Gleanings K. S. SIVAKUMARAN
Henry Jayasena: a living legend
 I had an enjoyable phase in my Journalistic career as Deputy Features
Editor of The Island in the late 1980s. The then Editor of the paper,
the irresistible rationalist and analyst Gamini Weerakoon entrusted me
to compile, edit and present a weekly page called “Culture”.
I did that to the satisfaction of the management, readers, and most
of all the various people actively participating in the cultural
activities in the country. We covered happenings in all three languages.
It was at this time did I come into contact with the legendary Henry
Jayasena. His weekly column “Play is the Thing” appeared in the
“Culture” Page and brought special significance for the page.
Debonair, kind, gentlemanly, multifaceted and knowledgeable thespian,
the adorable Henry Jayasena and I met face to face weekly as he brought
his column for publication. I was elated and found myself privileged to
have the friendship of a VIP.
Earlier I had seen Mr Jayasena at the then PWD office at Echelon
Square, in his magnificent theatre performances and in films and later
as the DDG of Rupavahini. He is a kind soul and produced play for the
small screen immediately after the Black July of 1983.
The respected Henry Jayasena has just concluded his series in the
Artscope pages and hopefully it would soon be printed in book form.
There is a difference when you read a book at one sitting rather when
you read the matter as piecemeal feeds. I felt this when I read afresh
Jayasena’s book Play is the Thing published by Vijitha Yapa’s concern.
It runs into 310 pages with 16 pages of memorable black and white
photographs that are pictorial records of the author’s career in the
field of dramatic and cinematic arts.
The book reads like an interesting fiction as its records places,
events and people that make up cultural history. It is not mere
reminiscences of the past experienced by the author but it is also a
compendium of important turning points in the country’s social history.
Politics notwithstanding Sarath Amunugama is also one of the
sociological and cultural commentators in the country, and he writes and
speaks with clarity. He rightly points out that “Henry Jayasena is one
of our leading dramatists who has tried to make his creative works
relevant to the special problems of our society. In keeping with a grand
theatrical tradition he is a playwright, producer and actor”
Now let’s glean from one piece chosen at random just to show some
observations and the style of the author: Page 21: Sinhala theatre
became fashionable among the Colombo elite. It had also attained
intellectual proportions. Theatre had become a serious thing.
The English language newspapers, which had so far taken scant notice
of ‘Local drama’, were seen to be allocating more and more space for the
latest trends in Sinhala Theatre and the very best critics were
evaluating this precious new product.
It may have been a ‘fashion’ for them. But the general public, the
majority audience, the Sinhala /English oriented; theatre-goer’, who had
been starved of any meaningful happening on our stages, took this new
trend in their hearts and souls.”
Finally, dear Henry, let you please relax, remain cool and enjoy the
positive things around. This is Siva wishing you excellent health,
happiness and contentment in life ahead.
And readers would enjoy reading Play is the Thing.
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