Nihalsinghe first among equals

Ruwini Jayawardana

Unity plays a major role in a country's development yet that alone is not sufficient for the path to success. Talent, administration and a strong vision too contribute to this aspect. An industry buried in chaos would find it hard to excel.

In an era in which we talk about development but which lacks people who are fearless in working towards their goals, performing their duties with others' betterment in mind rather than their own and devoid of good administrative skills, it is essential to uphold role models from the past to learn about their philosophies. Such yesteryear achievements were possible only because those who were most qualified for the posts were given the positions to control the industries at their will.

Cinema has always been close to his heart. This is no surprise considering his background. As the son of seasoned journalist and former Sarasaviya Editor A D Ranjith Kumara and renowned songstress Damayanthi Jayasuriya, Nuwan Nayanajith has been familiar with the local and global arts scene from his tender years.

This led him to script a series of books on cinema: Adyatana Cinemave Lingika Pravanatava (The trends of Sexuality in the Contemporary Cinema), Gamini Vishviya Rupanavedayaka Asiyanu Purgamiya (Gamini: Asia's Pioneer in the Universality of the Art of Acting), Sri Lankeya Cinema Vansaya and Lester Virachita Lekhana Sanhita, and Sonduru Adiyuru Sakasuvano (The Humane Editor and Director). Changing tracks he wrote Gaddarika Pravahaya Hevath Sukiri Batillanga Lokaya (Undiscerning), Pataka Vichara Saha Alochana and Nava Magaka Sankathana (Discourses of a New Path), focusing attention on the upcoming trends and noteworthy individuals in diverse fields.

Treading along familiar territories once again Nayanajith has taken steps to bring forth his ninth book Nihalsinghe Purogami Theveni Esa (Nihalsinghe: Pioneer of the Third Eye), a biography and critical study of the seasoned director and film industry pioneer. The book launch will take place at the BMICH on February 12 at 3 pm.

Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara. Picture by Malan Karunaratne

Though he launched several books between 2010 and 2013, Nayanajith has spent three years scripting his ninth work.

"Film has yet to be recognized as a subject for the university degree. It is mostly taught as part of Mass Communication though it is a globally recognized topic in the world. One of the reasons for this is that there is no research done on film in Sri Lanka. I felt that it is part of my duty to probe into the matter, fill the gaps and make way for the subject to be brought to university education," he explained.

Nayanajith's work is not merely chronicling the biographies of the leading figures in specific area in cinema but engaging in a critical study and discussion on separate areas in the field.

He focused on film acting via Gamini Fonseka's character while zooming in on the history of Sinhala cinema with Sri Lankeya Cinema Vansaya , an encyclopedia of Sri Lankan cinema from its origins to 2005.

Later he focused on Dr Lester James Peries, revealing to the world that he is much more than a genius director. Dr Peries' talent as a critic and English journalist were brought before the new generation in the volume. Nayanajith's sixth book deals with the greatest film editor of our time, Titus Thotawatte.

His latest work focuses on Dr D B Nihalsinghe, the ground-breaking cinematographer and leading figure in many areas in connection with the large and mini screen.

Nayanajith's books do not deal with individuals alone but dwell more on the subjects that they have shown their skills in while comparing the Sri Lankan context with world cinema.

"Nihalsinghe introduced cinemascope to Asia through his Ketikathava short film. In 1971 he made Welikathara , the first 35 millimeter cinemascope feature film in Asia. Even India's first cinemascope film, Kamal Amrohi's Pakeezah , was made in 1972. Nihalsinghe also became the second in Asia to use the hand held camera. This was not an easy task but Nihalsinghe managed to keep the camera steady in his hand because he had experience working for Hearst Metrotone News and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. He shot Sath Samudura using this technique in 1967. Japan's Kazuo Miyagawa was the first Asian to use the hand held camera in 1964," Nayanajith elaborated adding that the use of hand held cameras made it to the scene in India only in the 1990s. This alone is a fine example about the richness of our film industry, an aspect that is sadly declinging in the past few years.

"Dr Nihalsinghe the best cinematographer in Sri Lankan history. He is also one of our finest directors and administrators. He proved this point when he established the National Film Corporation and became its first General Manager. He drew up its first Act and had a clear vision. One of the significant changes he made was increasing the screen time for local movies at theaters. Sinhala films were offered around 20 percent screen time then but foreign productions were offered around 80 percent screen time.

Nihalsinghe turned the tables and increased the screen time for Sinhala films to around 58 percent. The number of filmgoers too increased from thirty million to more than 74 million during his time," Nayanajith said.

Nihalsinghe won accolades from countries like USA for his yeoman service to the film industry and high rank film personalities from countries like India, Pakistan and Australia visited Sri Lanka to study the techniques he employed to develop the field.

He later took his talents to another direction by introducing Sri Lanka's and South Asia's first serial teledrama 'Dimuthu Muthu'. Telecine, South Asia's first professional television organization, too was established by him.

Such efforts would not have been possible without the influence of his family. Nihalsinghe's father, D B Dhanapala, is dubbed the best journalist in Sri Lanka. He founded Lankadeepa, Divaina, Davasa, Weekend and Sun . He spearheaded the revival of the local art scene via ventures like giving Pandith W D Amaradeva a scholarship to learn music in India.

He was behind the success of many of the legendary figures who emerged in the local art scene.

He introduced tabloids on various topics to the country through Vanitha Viththi, Sri, Tikiri, Iranama and Visithura . He also launched evening newspapers. These trends were imitated by other organizations.

"The existing system was to translate the news being published in the 'Daily News' into Sinhala. Dhanapala developed the art of Sinhala newspaper journalism. He introduced journalism genres such as photo journalism and investigative journalism. He nurtured many budding young journalists. He also made significant changes in newspaper layouts to give a more striking display to the news, pictures and articles," Nayanajith explained adding that the present generation is not aware of the existence of such figures who have revolutionized the field.

This is because Dhanapala was not one who took up these chores to gain publicity but merely to develop the field.

Nayanajith said, "He was behind many of the political changes which took place during his era but he did not vie for any position or reward. Duty came first for him rather than personal gain.

His obligation was towards the common man."

Dhanapala with his wife and children

Nihalsinghe's mother Rathi Dhanapala is a well known painter and sculptor and is Rabindranath Tagore's last Sri Lankan student. Many of the well known sculptors in Sri Lanka like Tissa Ranasinghe and Ven Mapalagama Wipulasara thera are her students.

D B Suranimala, Nihalsinghe's brother, too was one of the best still photographers in Sri Lanka. His sister, Sumeetha, is a talented English journalist.

All these aspects mounded Nihalsinghe's skills and contributed to his versatile talents in a number of sectors.

"I always address the present generation through my books. It is true that the era of these legendary figures is over but there are many things we can learn from them through their philosophies.

Their minds were focused on developing the field rather than fattening their wallets or achieving higher ranks. They did not merely have the talent and qualifications but also embodied unique philosophies and personalities. We need such role models to uplift the industry today," Nayanajith said.

Though the launch of Nihalsinghe Purogami Theveni Esa launch is taking place this year the book had been completed and registered for 2012. Nayanajith wishes to express his gratitude to Surasa Publication Head Prem Dissanayake, Sarasavi Publications Head H D Premasiri, Head of BMICH Bandula Ekanayake and Minister Thilanga Sumathipala for their continuous support towards his work. The book is dedicated to Ananda College, Colombo, Nihalsinghe's and Nayanajith's alma mater, and their parents.