To her he is a genius in his field

Kumari talks of life with actor Jackson Anthony.:

Victory after victory, the three Forces of Sri Lanka have delivered in for the past few months would definitely mark the history in golden letters. Names of those who sacrificed themselves for the country will also fill the golden pages of the History book.

The soil of ‘Lakdiva’ (Sri Lanka) has produced many heroes not only now, but since the ancient times. Memory of such great characters would add ‘vitamins’ to the great souls at present.

Many heroes like Keppitipola Disawe, Veera Puran Appu and Gongalegoda Banda who fought for the country got vanquished by the enemies and beheaded. However, they have been esteemed with great honour until today.

Reviving the memories of the heroes who had not only sacrificed themselves, but also have gained great victories would give more strength, energy and hope for the present heroes of the country. ‘Pandukabhaya’, the greatest victorious king of Lakdiva could be named as one of such characters who has marked the history in gold and silver.

However, digging into their memories from history books for the present generation is not an easy task. And the only person who would shoulder such a chore in a society would be the artistes - writers, painters, singers, lyrists, dramatists or film makers. Jackson Anthony is the yeoman who has decided to face this challenge in the field. He will soon release ‘Aba’, his newest film depicting the story of King Pandukabhaya.

I (the writer) just thought of writing a long description ‘before’ introducing Jackson since many have predicted his ‘Aba’ would be a promising hit in film history both locally and internationally.

“Yes, even I too have great hopes for it,” says Kumari Munasinghe, the singer wife of Jackson.

Question: So, Kumari, how’s life?

Kumari: You mean, with or without Jackson (laughs)? These days, ‘Aba’ is his life, and his appearance at home is extremely rare. His legal marriage has become second place. (laughs).

“Frenchmen are lousy. Sarkorsky is my Napoleon,” said not Kumari but Carla Bruney, the 39-year-old Italian super model who won the heart of the 50-year-old French President Nicholas Sarkorsky recently.

“Men are lousy, and I would add ‘selfish’ as well. I see that in my hubby too as he is also a man,” she laughs. “But, he is a genius,” she claims with a smile. A serious expression just flocked across her face. “He is talented, and is a person who can strike on exquisite ideas which have not crossed others minds before. He is unique,” she continues.

Munasinghe Appuhamilage Chandralatha Kumarihamy Munasinghe alias Kumari has been an ‘observant’ for the past 26 years at the Meterological Department. She is a Met-Observant in profession though you know her as a nightingale with a gifted melodious voice.

“That’s my pastime. I was the flutist at school. Though my father dragged me to the Maths class from the Arts stream, three quarter of my school life was spent at the Music and Dancing rooms at school,” she recalls.

Kumari had studied nearly at nine to ten schools. Naththaranpotha, Kundasale, Horagolla, Thalakiriyawa, Rivisanda M.V. at Aranayaka, Kegalle Balika, Asmdala and Galahitiyawa Central College had been the places she studied plus the transfers of her father, a principal of schools, M.A. Haripola Munasinghe and her English teacher mother, Yapa Mudiyanselage Yapa Bandara Wasanthathilaka Kumarihamy Yapa Bandara. Kumari is the eldest to three sisters and four brothers.

“I had been involved in every aesthetical performance in every school I attended. I did sports - 400m, Putt and Disc up to the District Meet level. Kandyan dancing, singing and drama were my other interests. Though my father was not in favour of me treading the path of art, it was my mother who encouraged me to get into it. I was always first in the class. My father had high hopes in me. I won’t blame him as every parent want their children to excel in life,” she says.

Kumari’s A/L results were not enough for the university. But her father was not going to give up that easily. He sent Kumari to Siddhayurveda Indigenous College, Gampaha where she performed well as a bright student for three years.

Only two and half years more for her to complete it when she saw an advertisement in a newspaper asking for ‘Observant’ for Meterological Department. She applied for it. Her main enthusiasm actually laid on something else. Jackson was studying at University of Colombo.

“I thought if I could come to Colombo I would be able to meet Jackson quite often. So, it was. I used to walk from Met Department to Thunmulla junction and met him at the campus, he was busy through out though,” she recalls.

Conganiege Joseph Malsy Jackson Anthony was born to C.Benedict Anthony, a Foreman at the Electricity Board and Ethmadalage Rollin Perera at Ragama as the second of their five sons. Jackson had his education first at St.Mary’s College, Kandana. He entered Galahitiyawa Central College for A/Ls where Kumari too happened to be one of the students in his parallel classes.

Both Jackson and Kumari were bright students and also were all rounders in arts. “We both liked drama, and soon fell into the same team. He directed his first village drama, ‘Me Koyi Yanne’ (Where are you heading to?) based on a Buddhist Jathaka story. We were in the A/Ls at that time. I played the main character of a young blind woman,” she says. So, she has been still playing the ‘main character’ in his drama of real life, still blindly in love with him.

“Those days, the school hall or the `Praja Shaalawa’ (Community Hall) of the village was used to stage the dramas mainly depicting a Jathaka Story with a moral uplifting message. Tickets were issued for Rs,2, 5 or 10... Just imagine the price when compared to today’s,” she smiles.

Jackson and Kumari were good friends and had the same fervour for drama. Nevill Dias’ ‘Vaaruwen Yana Minissu’ was the second drama the duo performed. With the drama team they both got chance to roam all around the island. Unknowingly the disguised Cupid who followed them right round sent an arrow pricking the two hearts. They didn’t realise it until they felt that they were seeking each other’s company more often, and soon they knew they were in love.

