Bandula Vithanage
බන්දුල විතානගේ
Born
Bandula de Silva Vithanage

(1940-09-11)September 11, 1940
Gonagala, Sri Lanka
DiedSeptember 1, 2014(2014-09-01) (aged 73)
Colombo National Hospital
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationCarey College, Colombo
Dharmasoka College
Occupation(s)Actor, Dramatist, Director
Years active1963–2014
ChildrenNalaka Vithanage
RelativesYashoda Wimaladharma (niece)

Bandula de Silva Vithanage (born 11 September 1940 – died 1 September 2014 as බන්දුල විතානගේ) [Sinhala]) was an actor and director in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television as well as a translator, director, playwright and scriptwriter.[1][2] One of the earliest pillars of Sri Lankan art and drama, Vithanage has produced several critically acclaimed television serials and stage dramas during his five decades of drama career.[3] He is the pioneer to introduce Shakespearean theater to Sri Lankan theater with several plays such as Veniciye Velenda, Macbeth, Twelfth Night, Hamlet and Romeo and Juliet.[4][5]

He died on 1 September 2014 at Colombo National Hospital at the age of 73.[6][7]

Personal life

He was born on 11 September 1940 in Gonagala. He attended Athuruwella Primary School for primary education and then moved to Carey College, Colombo to complete up to G.C.E O/L. He completed his A/L education at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda.[4] He entered to the University of Colombo for higher education and came under the influence of renowned dramatist Ediriweera Sarachchandra's university drama circle. He graduated with a master's degree in Dramaturgy and Acting.[8]

His son Nalaka Vithanage is a popular filmmaker.[9] He has produced three stage dramas - Rathri Bojanaya (2004), Kasi Malla (2006) and Upanda Maranaya (2009).[10] Nalaka is an old boy of Nalanda College, Colombo. Bandula Vithanage's niece Yashoda Wimaladharma is a popular actress in Sinhala television and cinema.[8][11]

Career

In 1963, he started stage drama acting with P. Velikala's production Rathnavali with the role 'Vidushaka'.[4] In 1965, he produced his first theater play Megha Garjana, which is a translation of Harold Pinter's The Collection. He acted in Simon Navagattegama's Gangavak and then directed Sapaththu Kabalak Saha Maranayak.[8] Along with fellow dramatist Tony Ranasinghe, Vithanage produced the popular stage play Veniciye Velenda in 1980.[4]

He continued to produce several critically acclaimed foreign drama adaptations, which include Jean Anouilh's 'Becket, Romaya Gini Gani (based on Ray Cooney's Run for your wife), Sikuru Sanekeli.Senehebara Dolly (based on Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker), Hiru Dahasa (based on Wilder's Our Town), Macbeth (2006), Twelfth Night (1988), Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and A Comedy of Errors.[8][2]

He acted in small number of films where compare with efforts in theater and television. He worked with and assisted Vasantha Obeysekera in Wes Gaththo, and later acted in Dharmasena Pathiraja's Ahas Gawwa.[8] His maiden cinema acting came through 1974 film Dahakin Ekek directed by Merril Albert. His most notable television production came through Bumuthurunu, Aththa Bindei and Asal Wasiyo,[2] which were telecast in Rupavahini.[4] In 2011, he produced the play Romaya Gini Gani-2 as a joint effort with actor Roger Seneviratne. Romaya Gini Gani-2 was based on Cooney's play Caught in the net. He directed the television comedy serials I Love Jennie[12] in 2007 and Paththara Gedara in 2008.[13] In 2009, he acted in the stage play produced by his son Nalaka, Upanda Maranaya.[14]

He joined the Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) in its early years and had a brief serving period.[15] He lived in England for three and a half years after the expulsion from SLRC along with Lucien Bulathsinhala.[5]

