Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

In pursuit of his first love

by Premalatha Kahawala 

OIC Gunasena Geekiyanage with Mahinda Walpita, Dhanapala Rodrigo, Chaminda Mahawatte and Hemachandra Mathota who will be touring overseas shortly.

The gap between a policeman on active duty and an artiste is definitely not a small one. But sometimes, in not so common instances, we come across such rare persons. One such personality is Gunasena Geekiyanage, OIC crimes, Moratuwa Police Station.

In his childhood, Gunasena was so attracted to rituals such as 'Bali Thovil' and 'Shanthikarmas', which were much more common then, that on some days he opted to stay away from school and visit such places with much enthusiasm. As the rituals continued from dusk to dawn, Gunasena often had to skip more than one day's schooling due to sleepiness, as he was up the whole night. Such was his interest in the ritual dances.

Staying up late to watch 'Bali Thovil' wasn't a big issue for his family, since Gunasena's father was a very prominent Kattadiya. On leaving school, Gunasena joined the Police Department. But the new job didn't stop him from engaging in his first love. While a policeman, he fine tuned his fascination under the tutelage of Daniel Gurunnanse of Ingiriya, a prominent exponent of ritual arts, and mastered both 'Bali Thovil' and 'Shanthikarma' performances.

Now that he is the OIC (crime) Moratuwa Police Station, Gunasena is comfortable in his police uniform as he is in his devil dancing costumes. (A specialty that sets Gunasena apart from the rest of the dancers, is the fact that, with a single accompanying drummer, he can perform a ritual dance alone right through the night. This many claim is a rare feat. Gunasena, with the support of his friend Jayalath Seneviratne, formed the "Low-country Performing Artistes' Association" which has branches in Bentara, Sabaragamuwa, Colombo and Gampaha with a diverse membership. He is the current president of the Association.

OIC Geekiyanage dressed as ‘Kalu Yaka’ seen performing.

This highly talented exponent of this traditional fine art, recently made a memorable performance in 'Mahasohon Samayama' for four and half hours, much to the astonishment and pleasure of the audience.

Currently involved in a programme to popularise Low country dances, Gunasena and his troupe are staging country-wide performances of the 'Daha Ata Sanniya'- a very special part of Low country Shanthi Karma rituals. It must be recorded here, that the audience for these performances has easily outnumbered those for musical shows.

Heartened by the success he has received and the recognition locally, he is now looking to expand his achieved horizons, and is planning to take his show overseas. His first overseas venture will be to New Zealand and Australia, on the invitation of 'Ape Shakthi' Organization.

Gunasena's troupe includes of Mahinda Walpita, Dhanapala Rodrigo, Chaminda Mahawatte and Hemachandra Mathota. The troupe will be presenting low country ritual dances such as Thelme, Devol, Ginisisila, Kalu yaka, Jasaya saha Lenchina, Naga Rakha and Mahasohon Samayama.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager