Pathi felicitated in Kandy

By Ranjith Bandara Attanayake

Dharmasena Pathiraja

Renowned Film and Tele Drama Director Dharmasena Pathiraja is to be felicitated as a parallel to a film festival on Sunday, 4 March at the Auditorium of Dharmaraja Vidyalaya, in Kandy.

It has been organized by the Association of Old Boy Scouts of Dharmaraja Vidyalaya to felicitate Mr. Pathiraja, who is an old Rajan.

Pathiraja's film creations ‘Ahas Gawwa’ (1971), ‘Bambaru Evith’ (1978) and ‘Mathuyam Dawasa’ (2001) will be screend at this film festival at 10.30 a.m, 2.30 p.m and 6.30 pm. respectively.

In addition, celebrities in the field of art, who are also an old boys of Dharmaraja Vidyalaya, Kapila Kumara Kalinga, Amarasiri Kalansooriya, Daya Tennekoon, W.D.Gangodatenna, Mithrarathna Herath, Tilak Godamanna and Lal Wickremarachchi too will be felicitated at this ceremony.

Pathiraja began his film career by directing 'Ahas Gawwa' and rose to fame overnight, becoming the pioneer film maker of realistic film realm. He potrayed the fate of the younger generation belong to 70s, who had lost their way in the society.

After his debut 'Ahas Gawwa' he directed 'Bambaru Evith' that spoke of the clash between old generation and new capitalist younger generation in a fishing hamlet. 'Bambaru Evith' was able to clinch 5 Awards including Best Director, Best film and 5 Merit Awards at the first Presidential Film Award Ceremony in Sri Lanka.

‘Eya Den Loku Lamayek’ (1977), ‘Ponmani’ (Tamil Film-1977), ‘Paara Dige’ (1980), ‘Soldadu Unnehe’ (1981), ‘Waasuli’. ‘Sira Kandaura’ (to be released), ‘Shelton Haa Kanthi’' (Destroyed during ethnic riots in 1983) and ‘In Search of a Road’ (2006-Documentary) are among his other cinematic creations. He has directed a short film ‘Sathuro’, ‘Anduren Eliyata’ and ‘Werala'(documentaries) too.

Pathiraja's ‘teledrama creations are ‘Ella Langa Walawwa’, ‘Maaya Mandira’,’Gangulen Egodata’ and ‘Nadunana Putheku’ have become famous among television fans