www.geethaonline.com
Glamorous web address
Prasad Abu Bakr
Geetha at the launch
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CINEMA: It was the largest ever event hosted by a single person in
the history of Sri Lanka’s film industry. Leading film star Geetha
Samanmali Kumarasinghe invited every single co-star that played opposite
her and others that acted in supporting roles and also other star
friends and colleagues to attend the event of the launch of her website
at the Water’s Edge Golf Club in Battaramulla.
The event which started after a 45-minute delay opened to a packed
audience to the haunting melodious rhymes of a poem by Pandith Amaradeva
and Nanda Malini from the film ‘Siribo Aiya’ who directed the actress in
a few of his other cinematic creations as well.
Geetha who has acted in over 80 films can boast of the privilege of
having played the lead in most of them. Her directors varied from
commercial giants to creative genius’ from the old school to the more
contemporary directors too.
Niel Rupasinghe, H. D. Premaratne, K. A. W. Perera, Sugathapala
Senarat Yapa, Sunil Ariyaratne, Tissa Abeysekara, Sumitra Peries,
Udayakantha Warnakulasuriya and Mohan Niasz were some of the directors
that she played among others during her long spanning career. The list
mentioned here proves also that she is capable of playing a range of
roles steering away from being cast as a stereotyped actress.
From a string of commercially oriented Box Office hits during the
initial stages of her career, Geetha was able to step into more serious
roles that called for more than the appearance of her beautiful face.
Films like Pembara Madhu, Karumakkarayo, Palama Yata, Duwata Mawaka Misa,
Rajya Sewaya Pinisai; etc., opened the avenues for this actress, who
probably arrived at the gates of the Sinhala film industry merely
attracted by its glamour, to prove her mettle as an actress who
eventually saw beyond what she was initially attracted by.
It is also incorrect to state that Geetha Kumarasinghe remains the
most controversial star of the local film scene during this era only
surpassing the late Sandya Kumari, who in fact was amongst her many
predecessors in the industry.
The actress who started her career at a very young age played
opposite almost all the leading male stars up to date, ranging from
Tissa Wijesurendra to Kamal Addaraarachchi.
In between were veterans such as Joe Abeywickrama, Gamini Fonseka,
Vijaya Kumaranatunga, Ravindra Randeniya, Sanath Gunatileke and Jackson
Anthony.
So the night that website was launched the event not only became an
important event for the leading lady herself as much as to all her
colleagues and friends that she invited to watch her zoom into the world
wide web.
They were all there, everybody big and small — even the technicians,
photographers, musicians and many others. Everybody who in fact
contributed to her success or became a part of it even in the smallest
possible way they could.
Tony Ranasinghe felicitation on July 31
CINEMA: ‘Tony Ranga Soba’ a double celebration to felicitate one of
Sri Lanka’s film greats, Tony Ranasinghe, will take place at BMICH on
July 31 making it a night to remember with the veteran film actor
celebrating his birthday and completing 50 years in the film industry.
“We want Tony aiya to look back and see what he has done for the film
industry for the past 50 years. I am sure he is going to enjoy the film
documentary we have lined up for him on this occasion. It is going to be
an evening filled with nostalgia,” said member of the organising
committee Renuka Balasooriya.
Ranasinghe Hettiarachchige Egnashan Anthony Silva or Tony Ranasinghe
was born in 1937. Getting into the film industry was no cake walk for
him. His first two films in 1957 ‘Punchi Amma’ and ‘Rodi Kella’ were
never screened. But as the saying goes you can’t keep a good man down
and young Tony became an overnight success in the film Bodinkarayo by
veteran film director Sugathapala de Silva.
Tony Ranasinghe’s versatile talents were further recognised through
his character ‘Baladasa’ in Dr. Lester James Peries’ classic film ‘Gamperaliya’.
Tony was able to make his mark in the industry through this character.
Film critic Aruna Gunaratne who quoted late Film Director Sugathapala
de Silva on Tony Ranasinghe said: “Tony Ranasinghe is one of the few
actors in our country who uses facial expressions in whatever role he
plays, in the most natural way. This makes him so unique.”
He said its no exaggeration to say that most of the present day
actors can hardly match the talents and artistic knowledge of the acting
greats of the past.
Gunaratne also said that a book would also be released by film critic
Ajith Galappaththi on this occasion. Navin Dissanayake MP who described
himself as an avid movie fan promised to do everything possible in his
capacity to make this event a success through the Gamini Dissanayake
Foundation.
Navin Dissanayake thanked President Mahinda Rajapaksa who plans to
make a special presentation to the veteran actor in recognition of his
long standing contribution to the film industry through the President’s
Fund.
Ravindra Guruge said it is customary in Sri Lanka to commemorate
great personalities of Tony’s calibre once they are dead and gone. “In
fact we should appreciate them when they are with us, so they realize
how much we admire and care for them. Otherwise they are sure to feel
neglected, unwanted and lonely in the ‘v’ days of their lives.” A number
of popular actors, actresses and singers will perform at this evening to
make it a colourful and unforgettable one.
