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| Wednesday, 4 June 2003 |
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Mahinda - A photographer par excellence by Dr. Wickrema Weerasooria Mahinda Fernando and I have been friends from school days where at Royal Primary, we even ran in the Three Legged Race! Mahinda's love for photography originated during his early years when he used to help his brother, Dr. Quintus Fernando who is now a professor of Chemistry in the University of Arizona. Mahinda went on to win a photographic prize at St. Thomas College, Gurutalawa where he studied after Royal Primary and was also instrumental in setting up a Dark Room in the then Woodwork Shed. After leaving school he went to Bombay (Mumbai) to learn photography in the Film Studios. Since he felt that he was not gaining sufficient photographic skills in Bombay he went on to London and joined the London School of Printing and Graphic Arts. Unfortunately, due to exchange control regulations prevalent at that time. Mahinda was only able to complete one year of a five year course. On returning to Sri Lanka in the sixties, the only avenue open to him was to join a newspaper as Photographer. He joined the Times/Daily Mirror Group where veteran journalist, Reggie Michael, was his boss. He was a regular sight at most social functions, rugger matches and fashion shows, held in Colombo. He worked along with Kirthi Sri Karunaratne as a fashion photographer for many years. At one time in the early 1970s when I was teaching at Monash University, Mahinda wanted to migrate to Australia. Mr. Arthur Keuneman, (Peter Keuneman's elder brother) and his wife were prepared to sponsor him. However, to Sri Lanka's fortune, Mahinda ultimately stayed back. Having established himself as a leading photographer, Mahinda took-up the full-time wedding photography. He was instrumental in up-grading the photographer's status at that time and he saw to it that the photographers themselves maintained a proper dress code and conducted themselves in a manner fit to suit the important social occasion. During his 35 years as a wedding photographer, Mahinda has also helped many younger photographers to establish themselves. He was probably the first local photographer to open his own private office, so that his clients could visit him to make their bookings in a conducive atmosphere. He has photographed many leading personalities from the President's daughter to Indian Tennis Ace Vijaya Amithraj's wedding in Madras. Mahinda, is always impeccably dressed, well-mannered, soft spoken and has a lovely sense of humour. He is renowned for his knack of coping to difficult situations that usually crop up at society weddings. Mahinda's other interests include his love for dogs (German Shepherds and Chihahuas), listening to and collecting various modes of Jazz music. Mahinda also has, perhaps, Sri Lanka's largest collection of liquor miniatures, and last but not least there is his love for gardening too. Mahinda Fernando notches 35 years as a professional wedding photographer this year. He remains my good friend. My only regret is that he gave up even a social drink many years ago. However, his elegant face with a constant smile, his lively conversation, his good memory and the anecdotes and stories he can relate at a social function, makes up for his inability to share a drink with me! I wish him many more years of success as a professional wedding photographer. |
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