Tamil compilation on Sinhala theatre personalities

Channa Bandara Wijekoon

A Tamil book titled 'Sinhala Natakak Kalei Aalumaigal' (Personalities of Sinhala Theatre Arts) will be launched on July 6 at 4.30pm at the Colombo Tamil Sangam hall at Wellawatte.

The book which is a 'Janakaraliya publication' has information with regard to 12 pioneer Sinhala Dramatists and the immense service rendered by them towards the betterment of drama and theatre in Sri Lanka.

The book has been compiled by senior lecturer of the language faculty of the Jaffna University Saminathan Wimal and veteran dramatist Parakrama Niriella.

Biographies of the veterans in the sphere: Professor Ediriweera Sarathchandra, Sugathapala de Silva, Gunasena Galappaththi, Dayananda Gunawardhane, Dhamma Jagoda, Henry Jayasena, R R Samarakoon, Professor Sunanda Mahendra, Gamini Hattotuwegama, Bandula Jayawardena, S Karunarathne and Chandrasena Dasanayake are included in this book along with descriptions of their creations.

The book discusses in length the trends set in the Sinhala drama and theatre during the 1950s and 1960s by these personalities who revolutionized the Sinhala drama with a view to developing drama and theatre in Sri Lanka. How they progressed by overcoming the barriers stood in their way is also elaborated in the book. This Tamil book with rich content will without doubt fill a great vacuum existed in the curricular of the Tamil school students and university undergraduates studying drama and theatre arts of Sri Lanka.

It will also contribute towards bridging the bitter communication gap between budding Sinhala and Tamil dramatists, who are the future trendsetters of the nation.

The Janakaraliya extends an open invitation to Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim drama enthusiasts and artistes for the book launch.

Scholars, Dr. Sunil Wijesiriwardhane and Senior lecturer Kandaiah Sriganeshan of the English Faculty of the Jaffna University, will be the guest speakers of the event.

They will speak on the subject of 'Inter Cultural Exchanges and Stimulation'.

Winding up session of the event will be a performance by the Janakaraliya drama troupe who will stage the short drama 'Bhasha Saha Molee'.

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