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| Wednesday, 24 March 2004 |
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by Anjana Gamage The picturesque surroundings of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall looked more colourful last Monday evening. It looked an event similar to an ordination designed for an Emperor. Yes, it was so.......and the Emperor who was ordained was none other than the super star of the Sinhala Silver screen Gamini Fonseka. It was Fonseka's Golden Jubilee in his film career well organised by a handful of people connected to the industry to pay the Royal Salute in a grand style. Veteran actor Gamini Fonseka was escorted by his colleagues to the auditorium amidst the beatings of traditional 'Magul Bera, singing 'Astakas' and with the Kandyan dancers adding colour to the evening. The organisers fittingly themed this tribute as "Raja Dekma" that suited the man and his character as Gamini Fonseka is a rare specimen not only in the film industry but also in our society as a exemplary public figure. As Gamini Fonseka took his seat in the audience, the traditional and customary events of Kandyan and other dancers were among the first items. Veteran media personality Dharmasiri Gamage made the welcome speech on behalf of the "Raja Dekma" organising committee. Then came the interesting moment when well designed film clippings of this great actor was brought on the giant screen on the stage bringing nostalgic memories of the actor who played many characters in his film life that has spanned five decades. Another feature that was witnessed as the film clippings were screened was the dances performed by the girls and boys of Kalasuri Kulasiri Buddawatta Dance Academy to the most popular songs Gamini contributed in character alongside the queen of the Sinhala Cinema Malini Fonseka, years ago. Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne delivering the main address said that several people have become popular for excelling in their chosen fields. For example: Prof. Senarath Paranavithana for Archaeology, Jeffry Bawa the Architecture, Dr. Lester James Peiris for being a pioneer in the Asian Film Industry, Pandith Amaradeva for Sinhala music and Malini Fonseka as the queen of the Sinhala Cinema. Gamini Fonseka without any doubt can be described as the Emperor of the Sinhala Cinema," he said. Prof. Ariyaratne said of the local artistes in the film industry, none endorsed the roles played by Gamini Fonseka as Deputy Speaker and the Governor of the North - Eastern Province for both UNP or the PA. "If he used the years he spent doing politics for the film industry, another golden chapter of his acting career with different roles would have dawned," he said. Along with the felicitation ceremony, the first copies of the three books launched on the occasion, 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 were presented to Gamini Fonseka. The queen of the Sinhala Cinema, actress Malini Fonseka welcomed Gamini Fonseka with flowers. Gamini who was garlanded earlier, garlanded Malini Fonseka to the applause of the audience. Addressing the gathering veteran actor Gamini Fonseka appealed to all the artistes to stay away from politics. "I have worked for both parties, but no one has done any good for the film industry or the film artistes. All parties make big promises. However, when I held the positions in the both parties, I rendered my services to the film industry by selling my own properties for the development of the industry. I have never revealed these earlier but I decided to disclose it today to this large gathering," he said. He also said that one's acting talents mature with his or her age and pointed out that one of the great British Shakespearean actors Sir John Guildgud acted till he was 101. "At present there is a lack of good film plots as well. Whatever the performance we do is not useful, if the plot could not bring a tear drop to the eye, a sensitive feeling to the heart, or a smile to the face," he quipped. |
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