Jagath Chamila: on stage, on the small screen and the silver screen
Ruwini Jayawardana
  If
pulling a hat trick is something to rejoice, Jagath Chamila has a good
reason to call for a toast. With Hatahra Denama Soorayo drawing crowds
to the wide screen, Jeewithaya Lassanai (Life is beautiful) exceeding
350 episodes and continuous success on the stage drama side, Chamila is
probably one of the most versatile actors of his time. Art & Soul
encountered the talented youth for this week's interview.
Tell us about yourself. What sort of a person are you?
Well... Everyone knows me as Jagath, the actor. I have a passion for
art and I am a person who follows my conscience. I speak straight and I
see myself as a person capable of taking the correct decisions in life.
How did you become an actor?
I
took part in several school dramas while I was at Prince of Wales
College, Moratuwa. Tissa Gunawardena trained me. I was chosen by Asoka
Peries and Wijaya Dharmasri with the approval of the Sri Lanka
Dramatists' Association to take part in the film Guru Gedara. I have
appeared in around seven films: Shema Boomi, Me Mage Sandai, Thani
Thatuwen Piyambanna, Asani Warsha, Maruthaya, Sulanga and Sammi Ge
Katawa.
We see you in a different role in Satara Denama Soorayo. Comment.
 I am delighted that they have produced a new version of the old hit.
Satara Denama Soorayo was one of the creations that represented the
golden era of Sinhala cinema. Neil Rupasinghe made an attempt to
recapture the elegance of the past and bring it before the present
audience.
It is an honor to be chosen for the role that veteran actor Anthony
C. Perera portrayed in the first version. Juggeria is not simply a
character. He, like all four of the main characters, belongs to the
unemployed youth sector of the 1970s, an issue that is still valid.
Juggeria is different from the rest as he penetrates humor. Even while
he is dealing with a serious issue, he creates comedy through actions.
However his character is not created for comedy alone.
Perera did not force the comic element into the character. Since the
role had been portrayed before it was more challenging, as I had to do
justice to the role, safeguard Perera's contribution to the original and
preserve my own identity.
The director permitted me to use a pair of dentures for the film and
I also developed a body language.
You had long locks some time ago. Why did you change your
hairstyle?
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In Jeewithaya Lassanai |
I took part in a lot of projects during the two years which I had
longhair. I was given the lead role of Priyankara Vithanarachchi's film,
Sammi Ge Kathawa. He wanted me for his second creation, a historic tale.
It was role of a young man with long locks.
You are also involved in stage dramas. Comment.
Throughout these few years I have taken part in stage dramas that
have been presented at the State Drama Festival. I was chosen as the
best actor for 2005 for Sunil Chandrasiri's Don Juan and Mang Diay Wela
clinched six awards in 2006. I take part in Jayalath Manoratne's Makara
(The Dragon) these days.
Tell us about Ridma, your character in Jeewithaya Lassanai.
I am very fond of Ridma especially because he inspired Neil
Rupasinghe to consider me for Hatara Denama Soorayo. He believed that I
am capable of giving life to the Juggeria he had in mind. Many
distinguished artistes have been considered for the role but the
director wanted to bring forth the character in a different manner.
Jeewithaya Lassanai is a lengthy teledrama. None of us know what
would happen in the end. The Ridma I present is very flexible.
Isn't it risky to be involved in a lengthy series?
It is a huge task to keep the character live among the audience for a
long period. There is a lot of competition and people's tastes change
with the blink of an eye. I learn from my errors and am pleased that I
have succeeded in keeping Ridma in the heart of the people.
Is life beautiful?
(Grinning) I try to make it as beautiful as possible!
How do you picture your future?
That is a big mystery. I have always believed that every member in
society has a responsibility. My responsibility lies in my family and I
do not cherish great hopes beyond that. This is not a situation that I
face alone but it is an issue faced by every youth.
I am not blaming anyone but we have no choice but to follow this
path. I need to survive but my aim is to perform my duties to the best
of my ability during my lifespan.
Isn't there some news you haven't leaked out yet?
(Suspiciously) Now what have you been hearing about me? (laughs) I
don't know whether this is the fact that you are hinting about but Pumi
and I are expecting our second child.
