Christy Leonard Perera:

Yesteryear's comedian turns octogenarian

by Ananda Agalakada

Christy Leonard Perera, a film actor and singer has turned 80. Christy Leonard's father was Sebastian Perera from Kandy and his mother was M.P. Lucia Perera. He was born on July 27, 1932. He studied at St. Lucia's College, Kotahena.

While his elder brother wanted to become a politician, Christy Leonard desired to be a singer. After leaving school he joined some music groups popular at the time and started singing. Of the many songs he sang at the time Amma kiya kiyatha haki ekama landakatai and Kullen pola pola became popular.

In 1954, K. Gunarathnam started work on his second film Warada kageda?. Popular actress Rita Rathnayake played the leading role. Gunarathnam wanted a comedian for the film. Prem Jayanth introduced Christy Leonard to Gunarathnam recommending him as a comedian.

He was auditioned by Gunarathnam. Taking a character from an old play 'Wanted Appu without kulappu', Christy Leonard showed Gunarathnam how he could imitate a woman's voice and play the part of a comedian.

A few minutes later, a smiling Gunarathnam came out of the studio where the audition was held and told Prem Jayanth that Christy Leonard was the ideal actor for the role and signed a contract with him.

In 1954, Gunarathnam and his production team left for India to shoot Warada Kageda?. The film was directed by T.R. Sundaram and the leading roles were played by Prem Jayanth and Rita Rathnayake. Karunarathne Abeysekera and T.B. Ilangarathna wrote the lyrics for the songs that were sung by Mohideen Baig and Yamuna Rani. The film was screened for six months at the Gamini Theatre, Maradana and Sapphire Theatre, Wellawatte.

Gunarathnam wanted to know what Christy was going to do in the future. Christy told him, "I do not have any job'. Gunarathnam made arrangements to appoint Christy Leonard to the National Film Corporation as an assistant manager. Christy Leonard, met Jabir A. Cader and agreed to cast him in his films.

He acted in Radala Piliruwa, Duppathage Duka, Sooraya and Weera Vijaya. During his heyday Christy Leonard acted in over 78 films. His last film was Onna Mame kella Penna. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who was elected Prime Minister in 1956 paid attention to the development of the local cinema industry. He banned the production of local films overseas, particularly India.

The Prime Minister provided facilities to local film producers and directors to make films in Sri Lanka. The Wijaya Studio and S.M. Nayagam's Sirimuram Nawakala Studio came into being. Adata wediya heta hondai was the first film to be shot at Vijaya Studio in Hendala.

Christy Leonard married Loreta Rechal Perera, a teacher from Kegalla in 1982. He is a man of sober habits. He had never smoked in his life.