Magnificent Mavens
Sarasavi Awards recognizes aces for their lifetime
achievements :
Rana Tisara Award - V. Vamadevan
Awarding of the Rana Thisara of 2009 Sarasaviya Film Awards to
cinematographer and camera artiste V. Vamadevan does not come as a
surprise to insiders of Sinhala cinema.
In fact, he had been a most sought after camera director in a large
number of Sinhala films, with quite a few of them achieving the
celebrated status in the local film industry. Veterans say that
Vamadevan, or "Vama" as he is better known, is famed for his camera
skills in indoor and outdoor lighting.
He is considered as a pioneer in filming fights and other fast
sequences and was regarded as "faster" than other camera artistes in
capturing scenes on camera.
"I am very happy and thankful to Sarasaviya and Chairman of Lake
House for presenting me with this award," Vamadevan, now aged 74, was
exuberant. Previsously, he had received a certificate at Presidential
Awards for Rampage and a Swarna Shanka Award for Nomiyena Minissu.
As records go, the first instance he was active behind a cinematic
camera and the very first time he fully directed the camera for a film,
was the result of the insistence of the late Gamini Fonseka.
The cameraman was missing at a time when Gamini and Jeevarani were
filming for "Oba Dutu Da" and Gamini asked the director Shivanandan that
an opportunity be afforded to Vamadevan to get behind the camera.
Gamini also wanted Vamadevan to direct the camera for the film "Sura
Chauraya" as the latter could film sequences faster than other camer
directors in the field thus doing away with inconvenience to the actors.
A journey so began was to prove most eventful and fruitful to
Vamadevan, the climax of which was reached on the just concluded
Sarasaviya Awards night.
"What Gamini imagined, I was able to create on screen. When he wanted
moonlight or early morning, I was able to get the exact effect with
lighting. A director of photography need to paint the moods of acting
with lights, as an artist paint with colours," Vamadevan said.
It is said that even today, the South Indian film industry holds
Vamadevan as a model camera director when teaching novices in the
industry.
Vamadevan's gurus had been B.A.W. Jayamanne, M. Mastan and the then
Sri Lanka's most senior camera artiste M.D. Sumanasekera. Advice Mastan
had given to Vamadevan is still recalled in press interviews.
"In every free time you get, study the faces of actors and actresses
you are going to film.
Once you are in the film studio, as a respect to your camera, do not
smoke or drink before it. You can pull the wool over the eyes of your
audience with gimmicks only for a short time.
Therefore, consider meticulous camera work better than gimmicks," are
some of the golden rules Mastan had spelt out and were highly valued by
Vamadevan.
For the last three years, Vamadevan has been on the Board of
Directors of National Film Corporation. "I am ready to assist any one
who seeks my help in film-making," is his assurance.
***********
[ Some of his most significant films]
* Sura Chauraya- 1967 Uthumaneni
* Uthum Sthriya Mayurige Kathawa
* Edath Suraya Adatrh Suraya Thavalama
* Hondama Velava Sagarayak Meda
* Duppathage Hithavatha Bandura Mal
* Senakeliya Sakvithi Suvaya
* Kauda Raja Koti Valigaya
* Onna Mame Kella Penapi Satyagrahanaya
* Deviyani Oba Kohida Nanungal Tholilali
* Chin Chin Nona Rampage
* Age Adara Kathawa Sacrifice
Rana Tisara Award - Tissa Liyanasuriya
With five decades of experience in the field, composing some
outstanding cinema creations and documentaries, Tissa Liyanasuriya had
established himself as one of the thespians in the arts stream. The old
boy of St. Joseph's College, Colombo, had been fascinated with the wide
screen from his schooldays. He and contemporaries like Upali Attanayake,
Sidney Atigala and Shymen Jayasinghe had flocked to New Olympia Theater,
Maradana, to watch the latest releases as they took to the reel. In 1957
he entered the scene as an assistant director in Lester James Peries'
Sandeshaya.
Half a century later the lad, now a reputed and seasoned filmmaker,
was able to get his hands on the Rana Thisara Award, the accolade
presented to artistes for their outstanding contribution to the field.
"I am honoured to be felicitated with the award. It is pleasing to
note that we are being appreciated for our contribution.
I value the fact that our creations are appreciated even more than
the profit we get by screening the movie," Liyanasuriya revealed his
ideas on the latest addition to his batch of trophies, the Rana Thisara
Award at the 32nd Sarasaviya Film Awards.
Reflecting back on his stint with cinema Liyanasuriya said that his
most significant period was the 1960s where he had worked with Serendib
Studios on some projects.
He had worked with experienced campaigners like Mike Wilson and
Shesha Palihakkara and contributed to many explicit creations including
Ran Muthu Doova, the island's first coloured movie.
"I penned the Sinbhala version of the moviescript. Later I was chosen
to co-direct Serendib's second movie Gatavarayo with Wilson. He directed
most of the scenes in the urban setting while I took over in the scenes
shot in the village.
I got together with K.A.W. Perera to compile the script of Saravita.
By then the whole movie had taken shape in my mind.
I was ultimately chosen to take over as director and all the things
fell into place. We wrote the script with Joe Abeywickrama in our mind
and we were able to rope him into the creation. I feel very fortunate
that everything turned out well for me," he said. The movie clinched 10
awards including the awards for Best Director and Best Actor at the
Sarasaviya Awards in 1966.
Liayanasuriya also introduced a handful of gifted artistes into
cinema. Among them screen queen Malani Fonseka tops the list.
"We decided to cast her for the female lead in Punchi Baba after
seeing her performance in Akal Vessa. We took quite a risk but it is
pleasing to know that we were able to surpass the challenge.
She was very good at grasping facts and showed signs of being an
immensely talented actress. She proved me right in my belief that she
will be one of the most gifted actresses in the country," he added.
Another significant aspect about Liyanasuriya is that he also
directed some noteworthy documentaries. One of his documentaries won the
gold award at the Berlin International Film Festival while one of his
short films titled 'Population' clinched the silver award.
He notes that one of the keys to his success is that fact that he was
able to work on his creations without outside interference.
"I have some stories in mind but I value my freedom in shaping the
creation according to my taste. I have been granted a free hand in all
my creations and that is how it should be in the future," Liyanasuriya
concluded.
*********
[ Some of his most significant films]
* Punchi Baba
* Narilatha
* Saravita
* Ran Muthu Doova
* Gatavarayo
Compiled by Dulshani Gunawardena, Jayanthi
Liyanage, Ruwini Jayawardana and Sachitra Mahendra. |
