 Animations galore!
by Ruwini Jayawardana
They are cute, they rock and they are for audiences of all ages! Yes,
the era where animation films herald the wide screen is here. Cartoon
films like the ‘Ice Age’ trio and the ‘Madagascar’ duo churned in more
cash than any of the big banner movies that most directors have pinned
their hopes on proving yet again that the cinema is meant to be enjoyed
by the whole family.
 However a very few animation movies have made it to theatres from the
local cinema industry. This is when Givantha Arthasad enters the scene.
He is synonymous with the sector for he had spearheaded many cartoon
related projects in Sri Lanka - both on the mini screen and the wide
screen. With creations such as ‘Dutugamunu’ and ‘Mahadana Muththai
Golayo Roththai’ to his name, Arthasad’s name goes down in the history
of the island’s entertainment field.
However the events in this dynamic personality’s career do not end
there. He recently embarked on a new venture by deciding to add another
animation to his list - ‘Mahacharya Pipi’ (Professor Pipi). The story
centres on Professor Pipi’s attempts to fight destructive forces which
work towards harming nature. It is penned by Sarath Kallapatha and
produced by Rohan Veliwita on behalf of Fine Vision Pictures.
The team’s attempt at making ‘Mahacharya Pipi’ by using the latest
high definition technological equipment was announced at the Tharangani
hall of the National Film Corporation recently. Many distinguished
guests including Cultural Affairs and National Heritage Minister Mahinda
Yapa Abeywardena, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, sons of
President Mahinda Rajapaksa ‘Tharunyata Hetak Organization President
Namal Rajapaksa and Naval Officer Sub Lieutenant Yoshitha Rajapaksa,
Government Information Director General Anusha Palpita, SLT Chairperson
Leisha de Silva Chandrasena, seasoned actor Robin Fernando, NFC
Consultant T.M. Sangadasa, NFC Acting General Manager Nadeeka Gunasekara,
intellect and writer Edwin Ariyadasa and others took part in the event.
‘Aseema’ a new film magazine was also launched on the occasion where
Veliwita, who is the Director of the upcoming film ‘Susima’ screened a
few clips from his movie.
Arthasad pioneered the cartoon film-making and graphic television in
the country.
 |
|
Givantha Arthasad |
He had emerged with the concept of bringing a cartoon version of the
legendary tale of King Dutugamunu to the silver screen more than 40
years ago. In 1971 he unveiled the first local animation movie, a short
film named ‘Andare’.
He is the only artiste who had excelled in the six sectors as a film
cartoonist, film art director, film cameraman, film editor, film
director and special effects creator in the country. In addition he had
played a prominent role in setting the special effects in a number of
Sinhala and Tamil films. With the establishment of Rupavahini he entered
the field as the island’s pioneering TV graphic artist.
Speaking at the Muhurath ceremony of ‘Mahacharya Pipi’, the team
stressed that around 45 percent to 38 percent of the profit earned by
the theatre is given to the producer. By using the digital cinema sans
celluloid strips they aim to increase it to 55 percent.
The background settings for the animation project are by Janaka
Subash.
Somapala Ratnayake is the music director, Saliya Liyanarachchi is the
lead graphic artist and Sankaja Arthasad is the editor. |