“He came from a strong Roman Catholic background, and mine was an ardent Buddhist one. Naturally the both families were opposed,” she reminisces.

Jackson passed out from the Colombo University with a First Class Honours Degree in Sinhala Special, and was continuing his drama career while Kumari continued at the Met Department. In order to satisfy his family Jackson asked Kumari to get herself Baptised.

“Religion is in one’s heart and there won’t be any harm if you go to the temple after the marriage. We’ll do it as a ritual,” he said. Jackson and Kumari swore to be together both for better or for worse in life at the Ragama Church on December 18 in 1985.

Jackson’s ardour for acting has been so intensified he rarely had much liberty to commit himself for a permanent job. He was the Assistant Librarian at the Library Service Board in 1990, and before that he worked as a teacher at St.Joseph’s College, Colombo in 1989.

Michael Jackson introduced `break dance’ which made the `youth’ go crazy and frenzy. It seems the name `Jackson’ has some special magic in it as our Jackson is also having some hyper-activation in his veins. “Yes, he always does something innovative,” says his smiling consort, Kumari.

Jackson introduced a new wave of music using old hits while working as the Programme Director at `Savana FM’. His first electronic direction was `Asala Kaluwara’, a teledrama. Jackson got more space to spell out his novel imaginations with his appointment as the Creative Director at `Swarnavahini’. `Swarna Saajjaya’, `Maha Sinhale Vansha Kathawa’, `Ganga Dige’, `Roma Puranaya’, `Avare Siripa’, `Yeheli’, `Neighbour Talks’, `Raja Dekma’, `Rajini Dekma’ and the children’s programme -`Hapan Padura’ have been some of the programmes that created on his exquisite ideas, framed out through his versatile knowledge in history, politics, social issues and public interests both local and international. Almost all his creative TV programmes became extremely famous TV shows with viewers as well as critics, and won him many Sumathi Tele Awards for many years.

“Jackson is an extremist when it comes to `choosing’,” claims Kumari. Yes, why not, choosing her as his wife, is the most prominent example! “I mean he is very choosy with the script or the screenplay. It’s like somebody diving into the extreme bottom of the water to see how deep it is. That’s why he could do a hand full of stage dramas, Teles and films. I assume they are not more than a dozen in each. However, he could win the Best Actor Award for many of them. `Guru Gedara’, `Bava Duka’, `Bava Karma’ `Punaruthpaththiya’, `Guerilla Marketing’ and `Soorya Arana’ were some of the films that won him the Best Actor’s award,” recalls Kumari.

Jackson had his re-birth along with `Julietge Bhoomikava’, a novel version to the famous romantic tragedy produced by Anoja Weerasinghe in 1992. `Aba’ is his second film with 500 odd cast and a nine and half million rupees cost. Justin Belagamage and Rajindra Jayasinghe have decided to face the challenge by producing `Aba’ keeping deep faith in Jackson as it’s director.

“At present `Aba’ is in its final touches. And my husband is in it day and night. Sometimes we don’t see him for weeks. What happens is, unlike other film directors who just do their directing job and then allocates others; musicians’, editors’, art directors’ and so on in their job of duties, Jackson would not just wait. He would pokes his nose and finger in to each and every thing as he wants everything to be perfect and unique. So, he kills himself... But, I’m really proud of him as I know the final product will be excellent and undisputed,” she claims.

Question: There’s a woman behind every successful man. If I quote this for you as well, I assume I’m correct.

Kumari: (Paused quite a long time and smiled). I award and reward myself for the struggle I have been doing through out my wedded life as I’ve rarely sought assistance from Jackson. He has been that busy. Not only myself, but this has been the truth and reality of almost all the wives of the prominent figures in the art field. I really respect the word `woman’ as nature or God has given her strength to bear any burden that comes in her way. Only a woman can bear a child. I’m a person who can condition my mind with ‘Metta’ (compassionate kindness) to get satisfied with what I have, and not to cry for things I loose or what I’m not getting. Self appreciation and patience are the two ingredients I’ve added to make my married life’s success. I’m a strong woman with a lot of endurance (smiles).

Question: We’ll talk about your artistic talents as well.

Kumari: I’m a `A’ Grade radio drama artiste and a singer. I released a CD `Veralu Mal’ with 14 songs sometime back. It would be the first and last as Jackson has no time to attend to such things now (laughs). I have been continuing as a singer and go for shows after work. I’m really proud of my three children as they give me a lot of love and strength. My daughter is Madhavi Wathsala (19) and my two sons are Akila Danuddhara (17) and Sajitha Anuththara (16). My daughter studied at Holy Cross, Gampaha, Holy Family Convent, Colombo and Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, and waiting to enter to the University after obtaining A-3 in A/Ls in the Arts stream. My sons are studying at St.Joseph’s College, Colombo. All three are really talented like their father. They have been the main stars right at the beginning in `Hapan Padura’, children’s programme on Swarnavahini.

Question: Sajitha plays the main role as `Aba’ (Prince Pandukabhaya) in the film. A promising bubbly star is in him.

Kumari: Yes, he is really talented.. `Aba’ is his fourth film. He was just years when he first appeared before a camera for a German film produced here. Somaratne Dissanayaka’s `Sooriya Arana’ and Sumith Kumara’s `Kurulu Pihatu’ were his other films.