Meeting Sathischandra Edirisinghe

In the current public scenario of Sri Lanka, felicitations are galore.

We seem to be in a frenzy to pay tribute to a vast range of personalities.

Many of those singled out for that kind of honour, pre-eminently deserve that distinction.

One of the most recent recipients of popular felicitations is Sathischandra Edirisinghe.

If you ask me, this is an individual who should be felicitated on a number of counts.

"Satis", as he is popularly known possesses a high-profile-personality - 'high' in a whole series of senses. He is quite tall in physique. He stands ramrod - straight. He is very much 'visible' in various meetings and gatherings. In an average crowd his presence is prominent. Among activists for social, religious and cultural causes, he is in the forefront.

He is endlessly busy, busy. He runs around as if pursued. As the French would say, he is "l'homme engage" - a constantly involved individual - a man of action.

His ways nudged me into a poetic mood. (Being poetic is rather rare for me). Whatever that may be, here I go:

This man called Sathischandra Edirisinghe.

His head is topped with greyish hair,

Eagle-sharp, ultra-keen his eye

His goodness captures crowds as in a snair,

"Satish" is the moniker he is known by.

Sathischandra Edirisinghe

Now, what kind of man is this Sathischandra Edirisinghe. He lives as if surrounded by a large array of mirrors. Each mirror reflects a different trait - a different facet.

To most people, he is an actor. It is generally assumed, that it is his primary mode of personality - expression. In the field of art, acting seems to be his predominant preoccupation. In the early days of his thespian history, his main terrain was the legitimate theatre. In that tentative initial era, he peeped towards popularity, through the stage.

He inhabited the stage with ease and acceptable dexterity.

When electronic "Stages" - cinema and television - became the vogue and the rage, Sathischandra Edirisinghe was quite ready for the transition. He had what it takes, to be a film-actor and a television personality. He had the essential experience and the proper attitude of mind. His outstanding asset as an artiste, is his dedication to discipline. He never settles for "anything goes" kind of irresponsibility.

In cinema and television, he lives the role of "monk", as if it were his birth legacy. His portrayals of monks are so authentic, that he is now more-or-less type-cast in that role. After long years of appearance as a monk, his acting career seems to have acquired the vague trace of a sacred aura. Some of the well-known foreign directors, who selected local artistes for some roles, noted Satish's efficiency in character - portrayal. This earned him the opportunity to work with some world-renowned film-makers.

Although there is the tendency to associate him, more-or-less exclusively with acting, his talents have ramified into other fields as well.

In an eco-friendly exhibition, he focused on life giving 'Water'. With the generous assistance provided by understanding patrons, he converted his 'Water' exhibition into an impressive learning situation both for children and adults. Today, Sri Lanka is forced to suffer devastating eco-disasters, due mainly to the eco-crimes of some headless members of society. Satish, has taken an initiative to popularize an environment friendly style of life. This is a highly praiseworthy move.

When he was associated with the Mahaweli Development Authority, Satish introduced a system to enhance the culture - component of the Mahaweli Development Project.

He set up a task force under the title, "Mahaweli Cultural Force". He took steps to provide a training initiative, to the young people in the Mahaweli Development Zone, with a marked orientation towards the preservation of indigenous culture.

In recent years, his services as compare and MC, have registered a high demand. His intimate familiarity with the personnel in various fields of art and culture in our country, has enabled him to function in those capacities with an admirable elan.

His latest pre-occupation is the writing of a series of pop-psychological booklets, guiding the readers towards positive thinking.

Viewed this way, this multi-faceted individual pre-eminently deserves all the felicitations and tributes offered to him.

As a person he displays an admirable attitude of humility.

He is always ready to help and assist, if needed.

There is yet another facet to his personality.

He is a sought-after party-man. He can regale his intimate friends with stories and anecdotes that, at times, teaser precariously on the risque.

Sathischandra Edirisinghe is, above all, a good human being.