'Jayasri' releases maiden album
By Sanath Weerasuriya
'Jayasri', the long awaited maiden album of Austrian based Sri Lankan
band 'Jayasri' was released in Vienna last month.
The album cassette and CD comprises sixteen original songs with different
styles in English and Sinhala languages.
'Jayasri' a three member band, is now performing in Austrian, German
and other European circuits.
Rohitha, Rohan and Aruna along with their school colleague Boodie (Buddhika
Keerthisena) were busy during the last few months putting the final touches
to the maiden album.
The music video of 'Jayasri' was directed by Boodie, himself and was
recorded in Sri Lanka and in Austria.
"We have all our originals on this album 'Mod Goviya', 'Europe
Indala' and some of the original tracks of our sister bands 'Con-Dom' and
'Jaya-3' such as Sinhalese Man 'Put Your Love Together' and 'UR My Sunshine'
are included in this album. And also a special dedication song to our favourite
legend Clarence Wijewardena is included in this Cassette/Album/CD,"
Rohitha said in his latest letter to TV Times last week.
"Gee Viruwanee" is the name of this special song made out
of 25 titles of songs sung by Clarence.
'Also 'Jayasri' will be featured on Boodie's new film 'Milla Soya' as
we are singing one of the tracks of this movie, Jayasri will feature 'Thaniwemu
Api' a reggae song in this movie' he added.'
All the texts,music, arrangements of the songs were done by the three
of us. Also performed and recorded at our own 'JAYASRI Power Pot' Studio
in Vienna and in Christian F 'Hook line' Studios.
'Jayasri' have used the latest Digital Systems like Pro tools, Cubase
for recording and mastering, their new album.
"We want to categorize our music as 'World music', because it has
got Oriental, Ethno, Reggae, Latin, Dance floor elements from round the
globe. Also our own 'Jayasrimuffin' and Baila. We want to hit not only
with music, but with lyrics and messages too.
We have lot of messages in our music. Their song 'Mod 'Goviya' is now
on air in Sri Lanka.
'Jayasri' have now started their work on their second Album and are
planning a few 'live' concerts around Europe to support their maiden album.
Talent contest moves on
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Third and the last Preliminary round of 'TV Times Talent Contest Search
2000' was held at the 'Sigiriya Hall' of the Airport Garden Hotel, the
'Host Hotel of the Contest', on August 15.
Twelve, contestants from 'Senior Vocal' section and five from 'Junior
Vocal' section were eligible to enter the semi- finals.
Also six 'instrumentalists' and four groups on vocals.
Ninety contestants performed at this last preliminary round of 'TV Times
Talent Contest Search 2000' which was organized by Sohan Dissanayake Entertainment
Unit.
This event was organised by George Weerakoon, the producer and the senior
partner of the Entertainment Unit and it was inaugurated by Vernon Dabare,
Managing Director of Clasp Print & Graphics (Pvt.) Ltd., as Chief Guest.
Among the distinguished guests were M. Ismeth of The Sunday Times, Indika
Salgado the Sales Executive of Airport Garden Hotel, Sunethra Perera the
principal of Sue School of Dancing, Malcolm Perera, Manager of Dream Team,
Dr. Isha Gunathilaka, Jerome Francisco the leader of the band "Worlds
End" and Nishantha Perera the Committee President.
Sixty contestants, who are eligible to enter the next round will take
part at the first 'Semi-Finals' on September 5 at the Airport Garden Hotel.
The Dream Team will be in action at the first 'Semi-Final' to select
the first batch of finalists.
The following have qualified for the Semi-Finals from the third preliminary
round which was held on August, 15.
Instrumental section - Ashendra Liyanage, Nilma Dole, Venura Jayakody,
Eroshini Silva, Sachitra Ibrahim, and Lakmal Ruparatna. Vocal Junior section
- Tharini Gunawardana, Rajiv Pon-weera, Krishan Joel Dev-asagayam, Thushara
Kulatunga and Ruchira Sankajaya Pathirana.
Group Vocals section comprises four groups.
They are Dilan David/ Suneth Shanka and Chanaka Samarasinghe, Ruth Amirthiah/
Ranil Amirthiah, Sajeeva Maduranga/ Lakal Bul-athsinghala/ Boditha Souis
Group and Sam Korala/ Kishani Waidyasekara.
The Senior vocalists are Palitha Liyanage, Sachintha Adikaram, Ruth
Amirthiah, Marlon Seneviratne, Chanka Samarasinghe, Dinesh Fer-nando, Ranil
Amirthiah, Lewie Diaz, Shannon Ashborn, Rajitha Edirisinghe, Dylan Jude
Welikala and Jerome Perera.
Another Lanka-Australia venture in offing
By Kumaradasa Wagista
Producers of the first Sri Lanka-Australia co-production are contemplating
another film in Australia after the release of 'Mandakini'. (The Milky
Way). The world premiere of this film has already been held in Sydney under
the patronage of Australian VIP's and aborigines at Greater Union Theatre
last March. As this theatre has a large number of cinema halls in many
cities in Australia co-producer  Kithsiri
Karunaratna, while he was in Sri Lanka some time ago was hopeful of the
film being screened all over Australia and even in New Zealand.
A copy of the film has been released in Melbourne also.
"We are hopeful of screening this film in many parts of the world
with the help of Sri Lanka Associations in almost every city where our
expatriates are working." director H.D.Premaratne said. "As the
film has cost a colossal sum foreign releases are necessary for us to be
out of woods" he added. Premaratne is confident of a world release
of the film as it discusses the plight of aborigines which is now common
to many countries. He considers it as a scoring point to sell the film
to foreign buyers.
Although the film has been selected for released in the fifth circuit
the circuit system is to be abolished according to the reforms that are
taking shape at the National Film Corporation.
'Mandakini ' is based on a story idea given by Benedict Dodampegama
and the screenplay is written by H.D.Premaratne. Several Australian aborigines
play in this film. Sabita Perera, Ravindra Randeniya, Asoka Peiris, Pradeep
Senanayake play the main roles in it.
Teertha Yatra
Taprobane Films ' Teertha Yatra ' (The Pilgrimage ) is scheduled to
be screened after 'Surangana Yahana'. Vasantha Obeysekera has written and
directed it.
It's the story of a young woman going in search of her biological parents.
She succeeds in her mission. But finally she realises there is nothing
belonging to one to claim ownership. It's the individual relationship among
which is more important than the biological relationship. You do not possess
or own anything in life and it's the teaching of religious teachers.
"In keeping to the theme of my story I call it ' The Pilgrimage'.
Life itself is nothing but a pilgrimage" Vasantha Obeysekera said.
The film is to be sub titled in English for foreign screenings.
This role is played by Yasodha Wimaladharma, while Channa Perera acts
opposite her. Joe Abeywickrema, Ravindra Randeniya, Veena Jayakody and
many other artistes are in the cast.
Chandran Rutnam and Asoka Perera produced this film.
Tissa opts not to do films
Film Corporation Chairman Tissa Abeysekera says as long as he works
as Chairman,he would not engage himself in films as the regulations preclude
him from doing so
He is planning to revamp the institution so that it could serve the
industry better.
A project costing nearly Rs 80 million is to be launched to help 10
film directors . Five reputed filmmakers and five who have shown their
colours as teledrama directors would be given financial backing to do films.
The Corporation also will oversee the distribution of films.
"NFC will break away from the distribution monopoly, steps will
be taken to establish three camera units, comprising lighting equipment,
grip equipment and a generator. Setting up two sound departments commissioned
in a newly constructed modern film studio, the place of which is yet undecided,
Mr Abeysekera said.
NFC will encourage foreign filmmakers to choose in Sri Lanka as a location
to film their productions.
A scheme is contemplated to produce films for both theatre screening
and broadcast television, a popular media now practiced in advanced countries.
"The infrastructure for film production has suffered in the last
two decades. Corporation studio at Dalugama has only one movie camera worth
mentioning and the lighting equipment is mostly outdated while sound facilities
are primitive" Mr Abeysekera said.
Seminars and workshops would be organised to enhance the interest in
films
A separate circuit will be named for the release of quality films both
foreign and local.
Setting up a Film Publications Bureau, the publication of a film journal,
translating and publishing standard books pertaining to cinema in Sinhala
and Tamil, establishing a Film Centre which will be the forerunner to the
proposed film institute are also on the drawing board.Renowned filmmaker
Lester James Peries will head the committee on the proposed film archives.
Futility of war on mini screen
A telefilm made by a young filmmaker Inoka Sathyanganie Mahadivulwewa
has won international accolades from two festivals for her telefilm (video)
'Nonagathayaka Nimawa'.
This telefilm has been produced by Sudath Mahadivulwewa.
' Nonagathayaka Nimawa' (End of an Inauspicious Time - 40 minute) has
been selected for the final rounds in the Earth Vision - '98 - Global Environmental
Film Festival. It has also being chosen to represent Asia at the DEC International
Video Film Festival.
