Montage on life, through Vithanachchi's lens

Starting off as a diver and ending up being a professional photographer with an eye for good pictures is hard to believe - Mahinda Vithanachchi who is a versatile photographer started off as a diver in the Dockyard. His interest in photography was triggered while on a trip to Kandy with his parents, he visited Peradeniya Gardens and saw the Gardens in a riot of colour.

The different hues captured his imagination causing a mirage in his mind. It was then that he decided that he should record the beautiful scenery. He trekked back to Kandy town and purchased a Kodak 110 camera and then went on a photography spree taking pictures in Nuwara Eliya and Adam's Peak as well.

Mahinda was employed as a diver at the dockyard and with his new camera in hand, he was busy taking photographs of employees in the Dockyard with the sea as the background or ships which had sailed in.

Mahinda took photos of his father who was also working at the Dockyard for the first time with the Lanka Muditha in the background.

"There were no colour labs in Sri Lanka in the '70s and Amila Photos was the only place doing colour photographs. They took the negatives all the way to Singapore to print and it took a good seven days. I began taking photographs and sold them at cost. I improved on this and turned it into a small business and then bought a Yashika Electro 35 firstTwin Lens Reflector with a 35 mmfilm role. My boss, Anandagunasekera who was a good diver in the Dockyard asked me to choose between photography and diving as I could then concentrate on one.

There was no hesitation, I chose photography and from then on there was no turning back. I photographed portraits, nature and events like weddings and studied the nuances of photography at the Hegoda Seya Silpa Institute under the direct supervision of Lal Hegoda. I was selected from among many applicants. Lal Hegoda had a hunch that finance was an issue with me and allowed me to follow classes free.

"He kept a close watch on me and then one day he gave me a camera and said any time you are able to pay for it you can reimburse me, otherwise forget about it. When I told this to him lately he said he could not recall the incident. I completed two years of photography here.

"Then Ranjit Gunasekera who worked with me in the harbour directed me to Peter Balasuriya of the Island newspapers and I was overjoyed with just the thought of joining a newspaper.

I met Vijitha Yapa who was the editor who sent me on several assignments before giving me the nod to join the newspapers.These were times when quality and professionalism mattered and there was no way anyone could join the newspapers just having a basic knowledge. I had to face four interviews and persist in my quest to join the newspapers.This was how I made my foray into photojournalism

Today I recall with nostalgia the moments I spent with Chandragupta Weerawardene who was the Pictures Editor. He picked out news assignments and was always satisfied with my pictures.

I worked with editors of the calibre of Vijitha Yapa, Edmund Ranasinghe, Stanley Premaratne and Gamini Weerakon who appreciated my endeavour. Last but not least was my good friend Bhadri Durgabakshi who handled the feature pages in the Island newspapers and always appreciated the pictures I submitted.

Mahinda will hold a photographic exhibition showcasing his talent based on the theme 'Montage on life' comprising wildlife and portraits.

The exhibition will be held from May 23 to 25 at the National Art Gallery, Colombo 7. The exhibition will be opened by Minister of Wildlife and Resources Gamini Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa.

This is the sixth in the series held after a lapse of 15 years. Mahinda's Nature photos were captured while he was on his many wildlife excursions to the wilds of Kumana, Wilpattu, Yala, Udawalawe, Bundala, Habarana and Minneriya.

The exhibition will have two segments Section A and B. Section A will have beautiful stills of nature while the B segment will comprise portraits of people he has encountered in his long sojourn in photography.

- F.F.