The man beyond and behind the glam
To those who little knew the designer Kirthi Sri Karunaratne, the man was an enigma. It was impossible to attend a high society fashion show or even a cosy Christmas concert and not glimpse the veteran couturier, his diminutive frame clad in a snazzy vest with a silk scarf – a familiar yet silently intimidating figure flitting around.
Eagerly awaited by Colombo’s socialites: Kirthi’s columns in the newspapers
But for those who knew Kirthi, beyond his celebrity aura there was a soft twinkle in his eyes behind the rimmed glasses and a warm smile. That was the man behind the artist and the beloved personality beyond the glamorous persona.
Kirthi, who passed away on November 1, was a pioneer in Sri Lanka’s fashion arena evolving from designer to fashion writer and something of an icon over the span of some 60 years.
A lover of the arts, he could take the ramp at the end of a show as easily as the curtain call on stage after a performance. He also made an appearance in films such as Kolomba Sanniya and Nidhanaya.
“He was a sort of godfather to me,” said Angela Seneviratne. The former beauty queen and actress first met Kirthi as a shy 16-year-old travelling to Colombo for the Miss Sri Lanka pageant.
She recalls the nervous journey from her village to a city “where I didn’t know anyone” and being recommended to seek out Kirthi for some advice.
As she made her way to his home down Norris Canal Road she had no inkling of what to expect in the famous designer. “He was small, delicate and humble,” she recalls, first noticing his long, slender fingers.
“You are so beautiful, I’m going to be your guide, your protector,” he had told her, the prelude to a friendship that would last over 42 years.
One of his first and favourite models, she takes us to the backstage chaos and excitement that is synonymous with any fashion show, from which Kirthi always managed to remain detached.
“He was always unruffled” and would even take a few minutes to compose himself if he was stressed. He was neat, methodical and self-reliant, recalls Angela who found herself emulating his methodical way of arranging ensembles and packing away outfits at the end of a show.
“You always think such big names would be unapproachable,” she stated. But ever since the day she crossed the bridge to his home down Norris Canal Road, Angela remembers him more for his kindness and thoughtfulness than the big name behind the brand.
It was somewhere in the 70s’, when post-shows, she and about four other models would squeeze into a Morris Minor, costumes and all, with Kirthi perched up in the front.
“Ï am taking the girls home,” he would announce. As a youngster she never felt safer than with her employer, mentor, father figure and confidante.
Treading on the path forged by the Godfather of local fashion, bridal designer Michael Wijesuriya remembers how honoured he felt to be mentioned “in an interview, when Koluu asked Kirthi” to name a skilled designer.
“He was always appreciative of my work” and the rare criticism was worth taking from “someone of his calibre” Michael reflects.
Michael’s mother and aunt had modelled for Kirthi and always brought home interesting stories from a day at work. Michael remembers vividly that “they would both hold their breath” until the saree for the day was tucked-in.
This was to avoid a possible gash from one long fingernail on the master-draper’s hands. Kirthi’s creativity had even inspired a photo shoot of models “in sarees, carrying parasols”.
“He dressed my mother for her wedding, 56 years ago and was a VVIP guest at my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary,” Michael says.
His skilful artistry had been called upon at the wedding. “My mother’s parents wanted her to wear a dress,” Michael tells us, but “my father wanted her to wear a saree.”
Designing perhaps the mother of all saree-dress hybrid bridal outfits, “Kithi managed to get a saree to flare out at the bottom” so that it looked like a gown.
Well before she shot to designer fame, Yolanda Aluwihare “had no idea who Kirthi Sri was”. Their introduction was one- sided, when a photo of the then 23-year-old draped in her first Kandyan saree appeared in the papers.
“He described me as one of the most gorgeous women” Yolanda remembers, adding that he had only kind words for her ever since.
Years later, when Yolanda took to fashion designing, and Kirthi became more than an energetic camera-wielding presence, they became friends.
“He was a very open person,” she shares. Quick with a compliment he was always the first to congratulate her after a successful show and found immense purpose in promoting local artisan handiwork which was a shared interest.
