The last journey of two good old friends

by Anjana GAMAGE

None of us thought that film legend and veteran actor Gamini Fonseka would too join the 'last journey' with his dear friend after 11 days of his good old friend's demise.

My father Dharmasiri Gamage passed away on September 19 and Gamini Fonseka passed away on September 30, 2004.

I could remember last year, I wrote an article on my father focusing how the tragedy took place and the special bond the two of us had as a father and daughter. It was for his fifth death anniversary. I thought it would be fine if I can write something on both not only as a tribute but also as a fact that many have not known the 'lasting friendship' they had when they lived.

Gamini Fonseka	Dharmasiri Gamage

Both being good friends, Dharmasiri Gamage and Gamini Fonseka made their last journey together only leaving some landmark memories in the relevant fields they worked together.

Six years have passed without them, but the treasured memories of their lives and unique creations they produced are always in the minds of their loved ones forever.

If I recalled the memory lane to the best of my knowledge regarding my father and uncle Gamini, I believe, their friendship became stronger when we came to live in Ratmalana in 1970's. Gamini Fonseka lived at "Sirimal Uyana" in Ratmalana and we were at 3rd Lane, Farmgrove Avenue. Living within a stone's throw made both of them reach each other and always used to have more frequent visits than before.

My mother definitely knew that if Thaththa happened to visit uncle Gamini's place, that he would only return home the next morning and there was no point of her sitting and waiting until he comes.

Only close friends know, that for Gamini, the night was as his daytime and he used to have a snooze in the mornings. Time was not a barrier for him.

There were many topics for them to discuss. The discussions were not only limited to art. He spoke especially on politics, cinema, art, and culture. It was like an open forum for everybody.

There was no doubt that many of these discussions and issues later turned into fine artistic pieces. One such excellent work together was the film Sarungale directed by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne and produced by the late Y.M. Karunathilake. My father wrote the Sarungale film-script and Gamini Fonseka performed the lead role of Nadaraja.

I have heard my father recalling the immense support given by uncle Gamini and Yoga Balachandran when writing the Tamil dialogues in the script. He was fluent in Tamil and had the real touch of the Jaffna Tamil.

Unforgettable incident

There was an unforgettable incident in my father's life due to the Sarungale film too. It was at an OCIC film awards ceremony that Sarungale won many awards. The Best Film Script was also nominated to Sarungale and Gamini Fonseka was invited on stage to receive the award.

He made a special announcement on the stage. This award does not belong to me. It belongs to my friend Dharmasiri Gamage, who wrote the script for Sarungale. The award was presented to my father by uncle Gamini. The OCIC award at our home is over 30 years old. The Best Film Script - Sarungale - Gamini Fonseka. Thaththa loved it to be like that without any alterations.

When my father was directing the film Pooja, there was a scene of Gamini Fonseka to be shot. In that scene he was described as a well-known hero in the area who raised his voice for the poor villagers who were controlled by their masters. The scene was a small take out. But my father gave full authority to uncle Gamini to direct that scene at our Mirihana house as he wished.

Another significant feature of the film Pooja was that it helped reunite two legendary actors in the Sinhala cinema. Many did not know that actors Gamini Fonseka and Joe Abeywickrema had not been on good terms with each other for some time. I know what efforts my father took to re-unite both of them. He got on well with both of them and used the film Pooja as a bridge for both Gamini and Joe for their re-union. He never expected credit for it. It was one of the happiest days in my father's life. He paved the way for their re-union and was overjoyed over it. I remember many pictures were taken after the re-union of the two actors at our Mirihana house in 1987 where the shooting took place. The photographs were published on the cover page of the Sarasaviya film magazine at the time.

While I was working as a reporter in the Daily News, we used to cover whatever events together with other fellow reporters in our sister newspapers. One day my good friend Aruna Gunaratne, the News Editor of the Sarasaviya film magazine said: Nago (the way he used to call me) I'm going to interview Gamini Fonseka tomorrow, would you like to join me?", Aruna Aiya asked. Without thinking twice, I said "OK. I'll come along with you".

Feather in my cap

For me it was like a feather in my cap. Although I knew uncle Gamini from my young days, this was something different in my journalistic career. I informed my father too, the next day about the scheduled interview with uncle Gamini and he knew that I was overjoyed with it.

The Nissan van was ready at the transport section to take us to Gamini Fonseka's house, in Ja-Ela. Within one hour we were at his home and an aide welcomed us and asked us to wait. In a little while, the film legend came down wearing a sarong and a shirt in a relaxed mood. Aruna Aiya introduced me to him." Oh! This is Dharme's daughter. You don't have to introduce her to me. I knew her as a little girl. Although I have not seen her for long time", he said.The one time Sri Lankan film hero, the lover and the rebel was in front of us.The interview began. Aruna Aiya posed several questions.

Gamini answered his questions with facts and figures in his bass voice. As usual, the film legend had his Benson and Hedges packet of cigarettes in his hand and one was lit by the other while we were chatting. Rather than posing questions, I counted the number of cigarettes he smoked. The way he held the cigarette too gave me an impression of him. The way he talked, smiled, looked and whatever he did made us to grab him to. However, I came to realise that he was a legend in everything. He was like a king who ruled his kingdom. Suddenly I thought I was not well enough to interview this person.

On that day he invited us for lunch. I was surprised to see the raw red onions and raw green chilies on the lunch table. Realising my thoughts, he said: "I know it's your father's favourite too."

And especially he did not forget to inquire about my mother and came up with some interesting topics that all had shared together while they lived in Ratmalana.

When I returned home from office that evening my father asked me: " What happened to your interview " with uncle Gamini"?

"It was OK". I was a little bit scared too". I gave him a brief reply." Why did you get scared?", he again asked me.

"May be because I look upon him as a legend", I replied.

"You don't know about uncle Gamini. He is like a small child. The external appearance and the way he talked at times may give you the impression of a superior whom you cannot reach at all. But he is a kind - hearted, soft-spoken man. He is really like a small child at times. I know him very well", that was my father's reply.