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| Sunday, 3 October 2004 |
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The nation bids adieu to Gamini by Prasad Gunewardene As usual he sat at the breakfast table on Thursday morning. A few minutes later he climbed the staircase to his bed room calling for the day's newspapers to read. The time was around 11.00 a.m. He lay relaxed on the bed. The domestic aide left the newspapers on the stool. "Mmm' he responded in his customary fashion. The aide, Jayalath went down to attend to his usual business. This happened to be the final role in life of the Emperor of the Sinhala silver screen, super star Gamini Fonseka. Well the cameras were not there to click this final episode. Be that as it may, Gamini had not turned the newspapers to read as he
usually did. Instead he had gone to sleep. The clock turned 2.00 p.m. His little daughter, Kaushalya wondered why her father delayed to come down as the lunch too was ready. She went upstairs to wake him. Alas ... Gamini lay cold with fingers crossed. It was unusual as he never slept with his fingers crossed. It was an indication that this great character with determination, courage and conviction would have faced the last moment bravely. He had entered glory in the manner he wished during a peaceful sleep. The doctor pronounced he was dead and the curtain fell on the life of a man who moved millions with his multi-faceted talents. It was announced that the giant of the silver screen was no more. I never expected to write this tribute so early about my uncle and friend, Gamini Fonseka. Born to William and Daisy Fonseka at the Dehiwala junction home-"Ramani" - Gamini was a product of S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia. In March this year, I paid two tributes to this great man when I was attached to the 'Daily News". The second was to describe his day of glory when he was felicitated for his fifty year contribution to the film industry. I outlined many facts about this outstanding actor turned politician in those two tributes. But, the fact remains that volumes can be written about this man who possessed unparalleled talents. Three weeks ago he requested me to visit him with a Sinhala medium journalist who possessed experience in court reporting. Immediately I responded that Stanley Samarasinghe of the "Dinamina" was the ideal man to discuss the matter. "Yes ... I too thought of him, he is an intelligent man so bring him and come this Sunday at 9.30 a.m.", Gamini replied. Both Stanley and I never dreamt that it would be our last meeting with this great actor. Unlike before, he appeared slim but looked very steady. I asked him why. He said", men change with age" and proudly added that he had reduced his waist to 31 inches. Speaking about his health, Gamini said he was a vegetarian and a non smoker for the past one year. We were surprised to hear the good news. When I lit a cigarette, he warned me to stop smoking. "If I can do it why can't you, he asked noting that he even used to smoke while bathing and demonstrated the manner how he did. We talked about many things that included the film industry apart from discussing the legal issue that was in the agenda. It was a fine and a rare opportunity to grab his experience on subjects like politics and films. I asked him the criteria to be a good actor stating whether it was correct to say that actors should display natural talents. This veteran actor laughed querying if acting was natural it would not be acting. "The criteria is to have the talent of controlled acting", was Gamini's advice to the people in the field. A disciplined man from his childhood, he stressed the need to be punctual in life to start a successful career in any sphere. Stanley asked whether the film industry had a future. Gamini's answer was "The Tamil man possesses the knowledge and expertise, the Muslim had the funds. What does the Sinhala man have and do? The Sinhalaya only knows to destroy his own kind". He added that the Sinhala film industry was the brainchild of people like Gunaratnam, Gardiner and Selvaratnam. Gamini Fonseka was a man known to be outspoken, fearless and forthright in whichever field he may play. He had proved his quality both in politics and in the film industry. His assessment and analysis on his colleagues looked correct. Stanley and I asked certain questions with reservations as they could embarrass him. We first asked permission whether he was prepared to answer direct. "I have always been direct and I fear none to tell the truth .. go ahead", he said thumping the arm of the chair. Who is the best actor in this country was my question". Joe Abeywickreme, 'Gamini shot back. Adding a pinch of salt, Stanley interjected to ask who was the most beautiful actress he played opposite. "That is Sandhya Kumari", was his reply. Then how do you describe Malani who played the opposite role to you many a time I asked". Yes ... Malani was the most intelligent actress who could live in any role offered to her", the veteran actor quipped with a smile adding that Malani was the most outstanding female personality on the silver screen. After a six hour stay at his picturesque house in Ja-ela we took leave to follow up the legal issue we discussed with him. He looked quite fit and healthy on that occasion after having spoken to us during that six hour meeting. As we came close to the gate, he said, "Prasad, I will call you next week" and he kept his word. He was keen to end the legal matter we discussed. But Stanley and I never even dreamt that this great man would say goodbye so early. The sudden death of his closest friend, popular media personality, Dharmasiri Gamage on September 19 was unbearable to Gamini. It came to him as a shock. Gamini, a man who was never emotional looked very sad over his friend's sudden demise. He was in two minds to attend Gamage's funeral unable to see the friend in a coffin. Gamini's eldest daughter, Chamila even offered to drive him to the funeral. But, Gamini backed out saying it was unbearable and if he went something could happen to him there. This was the first occasion I heard the strong minded Gamini Fonseka moving to emotion. Gamini was a well read man who gained a wealth of experience through reading. He read many subjects including his first love, the cinema. The unique and outstanding features he inherited bestowed him honour and success for over five decades in every field he played. The mistake he made was to enter politics. He hardly knew that were was no place for honest and forthright people in politics in this country. But he maintained that Artistes had a right to do politics for the benefit of the downtrodden. Gamini Fonseka was a man who fought for the rights of others. Today those in the film industry are treated with dignity and honour because of this revolutionary man in the film scene. There was a time that actors and actresses who went shooting were given cheap lunch packets to be consumed under trees in locations. It was Gamini who changed it completely by demanding that others too be treated with the facilities given to him in recognised hotels. This man Gamini was a legend in the film industry. His legacy is very special. As his mentor Dr. Lester James Peiris says, another Gamini Fonseka will never emerge for another century. Gamini was unique, gifted and presented to this country. The hallmark of his success was courage, determination and dedication. He stood by the convictions he believed were right and never gave into pressure during his lifetime. This is my final tribute to my uncle and a great man in this country. The nation will salute this legend today when he leaves his picturesque house at Ja-ela this morning to lie-in-state at the Colombo Art Gallery before he makes the final journey to Independence Square in the evening. When the flames go up in his funeral pyre, Gamini Fonseka will be ever remembered as a man who lived a full life and deserved a well earned rest. Good bye Mr. Fonseka, your void will never be filled. |
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