Rediscovering Henry
Sunil THENABADU
The sudden demise of legendary Dramatist, renowned Actor and Author
Henry Jayasena who stood tall on the modest unsophisticated Lumbini
Theatre from the early 1960's was devastating news not only to those in
his field but to all lovers of our drama and films. He had confessed
many times as a much adored artiste that" my heart lies in theatre".
Henry Jayasena was definitely amongst in the list of elite eminent
literal figures in the calbre of Professor Sarachchandra, Sugathapala de
Silva, Dayananda Gunawardena, Premasiri Khemadasa in the annals of our
history..
His enormous contribution to the theatre and films spanned for almost
4 decades. He hung up his celebrated acting in the year 1999 after he
recovered from the dreaded Colon cancer disease. The entire treatment
process took over around one and a half years. On his personal
experience and suffering he had written a book titled " Balha Gilano-A.
story of a cancer patient" purely to educate the masses. He contributed
to 'Artscope' for a number of years under the Henry Jayasena column.
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Henry Jayasena. Picture by Palitha Gunasena |
However he lived for a further 10 years leading a normal life during
which time he revived his famous drama Hunuwataye Kathawa an adoption of
Bertol Bretch's Caucasian Circle by deploying experienced and talented
new actors along with a few who were involved earlier He in addition had
been since occupied as a journalist and an author prior to his sudden
demise on 11th November2009.The news of his sudden demise was
devastating and unbearable as he was hail and hearty until he entered
hospital for some tests to ascertain the current condition of his
health...
He was born on 6th July 1931 in a village called Bandiyamulla in
Gampaha. He was initially educated at the Gampaha branch of Lorensz
College and subsequently at Nalanda College, Colombo. It was late Dr
Gunapala Malalasekera an eminent Civil Servant who first predicted a
great future for him in the field of acting after the famous
educationalist saw little Henry Jayasena acting in a school concert at
Nalanda College.
Since leaving school he opted for a career as an Assistant Teacher of
English at the Dehipe Government Primary School in Padiyapellela in the
Nuwara Eliya District in the year 1950 at the tender age of just 19
years.
He initially ventured into stage acting by producing the drama 'Janaki'
in the same year while he was a teacher. As he was adamant to pursue a
career in the Government service, he without wasting any time passed the
General Clerical Service Examination and secured a job at the Public
Works Department (PWD).While working in the PWD with his immense innate
creative ability was able to make a number of new plays. The first of
which was Manamalayo in the year 1953, then Vedagathkama in1954 and
Paukarayo in1959.
Then the vastly improved Dramatist created Janelaya and the famous
Kuweni in 1962.Subsequently he produced Thavath Udesanak,Manaranjana
Wedawarjana, Ahas Maliga, Hunuwataye Kathawa,Apata Puthe Magak Nethe,
Diriya Mava Saha Ege Daruwo,Makara, Savana Siyath Se Puthuni Habha Yana
in the years 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1972, 1973 ,1975 respectively
With these creations Henry Jayasena became a household name in Sri Lanka
owing to the enormous revolution made in the field of creative arts,
with his absorbing and pioneering efforts in the local drama .As a
gesture of gratitude for the tedious task of performing Arts besides his
contribution towards literature, theatre productions and lyrics for
songs Henry Jayasena was honoured by the OBA of his 'Alma Mater the
Nalanda College' by conferring on him with "Nalanda Keerthi Shri' title
on 27th September 2003..
The veteran Dramatist was married to talented actress Manel
Ilangakoon in the year1962. She acted as the lead actress in her first
drama Kuweni for which she won the best actresses award for her acting
as well as for her singing. She started to act just one year after their
marriage. She made a very valuable contribution and a tremendous impact
to Hunuwataye Kathawa (Chalk Circle) portraying the main female role as
'Grushe;' for 32 years, opposite the main male character role of Judge
Azdak portrayed by her husband She too possessed immense talent and
excelled in her absorbing performances. Their only son Sudaraka during
his early days acted for the little Prince Micheal.
Actress Manel predeceased him after 42 years of married life on the
24th July 2004.after ailing from complications which arose from chronic
renal failure. The general public, relations friends, well wishes family
members all rallied around her to save her life. Instead fate was so
cruel to snatch her very precious life
While his creations were admired and as he made lasting impressions
in his dramas he was simultaneously called upon to act in films. His
first role in films was in Sri 296 in the year 1959.During the 1960's he
portrayed several roles. The role of Piyal opposite Punya Heendeniya
became an award winning film in 1964.Then he portrayed the role of
Lalith in Dahasak Sithuwili in 1968..He played vivid roles in
Hansavilak,Gehenu Geta,Kaliyugaya,Raththaran Neth.,Wena Swargayak
Kumatada,Suhadea Sohoyurayo,Heta Pramada Vedie, Beddegana, Soldadu
Unnehe,Kaliugaya, ammai Duwai and Sandakada Pahana. Some of the roles
portrayed by him in the above films were leading characters, while in
some others they were supporting roles. In each role he very clearly
demonstrated and proved his prowess as an actor possessing talent in
abundance..
Late Henry Jayasena retired from Government service in the year
1975..Before retiring he held the position of Deputy Director of the
National Youth Services Centre ( Arts and Sports Division) and at the
Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (Programmes Division).In the early
1990's he portrayed the role of 'Sudu Seeya' in the famous teledrama '
Doo Daruwo'. Most of the characters whether drama, film or teledrama is
imprinted indelibly in the minds of people.
After his death as he never wanted publicity and state patronage his
funeral too like his wife's was conducted in a very simple manner. His
close friends, relations and the 'Kalapura Nivesi Padanama' made all
funeral arrangements to precision at his ''Kalapura' residence and was
very well patronized.
Thousands of people from all walks of life paid their last respects.
His loss is most irreparable to his only son Sudaraka, daughter -in-law
Anoma (both employed at the Hatton National Bank), the two grandsons and
those in the drama field especially those who were close to him from his
early humble beginnings. |
