Completing 25 years in Stage & Screen:

Laughter the best medicine for Tenny

DRAMA PERSONALITY: He is a man so fluent in the universal language - the language unique to mankind. He is a man, who artistically communicates via this language with every single human being from the toddler to the most senior citizen.

The language is laughter. And the man who has linked himself inseparably with this delightful language is Tennyson Cooray.

This man has brought laughter not just once or twice, but more than 25 years. He possesses the rare and gifted talent to make people laugh. He has undoubtedly made his name as one of the greatest comedians to hit the Sri Lankan stage and screen ever.

Tennyson was a great fan of movies and dramas since his school days, a craze that had led him to send photo after photo to film directors requesting for an opportunity in acting.

"But I didn't have a fair skin. Nor did I have the romantic face they were looking for. Simply, I did not meet the conventional standards required to be an actor those days, and therefore was obviously rejected," he says. But he never gave up.

He started his career by creating his own short film 'Hada Endi Sittham' just as soon as he left school. And that was the beginning of the tale of this legendary actor who has conquered the film industry and stage dramas alike. Since then the number of films enriched by his unparallel acting are countless.

But what many do not know about Tennyson or rather 'Tenny' as we all affectionately call him, is that he is also a great script writer and producer of films. 'Nommara eka', 'Peralikarayo' and 'Kolompoor' are some films written by him. And his maiden production was 'Waradata Danduwam'.

The uniqueness about Tenny's films is that they were embraced by the public very eagerly. The mere fact that Tenny starred in it was more than enough for the public- irrelevant of their age or social status- to rush to a film hall and watch it. What was his secret? "I think people love me so much because I make them happy. I realise that comedy is the best way to reach out to people.

To be close to them. Children love me so much that some come to my place to see me. And I too, love these people deeply. Their love is the reward I get, which is more precious than any other award," Tenny says in a very serious manner completely different from the funny roles he plays on TV.

Though Tenny knows that the reason to be loved so much is the mere fact that he makes people do the one thing that they cannot be forced to do- laugh, he also acknowledges the sad part about being a comedian.

"In Sri Lanka some tend to think that comedy is not a very professional form of acting, which is completely wrong. This is the most difficult form of acting.

You should reach to the subconscious mind of a man and make him laugh. Even scientists have accepted that comedy had the potential to revive and heal the mind.

It's a pity that comedy which is so precious don't get the proper recognition by some.

One cannot 'become' a comedy actor. He should be gifted with the born talent to be one," he says. He also thinks that anyone lacking this gifted talent cannot be a comedian.

"That's why there are few of us. And that's why the few will remain in people's minds forever, like Freddy Silva's or Charley Chaplin's names have become immortal," Tenny says. And no one would argue on that.

He himself had made his name a house hold name for 25 years. No one beyond the horizon would challenge his position as one of the most loved actors for such a long period.

The surprising fact is that he hasn't changed the least bit. The Tenny we saw decades ago was exactly the one seated in front of me.

How can a man play such funny roles that require a lot of physical activity in the same capability he did 25 years ago? Didn't he age at all? Tenny laughs at this. "I guess it's because I'm always happy and carry no grudges inside. I try to help people whenever possible, so I'm always young at heart".

Helping people he had done throughout the years. He is a person known to help the needy always. One of the first to make donations for worthy causes.

And one known to always speak up on behalf of the suffering people. He strives to lend a hand to the artists by supporting the Tower Hall Foundation and collecting money to provide a pension scheme for all artists.

Tenny had done a priceless service helping people during the tsunami devastation. He also performs his dramas free of charge for the suffering people.

"I try to bring some light to their suffering souls. Give them at least a few moments of happiness by my dramas". His dramas had definitely been giving out happiness alright.

If not, his last three creations -'Captain Cool', 'Kurulla' and 'Man de Man' would not have been welcomed by the public with open arms as it did. May because after decades of acting Tenny still prefers the stage to the screen.

He believes that stage dramas possess a genuine mode of communication between the audience and the cast. "Stage dramas require more potential than acting in front of a camera. It is much livelier. I created my own style on stage. My way of approaching the audience was authentic.

I build and maintain a special relationship with my audience throughout the drama. And I think my technique is successful". It has to be successful. Otherwise why would the halls be packed out whenever one of Tenny's dramas were shown? What is so special about them?

According to Tenny this is because of the unique qualities of his dramas. While providing great amusement and relaxation via his rib-tickling jokes, he leaves the audience with something to think.

All his dramas carry a deep meaning and message disguised under their light wing. "Captain Cool' was about child abuse. And the next drama 'Kurulla' was about mental contentment and well being.

My latest one which is now running, is about the demolition done by drugs and AIDS to the youth of the country. With the 'Mahinda Chinthanaya' envisaging so much for the benefit of our children and eradication of drugs, I believe it's a timely necessity.

And also my dramas contain no slang, and thereby can be enjoyed by the whole family". With his dramas being roaring successes in the country why doesn't he think of giving the pleasure of enjoying them to people living abroad? Tenny's reply was poignant.

"I was invited to take my drama to ITALY this April, but I had so much trouble attaining visa for my cast. Even with all the assurance given by the relevant authorities, I had to go through a lot of trouble.

I don't have time to waste walking from one person to another, when I have so much of work to do for the people. Is this what we get after decades of service? So I have decided not to take my dramas abroad unless invitations are made after settling all the issues," a somewhat disappointed Tenny says.

Tenny, as the professor who makes hilarious but yet critical remarks about the situation of the country in 'Isiwara Hora Ne' on Sirasa TV every Saturday evening is a very popular character nowadays.

"I'm trying to do something good to the society through the programme. I discuss major problems of the country in a very subtle, simple and amusing manner.

While making people laugh I bring out issues to the attention of the authorities without hurting any one's feelings. Sidney Chandrasekara, who directs the programme has given me the freedom to do it in my own style, to which I'm very grateful.

I have received many complements from the politicians whom I criticise impartially for bringing hidden issues to their notice and from the public for discussing their problems openly".

Maintaining such great unwavering popularity as Tenny's for 25 years is surely due to his incomparable talent. But was it also due to any other secret as well? "The secret is love.

I return the love the people extent towards me. I am a down-to-earth man who don't believe in showing off. We as artists should be modest.

The beauty should come from within us. I talk to my fans whenever possible. Maybe that's the reason why people have been with me throughout". Tenny also gave some good news for his fans.

"My latest tele drama-'Political Pakshiya', which I had done after a long silence in TV would soon be telecast. And also I'll start working on two new films very soon," he assured the people anxiously awaiting his next fantastic creation.

Lakmini RODRIGO

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Mihindukula launches his latest collection

LAUNCH: The book launching ceremony of "Utthama Purusha Eka Wachana" written by popular Cinematic Writer, film critic and Sarasaviya editor Sunil Mihindukula will be held on April 26 at 4.00 p.m. at Public Library Auditorium.

Prof. Sunanda Mahendra, film director Tissa Abeysekara and film critic Gamini Weragama will deliver brief speeches at this event.

The book is a collection of articles by the author, which was published in "Dinamina" and "Sarasaviya" under the columns of "Dina Pothaka Pitu" and "Utthama Purusha Eka Wachana"

The book is a publication of Sandakada Publication of Rajagiriya.