Selected stage plays

  • 1963 - Rathnavali
  • 1965 - Megha Garjana
  • 1971 - Gangavak Sapattu Kabalak saha Maranayak
  • 1974 - Becket
  • 1980 - Venisiye Velenda
  • 1982 - Dolosveni Rathriya (co-produced with Tony Ranasinghe)
  • 1986 - Senehebara Dolly
  • 1990 - Hiru Dahasa
  • 1996 - Romaya Gini Gani
  • 1998 - Sikuru Senakeli
  • 2001 - Macbeth
  • 2002 - Eliya
  • 2003 - A Sonduru Minisa
  • 2011 - Romaya Gini Gani 2[16]

Selected television serials

  • Amuthu Minissu[17]
  • Anthima Rathriya [18]
  • Antharjana Minisa [19]
  • Asal Vesiyo
  • Asani Wesi[20]
  • Atta Bindei
  • Bhavana - Akala Rathriya[21]
  • Bhawathra
  • Bumu Thurunu
  • Depath Nai[22]
  • Deva Daruwo [23]
  • Devana Warama [24]
  • Eka Iththaka Mal
  • Heeye Manaya [25]
  • Hiru Avarata [26]
  • I Love Jennie
  • Isisara Isawwa[27]
  • Jayathuru Sankaya[28]
  • Malaya
  • Paradeesaya [29]
  • Paththara Gedara
  • Punchi Kumarihami
  • Puthu Senehasa
  • Ranga Soba [30]
  • Rupantharaya[31]
  • Sudu Kapuru Pethi[32]
  • Three-wheel Malli [33]
  • Urumaya Soya[34]
  • Vishwanthari [18]
  • Yahaluwo

Author work

He translated several Shakespearean plays into Sinhala language.[2]

  • Hamlet[35]
  • Veniciye Velenda[36]
  • Shekshpiyer Hadunaganimu[37]
  • Macbeth[38]
  • Haemotama Waeradila[39]
  • Romaya Gini Gani - 2[40]
  • Romeo Juliet[41]
  • Hamlet Sandeepanee[42]
  • Sikuru Sanakeli
  • Senehabara Dolly
  • Jeewana Rekawa[43]
  • Itu Pathuma[44]
  • Gilbert, Wilbert saha Anette[45]
  • A Sonduru Minisa[46]

Death

He died on 1 September 2014 at Colombo National Hospital while receiving treatments. His remaining were kept at Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella on 2 September and brought to National Art Gallery on 4 September. Final rites performed at 4.00 pm and buried at Borella Cemetery on the same day.[47]

Awards and accolades

His play Sapaththu Kabalak Saha Maranayak won many awards at State Drama Festival in 1971 including Best Actress and Best Stage Designing. In 1996, the play Romaya Gini Gani won major awards including the Best Production, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting actor at State Drama Festival. On 30 January 2011, a felicitation program was held at John de Silva Theatre to celebrate 70 years of his life.[4][2]

State Drama Festival

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1987Senehebara DollyBest Translation productionWon
1990Hiru DahasaBest Translation productionWon
1997Romaya Gini GaniBest Direction and AdaptationWon

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1970Wes Gaththo
1973Dahakin EkekDrunken person
1974Ahas GauwaTrip friend
1977Pembara MadhuUniversity boy
1978Selinage WalawwaShashiya
1978Jodu Walalu
1980Sinhabahu
1980Api Dedena
1981Sathara Pera NimithiChief monk
1987ViragayaChief clerk
1993Guru GedaraStage director
1998Dorakada Marawa[48]
1999Re Ru[49]
1999Theertha Yathra[50]
2001Mathu Yam Dawasa[51]
2002Agnidahaya[52]
2003Sudu KaluwaraMonk[53]
2003Sulang KirilliDoctor[54]
2005SulangaSenarathne's father[55]
2008MachanDrunken person[56]
2011Nino LiveNino's grandfather[57]
2013AnithyaMilan's father[58]
2015Sulanga Gini Aran[59]
2016Sulanga Apa Ragena YaviDoctor[60]
2017NilanjanaDensil[61]

