Latha Icon & national treasure

Felicitation ceremony and biography launch:

Afelicitation ceremony to mark the 75th birth anniversary of Latha Walpola will be held at BMICH on November 11.A biography of the gifted vocalist, written by veteran journalist, Deepthi Fonseka, will also be launched.

Deepthi Fonseka

Titled Latha: Hela Gee Rajina this book comprises not only her life story but some unknown and interesting facts in connection to her musical career along with a list of the vocalists she had dueted with, those who had composed the lyrics for her and musicians who had composed the tunes for her.

It also includes a list of the films she had playback sung to and the local and Indian actresses she had rendered her voice to. Around 50 lyrics and melodies of her most popular hits and rare photographs also make up Latha: Hela Gee Rajina which is put out by H. D. Premasiri of Sarasavi Publications Nugegoda.

Sangeeth Nipun Sanath Nandasiri will chair the event while Professor Sunil Ariyaratne and popular veteran actor Ravindra Randeniya will speak. Representing the two generations actresses Malani Fonseka, Clarence de Silva, Nita Fernando, Jeewarani Kurukulasooriya, Sumana Amarasinghe, Sriyani Amarasinghe, Anula Karunatileke, Shanthi Leka, Suvenitha Weerasinghe, Sonia Disa, Geetha Kumarasinghe, Manel Wanaguru, Kanthi Lanka, Veena Jayakody, Manik Kurukulasooriya, Nadeeka Gunasekara, Dilhani Ekanayake, Sangeetha Weeraratne, and Chathurika Peiris will present dance items for Latha’s songs.

Channa Wijewardena is the choreographer, Jagath Wickramasinghe the music director, the script is by Wasantha Kumara Kobawaka and the compere is Asela Bandaranaike. Veteran lyricist Bandara Ehaliyagoda will arrange the stage setting.

A special feature in the programme will be the cutting of the birthday cake which is provided by culinary expert, Shantha Mayadunne.

Backed by 20 years of experience as a journalist at Sri Lanka’s longest running cinema weekly, Sarasaviya, Fonseka had also been the editor and consultant to the magazine. She has also written a vast number of articles of reputed figures in cinema. Married to Upali Fonseka, the associate photo editor of ANCL, Deepthi is the mother of Chelaka and Chrishone Fonseka.

75th birth anniversary on November 11

Ruwini Jayawardana

Talent, they say, is inborn. Years of experience and practice sharpens skills and takes individuals to great heights. Similarly Latha Walpola, one of Sri Lanka’s most seasoned and celebrated vocalists, unveiled her talents which brought her to the highest echelons of the music scene. With 61 years of expertise and dedication, Walpola had risen to heights which inspires many a young vocalist.

Nearly 75 years had passed since a lass with an exceptional voice opened her eyes to the world. Known by her childhood name, Rita Jenevi Fernando, Latha hailed from Mount Lavinia. Her talent for singing emerged with the church choir. She was later introduced to SLBC (then Radio Ceylon) when she was 13 by a family friend, C.A. Fonseka, father of Radio artiste C.D. Fonseka, who was also a popular Radio dramatist at that period.

Latha Walpola Pictures by Upali Fonseka

Latha made her entrance into singing with Kandulu Denethe Vehena, a song composed by Vincent de Alwis, the popular violinist at Radio Ceylon. She had sung duets with him in his Sarala Gee programmes and he in turn introduced her to Susil Premaratne and C.T. Fernando.

Her song Namo Mariyanee, which was recorded in 1948 made a tremendous impact with her high pitched tone and melodious voice, giving her instant fame. Many hits like Seethala Duruthu Mahe, Mihiri Suwanda Vihiduwa, Nunwa Jaya Handa Pem, Soka Nege Den and Oba Prema Raja Magay followed along with carols penned by Fr Marceline Jayakody.

It is difficult to recall the exact number of songs she had gifted her fans for there are so many, but it is presumed that the number of songs exceed 6500. She is the only Sri Lankan vocalist who is recognised to be on par with India’s singing legend, Latha Mangeshkar, and in fact that is how the name Latha originated for it was reputed playback singer, Susil Premaratne who named the emerging young star as ‘Latha of Sri Lanka’.

She debuted in playback singing for the movie, Eda Rae in 1952 and was flooded with many more offers even before the film was screened. She recorded songs for three more films in that year itself and her first opportunity to render her voice to playback singing with her future husband, Dharmadasa Walpola came with the movie, Prema Tharangaya which was music director Muttusami’s first film as well.

