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| Sunday, 4 December 2005 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Half hour with Indrajith by Aditha Dissanayake
"Yes, Mrs. Balaji, you can go if you like" says a deep masculine voice in the vernacular. The time is somewhere past 9.15 p.m. The channel is Sirasa. The programme - Praveena. "A slight shift in time. Three in the afternoon, the lobby of the ANCL. My new book 'Patikiriya' will be launched on December 12, at the Elphinston Hall at 6.30 p.m. Be there", says the same voice. The voice of Praveena's husband Mr. Balaji! Instead of asking "Haven't I seen you before?" I swiftly change the cliche and ask "Haven't I heard you before?" He nods in agreement. "I give voice to Preveena's husband, Rishab Balaji, on Sirasa TV". Dubbing for popular TV programmes, however, is at the bottom of the long line of activities in the life of Srimath Indrajith Liyanage. Far more important are his roles as an announcer, actor, writer and artist - artist? Yes. He paints too, and will be holding an exhibition of paintings next year. Where does he find the time for all this, especially while working as the Media Executive for the Tsunami Housing Reconstruction Unit? Indrajith shrugs his shoulders. For once, he is lost for words. Could all this be possible due to the blessings and support of a loving partner and family? Yes. Definitely. Moving on to describe the programme 'Patikiriya', conducted by him for the Commercial Service of the SLBC Indrajith says in this live programme he has interviewed a wide variety of prominent personalities in the country, ranging from religious figures to politicians, to artists, singers and composers. The programme is similar to Larry King's interviews and Indrajith reveals that a lot of hard work goes into each programme because intense research is done as "behind the screen" preparations. He calls the programs "open conversations" where those who are summoned to sit on the "hot seat" do not know what questions will be fired at them. The book, launched on December 12, with the same name as the title, will feature these interviews, and provide interesting reading for those who would like to recall what they listened to, on SLBC and for those who missed listening to it, when the program was aired on Sundays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. An old boy of Nalanda College, Colombo, Indrajith says he has always wanted to be an actor and an announcer. "I have always been crazy about becoming an actor". Today, having starred in several movies (Rajya sevaya pinisai, Kiri Kadulu and Sonduru dadabima) and teledramas (Hima Keta Malaya and Rakawaranaya) and looking forward to more acting opportunities in the future, he has achieved his dream. And on December 12 he invites everyone to make it to the Elphinston to share the moment when yet another of his dreams will come true with the launch of his fourth book - 'Patikiriya', and a VCD with the clippings of his programmes on Rupavahini, ITN, TNL, MTV, Ceylon TV and TV Lanka. The event will be followed by a musical show featuring over 20 artists. Entrance is free. "Be there" invites Indrajith, in the voice of Rishab Balaji, closing this half hour interview with his trademark smile. |
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