References

  1. ↑ "Bandula Vithanage films". IMDb. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Familiarizing with the Bard". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  3. ↑ "Unforgettables". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Veteran Vithanage to be felicitated". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Thespian with Shakespearean touch". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  6. ↑ "Bandula Vithanage passes away". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  7. ↑ "Pioneering Artiste Bandula Vithanage No More". Asian Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "A brief tribute to Bandula Vithanage". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  9. ↑ "Veteran dramatist no more". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  10. ↑ "Birthday meets death!". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  11. ↑ "'Butterfly Symphony' gives wings to Yashodha". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  12. ↑ "I Love Jennie : A comedy of a family". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  13. ↑ "'PaththaraGedera':Comedy in a press". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  14. ↑ "'Upanda Maranaya' comes alive". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  15. ↑ "Shakespeare's initiator". Daily News. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  16. ↑ "'Romaya Gini Gani 2' in Coombo, Ekala". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  17. ↑ "'Amuthu Minissu' to appear soon". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  18. 1 2 "'Vishwanthari': World Class literature on miniscreen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  19. ↑ "Surrealism and Prosthetic in 'Antharjana Minisa'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  20. ↑ "'Asani Wesi': portrays a remote village". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  21. ↑ "16 short stories on mini screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  22. ↑ "'Depath Nai': A social commentary". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  23. ↑ "Child deities descend to earth". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  24. ↑ "'Devana Warama' : A tale in Australia". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  25. ↑ "'Heeye Manaya' discusses heritage". Daily News. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  26. ↑ "'Hiru Avarata' on Swarnavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  27. ↑ "Isisara Isawwa in the making". Sunday Times. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  28. ↑ "'Jayathuru Sankaya': Miniplay for a worthy cause". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  29. ↑ "Depicts social differences". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
  30. ↑ "'Ranga Soba' depicts the life of an actress". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  31. ↑ "Piyananda Thera blazes a new trail". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  32. ↑ "'Sudu Kapuru Pethi' : Another tale of war". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  33. ↑ "Daya brings humour with 'Three-wheel Malli'". Sunday times. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  34. ↑ "Janaka comes out with 'Urumaya Soya'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  35. ↑ "Hamlet by Bandula Vithanage". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  36. ↑ "Waenisiye Welenda by Bandula Vithanage". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  37. ↑ "Shekshpiyer Hadunaganimu by Bandula Vithanage". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  38. ↑ "Macbeth by Bandula Vithanage". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  39. ↑ "Haemotama Waeradila by Bandula Vithanage". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  40. ↑ "Romaya Gini Gani - 2 by Bandula Vithanage". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  41. ↑ "Romeo Juliet by Bandula Vithanage". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  42. ↑ "Hamlet Sandeepanee by Bandula Vithanage". Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  43. ↑ "Jeewana Rekawa by Bandula Vithanage and Chanaka Vithanage". Godage Book Emporium. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  44. ↑ "Itu Pathuma by Bandula Vithanage and Chanaka Vithanage". Godage Book Emporium. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  45. ↑ "Gilbert, Wilbert saha Anette by Bandula Vithanage and Chanaka Vithanage". Godage Book Emporium. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  46. ↑ "A Sonduru Minisa by Bandula Vithanage and Chanaka Vithanage". Godage Book Emporium. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  47. ↑ "Veteran artist Bandula Vithanage passes away". Ada Derana. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  48. ↑ "Dorakada Marawa: a tense drama of human relationships". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  49. ↑ "Re Ru". films.lk. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  50. ↑ "'Theertha yatra' goes in search of family roots". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  51. ↑ "Mathu Yam Dawasa - මතුයම් දවස". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  52. ↑ "'Agni Dahaya' another Chandrasiri contribution". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  53. ↑ "The British Raj and 'Sudu Kaluwara'". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  54. ↑ "'Sulan Kirilli' : Maiden effort by Sathyangani". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  55. ↑ "Sulanga screened in Kurunegala today". Daily News. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  56. ↑ "I liked those small scripts of Machan - Pasolini". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
  57. ↑ "'Nino Live' : a note on reality TV". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  58. ↑ "Anithya – අනිත්‍යා – Sinhala Movie". cinema.lk. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  59. ↑ "The Director and Achievement of the Film "Dark in the White Light"". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  60. ↑ "Sulanga Apa Ragena Yavi - සුළඟ අප රැගෙන යාවි". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  61. ↑ "Nilanjana". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
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