Christy Leonard Perera:

The popular actor-cum-singer

By Husna Inayathullah

Christy Leonard Perera, born on July 27, 1932, is a singer and an actor. He is one of the old comedians living with us. He studied at St. Louis English School, Kotahena. At present he lives in Maligawatte with his wife Loreta Rachal Perera, a retired trained teacher.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer's Montage, Christy Leonard Perera speaks about his life , career and achievements.

Excerpts:

Questions: How did you start your career as a singer?

Answer: Emanuel Rodrigo, K.B. Christy Perera and myself studied at the same school. Three of us were good friends. Each of us had a dream. Emanuel wanted to become an actor, K.B. Christy wanted to become a politician and I wanted to become a singer. And all our dreams came true.

In 1950 I went to Radio Ceylon and met the program organiser, Themis Guruge. He took me to the music director, B.S. Perera. He composed a tune for the lyrics of Karunaratne Abeysekera.

My first song was Kullen pola pola gal keta ahulala. I practised it for about half an hour. Guruge told me that I should sing the song in May. I sang this song with many other artistes such as G.S.B. Rani Perera, Susil Premaratne, Chitra Somapala, Vincent de Paul Pieris, Vivian Boralessa and C.T. Fernando.

After the program each of us were paid Rs. 10. I was really happy and this is one of my cherished memories.

Q: What are the other songs that you sang?

A: I got a break after my first song. Guruge asked me to record a few songs such as Atha mita kasi panam and Tikiri lande ali nawathina colombanagare. I sang them with Jothipala.

I recorded Mamai badapissa, Anduru walawe, Ko mama nandage male and Pela apage sinhala kale for HMV labels (His Master's Voice).

Q: How did you start off as an actor?

A: A film Varade Kageda was produced by K. Gunarathnam in India and was directed by T.R. Sundaram. The latter came to Sri Lanka to select two artistes. I was selected as the comedian for his film which was completed in India and it was released at Gamini theatre, Colombo. The film and the songs became very popular.

I have acted in so many other films such as Radala Piliruwa, Duppathage Duka, Suraya, Vana Mohini and Weera Vijaya.

Then the government banned producing Sinhala films in India. Gunarathnam put up the Wijeya studio at Hendala. I got the opportunity to act in the first film produced at the studio. It was Adata Wediya Heta Hondai.

Under the direction of Mohammed Masthan I acted in Allapu Gedara, Chandiya, Soora Chawraya and Onna mame kella Penapi.

Gunarathnam gave me permission to act in other films as well. I acted in Kohamada Wade, Maha rae Hamuvu Sthriya, Wanasara and Kalana Mithuro.

Q: Is there an forgettable day in your life?

A: In 1983 arsonists set fire to Vijaya studios, Gamini, Plaza, and Raj theatres. Most of the Sinhala films were destroyed. Luckily Vijaya Kumaratunga rushed to the studio and retrieved his film Christhu Charithaya.

Q: What are your achievements?

A: I won many awards for singing and acting. They are Kalabushana award, OCIC award, The President's award with a cash prize of Rs.50,000, Abinandana award with a a cash prize of Rs.100,000, Ranathisara award with a cash prize of Rs.50,000 from Lake House, Gold Medal by Ravindra Randeniya, Sumathi Tele awards with a cash prize of Rs.50,000, Kalakeerthi award with a cash prize of Rs.50,000 from the National Film Corporation.