• Felix Anton had lucky break
• Fifty days and still earns mixed reactions
• 'Colompoorr' keeps you intrigued
• Party all night with Gypsies

Felix Anton had lucky break

Three decades ago a group of young men were interviewed by the Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation, (now Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation) to be recruited as Operational Assistants. One of them was a handsome youth called Felix Anton. Among others who were selected and later joined the film industry were U.Ariya Vimal,W.Jayasiri and Daya Tennekoon.

For Felix Anton this appointment was a god send as he had left his alma mater St. Benedict's College in Kotahena and was seeking employment. "My determination was to be a singer and I knew that CBC was the best place to achieve it "he said.

The assignment given was sound controlling. It was here that he developed an ear for music and singing while recording songs and listening them over and over again. "Singing was my hobby even as a schoolboy. I couldn't pursue higher studies because of the craze to sing. I gained the knack to sing and got rid of mike fear by recording others songs." he said.

His love for pop songs increased gradually during this time.There'were two such songs which are even popular even today.Adara Priya Landune', 'Sulang Rella'

His duet with song queen Rukmani Devi'Nilambare' came out quite unexpectedly.This is how it had happened. Rev Fr Linus Mendis who was the Parish Priest at Moneragala Church penned songs as a hobby."He wrote the lyrics for four songs and gave me saying that I should sing one of them with Rukmani Devi".Felix Anton had known her earlier as a CBC sound controller. One day when Fr Mendis visited Colombo both of them went and met Rukmani Devi. When she heard the lyrics and Felix hummed the melody created by Stanley Mendis she readily agreed.The song was recorded a few days later. "The final take was okayed and when the song was played Rukmani Devi was very much satisfied and congratulated me. I consider it as one of my grand achievements in my life as a singer" Felix Anton said.

Very unfortunately this duet song was not taken into a song cassette."I am now trying to contact the company which disced this song to find out whether the recorded magnatic tape is available" he said. "Hada Gee Pothen" melody was given by versatile tabla player Premanath Kodituwakku. The lyrics were penned by Premakirthi de Alwis.The song was rendered with Premanath's sister, who is Raju Bandara's mother."After Raju Bandara started singing,it was re- recorded with Raju Bandara

I have no regrets over this matter as it's the mother and son who are singing it" he said.

He has also acted in many films as well as in teleserials.It was H.S.Perera who gave him a break in films by selecting him to play a role in 'Neva Gilunath Bandchune'. He has also appeared in many teleserials.Out of them 'Hiruta Muwaven' which was popularly known as 'Indiappa Kathawa' he proved his mettle in acting.

Recently Anton Felix visited London, Paris and Rome. In London he sang in a show held at Acton Town Hall. "This was a Sinhala New Year show organised by London Thames Vihare' he said. He also participated at the launching ceremony of a CD 'World Cup Fever '99' in which his brother Clarence Lakshman had sung. His brother had migrated to London some time ago.

In Rome too he entertained Sri Lankan expatriates. "I took this opportunity to have a private audience with The Pope" he added.Presently he is busy getting ready to produce a song cassette with a leading musical group.However Felix Anton has not studied music.It's God's gift for which I am always grateful to providence' he said. Felix Anton is married to Shanthie, who is a house wife.They are blessed with two sons Sanoj and Ravin.

Fifty days and still earns mixed reactions

Eranga Senaratna is a happy man since his debut film 'Sura Yahana Giniganie' has run for 50 days and continues further. It is the first domestic film to be produced on lesbianism. "Amidst a crisis in the local film industry the film ran because it discussed altogether a new theme, away from the usual stories that our filmgoers are forced to see. I yet strongly hold the view that human beings should have the freedom to choose their partners to enjoy sex." he says.

The saying one man's food may be another's poison is applicable here. "We are at the tail end of a century and at the doorstep to a new millennium. We have to be more liberal and broad minded in looking at what is taking place in life" he said. Recently local newspapers flashed stories that a group of women are planning to organise a Lesbian Association in Colombo.

This young film maker is aware of the reactions given by Indian film fans when 'Fire' on the same theme was screened in Mumbai. "I started work on 'Sura Yahana Gini Ganie' long before 'Fire' was screened in Colombo. I do not see anything wrong in 'Fire". Demonstrations and protests were instigated by extremist politicians. Filmgoers were the scapegoats. "According to him mixed feelings were expressed by our filmgoers on his film. He admits that filmgoers expressed their views both for and against ."As a filmmaker I am prepared to face bouquets and brickbats from the people. I received a mixed package of both. More bouquets were from the younger generation while some elderly men and women did not approve the theme of my film' the young film maker explained.

