyline.

Each song, in English, Tamil, Cambodian, Chinese and more, represents a different moment in Sri Lanka's history. The choice of songs also emphasises the universality of music—how it transcends borders and unites people despite their diverse backgrounds.

“Music is an alchemy, a tonic for the family,” Karunaharan explains. “We all turn to music when we’re heartbroken, when we’re celebrating, or when we need to heal. This play explores that connection.”

A Story of Migration and Dark Past

While the play is deeply rooted in Sri Lanka’s history, it is also a broader exploration of the migrant experience.

Karunaharan candidly shares his struggle with identity.

Growing up in New Zealand while feeling disconnected from his own heritage, he said, “I know so much about World War II and the Mongolian Empire, but if you ask me about Sri Lanka, there’s a gap. Our parents didn’t talk about it because they thought that was the best way to protect us."

This silence, however, created a void, leaving many second-generation immigrants searching for answers.

The play brings to life the painful reality that while some memories fade, others remain unspoken yet ever-present.

Sri Lanka’s civil war, which lasted nearly three decades, resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 people. Yet, outside of Sri Lankan communities, knowledge of this history remains limited.

“When we hear about conflicts like Gaza, we feel compelled to act,” Karunaharan says. “But Sri Lanka’s war barely registered in global consciousness because it happened before the internet and social media. This play aims to bring that history into focus.”

Through its narrative, the play highlights the dangers of political unrest, nationalism, and unchecked power. “What happened in Sri Lanka is not so different from what’s happening in many parts of the world today,” he warns. “It serves as a cautionary tale.”

The play's central character is a young Sri Lankan-born Kiwi who is on a quest to uncover his family’s past.

His mother, a survivor of the civil war, is reluctant to revisit painful memories. Yet, when he stumbles upon an old mixtape, it triggers a flood of recollections that neither of them can ignore.

The protagonist’s journey is not just about discovering his family’s history but also about understanding the people behind it. “A writer’s job is to make characters three-dimensional, to make them lovable and flawed,” the Karunaharan explains.

One of the play’s most fascinating relationships is that between a mother and son. While the son, a Kiwi-born podcaster, is eager to unearth the past, his mother resists.

Their interactions are filled with humour, tension, and raw honesty. “She’s not a stereotypical ‘tiger mom,’” Karunaharan clarifies.

“She’s a strong woman who has survived unimaginable hardships. To her, the trivial problems her son worries about are nothing compared to what she endured," he added.

These dynamic echoes a familiar pattern among many immigrant families just like Karunaharan's family. He shares, “I kept asking my parents about our history, but they wouldn’t tell me… It was only during late-night conversations, after a few drinks, that bits and pieces of the past would surface."

For many audience members, this interplay between silence and revelation will strike a deeply personal chord.

The show doesn’t just tell a Sri Lankan story—it tells a universal story of migration, loss, and resilience.

A Nostalgic Tribute

One of the most captivating aspects of the play is its nostalgic tribute to a bygone era of music. From the sounds of post-British Sri Lanka to the experimental fusion of the 1970s, each song in the play carries a piece of history.

“Some songs are like time machines,” he notes. “They transport us back to a specific moment—our first crush, a heartbreak, a family gathering. That’s the beauty of a mixtape. Someone has carefully curated it, chosen each song with love.”

This sentiment is likely to resonate with many, especially those who grew up in the era of cassette tapes and painstakingly recorded songs from the radio. “Nowadays, Spotify algorithms decide what we listen to,” he laughs. “But back then, making a mixtape was an art.”

For those planning to watch A Mixtape for Melodies, it will be staged in Auckland from the 4th to 23rd of March at the ASB Waterfront Theatre.

When asked what the audience can expect from this play, Karunaharan said, “Come with an open heart, expect beautiful music, heartfelt storytelling, and a chance to reflect on your own history.”

-Asia Media Centre