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Manorathne: Artist behind many characters
STAGE DRAMA: Meet the artist behind many characters you come across in stage dramas, films and tele dramas. Sonorous, witty, funny, mischievous, anything you want him to be. Of course there is a lot more behind all that. A man who breathes life to multiple roles of characters ranging from "Maname" to seriously funny modern comedies such as "Horu Samaga Heluwen". As a tribute to the actor on his 40th anniversary on joining the field of stage drama, the "Nirmana Sahurdha Sansadaya" has taken measures to stage five of Jayalath Manorathne's stage plays. Under the title of "Nelu Ran Rosa: Dhashaka Hatharakata Mano", the dramas "Thalamala Pipila" (November 15), "Puthra Samagama" (November 16), "Lokaya Thaniyayake" (November 17), "Guru Tharuwa" (November 18), and "Anderela" (November 19) will go on boards at the John De Silva Theatre at 6.30 p.m. Other line-up of activities include a workshop for 50 debutants to the stage, an exhibition of photography and other items connected with stage dramas, a launch of a website, a book about stage plays, and CD consisting of songs taken from the artist's plays. Five great artists who have been a pride to the nation will also be given awards of appreciation. Jayalath Manorathne was born in Dehipe of the Nuwara Eliya district on 12, June 1948. He was educated at the "Dehipe Primary mixed school" and later at Poramadulla Central College. He achieved his higher education at the University of Peradeniya and the University of Jayewardenepura. During his years spent at the University of Peradeniya, Manorathne got the chance to perform in stage dramas under the guidance of Ediriwira Sarachchandra. "Sinhabahu", "Maname", "Pematho Jayathi Soko", "Vessanthara", "Mahasara", "Kadha Walalu", and "Elowa Gihin Melowa Aawa" opened the door for many opportunities for him to show his abilities as an actor both on stage as well as on screen. Today Manorathne has become a skilled producer as well as a playwright. He has already six successful plays to his credit. The Soviet play "The Elder Son" translated into Sinhala by Prasanna Vithanage as "Puthra Rathnaya" and "Lokaya Thani Yayake", an adaptation of Mahagamasekara's poetic work, are also Manorathne's productions. His roles of actor, producer and playwright won him several awards at the State Drama Festival. "Each one of my productions includes some of the experience I gained in life. For example, "Thalamala Pipila" portrays how our traditions fall into decadence under westernization. Similarly "Guru Tharuwa" relates how problems arise when literature is removed from the school timetable. "Anderela" shows the political power of a nation taking over the life of innocent people," he explained. Manorathne says that a good piece of stage drama should include humour, provide knowledge and didacticism, and should be a new experience to its viewers. He believes that at present, most producers are only concerned with entertainment. Therefore, such dramas do not have the power to live in the mindset of the audience. He also said the golden era of stage drama was during the late 1950s and 1960s when literature, language, tradition, and music were at a very high quality. The decadence in the literary field began at the end of the 1970s with the open economy. "A keen study of society is essential for an artist. An actor should study his subjects at a physical as well as mental level. Then he must try to imitate the behaviour of the people based on what he observed. It is not as easy as it looks but it is something which comes with experience and practice," he states. The actor, producer and playwright says that it takes about three years for him to write a play and around a year for it to be produced. His future aim is to work on a film suited for children. |
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