The sight of impersonal imported fashion she says always saddened him. He would excitedly invite her to see his latest hauls of material and chat at length about the future of indigenous fashion – he was never driven to jealous secrecy.
Remembering one of his creations – a Kandyan-inspired long skirt, which she wore onstage to accept an award she says “I’ve always loved his drapes”.
For Ravindra Karunaratne and his brother Gihan their uncle “Kirtha” as he was affectionately known was a person “nobody could say anything bad about”.
Ravindra and his family moved in with Kirthi twenty years ago. When Kirthi was at home (a rare occurrence owing to his busy social life) he would spend his time absorbed in creativity; whether it was arranging flowers, working or cooking.
A wine connoisseur, there was nothing he loved better than sitting down to a glass of fine wine or whiskey with a sliver of blue cheese or serving up his signature dish the savoury “hakuru ma” for friends and family. An interest that clearly runs in the family- “We all love to cook” Ravindra adds.
When he was in school, veteran designer Senaka De Silva says, “the only designer we knew was Kirthi Sri.” One of the most memorable trips for Senaka includes the “time I did a fashion show for injured forces in Kurunegala.”
Kirthi happily joined him on this trip, which still brings back fond memories. Kirthi’s work “from the 60’s and 70’s” featured a different era in style which might not be relatable today, but his appreciation for work by others and encouragement, if only in the form of moral support has inspired “a silent respect” for the industry’s pioneer, Senaka adds.
“Colombo Society will miss the figure running around with a camera,” Angela says. But for those who knew Kirthi’s gentleness and warmth “he didn’t pass away. He will always be here”.
| It all started with a pair of golden earrings I was seated in the hall of the famous Grand Oriental Hotel. All weddings in the 1950’s and 60’s were held either there or at the evergreen Galle Face Hotel. Barely 16 and feeling very self-conscious in a saree I was approached by a slight, elegantly turned out young man who said to me, “I am Kirthi Sri Karunaratne and I will be writing on fashion for the papers. May I mention your earrings?” He could have mentioned anything as far as I was concerned. It was my first contact with the world of fashion. On a lecture tour in the Middle East my father had brought me back a pair of gold earrings (not genuine) made of Arabic coins. Obviously they caught the eye of the future icon in the world of fashion and I was no end pleased to read the description of them in one of Kirthi’s early columns. This auspicious beginning led to a lifelong friendship for Kirthi soon became a commentator on the Colombo Fashion Scene as well as a designer for ladies with clothes sense (and a tactful advisor for those without it!) Kirthi’s columns were eagerly read and, as is common in most countries, women were happy to be mentioned in them. Sometime later I was also doing a weekly column of satirical and humorous aricles under the Editorship of Manik de Silva. Kirthi and I made up our minds that we would never write anything disparaging about a person who was not in a position to hit back. It was a rule we never broke even when provoked. Through the years Kirthi put on many shows – all of which were great successes. I particularly remember when he staged one at the home of a wealthy gentleman somewhere off Colombo when models drifted airily down a beautiful staircase and walked among the guests seated in the large drawing rooms and round a pool. It was a new scene for Colombo and a night never to forget. Kirthi was a gentleman in every way. His help was given without thought to monetary gain. When I was the Chairman of the Inner Wheel Clubs of Sri Lanka , Kirthi gave me his expertise free for any fundraiser I organised. Never once did he ask to be reimbursed and when I offered he turned the offer down graciously saying, “I don’t charge for charity “. Some years ago Paddy Maharajah organised “A Toast To Kirthi” on his 70th birthday. It was a heartwarming event and a wonderful tribute to a man who had become the doyen of fashion and fashion designing in Sri Lanka. I was privileged to be asked to speak at that event along with Mano Chanmugam and I ended my toast with these words, “Tonight we are here to honour Kirthi Sri Karunaratne ……… An amazing talent, a wonderful friend, a man with a generous and loving heart and a totally gracious personality. It has been a privilege to have known him.” Those words are true today. -Goolbai Gunasekara |