There was an era where some conservative minded parents of young girls did not give permission to them to act in films or dramas, involve in sports activities, enter the music and dancing fields. But that era is now passed. Things have taken a different trend and more radical changes are in stock," he said.

Eranga is now busy making arrangements to start filming of sequences of his next film which is not yet titled. It is based on a love story of a young man and woman but presented in a different way.

'Colompoorr' keeps you intrigued

By Kumaradasa Wagista

After a string of adults only films had been released in our circuits,the 'U' certificated 'Colompoorr', a full length comedy is slated for release on August 20 in fourth circuit cinema halls. "Colompoorr is not an adults only. It's a film for family audiences" director Dinesh Arthasad said.

Freddie is a wealthy man living in Nuwara Eliya.His only son Bandu (Bandu Samarasinghe) is a playboy who keeps the company of young friends and enjoys life.

As Freddie (Freddie Silva ) disliked his son's lifestyle, he plans to bring Bandu to Colompoorr to stay with one of his wealthy friends, Alfred Dantanarayana.(Tony Ranasinghe).

However Alfred had not met Bandu during the last 22 years.Taking advantage of this Bandu hatches a plot for his best friend Tadawansa (Tennyson Cooray) to impersonate him. Bandu then disguises himself and goes begging.on the streets.

The plot works well asTadawansa not only lives a life of luxury at Alfred's bungalow but even falls in love with Alfred's daughter, Tanisha ( (Dilhani Ekanayake ). Bandu meets a man named Costa and gets friendly with him. Later with the help of Costa he seeks employment as a taxi driver.

Again with the help of Costa, Bandu gets friendly with an educated poor young woman named Pooja (Harsha Jayawardena).

Meanwhile Bandu is arrested by Police on suspicion of murder. Reading a report of this in a newspaper Bandu's parents visits Colompoorr. Tadawansa bolts away before the parents reach the house where Bandu is supposed to be living.But the story continues.

Packed with seven songs the musical score is directed by Somapala Ratnayake. Nimal Rosa is its cinematographer. Story and co-screen writing is by Tennyson Cooray. Screenplay and direction is by Dinesh Arthasad

Lalinda Wijewickrama has produced this film.

Party all night with Gypsies

'We Like to Party', the music extravaganza featuring 'Gypsies and the Band Heat' with a galaxy of other top stars, will come alive tonight at the Empire Ballroom of the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

The band 'Heat' will put the audience in the right groove with the 'Vengaboys' hit song 'We Like To Party' along with their newly formed dancing troupe as a curtain raiser.

The most popular band Gypsies will perform with all their acts for the first time in an indoor concert at a hotel.

They will be accompanied by 'Singyore' Pitikotapam' girls 'Ojaye Act' as well as 'Lunu Dehi' songs.

'Heat' will perform in the first half and also will back Mariazelle and Priyantha of CT fame, and both would sing right into your heart.

After a break of 20 minutes will bring in the 'Gypsies in Concert' with their full repertoire of popular vocalists such as Corrine, Ronnie Leitch, Annesley Malawana, Menike Attanayake and the acts.

The second half will be a complete concert. Both the 'Gypsies' and the 'Heat' will thrill the audience as never before and the fans are sure to get their monies worth in what promises to be a classy indoor stage show in star class comfort.

The show will he compered by Dayan Candappa.

This show is a fund raiser for Moratuwa Sports Club in aid of the Building and Cricket Development Fund. The organizers are doing a fine job putting in some hard work round the clock to make this show a real entertainment.

The organizers are giving away several prizes to the lucky ticket holders with the compliments of some esteemed business establishments, which will be drawn immediately after the break. The Sirasa TV will cover the entire show and telecast an edited one hour program on a subsequent date. TV Times & Sirasa TV will be the media sponsors.

Tickets are Rs 1000/- (Box Plan), Rs. 750/-, Rs. 500/- and available at the Hotel, City Pharmacy, Rawatawatta, Velona, Bambalapitiya and Liberty Plaza, Senaratna Jewellers, Fort.

Return Air ticket to Singapore will be given away to the luckiest ticket holder of Rs. 1000/- with the compliments of Arjuna Dias - Chairman Somerville & Co., who is the Patron of Moratuwa SC

Other prizes come with the compliments of:

Coca Cola Co., Uswatta Confectionery Works, Mt. Lavinia Hotel, Darley Butler & Co., Kosgoda Beach Resorts Ltd. Gabo Travel Ltd. and Hameedias

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