UNFORGETTABLES
SENAKA TITUS
The first death anniversary of veteran stage and film actor Senaka Titus pfalls on October 26. He passed away after he fell ill suddenly while returning back after performing in a Sri Lankan stage play in Singapore. 1949-born Senaka Titus is the elder brother of veteran actor and filmmaker Jackson Anthony.
KHEMADASA MASTER
The 10th death anniversary of music maestro Premasiri Khemadasa who succeeded in creating a unique music style in Sri Lanka, falls on October 24 Khemadasa grew up in Talpitiya, Wadduwa and attended Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya and St. John’s College, Panadura. As a teenager, he became a gifted flutist. Khemadasa was asked to come to the Radio Ceylon for an interview on the day he was scheduled to take his Senior School Certificate examination. He finished the examination much ahead of time and travelled to the audition. He passed the audition and became a member of Radio Ceylon. Khemadasa Master’s debut as a film composer came with Sirisena Wimalaweera’s Roddie Kella. He then began collaborating with acclaimed director Lester James Peries handling the music for films like Golu Hadawatha and Nidhanaya. His signature in film music is moulded by the use of elements from Classical Western music and other sources to heighten the emotion suggested by the picture.
K. D. NICHOLAS
The second death anniversary of awardwinning film scriptwriter and lyricist K. D. Nicholas falls this week. Nicholas who wrote script for several films won the Sarsaviya award for the best scriptwriter for the movie ‘Bithu Sithuwam’. His latest script ‘Lantin Singho’ was made into a film which was released 3 years ago.
VIJAYA RAMANAYAKE
The second death anniversary of Sri Lanka’s pioneer cassette producer Tharanga International Chief Vijaya Ramanayake falls on October 26. Vijaya who was born in Matara on April 1, 1945 also produced movies like Aradhana, Kaliyugaya, Yuganthaya and Maldeniye Simion. Vijaya Ramanayake who started his career as a journalist at Lake House, made the pioneering move to introduce cassettes to Sri Lanka in 1978 under the Tharanga label.
H. D. KULATHUNGA
The 42nd death anniversary of veteran actor H. D. Kulatunga falls today, October 22. Hingulage Don Kulatunga was born on December 3, 1927. HD who was known for his powerful portrayals as a villain in hundreds of films, gave a hard time to heroes with his villainous roles including unforgettable portrayals in Chandiya, Chandali, Okkoma Hari, Athma Pooja, Edath Sooraya Adath Sooraya, Soora Chowraya and several other movies.
MALLIKA PERERA
The 31st death anniversary of Mallika Perera of ‘Three Sisters’ fame falls on October 27. Born on September 23, 1945, Mallika Perera was the prime mover behind structuring ‘Three Sisters’ - the country’s first musical outfit comprising female singers including her sisters Indrani and Iranganie. From her childhood Mallika studied music under veterans like Pandit W. D. Amaradeva, Shelton Premaratne and B. Victor Perera. She first sang for the film ‘Sama’ and later sang for several other movies including Baduth Ekka Horu, Dahasak Sithuwili, Sudo Sudu, Gopaluhanda, and also contributed in several stage plays. She created history by setting up ‘Three Sisters’ which became extremely popular especially in the seventies. The songs sung by the trio are cherished even today. Mallika passed away on October 27 in 1987 at the age of 42.