From mini screen to the reel
by Ruwini Jayawardana
Creative art is never easy.
Every time you watch a television show or a film, you are taking in the
work of a script writer. The script is one of the main components which
holds the interest of the viewer. It is the art form which makes or
breaks a creation.
 This mammoth task had been taken up and successfully brought to light
by award winning scriptwriter Lakshman Pushpakumara. He began his
journey with the pen on stage by scripting the plot and dialogues of
‘Wata Rauma’ in 1982 before moving on to television serials.
“I used to pen the scripts and perform in dramas conducted by the
scouts in jamborees. Being a Presidential medallist gave me the
opportunity to explore my creativity. This lay the foundations for
bigger creations and my success in the field,” the award winning script
writer explained.
His most famous creation is the lengthy teledrama ‘Ithin Ita Passe’
which is being telecast on ITN. In addition he had also directed
teledramas such as ‘Kapruka Sevana’, ‘Hima Warusa’, ‘Adara Saroja’,
‘Sara Saha Suba’, ‘Sasara Bandi Bami’, ‘Sanda Kinduri’, ‘Sihina Kumari’
and many more.
However, he stresses that theatre is his first love. ‘Prasiddha Parak
Nowe’, was his second stage drama while ‘Sha’, the controversial play
discussed the injustice of a democratically elected Government. It was
later banned since the plot dealt with vilification against the regime.
Pushpakumara joined the Fisheries Ministry and served in areas such
as Mullaithivu, Kalmunai and Batticaloa from 1990 to 1995. He joined one
of the projects initiated by the Ministry in collaboration with SLBC and
went back to script writing. When he finally left the radio channel he
worked as one of its producers.
One of the highlights of his career is clinching the Raigam Tele
Award for Best Script Writer in 2005. He was awarded this for the
teledrama ‘Hiru Soya’. He had even worked on films as assistant director
for Amaranath Jayatilaka’s ‘Beeshanaya Athuru Kathavak’ and Robert Newis’
‘Nisala Vil Thera’ while scripting the screenplay for Eranga Senaratne’s
newest movie ‘Sinasuna Adaren’.
He plans to move into film directing soon and had set his sights on a
children’s movie. He reveals that shooting will begin towards the end of
the year and that the movie will be a new experience for local
moviegoers.
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