The last journey of two good old friends
by Anjana GAMAGE
None of us thought that film legend and veteran actor Gamini Fonseka
would too join the 'last journey' with his dear friend after 11 days of
his good old friend's demise.
My father Dharmasiri Gamage passed away on September 19 and Gamini
Fonseka passed away on September 30, 2004.
I could remember last year, I wrote an article on my father focusing
how the tragedy took place and the special bond the two of us had as a
father and daughter. It was for his fifth death anniversary. I thought
it would be fine if I can write something on both not only as a tribute
but also as a fact that many have not known the 'lasting friendship'
they had when they lived.
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| Gamini Fonseka |
Dharmasiri Gamage |
Both being good friends, Dharmasiri Gamage and Gamini Fonseka made
their last journey together only leaving some landmark memories in the
relevant fields they worked together.
Six years have passed without them, but the treasured memories of
their lives and unique creations they produced are always in the minds
of their loved ones forever.
If I recalled the memory lane to the best of my knowledge regarding
my father and uncle Gamini, I believe, their friendship became stronger
when we came to live in Ratmalana in 1970's. Gamini Fonseka lived at "Sirimal
Uyana" in Ratmalana and we were at 3rd Lane, Farmgrove Avenue. Living
within a stone's throw made both of them reach each other and always
used to have more frequent visits than before.
My mother definitely knew that if Thaththa happened to visit uncle
Gamini's place, that he would only return home the next morning and
there was no point of her sitting and waiting until he comes.
Only close friends know, that for Gamini, the night was as his
daytime and he used to have a snooze in the mornings. Time was not a
barrier for him.
There were many topics for them to discuss. The discussions were not
only limited to art. He spoke especially on politics, cinema, art, and
culture. It was like an open forum for everybody.
There was no doubt that many of these discussions and issues later
turned into fine artistic pieces. One such excellent work together was
the film Sarungale directed by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne and produced by
the late Y.M. Karunathilake. My father wrote the Sarungale film-script
and Gamini Fonseka performed the lead role of Nadaraja.
I have heard my father recalling the immense support given by uncle
Gamini and Yoga Balachandran when writing the Tamil dialogues in the
script. He was fluent in Tamil and had the real touch of the Jaffna
Tamil.
Unforgettable incident
There was an unforgettable incident in my father's life due to the
Sarungale film too. It was at an OCIC film awards ceremony that
Sarungale won many awards. The Best Film Script was also nominated to
Sarungale and Gamini Fonseka was invited on stage to receive the award.
He made a special announcement on the stage. This award does not
belong to me. It belongs to my friend Dharmasiri Gamage, who wrote the
script for Sarungale. The award was presented to my father by uncle
Gamini. The OCIC award at our home is over 30 years old. The Best Film
Script - Sarungale - Gamini Fonseka. Thaththa loved it to be like that
without any alterations.
When my father was directing the film Pooja, there was a scene of
Gamini Fonseka to be shot. In that scene he was described as a
well-known hero in the area who raised his voice for the poor villagers
who were controlled by their masters. The scene was a small take out.
But my father gave full authority to uncle Gamini to direct that scene
at our Mirihana house as he wished.
Another significant feature of the film Pooja was that it helped
reunite two legendary actors in the Sinhala cinema. Many did not know
that actors Gamini Fonseka and Joe Abeywickrema had not been on good
terms with each other for some time. I know what efforts my father took
to re-unite both of them. He got on well with both of them and used the
film Pooja as a bridge for both Gamini and Joe for their re-union. He
never expected credit for it. It was one of the happiest days in my
father's life. He paved the way for their re-union and was overjoyed
over it. I remember many pictures were taken after the re-union of the
two actors at our Mirihana house in 1987 where the shooting took place.
The photographs were published on the cover page of the Sarasaviya film
magazine at the time.
While I was working as a reporter in the Daily News, we used to cover
whatever events together with other fellow reporters in our sister
newspapers. One day my good friend Aruna Gunaratne, the News Editor of
the Sarasaviya film magazine said: Nago (the way he used to call me) I'm
going to interview Gamini Fonseka tomorrow, would you like to join me?",
Aruna Aiya asked. Without thinking twice, I said "OK. I'll come along
with you".
Feather in my cap
For me it was like a feather in my cap. Although I knew uncle Gamini
from my young days, this was something different in my journalistic
career. I informed my father too, the next day about the scheduled
interview with uncle Gamini and he knew that I was overjoyed with it.
The Nissan van was ready at the transport section to take us to
Gamini Fonseka's house, in Ja-Ela. Within one hour we were at his home
and an aide welcomed us and asked us to wait. In a little while, the
film legend came down wearing a sarong and a shirt in a relaxed mood.
Aruna Aiya introduced me to him." Oh! This is Dharme's daughter. You
don't have to introduce her to me. I knew her as a little girl. Although
I have not seen her for long time", he said.The one time Sri Lankan film
hero, the lover and the rebel was in front of us.The interview began.
Aruna Aiya posed several questions.
Gamini answered his questions with facts and figures in his bass
voice. As usual, the film legend had his Benson and Hedges packet of
cigarettes in his hand and one was lit by the other while we were
chatting. Rather than posing questions, I counted the number of
cigarettes he smoked. The way he held the cigarette too gave me an
impression of him. The way he talked, smiled, looked and whatever he did
made us to grab him to. However, I came to realise that he was a legend
in everything. He was like a king who ruled his kingdom. Suddenly I
thought I was not well enough to interview this person.
On that day he invited us for lunch. I was surprised to see the raw
red onions and raw green chilies on the lunch table. Realising my
thoughts, he said: "I know it's your father's favourite too."
And especially he did not forget to inquire about my mother and came
up with some interesting topics that all had shared together while they
lived in Ratmalana.
When I returned home from office that evening my father asked me: "
What happened to your interview " with uncle Gamini"?
"It was OK". I was a little bit scared too". I gave him a brief
reply." Why did you get scared?", he again asked me.
"May be because I look upon him as a legend", I replied.
"You don't know about uncle Gamini. He is like a small child. The
external appearance and the way he talked at times may give you the
impression of a superior whom you cannot reach at all. But he is a kind
- hearted, soft-spoken man. He is really like a small child at times. I
know him very well", that was my father's reply.
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