Virtuosity explored
 Sarashi Samarasinghe
“Each man is capable of doing one thing
well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in
any.”
- Plato
This is a famous quotation made by the classical Greek philosopher
Plato (c. 428–427 BC) but I met a personality who is capable of making
this saying off beam. He has been a veteran journalist, novelist and a
scriptwriter throughout the past few decades.
He is none other than the legendary figure of our time, Somaweera
Senanayake. Daily News spoke to him on his latest creative work ‘Saru
Diviyata Bosath Maga’ and also about his personal web launch.
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Somaweera
Senanayaka. Pictures by Lalith C Gamage |
“‘Saru Diviyata Bosath Maga ‘means a book that will reveal how to
live productively in today’s society taking the Bodhisathva character as
an example. The Bodhisathva character is well explained in the Jathaka
book which contains 550 stories. Some of us think that this specific
character is historical, which is not,” said Senanayake beginning his
conversation.
According to Senanayake the book will be launched on January 24 at
3.15 pm at the Mahaweli Centre auditorium along with his website
www.somaweerasenanayake.com.
“The Bohisathva character has an eternal value. During his life
period the Bodhisathva faces a lot of complexities and the same
complexities are there today with a different outer appearance,” he
added. When questioned why he took the Bodhisathva character as an
exemplar he said that Bodhisathva is a character which everyone is aware
about.
“The character is used in the Jathaka book, in pandols and also in
many carvings and especially I should mention that the Bodhisathva is a
very practical person,” said Senanayake.
He further added that the Bodhisathva character is not just a
Buddhist character but a character preparing to become a Buddha.
“A person believing on any religion can observe this book because the
Bodhisathva has different prefaces either as a god or as a creature,”
said Senanayake. Senanayake had joined Lake House as a journalist in
1966 and had been there for 20 years holding different positions at the
editorial. “My first fiction was ‘Adarayata Baya Minissu’ in 1969 and I
have won the state literary award thrice for my novels ‘Mawakage
Geethaya’ in 1972, ‘Yashorawaya’ in 1978 and also for the book ‘Manik
Nadiya Gala Basi’ in 1983,” he added.
He has written 27 books up to now including 10 novels. “I have done
12 film scripts and 30 lineup teledramas to date. Some of the film
scripts which I have done are ‘Aradhana’ and ‘Suriyakantha’ in 1981,
‘Mihidum Sihina’ in 1982, ‘Wekanda Walawwa’ in 2000, ‘Ammawarune’ in
2004 along with many others. Some of the lineup teledramas which I have
done are ‘Palingu Manike’ in 1985, ‘Mihikathage Daruwo’ in 1986,
‘Giraya’ in 1988, ‘Doo Daruwo’ in 1990 along with many others,” said
Senanyake.
He has also done 250 single episode teledramas such as ‘Vesak
Pahana’, ‘Daru Surathal’, ‘Pahan Siluwa’, ‘Hitha Mithuro’, ‘Malaka
Kandulu’ together with many others.
Speaking about his new website, Senanyake stated that the website
includes information about his personal life, the fictions which he has
written, the awards which he has won along with so many added
information about his career.
“If someone is interested in writing to me he or she can easily reach
me through [email protected] which is also a special feature
available in my web site,” stated Senanayake concluding his
conversation. |