Capt. Wasantha travels 'Through Deep Waters'
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Capt. Priyantha de Silva |
Capt. Priyantha de Silva, a veteran master mariner's novel 'Through
Deep Waters' will be launched at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on
April 7 at 5 p.m.
Through Deep Waters' unfolds the eventful years spent by a Sri Lankan
sailing over the seven seas of the world. He captures vividly the
thrills, joys and the agony of meeting, interacting and parting with
many a soul from different walks of life, from different continents,
during his extraordinary journeys round the globe.
'Through Deep Waters' this master mariner reminiscences his journey
from the very beginning. It is not only about the life and experiences
at sea but also on dry land. The pages carry a message to readers of all
ages.
Media consultant Edwin Ariyadasa will deliver the keynote address
whilst Edmund Jayasuriya and E.M.G. Edirisinghe will evaluate the book.
Veteran media personality Daya Abeysekara will conduct the proceedings.
Malini goes solo in London
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Nanda Malini
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Rohana Weerasinghe
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Veteran vocalist Nanda Malini who had won the hearts of many music
lovers in Sri Lankan soil as well as abroad will fly to London for her
fourth solo concert. The show, Shravana Aaradana, will be held at
Campden Auditorium, London, on April 8.
It is put together by Aruna Tiskumara, president of the Nalanda
College Old Boys' Association along with its members. Rohana Weerasinghe
will direct the music and join Malini in the duets. D.D. Gunasena will
play the violin, Tissasiri Perera will take on the key board, Mahendra
Pasquel will be the guitarist and Dhananjaya Somasiri will be the tabla
player at the concert.
Prabavee
An inspiring violin music concert in Galle:
Ruwini Jayawardana
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W.J. Upali
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Prabavee a violin concert performed by W.J. Upali will be held a the
Town Hall in Galle on April 6 at 3.30 p.m. Popular Sinhala, English and
Hindi melodies will be played by the violinist backed by an orchestra.
Upali was born in Weligama, Matara. He received primary education at
Sidhartha Vidyalaya, Weligama and was trained under R.D.R, Yapa. He
joined Central College, Piliyandala, where he completed his education.
He started taking lessons from the veteran musician Shelton
Premaratne in 1988 and in 1992 he was faced with the opportunity to
prove his talents when he joined the Sri Lanka Broadcasting
Corporation's (SLBC) orchestra while he was attached to the Ruhunu
Sevaya. He became a permanent member of the SLBC orchestra in 2001.
Upali had contributed violin music to many popular television and
radio programmes like Hansavila, Hada Bedi Geetha and Handa Pura on
Swarnavahini and Kalasa and Nugasewana on Rupavahini.
Nawarellaka Arunella from:
Jana Karaliya
 The
Janakaraliya Theatre Group that toured cities and hinterlands
entertaining theatre fans for four years will hold an event title
Nawarellaka Arunella (Dawn of a New Wave) to enlighten the participants
of their accomplishments, the roles played by the group and their
contributions for theatre arts and to the civic society and also to
share their experiences with the participants. Nawarellaka Arunella will
be held at the BMICH on April 6.
The Event is scheduled to be held in the 'Janakaraliya Mini Mobile
Theatre' set up at the BMICH premises. Main even scheduled for the
occasion are: Launching of the Sinhala and Tamil publications of
Parakrama Niriella's Charadas and Charandas Chor, Launching of
Janakaraliya Newspaper and screening of a documentary film on
Janakaraliya Mobile Theatre Group.
The occasion will be adorned with invitational speeches by Jackson
Anthony and Professor S. Maunaguru. The event will conclude up with
Kalpanthaya Drama perform by provincial Janakaraliya theatre group of
Hambantota.
Nawarellaka Arunella of Janakaraliya is sponsored by the Bandaranaike
Memorial International Conference Centre (BMICH) which continues to
serve the nation for 35 years.
The event is supervised by the founder members of Janakaraliya
Parakrama Niriella and H. A. Perera while the event is organised by the
"Janakaraliya Theatre Group" and Bandra Ehaliyagoda's 'Events'
institution. |