For ages the Sinhalese and Hindus celebrate their traditional New Year
which falls in mid April every year. It's a time of joy and enjoyment as
well as practicing traditional customs so that the future generation may
go ahead with them.It is preceded by a period called Nonagathaya - an inauspicious
time, where the simplest way to avoid bad luck is to do nothing and be
involved in religious activities.
Mahadivulwewa's story centres on an old Sinhala mother living in a remote
village anxiously awaiting the arrival of her son from the battlefield.
Vishva is a young Tamil who finds himself stranded in the village during
Nonagethaya time, where the streets are empty and shops closed to avoid
ill omens.
On the look out for the arrival of her son the old woman gives accommodation
to this man extends hospitality and keeps on talking to him.
On his way home next morning Vishva inquires details of the benefactor
at the railway station and is shocked to find out that this old woman's
son has been killed in action but she still awaits his return.The moral
is stubborn but clear that there are no winners in war.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa Libraries has informed the producers
of their intention of purchasing a copy of this telefilm to be kept in
their library.
'Nonagathayaka Nimawa' won the best director and best single episode
teledrama at OCIC and Sumathi Video Festivals also.
Ruwan Costa has handled the camera and is edited by Ravindra Guruge.
Art direction is by Mohan Adams. Upul Mahanama is make- up artiste.
W. Jayasiri, Chandra Kaluarachchi and Malcolm Machado are among the
stars.
Tribute to Lanka
The People's Bank has produced a 40 minute documentary titled' The Sun
and The Moonstone' to mark Sri Lanka's 50th Independence anniversary. It
is directed by Tissa Abeysekere and the production work has been done in
a laboratory in Germany.
Pointing at a highlight in the film People's Bank sources said"
this film avoids the conventional touristic approach and attempts to take
the viewer beyond the surface and into the inner essence of Sri Lanka,
its people and their way of life" The film has been under production
for about 10 months
The project has been done on a proposal made by People's Bank Chairman
Gamini Fernando." Art and culture are as vital to life as food, clothing
and shelter," he added.
Two young tele directors
There is a crying need of young new talent in film and teledrama direction.
Film Corporation Chairman Tissa Abeysakera recently stressed the lack of
talent in the industry and said steps would be taken to remedy the situation..
Today we feature two upcoming teledrama directors. One of them is actor
and drama producer Susil Gunaratna The other is Deepthi Wijetunge.
Susil who has completed work in his debut teleserial venture 'Paravi
Dhenuwa', is a journalist,. an actor and a drama producer. He presents
a story of a peculiar middle aged businessman named Kalinga (Sriyantha
Mendis). Kalinga a man who cannot be fathomed lives in a mansion. He marries
a beautiful woman named Jinadari (Deepika Sandanayaka). She resides with
Kalinga in his house after  marriage.
Kalinga is suspicious of her movements. She is not allowed even to look
at another man. His mysticism is such that he leaves the house on business
tours after locking all doors in the house.
When he hears that she was seen peeping through the windows of the house,
he goes to the extern of shutting the windows and sealing them.
The reason for Kalinga to act so is an incident he had seen as a boy,
which flashes in his mind from time to time. It's an incident between his
mother and her paramour. Finally Jinadiri manages to reform her husband.
The script is written by Edwin Peiris.
Deepthi has worked in several teleserials as an assistant director.
He has also passed out in the Rupavahini Course held by SLTTI and holds
a Mass Media Diploma from the Open University and also holds a Bachelor
of Labour Education degree (BLE). He is a journalist and a cameraman.
His maiden teleserial is 'Varana Kambili' presently telecast on National
Rupavahini. It is recorded in the past there was a set of people known
as 'Kambili'. These people were so named because they were double tongued,
they spoke one thing and acted in the opposite way.As they wore multi -
coloured clothing they were called 'Varna Kambili'.
The story deals with a two-faced society. It rotates around a villager
who makes a fortune by going to the metropolis. He comes back to the village
and opens up a factory. The conflict starts after the factory starts operations.
Lalith (Sriyantha Mendis) plays the role opposite Damayanthie (Damitha
Abeyratna).
'Varana Kambili' script is written by K.B.Herath and runs into 14 episodes.
Deepthi hails from Heraliyawela in Kurunegala and was educated at Angangala
Siddhartha MV. He passed the A/Level examination and joined Wayamba Lanka
Chayarupa Kala Sangamaya where he studied still photography which helped
him to be a newspaper correspondent.
He is thankful to 'Varana Kambili' director G.Nandasena for giving him
a break to direct this teleserial. It was cinematographer Andrew Jayamanne
who first gave me a break to work as an assistant director in some of his
teleserials and films for which he is grateful. He is also thankful to
Sampath Palitha de Sarem the producer of this teleserial.
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