Accepting challenge regardless of difficulties

By Panchamee Hewavissenti

Here is the interview the Sunday Observer had with the actor who plays the main role in the ballet “ Maha Rawana”. Kumudu Nishantha Perera is an experienced actor who took up the challenge to act in this great epic which represents the proud history of Sri Lanka.

When did you start your acting career?

My acting career began at school. I remember acting in my first tele drama at the age of seven. I received four awards at the “ Youth Awards Short Drama Festival” in 1988, including the Best Actor’s award.

Is playing the main role of “ Maha Rawana” a challenge?

Of course it is. It, is absolutely different from other stage dramas I have acted in. ‘Maha Rawana’ portrays the splendid history of Sri Lankans. I had to do my best to give the best to my audience without harming the originality of the historical epic. It also depicts the transmutation of our culture. Gaining such an experience by acting itself in Maha Rawana is a great thing in my life and I feel honoured.

Playing a role of such an acclaimed king is a challenge. Because no one has seen King Rawana. People have only heard of the stories of the King. I had to give the audience the entire image of King Rawana. When people see the ballet they should be able to perceive what type of a character ‘Maha Rawana’ was. I had acted in it very carefully,consciously and with utmost effort to convey the individuality of the King.

In order to portray King Maha Rawana’s image as it is on the stage before the audience requires good preparation and rehearsal. How did you practise for the challenging role?

Yes. It required good practice. I didn’t engage in any other work for the past three months because of rehearsal sessions. I refused two tele drama shootings. Rehearsals were done at Piliyandala.

Is this your first ballet?

This is the second ballet. I played a role in “ Irish” which was also directed by the same director, Pabalu Wijegunawardene.

Are you employed? How do you find time for acting?

No. I have no time to do another job and therefore contribute to dramas and films. Acting is my profession. If I say further, acting is my life.

I usually keep a time table for my shooting so that time would not get mixed up. Acting is enjoying. No fatigue. There are times that we have to act. From morning till late night,sometimes till 2 or 3 am in the morning.

My wife, who is serving as a manageress of a company,is very understanding. When time permits I take her out for dramas, films and meals. There are times that I have to go out of Colombo, at such times we keep in touch over the phone till I come back to Rajagirya, where we stay.

I have been very busy since an year ago as never before. I find little time to spend with my family.

You mentioned that due to Maha Rawana ballet you had to refuse two other tele dramas. Doesn’t it affect you financially?

It does affect. I couldn’t act in tele dramas for two months due to this. Unlike in tele dramas we cannot make a lot of money out of stage dramas, that means we cannot be totally dependant on stage dramas. If we keep on acting in stage dramas we will definitely face financial difficulties. That is the reality artistes face today.

It has already affected my financial status. I engage in stage dramas for self- contentment regardless of the financial difficulties.

Since my profession is acting I always have to give a second thought when selecting creations, wondering whether those would be able to make a considerable profit for me.

What are your recent contributions in the tele drama field?

There are many tele dramas which are telecasting on several TV channels such as , Sasara Bendi Bemi, Nisala Wil Thera, Samanaliyak Ikibinda, Suwanda Hamana Manamali, Dedunu Sihina and Du Kumariyo.

After the ‘Maha Rawana’ stage drama went on the board at the John De Silva Theatre, the following day I had to go to Kandy for my latest tele drama shooting.

What is the unpleasant situation your team has to face when requesting for sponsorship?

When we requested for sponsorship, an NGO organisation agreed to do it if we are ready to change the plot of the ballet. That means altering the splendid history of Sinhalese.

They agreed to offer a sponsorship of Rs.400,000 if they could have the power to alter the history of Sri Lanka the way they want it. They wanted to change the proud culture of ours. If we agreed to do that, it would be a great disaster for our proud culture and history.

We didn’t want to sell our resplendent culture and history, letting them turn the culture of the country upside down, is like committing suicide. We didn’t agree to that. Now we do not have a sponsor, but still we are able to continue the ballet successfully.

Have you ever refused any creation?

Yes, I have refused many. Because if I acted in them people would not give me my due respect. They would point at me saying that I am a low-grade actor. My reputation as an actor matters me a lot. I am not hesitant to refuse such creations even if I would be able to make good money out of it.

Do you have any unforgettable experiences in your acting career?

Acting in ‘Sudu Kalu Saha Alu’ was an unforgettable experience. I could gather more experience from that apart from my theoretical knowledge received from the two years’ course under Prasanna Vithanage.

I had to face an embarrassing situation when I was acting in school stage drama that I would never ever forget. When I was acting on stage, there was a scene where I had to lose my temper. After a little while, I heard the audience hooting. When I looked down, I saw my Sarong (it was my father’s) had fallen down.