Vijaya Nandasiri :

Untimely loss of a colossus

Veteran cherished, iconic thespian Vijaya Nandasiri who gave life to many characters on stage, small screen and films breathed his last on the way to the Kalubowila Teaching hospital from his residence at Kalapura,Templars Road, Mt Lavinia on the morning of August 8 following a heart attack at the age of 72.

Thus, Vijaya Nandasiri, the celebrated thespian actor in the performing arts had his final curtain call after providing ample smiles, joy and laughter to audiences dominating and conquering the stage and the silver screen for over five decades.

The untimely loss of the colossus, Vijaya Nandasiri, popularly nicknamed by his school colleagues as Maname Kumaraya, the dramatist and actor who adorned the theatrical world after he made his first appearance as a student in the Vidyakara College, Maharagama, produced Maname drama is felt by one and all.

He and his ancestral family have lived in Maharagama for generations before Vijaya moved out to Kalapura over a decade ago. His school days at Vidyakara Vidyalaya in Maharagama, had been days full of memories. This writer was fortunate to be his immediate neighbour adjoining Kalapura. We were close particularly because Vijaya’s wife Devika had in the early 1980s been in the same cast with my wife in the stage play Fiddler on the Roof produced by Chula Kariyawasam, my brother-in-law. Incidentally, this play won the award for Best Stage play in the annual drama festival.

During the past decade, Vijaya invited us for every function he had in his house. He was a man of strong principles and had an insatiable knack for the performing arts with a vision, blended strongly with our social and cultural traits.

He was initially a catering officer at the Bandaranaike International Airport in the late 60s as his acting career developed. After his debut-drama he subsequently acted in many stage dramas including Bakmaha Akunu by Dayananda Gunawardena, Thahanchi and Baka Thapas by Sathischandra Edirisinghe, Kontharaya, Wahalak Nathi Geyak, Sarade Sina by Prema Ranjith Thilakarathna and Bedde Goranaduwa by Ananda S. Wijesiri.

After acting in Ran Kanda, Nandasiri was in demand, and starred in Subha Saha Yasa, Nariya Saha Keju Kella, Ekadipathi, Tharawo Egilethi, Kuweni and Hunuwataye Kathawa among others.

Over the next 27 years he played the character of Prince Maname in Prof Ediriweera Sarachchandra’s celebrated drama Maname, and appeared in Sinha Bahu, Mahasara and Ratnawalee. Vijaya achieved more fame in 1971 in the play Ran Kanda. He has acted in over 40 plays staged islandwide since.

In 1976, he met K A W. Perera while staging T. B. Ilangaratne’s Shailasanaya who gave him his first film role in the movie Nedayo. The character was that of a blind person and the song Sanasum Susuman Pavila. The song he portrayed is still popular as his acting was absolutely realistic He acted in Mage Amma Yasa Isuru, Sandakada Pahana, Bangali Walalu, Sasara ,left right Sir,Bahuboothayo Rail Para,Mage Amma,Magodigo Dayi,King hunthar,Sakvithi Dadayama and Suhada Koka during 1976 to 2015 He was awarded the Best Actor award for his role of match maker in Sikuru Hathe.

The case in point was Suhada Koka. By that benchmark, he has set an example for present and future artistes. He is one of the very few comedians who attracted every strata of our society and enabled everyone to enjoy his comedy, irrespective of age or gender which is a tribute to this great dramatist of our times. Whether it was in Sri Lanka or abroad, he maintained the highest dignity in his trade and the professionalism with which he made a name for himself within a short span of time speaks volumes for the man. He could have earned billions, but he never wanted to sell his psyche for money.

The loss is irreparable and the void could never be filled but the fragrant memories would linger on. Mourners from all walks of life who thronged to pay their last respects from the President of the country to the ordinary laymen is ample testimony for his gigantic popularity.

The immense talent accompanied by humility, humbleness and compassion conquering the stage will no doubt be etched leaving an indelible tinge in the minds of his fans.

Vijaya was the much acclaimed dramatist, humanitarian, social reformer and the iconic thespian actor of satire and comedy, representative of the masses. Yet, there remains a long way to achieve his vision. May his walk through Sansara be short until he attains the supreme bliss of Nirvana, by acquiring the merits collected by making others happy and joyful through his unparalleled aesthetic aptitude.

Sunil Thenabadu
Brisbane

Sithy Riwa Singhawangsa Latiff:

‘Mother, queen of my heart’

She left us all to go to her heavenly abode to be with her creator on the day before her 80th birthday this year on February 11. The place she is now must surely be even brighter with her presence.

Oh! Allah what a mother you blessed us all with. She was more than a mother. The phrase ‘Mother, queen of my heart’ is a dedication to her!

How supportive, how kind, how sincere, how gentle to everyone – who were fortunate and privileged enough to know her. Gentle she really was – never a harsh word or a raised voice – but very firm when the need arose. A real noble lady mum. What a warm, loving, caring, sacred presence you were and how we all adored you. So beautiful from the outside to the inside and vice-versa through and through. How proud and how thankful we are to have you as our Mum. You treated all of us alike with so much love.

Born to nobility and married within the same family you could move with the high-born and also the ordinary, with equal case never making anyone feel they were mean or lowly – yet you never lost your royal touch that was yours by birth.

How your children and children-in-law, your grand-children and great grandchildren love and adore you. Being the great mother you were and still are in our hearts and minds you kept us as one great loving united family and Insha allah we will always remain so. We miss you! We still know that you will always watch over us and pray to Allah to bless us always.

Mama thank you for giving me the greatest gift, your eldest son and subsequently our two children (your grandchildren) and taking me as your own daughter in your loving embrace.

We love you so much
SL & family

Tribute to a loving wife :

Victoreen M. Hassan

It is eight years since God called Victoreen to eternal rest. Victoreen passed away peacefully on August 25, 2008 after a brief illness. God’s fingers touched her and took her last breath, closed her eyes and slipped her away to the land of no more pain. This was the moment I lost the light of my life and no more will I see the love light in her eyes.

Fate has been unkind and I had to lose her and that was the day it broke my heart. My days and nights have turned so lonely since that day. We got married on October 8, 1968 and spent almost 40 years in wedded bliss, filled with fun, laughter and joy.

Victoreen was loving, caring and the greatest blessing in my life. She placed gold on my finger and brought love like I had never known. She gave life to our children and when I needed hope and inspiration she was always strong. Every morning, every evening and every night we thanked our lucky stars we found each other and from that time our lonely days had ended and no one could separate us as we stood close to each other for the rest of our lives.

Victoreen was my one shining star, I loved and guided her, and I was always beside her until her untimely death. She has gone far away and I am left all alone, my days and nights have turned so lonely from the day God called her to rest.

Though we may be far apart you’re always in my heart as we were partners in life. You were mine all the time and now I am left alone.

You were always there for me in everything I did and my life was so complete when you were beside me.

It’s been so many years since I first met her and those happy days for me seem to fly away.

I know how much she meant to me and how much I loved her so.

I remember not what I did for her but I remember what I was for her and what Victoreen was for me. The only consolation is that she is now in God’s hand.

Finally, thank you Victoreen for the wonderful and generous sacrifices you made for me, and our children and all the loving care and affection you showered on us.

Thank you for loving me and for been what you were. Darling Vicky, our special years will not return when we were together, but love within my heart we will walk together. Till we meet again.

Sadly missed by loving husband,

M. Kamil. A. Hassan