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| Sunday, 19 December 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Dharmasiri Gamage - A fine gentleman by Prasad Gunewardene To remember a fine gentleman like Dharmasiri Gamage after ninety days
of his demise is a privilege though it brings sad memories. The I would not compare him to Munidasa Kumaratunga, but, Dharmasiri Gamage, the veteran journalist, lyricist and poet who once took control of the "Yovun Janatha" was responsible in creating a generation of young poets, two decades ago. His skills in the field of writing testified his ability. Those who associated with Dharmasiri kept a lasting friendship. He was a man who stretched hands to help others. His mind was deep and his thoughts had no limits. These were qualities that attracted many to him. He had a sincere feeling towards everybody and malice towards none. His compassion saw no bounds. My association with Dharmasiri Gamage goes back to two and a half score years. He was a veteran journalist at Lake House when I was a young reporter at the now defunct 'Davasa' Group. Having started my career as a Sinhala journalist, within a short time I made friends with the seniors in the field to gather experience. One day during a discussion with my uncle, Gamini Fonseka he requested me to meet Dharmasiri Gamage before I discussed films with him. "I say you don't have the knowledge to talk about the film industry. Go and learn something from Dharmasiri Gamage who works at Lake House", Gamini said, closing the chapter on film discussion with me. Dharmasiri Gamage who had been informed by Gamini, telephoned me at 'Davasa' the next day and requested me to meet him for a friendly chat. I met him at Lake House. That was the beginning of my association with Dharmasiri Gamage. This vibrant man had trained many journalists on how to conduct interviews with veteran actors and actresses. There was another interesting story of how Dharmasiri trained a television journalist to interview Gamini Fonseka. A young man less that 22 years from a state TV station was granted an interview by Gamini at his Ja-Ela residence nearly fifteen years ago. This TV man was there on time. Being a cub reporter, his pose and manner of address did not appeal to Gamini Fonseka. Gamini returned with a letter addressed to Dharmasiri Gamage. He requested the young man to see Dharmasiri Gamage at Lake House and said that Mr. Gamage would brief him about the contents. The letter was brought to Dharmasiri. It requested Dharmasiri to lecture the young man on discipline, educate him on the film industry and its personalities and send him back for an interview after three years. Dharmasiri greeted this young man with affection and advised him as told by Gamini. This TV man became a frequent visitor at Dharmasiri's. After three years, Dharmasiri Gamage telephoned Gamini and said, the young man was now 'fit' to talk to him. Among many interviews in Gamini's life this young TV man did one outstanding discussion which Gamini really liked and thanked Dharmasiri for training him. The name of this TV personality who has gained immense recognition has to be withheld in keeping with journalistic ethics. Dharmasiri Gamage's services had no class barrier. If not for him, there would have been no felicitation to mark fifty years in cinema of Gamini Fonseka last year. Gamini shunned such felicitations. But Dharmasiri managed to convince Gamini. Gamini would always listen to Dharmasiri. They were great friends. Dharmasiri made his exit eleven days before in a silent way. Gamini followed him. Dharmasiri Gamage has left a void that cannot be filled. Dharmasiri you were our friend and we still think of you. You have only gone to sleep after a hectic spell here....When you wake up, from that deep sleep we may be around you. Randiya Dahara Randiya Dahara; (shower of gold) the latest film by popular Director Udayakantha Warnasooriya was released last week at the Regal Cinema.
The film that has gone far beyond from his previous films has focused on several social issues. It is based on a true story that makes this film more colourful. The main roles of the film played by Geetha Kumarasinghe, Kamal Addaraarachchi and Jackson Anthony is also starred by Sanath Gunathilake, Tony Ranasinghe, Henry Jayasena, Anula Karunathilake, Udula Dabare, Milton Jayewardene, Mahendra Perera, Palitha Galappatty, Buddhika Jayaratne and Asantha Peiris who is the son of Asanga Priyamantha Peiris. Famous actress Geetha Kumarasinghe plays the role of Amali the eldest of a fatherless family. She lives with her mother and sister in a flat. She falls in love with Kulathilake a shady dealer. Kamal plays the role of an Army Captain, who changes the whole life of Amali. Music is provided by maestro Premasiri Khemadasa and produced by Neil Ranjith Palliyaguruge. Camera by Jayanath Gunawardene and K. D. Dayananda, Ebert Wijesinghe as the make-up artiste. - Deepal Critic's corner Nightingale's musical splendour Master Sir, the music recital of singing nightingale Visharada Neela Wickramasinghe was held to a packed audience at the BMICH on October 31. The recital was a musical splendour, which kept the packed audience spellbound.
She sang nearly 22 songs. In duets she was assisted by Pandith Amaradeva, Victor Ratnayake, Rukantha Gunatillake, Kapila Herath, Kamal Addaraarachchi and Dayan Vitharana which added more glamour and variety to the recital. This Magnificent entire Master Sirrecital was telecast over National Television to enable music lovers and her fans scattered island-wide to view this musical splendour. Visharada Neela is the founder chairman of 'The Mother' organisation inaugurated in 2002. The main vision of her organisation is to protect and help children, specially the needy elderly parents and artistes in the music and cinema fields who have contributed with commitment and dedication for decades, spanning approximately for over 35 years. Her concept is to felicitate them for their yeoman service rendered. A sum of Rs. 25,000 each from the proceeds of the recital and from well-wishers were donated among five such artistes v.i.z., veteran singer Latha Walpola, Doctor Premasiri Khemadasa, Sisira Senaratna, Murie Samarasinghe and Titus Thotawatte. They were also the proud recipients of the glittering special awards of 'The Mother' organisation, together with the special award of 'The Mother' organisation. Ten brilliant students who were selected from poor families in far away villages like Girandurukotte, Ampara, Anuradhapura, Vavuniya etc., who have entered the respective universities without attending a single private tuition class were given handsome cash awards to pursue their higher education. It is also her intention to construct a house for a deserving musician who does not have a house. A unique exhibition "The Sigiriya frescos, the Gal-Vihara Buddha Statues, the woodcarvings at Embekke this is our cultural heritage" says Nadine David to her pupils. She is a teacher and artist, who received an award of excellence for cultural achievements, from the SAARC Women's Association-Sri Lanka chapter. Nadine upholds the high ideals of her guru the late David Paynter, which she in turn passes on to her pupils. It has always been her dream to revive appreciation for the traditions of art and culture in Sri Lanka, among the younger generations. This exhibition is a positive step taken in that direction. Nadine David and her senior pupils Dillai Rodrigo and Erandathie Kiridena have worked with the view to bring contemporary paintings that uphold the distinctive virtues of Sri Lankan culture, to the art-loving public. On display are theme studies and compositions of Sri Lankan people, places, foliage etc. that all reflect the rich diversity of our cultural heritage. The exhibition which opened on Friday December 17 will close at 7 p.m. today. The venue is Devar Suriya Sena Centre, No. 10, Alwis Place, Colombo 3. |
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rare
virtues he possessed were unparalleled. A silent man with a cheerful smile
took every challenge in life in that characteristic manner of his. He had
friends and no foes.