After marriage, Latha and Dharmadasa continued to churn out more memorable numbers to the music industry and they went on the become the leading playback singers for Sinhala movies. She had recorded for more than 580 films in a career spanning over 54 years. She had sung with many iconic figures of the music scene such as Susil Premaratne, C.T. Fernando, C.D. Fonseka, Edward Perera, B.P. Wickremasinghe, Clarence Wijewardana, Haroon Lanthra, Dharmadasa Walpola, Mohideen Baig, W.D. Amaradeva, Milton Perera, H.R. Jothipala, Victor Ratnayake, T.M. Jayaratne, Milton Mallawarachchi, Sanath Nandasiri, M.S. Fernando, Rukhantha Gunatilleke, Gratien Ananda, Samantha Perera, G.S.B. Rani Perera, Indrani Wijebandara and Sujatha Attanayake. Music Directors Mohamed Ghouse, R. Mutthusami, B.S. Perera, Sunil Shantha, R.A. Chandrasena, W.D. Amaradeva, P.L.A. Somapala, Premasiri Khemadasa, Sarath Dassanayake, Stanley Pieris, Rohana Weerasinghe and Samantha Perera were able to match the golden voice of the sparkling vocalist with their groundbreaking melodies.

Latha was the only Sri Lankan artiste to have sung with South Indian musicians like Dakshinamurthi in the film Duppathage Duka and Suraya, Sathyamurthi, T.R. Papa, Jamuna Rani, K. Rani, Saraswathi and Sri Lankan celebrities like Herby Seneviratne, Dommie Jayawardana, Vijaya Kumaratunga and Ravindra Randeniya. She was also fortunate enough to work with famous Indian musicians Darshana Murthi, S.S. Weda, T. R. Papa, R. Sundaranam , Raja Thangendra, Gowradanam, and Jayadev.

Interestingly, Latha had playback sung for every actress in Sinhala cinema except for Rukmani Devi who sung her own songs for her films. Beginning with Sita Jayawardana in her first film, Eda Rae, Latha had given voice to present day actresses like Chathurika Peiris and Anarkali Aakarsha. Coincidently she had also sung for two generations: Rohini Jayakody and Girley Gunawardana in the 1950s and later their daughters Veena Jayakody and Sabita Perera.

At a time when filming was mostly done in India and producers hired South Indian vocalists to sing for their creations Latha was able to challenge this flow and bring playback singing back to local vocalists. She also portrayed a few minor roles in movies like Eda Rae, Prema Tharagaya and Radala Piliruwa. She also dubbed for India’s celebrated movie star, Nimmi, in Angulimala Angulimala the Sinhala version of the Buddhist Jathaka story filmed in Hindi.

Latha had won many accolades for her musical talent. She won the Golden Swan Award presented by the Lake House of the Associated Newspapers in 1992, OCIC Golden Award in 2006, U.W. Sumathipala Memorial Award by the Sumathipala Group and Swarnabhimani Golden Award by Swarnavahini for her lifetime contribution to music.

The Deepasika Award was given to her in 1974 for being the only female vocalist who contributed the maximum number of songs to Sri Lankan cinema. She received the Kala Suri Award presented by the Government of Sri Lanka for her inspiring role in the arts and culture stream.

Latha Walpola is an icon, an aspiration and a national treasure worthy of honour. She is indeed a vocalist with a irreplaceable voice and as Sri Lankans we are indeed proud of her.

Treat yourself to Arungal

Mauli and Chandani

Ruwini Jayawardana

Jayalath, Jayani and Mauli

Award winning director Lalith Ratnayake of Vishama Baga and Theth Saha Viyali fame had brought forth yet another tele creation to dazzle his audience -Arungal.

The story, which revolves around a family living in a remote village, traces their joys and misfortunes in a realistic and innovative manner. The spins, the twists, the humour and the refreshing ending make for good viewing. It is a far cry from the monotonous storylines of present day teledramas.

Jayalath Manoratne performs in his own inimitable style backed by key players like Chandani Seneviratne, Mauli Fernando, Buddhadasa Vithanachchi, Douglas Ranasinghe, Jayani Senanayake, Wasantha Vittachchi, Nayani Maheshika, Umali Thilakaratne, W. Jayasiri, Berty Nihal Susiripala, Kingsley Loos and others.

Saman Priyankara is the producer while Sisira Amarabandu is the production executive. Tharanga Kumarasinghe is the editor, Wasantha Vittachchi the make up artist, Dhammika Dissanayake the cameraman and Manjula Ayagama the art director. The music was composed by the Sarath Wickrama while D.D. Gunasena lent his voice for the theme song written by Kumara Liyanage. Arungal is both scripted and directed by Lalith Ratnayake.

Mauli	Umali and Jayani	Director Lalith with Jayalath, Jayani and Umali

The teledrama unfolds on ITN every Sunday at 8 p.m. No doubt it will provide a visual treat for its viewers.

Tharuna Hithaka Adarayak to be launched

The latest edition of Tharuna Hithaka Adarayak, a Sinhala novel, written by Yasawardane Rodrigo will be launched at Dayawansa Jayakody Book Exhibition Hall Ven. S. Mahinda Mawatha, Colombo 10 on November 4 at 10 a.m.

The award-winning author has written several other novels such as ‘Vipiriyasaya’, ‘Dennata Denna’, ‘Doo Daruvo’, ‘Balaporottu’ and ‘Sinhinaya Bondaviya’.

Tharuna Hithaka Adarayak is published by Dayawansa Jayakody Book Publishers, Colombo 10.

Abayakaram at Bambalapitiya

A dance programme titled “Abayakaram” will be presented by the students of “Kalasuri” Vasugy Jegatheeswaran of Natya Kalamandir at Bambalapitiya New Kathiresan Hall, Colombo 04 on November 7 and 8. The event is held to mark the 32nd Anniversary Celebrations of “Natya Kalamandir”.

Torana uncovers five productions

Ruwini Jayawardana

Torana Music Box had added five new CD, DVD and VCDs to the market recently. Among them were the DVDs of Dharmadasa Walpola’s collection of songs titled Me Saumya Rathriya, ‘The Return of Desmond and the Clan - Live’ and Sanath Gunatileke’s 1992 hit movie Sisila Gini Gani subtitled in English and Tamil. Their latest CDs include Aruna Lian’s Hada Salena and Nathasha Perera’s Sulan Kurullane.

Me Saumya Rathriya comprises 21 evergreen tracks of Dharmadasa Walpola’s like Utthama Muni Dalada, Pem Ralla Nagee, Surathali, Jeewana Ganga, Pem Mala, Nilata Nilae, Pipena Puman along with the title song Me Saumya Rathriya.

‘The Return of Desmond and the Clan - Live’ contains variety of well-loved songs like ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘I Can See Clearly’, ‘ Mohamed Ali’, ‘ Mama Told Me Not To Come’, ‘Matilda’ and many more sung by Desmond De Silva and his troupe.

Sisila Gini Gani, scripted and produced by popular actor, Sanath Gunatilek, was screened to the public recently. Its screenplay was launched in September.

Now its DVD is available to film enthusiasts. The movie starring Sabeetha Perera, Sanath Gunatileke, Veena Jayakoday, Tony Ranasinghe, Jayalath Manoratne and Sanjaya Khan, clinched the Swarna Sanka Award and the OCIC award in 1992.

Hada Salena is the maiden music album by versatile music director Aruna Lian. It has a combination of the Western and local music composed in 14 songs. The songs are influenced by his six-year stint with Austrian-based Sri Lankan band, Jayasri and his 15-years of experience in Europe performing bands like the Kings, Image, Live, Hit House and Odyssey.

Sulan Kurullane is the latest album of teenage vocalist Nathasha Perera who gained popularity through Sulagak Wee Man Enawa Dura Ahase Avidinnata, a duet she sang with veteran vocalist Edward Jayakody. Sulan Kurullane includes 14 tracks and four dutes with Greshan Ananda, Desmond Silva, Nadee Perera and Niranjan Palawattha. Lassana Dadunnak Wage, Tharuka, Sanda Me Tharam Dura Ai, Amma and Mama Punchida Lokuda are some of the songs included in Sulan Kurullane.

Speaking at the event, Torana chief, Sarath Kothalawala stated that measures have been taken to seize places which sell pirated copies. He advised fans to watch out for the hologram sticker which are displayed on Torana productions.

“We hope to launch several more films in DVD form. Nisala Gira, Sewwandi and Wada Bari Tarzan 2 are next in line,” he said.

Senaratne brings Buck’s ‘The Good Earth’ trilogy in Sinhala

Ruwini Jayawardana

Senaratne Weerasinghe Picture by Sudath Nishantha

Senaratne Weerasinghe is no stranger to the Sri Lankan literary scene, having translated many reputed world literary novels, short stories and children’s books into Sinhala throughout the years.

The latest addition to his collection is Pearl S. Buck’s award-winning ‘The Good Earth’ trilogy. Weerasinghe had titled the three volumes as Sarubima (The Good Earth), Sarubime Puththu (Sons) and Sarubime Peraliya (A House Divided), printed and published by Prabha Publishers.

The trilogy is based on an inspiring tale of a farming family living in the outskirts of China. Beginning with Wang Lung’s wedding day the tale flows through his joy and sorrow, creating a deep impact in the reader through Buck’s poetic style. It is noted as the best novel portraying Chinese culture and helped prepare Americans of the 1930s to take up China as allies in their war with Japan.

