|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 13 June 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
A colourful career of four decades Actress Soniya Disa celebrated 40 years films with a grand ceremony at the BMICH early this week. by Prasad Abu Bakr
Besides drumming up a career for herself, Soniya Disa has accomplished the difficult task of winning the affection of many of her colleagues, which is in fact a difficult goal to achieve in an industry that is full of competition. But Soniya has managed the impossible, as much as she managed to keep her career intact for 40 years. Here are some comments about the versatile actress from her colleagues of the years gone by and some of the actors and actresses of the contemporary cinema, courtesy of our sister paper `Sarasaviya'. Actor Gamini Fonseka with whom she has played a variety roles in over 15 films says that, Soniya through her many performances and involvement at different levels in the local film industry, has made herself an integral part of it. This fact has to be acknowledged with great pride, he adds. Actress Malini Fonseka refers to the actress as a great friend whose association was sustained over the years without any hindrance. "Soniya has made many contributions to the local film industry, and besides acting, what I admire most is her role played as a film producer at a time when the industry was at the brink of collapse" states Malini, who herself made that contribution along with other actresses like Anoja Weerasinghe and Geetha Kumarasinghe. Although Soniya started her career amidst many obstacles, it was not all that difficult for her to establish herself as an actress as she was ready to face the challenge of playing any role that came her way. "But it was her attitude that got her this far," comments Ravindra Randeniya, who has had the opportunity of being cast opposite her only in two films in his long career. But he adds that it was a wonderful experience to have worked with her and to have associated with such a humble person. Actor Sanath Gunatileke observes that Soniya was responsible for launching Dhamith Fonseka [Gamini Fonseka's son] in the film `Lassanai Balanna'. Her efforts at supporting and encouraging many younger stars to play challenging roles in her films is seen as another contribution this leading star made to the industry at the hight of her career as a producer. "But it is her simplicity that has made her win everyone's support in this endeavour of organising a felicitation event of this nature, it is a difficult task if there is no overall support" says Gunatileke, admiring Soniya's easy rapport with colleagues and competitors alike. Jeewan Kumaratunga identifies himself first as one of her fans, as he has had the great opportunity of seeing Soniya acting opposite his late uncle actor Vijaya Kumaratunga. "It was much later that I actually got the opportunity to work with her in many films and later still I acted in a few films produced by her as well" says the actor, who recalls that he had had acted in many of the films produced by Soniya, many of which were box office hits, bringing popularity not only for her and her production but also for him as an actor, Actress Anoja Weerasinghe who has acted in a few films with the actress and cast her in both of her own productions, states that Soniya is a very supportive artist when she is at work and an overall kind hearted person and that the felicitation ceremony to honour her as an artist was a very fitting one for someone who has given so much of her talent towards the wellbeing of the industry. Filmstar Geetha Kumarasinghe recalls memories of how she first met Soniya Disa at an Avurudhu Kumari contest in which Geetha was selected the winner and was crowned by Soniya who was amongst the top names of the industry. It is only fitting that Geetha along with her colleagues crown Soniya for all the wonderful work she had done over the past 40 years to keep the Sinhala film industry glowing and live with her presence. *********************** Mirror Mirror on the wall... Artist Nanditha Gamage won't ask who's the most beautiful, but visitors to the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on June 19 and 20 will have a tough time deciding which mirror is the most beautiful.
"Mirror Mirror..on the wall' is her first solo exhibition. Here she concentrates mainly on stain glass- effect mirrors which is a unique creation of her's. She will also display some of her oil and water colours. Nanditha's hallmark is the use of vibrant bright colours. The exhibition will be open to the public from 10 am to 7 pm on both days. *********************** 'The Joy Within' at the Lionel Wendt by Kaminie Jayanthi Liyanage 'The Joy Within', to be held at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on June 14, 15 and 16 is a collection of the creativity of about 45 students of Shyamala School of Art. Although the school began in May 2002, the Founder Principle of the School, Shyamala Pinto Jayawardena, did not opt for an exhibition until she was quite sure that her students were ripe for it. "My estimation was that it would take two years for my students to benefit from the school and become mature," she says. "I have seen scrappy work at some art exhibitions, but in the Joy Within, you will see that the students have not duplicated topics and have turned out well thought-out good art through their own sensitivities." The reason is that each student is handled individually, she comments. "I don't tell them what to do, but we talk, look at books and listen to music. My students work with music, in an environment which is very conducive to creativity, as it is important to make them well balanced and well-integrated, aesthetically sensitive people." Her vision for her school is to bring freedom to the inhibited and to enable the young and old alike to achieve the joy within that comes from aesthetic activity, so that they move beyond inhibitions to become winners and achievers. And also to develop the school into becoming a College of Arts, with University affiliations. Shyamala who started her teaching career at Cora Abrahams Art Classes as a 17 year old, later read for a degree in Fine Arts at the University of Kelaniya and joined the staff of Ladies College, teaching Art to London O/L and A/L students. She is also a designer of about 20 years experience and has worked at the National Handloom Centre as a designer. *********************** Deanna's Junior Ballet School Deanna's Junior Ballet School will be staging 'Aladdin' on June 19 and 20(6.30 and 8.30pm) at the Bishop's College Auditorium. The Aladdin ballet has undergone a healthy revival with a number of internationally renowned dance companies staging it in recent years, including the Canadian Ballet Theatre, the Kirov Ballet, the Atlanta Ballet, the Lafayette Ballet, and the Scottish Ballet. As we all know, the ballet is based on a famous tale from the Arabian Nights that never fails to capture the imagination of children and adults alike because of its enchanting blend of mystery, magic, romance and diabolical intrigue, not to mention its charming "and they lived happily ever after" ending. It is a good time for a staging of this ballet in Sri Lanka, where we can sit back and enjoy watching a group of talented children dance and mime to their hearts' content. Choreographed by Deanna Jayasuriya, this Junior Ballet has over 300 students participating. Deanna is a fully registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), London. All her students participate in R.A.D. London Examinations each year. Tickets available at the Deanna School and Bishop's College Auditorium. *********************** Exhibition An exhibition of thought provoking paintings by artist Priyantha Weerasooriya will be held at the Harold Peris Gallery, Lionel Wendt from June 18 to 20, 10 am to 8.00 pm on all three days. "Buddhist philosophy strongly influences me in my paintings", says the 25 year old artist. "As far as I believe the deeper concepts in Buddhism is no hindrance to its ultimate realisation where eternal serenity and calmness can be achieved. This noble principle becomes evident in all my paintings where, in some I depict this through various symbols. Priyantha has been engaged in paintings for last five years. He hopes to explore the field through various traditions improving his education in the field. Priyantha uses oils, clay and local natural home made paper to give substance to his creativity and describes paintings as a poem that does not just make the eye see on the surface of things, but also allows a discerning viewer to discover hidden interpretations, Priyantha has already been given admission at Camberwell College of Art in the UK where he intends to pursue his studies in the near future. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
For, on display will be an exquisite array of stain glass effect hand
painted mirrors, that are unique as they are colourfully eye-catching.
Nanditha who did her primary, secondary and university education in New
Delhi does fabric painting on T-shirts, Table cloth and cushion covers,
and has taken part in the past three 'Kala Pola' where her exhibits were
very well received.
