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| Saturday, 29 May 2004 |
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Film festival at Ricky Cinema : Sonia marks 40 years of reel life She was known as the siren of the Sinhala cinema at the beginning of her acting career, who invariably intruded into the romance of the leading hero and heroine. She was also the typical Vamp and was any director's automatic choice for the Tom Boy roles. But looking back over a cinematic career spanning four decades, Sonia Dissanayake, better known among fans as Sonia Disa, could be truly proud of her achievements as star, producer and director that brought added glamour and a cutting edge to our Sinhala films. Making her debut in the film Chandiya directed by Titus Thotawatte while barely out of her teens, Sonia immediately went on to capture the imagination of Sinhala cinema fans. Just four years later, she went on to achieve her coveted ambition of acting opposite superstar Gamini Fonseka in Ohoma Hondada directed by J. Selvaratnam. But for some reason Directors were wont to typecast her in aggressive roles, mostly as spoiler of innocent love affairs between the main stars or as the plotter of the downfall of the screen lovers which she nevertheless performed to perfection drawing accolades from her numerous fans. One can still recall a fighting sequence between Sonia and Sandya Kumari in the blockbuster film Soorayangeth Sooraya with daggers pointed. Nor could one forget her memorable performance in Thushara where she became the thorn amidst the roses of Vijaya-Malini. However with the passage of time the producers perhaps realising her worth offered her a string of challenging roles where her true potential emerged. The film Janaka Saha Manju, where she played the role of a mother of the leading male, won her high praise from both fans and critics alike which paved the way for a new dimension in the cinematic career of this versatile actress. In the beginning of her career, Sonia played her roles with Gamini Fonseka and later she acted with Vijaya in a number of films. Sonia was named Merry Felicia Pereira. Her father was Thomas Wilfred Pereira and mother Merry Felicia Cramer. However her name was changed to Sonia later when she went into act in films and her husband's surname Dissanayake too added after marriage. Later, she became known in the industry as Sonia Disa. In recent times, Sonia became much popular as a film producer. She commenced her role as a producer with Sunil T. Fernando by making the film Jaya Apatai which became a huge success. This followed a number of blockbuster movies such as Mamai Raja, Chandi Raja, Chandi Rajina, Sakvithi Raja, Ottui Beruwata, Wasana Wewa, Lassanai Balanna and Chandiyage Putha. *** A film festival to mark Sonia Dissa's 40 years in the film industry will be held at the Ricky Cinema, Fort from June 1 to June 6. The festival will be followed by a felicitation ceremony titled Mata Asai Hinahenna at the BMICH on June 7. The film schedule June 01 - Hitha Honda Minihek (Directed by M.V. Balan) Admission is free of charge. ########## Martin Wickremasinghe Film Festival and Book Exhibition The Martin Wickremasinghe Film Festival is held to commemorate the 114th birth anniversary of the renown and perhaps one of the greatest writers and intellectuals of Sri Lanka. Inspired by the lifestyle and landscape of his native Koggala, Wickremasinghe immortalised them in his short stories and novels. His fictional and non-fictional documentation on the changing life patterns of rural as well urban life is historically significant. With the blessings of the Martin Wickremasinghe Trust, it is an initiative by Power House Pvt. Ltd. and will be aired on the Rupavahini. The organisers hope the film festival would inspire the writing of Martin Wickremasinghe whose work is timely even in the present day Sri Lanka. Further they are proud to be associated with the Trust in the quest to promote the literary and cultural values of Sri Lanka. The film festival consists of four films and these will be telecast every Saturday at 9.30 p.m. on Rupavahini for the next four weeks. Leading the way Viragaya (the Way of the Lotus), is scheduled to be telecast today (29). Directed by Tissa Abeysekera and produced by Chandra Mallawarachchi, it will be the first time in history where it will be shown on television after its release in 1987. The book and photo exhibition of Martin Wickremasinghe will take place at the National Library Exhibition Hall on May 29. ########### Amba Yahaluwo together again Amba Yahaluwo (Best Friends), an award winning teledrama directed by Sudath Devapriya, is now re-telecast over National Rupavahini at 2.30 pm every Sunday. Based on the popular novel by veteran artiste and politician T.B. Ilangaratne, the teledrama is woven around the true friendship of two boys - one from a rich and aristocratic family while the other is from a poor family. This teledrama which was first telecast in 1989 drew much critical acclaim and response and went on to win a Jury's prize at the Prix Junners TV Festival in Munich in 1990. It was shown in 26 countries. Sudath says the teledrama while showing a cross-section of the Sri Lankan society portrays the social, economical and cultural issues that prevailed in the country. It stars Ashoka Peiris, Anula Karunathilake, Ruby de Mel, Hemasiri Liyange, Ashen Manjula, Rasika Perera, Buddhi Wickrema and Malini Ranasinghe. ######## Ariyaratne's ballet and dance presentation A ballet and dance presentation by Ariyarathna Kaluarachchi, senior lecturer of the School of Fine Arts of the University of Kelaniya will be staged at 3.30 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. on Sunday June 6 at Namel Malini Mini- Theatre at Borella. This presentation of ballet and dance will be made colourful by songs sung, composed, and supplied by expert musician Rohana Weerasinghe and songs composed by Professor Sunil Ariyaratne and will be joined by singers Rohana Weerasinghe, Rashmi Sangeetha, and Nissanka Diddeniya. Dances are contributed by a troupe of expert dancers led by Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi and the University of Kelaniya student's troupe. The following ballets and dances will be staged: on this occasion: "Beri Sil", "Exorcist's Daughter", Nishachara", and the folk drama "Jasaya and Lenchina", and the new stage plays "Rookada Nove" - (Not Puppets), "Engalum Wannama", "Harahata Natamu", and "Kaleta Obina Seepada" - that are designed to suit the 20th century and dances, "Holi" and "Rajasthan" made in the tradition of Indian folk dances and "Salu Paliya". |
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