Back to Pera, where it all began
When well-known dramatist Jayalath Manorathna went to Peradeniya University to accept a Doctorate in Literature (D. Litt) that was conferred on him recently, he was returning to the institution where as an undergraduate, he honed his skills in the field of Sinhala theatre and took the first steps in a journey that has since spanned more than four decades. It was here that the village lad from Dehipe in Hanguranketha met the doyen of Sinhala Theatre Professor Ediriweera Sarathchandra and having impressed him with his acting and singing talents, earned himself minor roles in Sarathchandra’s renowned productions Maname and Sinhababu.
Portrait of an artiste: Jayalath Manorathna. Pic by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
“I was especially happy to receive this rare honour from Peradeniya University, the place that I spent many happy years. This recognition made the hardships that I encountered earlier in my days in the field of theatre worthwhile. It is also an inspiration for me, and I hope to others in the field, to continue with work in the field of arts,” Dr. Manorathna told the Sunday Times.
His life began in the salubrious surroundings of his village in the Nuwara Eliya district, as the youngest son in the family of six children. “My father was a lorry driver and my mother was a housewife but despite their modest means, my parents were keen to see that we all received a good education. “ After their time in school, the children would also spend their leisure singing popular songs, which is where his vocal skills first surfaced. Having entered the Poramadulla Central College, his music teacher at the school, Sunil Sriyananda soon noticed Manorathna’s skills and encouraged him to take up acting and singing.
He got his first role in a school drama titled Aspha Gudung which was among nine plays selected from each of the provinces for the finals of the annual inter-school drama competition. “I got a certificate of participation at this event and it was a thrilling moment for me,” he recalled. But it was at Peradeniya University, under the guidance of Professor Sarathchandra that Manorathna evolved as an actor and landed his first main role in the maestro’s operatic play Premato Jayati Soko.
It was also while rehearsing for this play that he met his future wife Tamara Jayanthi who was also acting in the same play. Since then , there has been no looking back for Manorathna who has since acted in 80-90 plays and directed 11 plays of his own. He has also acted in several tele-dramas and movies but his love remains theatre.
“As a stage actor, I have freedom to express myself freely while on stage and I have received the love and support of many of my fans for my stage performances,” he said.
Dr. Manorathna is also acutely aware of the responsibility that goes with being an actor. “Our primary goal is to entertain but I am keen to take part in productions which also enlighten the audience and bring up new issues which they can think about and learn from,” he says.
At 65, Dr. Manorathna has just submitted and had his dissertation for his PhD accepted by the Sri Jayewardenepura University, the institution from where he also completed his Master’s Degree. But in spite of all the accolades coming his way, he is nowhere near resting on his laurels. He is now busily rehearsing his latest production which is based on the life of the last Sinhala king Weera Parakrama Narendra Sinha. The play is titled “Sellan Nirindu”. “He (Narendra Sinha) is said to have been a fun-loving king. His story is one that is very relevant to what is taking place in our society today,” Dr. Manorathna said. The play is expected to go on the boards in December this year.
On music in sinhala theatre
Dr. Jayalath Manorathna will present a lecture on the “Evolution of Music in Sinhala Theatre (Sinhala Vedhikanthaya Sangeethye Vikashanaya) at the monthly lecture series of the National Trust – Sri Lanka which will be held at the HNB Auditorium, 22nd Floor, HNB Towers, 479 T.B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10 at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday, August 29. He will be supported by Nisshanka Diddeniya, Mahanama Wickramasinghe, Ratna Lalani Jayakodi and Rodney Warnakula.
The talk will be in the form of a lecture demonstration with aspects of the development of music in Sinhala Theatre illustrated by live performances. The lecture is open to Trust members and the public at a nominal fee.
comments powered by Disqus