Among the others in the organising committee are Rohana Weerasinghe,
Somarathna Dissanayake, Jayantha Dharmadasa, Ravindra Randeniya, Bandula
Nanayakkarawasam, Ajith Galappaththi, Tissa Nagodawithana, Daminda D.
Madawala and Ashoka Serasinghe. Rupavahini will telecast ‘Tony Ranga
Soba’ on the same evening (July 31).
Anjalie Garnier
Responsibility of Lankan public in the face of ‘Glorified Artistes’
LANKAN CULTURE: “Shanthi Padanama” with Ven. Kotapola Amarakitti
Thera in the Chair and their President Somabandu Kodikara conducting the
proceedings, organised a conference at the Public Library Auditorium on
June 19 which was quite revealing and informative for the audience.
Even though one could say that the numbers were not as much as
expected, those present were people who were concerned about the
prevailing cultural situation of Sri Lanka. The main topic of focus was
Asoka Handagama’s “Aksharaya” (Letter of Fire) and other similar films
that have been produced in the recent past.
Three extremely eloquent speakers namely Prof. Punchinilame
Meegaswatte, Ven. Agalakade Siri Sumana Thera and Al-Haj Niyaz Maulawi
made highly emotional and constructive contributions to enlighten the
audience on our Sri Lankan culture and heritage, explaining in great
detail contributions of our ancient forefathers towards the development
of education, irrigation, the arts, economy and the ancient culture of
this country.
As responsible citizens of this country, they explained how Sri
Lanka, which has a rich cultural heritage in ancient times has now been
transformed into a country where quality of life as well as expectations
had deteriorated to such low levels where only sensual desires and
commercialism were being promoted by our media and artists.
Professor Meegaswatte made an in-depth explanation of patriotic
citizens we produced in history, but unlike in India where patriotism is
highly respected and nurtured all the time, in our country today
patriotic sentiments are looked down on, ridiculed, insulted and
considered “unfashionable.”
As a result, during our post-independence period of fifty odd years,
we as a nation have not produced any notable personalities of whom the
country could be proud of. Sum total is that we produce low quality,
commercial products which target profits rather than moral standards.
He called upon all patriotic citizens to come forward and act with
responsibility and shun literary products like films, TV programmes and
books which are of no benefit to us in intellectual or educative values.
He cautioned the audience to think back of the teledramas we see on TV -
almost all of them portray a society of immorality, alcoholism, mental
derangement, physical fights and “macho-chauvanism” which cannot be
shown to our younger generations.
Ven. Agalakade Siri Sumana Thera focused mainly on the obscene theme
of the film “Aksharaya” and the shameless efforts made to quote Buddhist
Jataka Stories out of context in order to justify his utterly low
product.
The venerable monk explained that The Buddha always offered the
highest respect to motherhood by every word, deed and action but the
film was reported to have insulted The Buddha by his ignorant remarks on
the Jataka Stories.
The venerable monk warned parents and adults, to think of their role
in society and to come forward to safeguard Buddhism and Sinhala culture
in this country.
He mentioned that Gamini Sumanasekera who also happens to be a member
of the Public Performance Board (PPB) that approved the screening of
Asoka Handagama’s “Aksharaya” film had published in the “Irida Divaina”
an interview he had with Asoka Handagama about his film.
Almost all the examples Asoka Handagama had taken from Jataka Stories
to drive a point home in his favour, had been distorted and given a
different connotation all together. Nowhere has The Buddha ever extolled
the virtues of sensuality.
He has always explained in his sermons, the futility of sensual
desires and that we must make every effort to detach ourselves from such
attachments. The venerable monk appealed to everyone to come forward at
this time to unite and safeguard our culture.
Al-Haj Niyaz Maulawi in his speech explained that even though he was
a Muslim, he was still a son of this soil - Mother Lanka. He said that
as a Sri Lankan proud of our heritage, he will do everything within his
powers to support anyone who will come forward in the name of decency
and morality in this country to work together for the greater welfare of
our society.
He said that if we permit artists to produce and screen obscene low
quality irresponsible products in the name of “freedom of expression”,
then we as a nation have failed in our responsibilities.
President of Shanthi Padanama Somabandu Kodikara who conducted the
proceedings in his summing up posed a question to Ven. Kotapola
Amarakitti Thera as to whether The Buddha had ever preached that we
should remain silent and indifferent to situations of injustice,
immorality or social misdemeanors. In answer to this question, Ven.
Amarakitti Thera explained in great detail that The Buddha was one who
never feared to speak out the truth.
He also encouraged others to do the same. Therefore, the venerable
monk explained that all those who value decency and morality in this
country must come forward and work towards bringing sanity to this
country which is now engulfed by cheap commercialism through the media
and journalists whose only objective was to destroy all forms of
morality and decency in our youth who get carried away by emotional
outbursts. If we do not take our responsibilities seriously, the results
will bring disaster to our country.
We thank “Shanthi Padanama” for organising such a conference
-needless to say this is the need of the hour!
