Unique outreach
Forty years since Nim Walalla saw the light of day:
Ruwini Jayawardana
It was a unique endevour that had not been recorded in the annals
of history before. A group of spirited schoolboys, mainly Anandians, got
together to create history by making a feature film. Titled Nim Walalla,
the movie ran in 15 theatres islandwide on November 18, 1970.
|
Swarna and Janaki |
Janaki and Nissanka |
It had all begun at a time when schools gave tremendous supports to
the aesthetic talents of students. The system upheld the belief that
education via extra curricular activities was essential for individual
growth. There was not mad rat race to top the list in achieving grades.
Students were encouraged to explore their creative talents and
contribute to the arts field.
Such a setup was a paradise for these youths who were budding with
ideas and talent. The inspiration to venture into filmmaking derived
from watching D B Nihalsinghe’s Bhakthi in 1965.
“Bhakthi won the Cardiff Commonwealth Film Festival award. We were
enthralled by the movie and thrilled that Nihalsinghe, an old boy of
Ananda College had made such an enchanting production. We were motivated
to follow his example and make a creation of our own,” A D Ranjith
Kumara who had been a part of the group recalled those ‘good old days’.
During that era the trend was moving towards producing short films.
The group decided to start off their cinematic voyage with a short film
named Wera (Effort). It ran for 10 minutes for a production cost of
about Rs 3000. It unspoiled at the Lionel wendt Theatre in 1967.
After tasting success with their debut effort the group turned their
thoughts to the nest task. They wished try their hand at making a
feature film. Slowly project Nim Walalla (Horizon) took shape.
The script was penned by Sunil Madhava Prematileke who later became
one of the top journalists in the country. The movie was directed by
Ranjith Lal. Nim Walalla depicts youth issues.
|
Ranjith Lal |
Sunil Ariyaratne |
A D Ranjith Kumara |
Dilman Jayaratne |
Gamini Wijetunga |
“Though most of the youths in the group were from Ananda College,
Colombo, there were a few who joined us from other schools.
“Dilman Jayaratne who was the cameraman was from Kegalle College
while the editor, Lal Dissanayake, was from St Joseph’s College. Sunil
Ariyaratne, who composed the lyrics, was from St John’s College,
Nugegoda.
Nim Walalla included an exceptional cast which included Rukmani Devi,
Swarna Mallawarachchi, Janaki Kurukulasooriya, Cyril Wickramage,
Amarasiri Kalansooriya and others.
“Many people who watched the film appreciated our effort. Among them
were renown journalists like Nihal Ratnayake (Daily News), D C Ranatunga
(Sunday Observer), S Subasinghe (Dinamina), D B Warunasiri (Sun),
Wimalasiri Perera (Sarasaviya) and Arthur U Amarasena (Visithura).
They had many encouraging words to offer. Even today Nim Walalla
remains as the only film made by students. Director Ranith Lal and
cameraman Dilman Jayaratne are no longer among us but their creation
lives on as a token of enthusiasm in youth contribution to the arts
stream,” Kumara concluded. |