‘The Good Earth’ trilogy had become an instant best-seller as soon as it hit the shelves and had been a favourite among literary enthusiasts throughout the years so much so that the book was once again in the best-seller list in 2004 after being chosen by the television host Oprah Winfrey for Oprah’s Book Club.

The novel had won a number of accolades including the Pulitzer Prize in 1932 and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1938.

“This is the first time that a set of translations will be presented together in one,” Weerasinghe stated as he displayed his translated volumes of Asia’s longest trilogy in a sleeve box. He had translated works by renowned authors like Rabindranath Tagore, James Hadley Chase, Sathyajith Ray, Maxim Gorky, Adoor Gopala Krishna, Agatha Christie and many more.

Jerome to build the ‘City of Pride’

Scriptwriter Nihal Jayatileke Bandara	Producer Abeywardena	Director Jerome

Renowned director Joseph Jerome who entered the scene as an assistant director to a number of tele creations like Gauthami and Paba had begun work on his second teledrama Ahankara Nagarae (City of Pride). The Muhurath ceremony of the teledrama was held recently at the NFC premises amidst its cast and crew.

Key players Saranga and Manjula

Popular young actor Saranga Dissasekera will take the lead role opposite lovable actress, Manjula Kumari. Richard Abeywardana, Vishaka Siriwardena, Gayan Seneviratne, Nalin Pradeep Uduwela, Ramya Wanigasekara, Pumi Purasinghe, Gayesha Perera, Rebecca Nirmalee and others are also included in the cast.

The Ahankara Nagarae team Pictures by Ruwan de Silva

Ahankara Nagarae is a story about the clashes of urban and rural traditions. When Kema and Migara meet on a rainy day little do they know that the chance meeting will take them on a long journey through life. Kema is the embodiment of village rituals while Migara’s family takes up the urban lifestyle. Does a combination of these two sides go together, will their relationship hold depth? These are the questions that scriptwriter Nihal Jayatileke Bandara seem to explore.

Janaka Chaminda handles the camera, Manoj Selvaraj the make up department, and Anusha Jayawardena the editing in the teledrama Priyantha Nawalage will compose the music scores.

Jerome who had previously directed Tharuwak Polowata is shooting the 36 episode teledrama in locations around Colombo and Kuliyapitiya. Ahankara Nagarae will mark the third production for Richard Abeywardena who had also displayed his acting skills in a number of tele creations.

RJ

Sirasa handrailed with Nawa Cinema

Indrakeelaya

Walter Fernando proprietor of Nawa Cinema Films has handed over 30 films to Sirasa TV telecast for the benefit of film enthusiasts. Sirasa TV will telecast the following movies.
Yali Hamuwennai - Gamini, Sriyani and Sabitha
Lassana Dawasak - Vijaya, Suwarna and Rex
Santhi - Sriyani, Oswald and Jothipala
Sudu Aiya - Baptist, Jenita and Fredy
Ran Hadawatha - Jeewan, Anoja and Nadeeka
Thanagiravi - Henri, Sumana and Joy
Bawa Sasara - Sanath, Sabitha and Marvin
Vasiti Kella - Sanath, Manori and Vijayarathna
Paradise - Malini, Laki and Kamal
Ekahitha - Sriyani, Toni and Vijaya
Akka Nago - Sandaya, Stanly and Joy
Ek Tam Ge - Ravinda, Malini and Joy
Yasa Isuru - Vijaya, Malini and Gothami
Lae Kiri Kadulu - Toni, Nilmini and Sanath
Induta Mal Mitak - Malini, Ravindra and Upali
Raktha - Malini, Rex and Robin
Hai Baby Hai - Dilani, Yasas and Soniya
Kadaunu Poronduwa - Vijaya, Sumana and Joy
Chaya - Sanath, Sabitha and Nadika
Cheriyo Dalin - Joy, Dilhani and Bandu
Pethi Gomara - Toni, Sriyani and Marvin
Somi Boys - Sanath, Bandu and Tennyson
Indrakeelaya - Dilani, Linton and Sriyani
Saduni - Rex, Arjuna and Dilsha
Saravita - Sobani, Joy and Jeewarani
Chandingeth Chandiya - Sanath, Maureen and Marvin
Anusha - Thissa, Jenita and Rukmani
Ahinsa - Malini, Laki and Nadika
Sudu Piruwata - Ravindra, Sumana and Dilhani
Gedara Budun Amma - Jeewan, Sumana and Kamal

Lae Kiri Kandula	Ektam Ge