Ramani D. Wickramaratne
94th birth
anniversary - July 23
Susan George Pulimood
HONOUR: The years have sped by - in retrospect one can say - This was
she- Susan George Pulimood - veteran educationist, strict
disciplinarian, stern moralist, a person both humane and compassionate.
She was a Botany teacher of excellence, co-author of “The Text book
of Botany”. She was a terror to the slack student - she was all of this,
but beyond this was her vision to see Visakha Vidyalaya as a leading
Girl’s school in Sri Lanka, at the forefront of all the imaginable
disciplines, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, Arts, Commerce and
Aesthetic Studies.
At her advent, although Visakha had a good reputation for studies in
the Arts field, she woefully lacked Science. Mrs. Pulimood whose roots
lay in Kerala, a Syrian Christian by religious persuasion took this
fledgling Buddhist Girl’s school under her wing, and very slowly at
first, and then with astonishing rapidity constructed the Science stream
- complete with laboratories, equipment and most important, a dedicated
staff.
The first Science teachers were from India recruited by the
indefatigable Mrs. Pulimood herself: I recall Miss Grace Kurien (later
Mrs. George) who taught Zoology, Miss Abraham and Miss Gnanam, the
Physics teachers, Miss Bano who taught Chemistry and Home Science and
Mrs. Korathu who taught Home Science. Few Science graduates in Sri Lanka
gravitated to Science teaching. Dodwell Rodrigo, Jayasekera, Devadasan,
Kumarasamy and Samuel served on the staff at Visakha Vidyalaya.
Later, past pupils from Visakha took over the teaching and the
administration of the Science section. The early years of Science
teaching were fraught with problems - practical classes in Physics and
Chemistry were conducted at Royal College until the laboratories were
ready.
It is a tribute to Mrs. Pulimood that a large proportion of the
present doctors, engineers and Arts graduates had their education at
Visakha Vidyalaya.
Mrs. Pulimood dealt sternly with miscreants who slid down hostel
banisters, harassed the hapless matron, climbed mango trees, and ate the
fruit “before it emerged from the flower.” She used to call them
rapscallions and in a bad mood “children of uneducated parents” but her
sense of humour robbed the words of their sting.
Once she called a colleague “a bad brick” and the diminutive
recipient of this appellation did not hear the end of it. Mrs. Pulimood
was a well-loved Principal - she is remembered with awe and gratitude by
all her pupils.
P.S.
Presentation of ‘Kalabhooshanam’ award
Sangeetha Vidthagar Nagarajah felicitated
Pon. Vallipuram garlands a golden shawl on S. Nagarajah while S.
Visvanathan and the priest look on
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MUSIC: “Sangeetha Vidthagar” S. Nagarajah has been honoured and
felicitated by the Colombo Mayurapathy Bathrakali Amman Devasthana
Araneri School presided over by Pon. Vallipuram, a philanthropist and
Trustee of the Temple for the tremendous service Nagarajah has rendered
for the past several years in the spheres of Carnatic music and Hindu
religious and also for having been presented with “Kalabhooshanam” award
by the Department of Hindu Religious and Cultural Affairs in
collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.
Director (Tamil Service) of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation and
former member of the Carnatic Music and Bharatha Natya panel of the Art
Council of Sri Lanka and locally and internationally reputed radio
announcer S. Visvanthan was the chief guest.
Nagarajah is not only a veteran Carnatic musician, but a
multi-faceted and multi-dimensional personality who is very much
interested in religion, art and culture. Further, he is greatly
associated with ‘Thirumarai Kalamandram” Centre for Performing Arts
headed by Professor Rev. N.M. Saveri.
An account of Mr. Nagarajah’s vast knowledge in Hindu Religion
particularly “Saiva Siddantam” the Centre for Performing Arts organised
a functions recently to release a cassette comprising “Saiva Siddanta
Unmai Vilakkam” in poetic form which was presided over by former senior
radio broadcaster, social and religious worker and former president of
Jaffna Hindu Ladies College Old Girls Association (Colombo branch).
“Sangeetha Vidthagar” Nagarajah hails from Navatkuli in the Jaffna
district. As a student he was much interested in music and he
participated in all the cultural programmes conducted in the school and
was the first person to get the title as “Paadagan” for his wonderful
music. Nagarajah has participated in various cultural programmes
organised by religious organisations, schools, temples and dance and
music programmes.
Besides, he is a radio artiste and conducts music classes in Colombo
Mayurapathy Bathrakali Amman Devasthana Araneri School and several other
music centres. Indeed, he is one of the leading Carnatic musician in Sri
Lanka and in appreciation and recognition of his inesteemable service in
the field of music he was conferred with the title of “Sangeetha
Gnanasthan” and also “Kalabhooshanam” award by the Ministry of Culture.
Kalabhooshanam Chelvatamby Maniccavasagar
Exhibition
An exhibition of paintings by pre-school student Monali Madanayake
titled ‘Mage Sithuvili’ will be held at Galle Town Hall on July 24 and
25.
She will be basing her theme on how she sees her surroundings. This
will be her second exhibition. Monali is the daughter of Presidential
award winner Mangala Madanayake.
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