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Gamini 50 years at the top

by Anjana Gamage

There is only one actor who can be introduced as" Sinhala Cinemawe Sakwithi" (The Emperor of the Sinhala Cinema). He is none other than versatile actor Gamini Fonseka.

Gamini who will be celebrating his 68th birthday on March 21 will be also honoured with a felicitation ceremony titled " Raja Dekma" which marks the fifty years of his contribution to the Sinhala cinema, will be held on March 22 at 6.30 pm at the BMICH.

Film actresses who have played the lead roles with Gamini from " Daivayogaya" to " Anthima Reya" will escort the superstar on that day to the main hall.

This was revealed at a press conference held at the Colombo Otters Aquatic Club recently by the organising committee of the " Raja Dekma" felicitation ceremony comprised with Tissa Nagodawithana, Dharmasiri Gamage, Roland A. Fernando, Siri Kahawala and A.D. Ranjith Kumara.

We also came to know that the superstar who was keeping away himself from cinema as well as from politics nearly for ten years, is making his steps back to the film field by playing the lead role in a remake of " Yakada Yaka" directed by Dinesh Priyasad.

Along with the felicitation ceremony, three books written by Dr. Anil Samaranayake on " Sri Lankeya Samaja Pravahaya Abhimuwa" (biography), "Panas Vasaraka Gamini Fonsekage Rangana Bhoomika Rupavaliya" (a pictorial of Gamini Fonseka's film career from "Daivayogaya" to Anthima Reya" - a Tharaka publication by Roland A. Fernando) and " Gamini- Vishveeya Rupana Vedayaka Asiyanu Purogamithwaya" (Gamini- The Pioneer in Asia on Realistic Characterisation" by Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara will be launched.

Three short speeches will be delivered by Dr. Lester James Peries, Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne and media personality Dharmasiri Gamage.

Five short films which have been produced with the film slides of his best acting performances throughout the film career of five decades will be screened on this day. Original sound tracks of the popular song items included in the films in which Gamini played the lead role will be displayed with the dancing items presented by young and upcoming talented performers at the event.

According to the chief organiser, Tissa Nagodawithana Gamini has acted in 107 films from " Daivayogaya" to " Anthima Reya". But many of the original copies of these films have been destroyed.

The film "Parasathu Mal" which includes one of the best performances of Gamini is one of them.

Apart to the main ceremony, the Gamini Fonseka Felicitation Film Festival will begin today (13) and will be continued till March 19 at the Sarasavipaya, Elphinstone theatre, Maradana.

The 21 films included for the film week :

March 13: Daivayogaya - 10.30am, Kauda Raja - 2.30pm, Uthumaneni - 6.30pm

March 14: Adare Hithenawa Dekkama -10.30am, Hodata Hodai - 2.30pm, Getawaryo- 6.30pm

March 15: Siril Malli - 10.30am, Hitha Mithura - 2.30pm, Deviyani Oba Kohida - 6.30pm

March 16: Edath Sooraya - Adath Sooraya- 10.30am, Ava Soya Adare- 2.30pm, Hatharadenama Soorayo- 6.30pm

March 17: Hitha Honda Minihek - 10.30 am, Kasthuri Suwanda - 2.30pm, Ratharan Amma - 6.30pm

March 18: Baduth Ekka Horu - 10.30am, Yakadaya - 2.30pm, Sorungeth Soru - 6.30 pm

March 19: Chin Chin Nona - 10. 30 am, Mayurige Kathawa - 2.30pm, Anthima Reya - 6.30pm

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Annesley, Indrani live in concert

by Ananda Kannangara

Annesley Malawana and Indrani Perera, Sri Lanka's popular singing idols of yesteryear, will hold "The Stars of 70s" at BMICH on March 21, commencing at 6.30 pm. The show is presented by the Past Pupils Association of Dharmasoka College (Colombo branch) in aid of the school swimming pool and a people training centre for Ambalangoda. The guest artistes for the show is Vincent de Paul Pieris and Christopher Paul .

All the previous shows presented by us were given a rousing welcome by country's young and old music lovers in a big way and this encouraged us to perform once again before them, Annesley said.

Annesley has his own style of singing and could marvellously enthral the young and old music lovers from his sensational voice. They still stick on to his old songs such as Gon Wassa, Pavuru Walallak Bandala, Mango Nanda, Kalu Mama and many more.

Annesley began his musical career four decades ago from Ratnapura by forming the Moonstones along with the late Clarence Wijewardana who was also in the field of music for nearly four decades. The Golden Chimes and Super Golden Chimes also formed by Clarence with Annesley after this period.

Among the groups scheduled to perform at "The Stars of 70's" are Dharmaratna Brothers with Christy, Maxwell and Milroy, Samanalayo with Roy Fonseka, Los Cabeleros with Errol Fernando, Moonstones and Super Golden Chimes with Annesley himself, Labambas with Priya Pieris, Three Sisters with Indrani and Irangani Perera.

Meanwhile singers Joe B. Perera will sing the famous "Yakada Talanna", Anil Bhareti sings "Tikirimalee", Rajiv Sebastian will be there to sing the song of Clarence Wijewardana and Lilanthi Karunanayaka, the versatile young singer twenty five years ago will sing her favourite "Kiyanna Sulange" with Annesley.

Music will be provided by the band " Simple" led by Mahesh Silva and there will be a spectacular dance recital from Kulasiri Budhawatta dance troupe. Vijaya Corea will compere the show.

The show is sponsored by the Daily News and Sunday Observer.

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French film festival

The film festival of the French Speaking Countries is scheduled to be held from 17th to 21 st March at the Lionel Wendt Theatre.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Galle Face Hotel recently, Charge de Mission of French Embassy Celine Beaudic said that the festival was a joint cultural promotion effort organised by the Consulate of Belgium, the High Commission of Canada, the French Embassy and the Embassy of Switzerland with the collaboration of the National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka.

In addition to the French language films, three Sri Lankan films will also be screened during this year's festival as a tribute to Dr. Lester James Pieris, Asoka Handagama and young and upcoming film director Vimukthi Jayasundara.

Creations of all these directors have received official recognition and awards in France and these special screenings will allow the Sri Lankan public to discover these films as some of them have never been publicly screened in Sri Lanka, sources said.

This year's festival will feature 10 films and each film is scheduled to be screened once. The entrance will be free of charge.

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