Buddhi brings ‘Note of Rasika’

Buddhi Galappatty is a man of many talents. Experienced make up artiste, writer, film critic, TV personality, member of the film Censor Board and a poet, the title he prefers introduce himself, Buddhi is one of the veteran columnists in Sri Lankan journalism. Writing columns for more than three decades, Buddhi will be launching a collection of his columns written to Sinhala daily, 'Lankadeepa' over the last half decade. 'Sahurdha Satahan' (Notes of Rasika), a collection of 36 columns written to 'Weemansa', the literary supplement issued with Lankadeepa, will be launched at 4 pm on September 4, 2007 at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Independence Square.

The key note address under the theme 'A distinctive feature in the art of media' will be delivered by Prof. Tissa Kariyawasam, senior professor attached to the Sinhala Department of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura. In addition veteran dramatist and actor, Jayalath Manoratne will reminisce on Buddhi's literary life and the launch is chaired by Prof. Sucharitha Gamlath while Chief Editor of 'Irida Divaina', Gamini Sumanasekara will be compere.

Holcim (Lanka) Ltd where Buddhi works as Communication and Public Relations Manager and the publisher Sarasavi Bookshop, Nugegoda will sponsor the event.

Buddhi's career as a columnist goes as far back to 1970s. As a young man in his early twenties, Buddhi introduced himself as a columnist writing 'Vijaya Mallige Colama' for the film tabloid 'Parasathu' edited by D. B. Warnasiri. The column on art and cinema written by Warnasiri himself invited Buddhi to replace him during a two months scholarship he received to Germany. Satisfied with this young man's writing calibre, Buddhi was entrusted to continue the column.

Widening subject matters in 1990s, Buddhi started 'Ane Ablic' weekly column in 'Irida Divaina' covering a variety of areas including cinema, arts, stage, music and even politics. The column was later continued in 'Irida Lanka' further widening its scope. 'Samowadanaya' his column in film tabloid 'Sarasaviya' too shifted to 'Mawbima' weekend newspaper later.

The beginning of 'Sahurda Satahana' in 2003 in Lankadeepa was on an invitation by Lankadeepa Deputy Editor, Chandrika Wijesundara and writer Samudra Veththasinghe.

Over the last five years the column has focused mainly on literature. But it also has featured critical reviews on cultural events, TV and radio programmes, cinema and issues relating to arts and culture.

"I also have made it a point to use this space to pay tribute to forgotten literary figures like Ediriweera Sarachchandra, Mahagama Sekera, Wimalaratne Kumaragama and many others doyens of our literary history," Buddhi said speaking to the TV Times. Buddhi also has expressed his strong protest over the injustices caused to artistes like Ashoka Handagama relating to his latest film 'Aksharaya' (Letter of Fire) and substandard literary awards ceremonies and drama festivals organized by the government sector or Cultural Ministry. The lack of transparency in these events resulting unfair judgments have come under his heavy criticism.

‘We criticise the festivals and award ceremonies which are far from transparent because they are organized using the public funds. "Even today all the books published in the relevant year are not taken for literary awards and there is a lot of favouritism,’ Buddhi claims.

"My criticisms are constructive and they are not personal attacks. But unfortunately people in public offices take them personally," Buddhi explains. "Stand by everything I write in my columns,' he said with confidence. Having worked with giants like Ediriweera Sarachchandra and Dhama Jagoda and many other colossal figures in literature and arts and being a member of television regulatory boards, Public Performance Board and represented many juries, Buddhi's expertise and experience has given him the necessary background knowledge and competence to write his columns. "However there is a dearth of young journalists taking up column writing in both Sinhala and English journalism today," Mr. Galappatty lamented.