{"id":43336,"date":"2015-10-11T14:22:37","date_gmt":"2015-10-11T18:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=43336"},"modified":"2015-10-11T16:27:38","modified_gmt":"2015-10-11T20:27:38","slug":"gamini-fonseka-lester-james-peries-and-the-milestone-movie-nidhanaya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=43336","title":{"rendered":"Gamini Fonseka, Lester James Peries and the Milestone Movie ‘Nidhanaya’"},"content":{"rendered":"

by D.B.S. Jeyaraj<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sembuge Gamini Shelton Fonseka, known generally as Gamini Fonseka \u2013 the uncrowned monarch of Sinhala cinema \u2013 passed away at the age of 68 on 30 September 2004. Gamini was one of my favourite actors since the age of eight when I first saw \u2018Ranmuthuduwa,\u2019 a film starring him at the Gamini theatre in 1962. In later life I had the opportunity of meeting and interacting with my boyhood hero. I loved Gamini Fonseka as an actor, appreciated his ability as a director, admired his conduct as a politician and above all respected the man as a decent human being.<\/p>\n

\"\u2018Nidhanaya\u2019\"<\/a>

\u2018Nidhanaya\u2019<\/p><\/div>\n

The Gamini Fonseka foundation commemorated the legendary actor\u2019s 11th death anniversary by organising a Gamini Fonseka Memorial Oration at the National film corporation auditorium on 30 September 2015. The lecture titled \u2018Gamini the Actor-Politician\u2019 was delivered by civil servant turned politician Dr. Sarath Amunugama.
\n
\nA special screening of the movie \u2018Nidhanaya\u2019 was also shown at the same venue. A newly-restored print in excellent quality of \u2018Nidhanaya\u2019 was received with delight by the viewers. Among those in the audience were film director cum editor Sumitra Peries, singer Nanda Malini and actresses Jeevaranee, Malani Fonseka and Sonia Disa. According to journalist Prasad Gunewardene who is also a nephew of Gamini, the commemorative event went off very well.<\/p>\n

It is indeed most appropriate that the Gamini Fonseka Foundation decided to screen \u2018Nidhanaya\u2019 to commemorate Gamini Fonseka\u2019s death anniversary. \u2018Gamperaliya\u2019 (Village Upheaval) and \u2018Nidhanaya\u2019 (The Treasure) are regarded as the twin masterpieces of Sri Lanka\u2019s ace filmmaker Lester James Peries. Two of Gamini Fonseka\u2019s memorable character portrayals on screen were as Jinadasa in Gamperaliya and as Willie Abeynayake in \u2018Nidhanaya\u2019.<\/p>\n

Gamperaliya made in 1964 won the Golden Peacock Award for best feature film at the third New Delhi film festival and the Golden Head of Palenque in Mexico.\u2018Nidhanaya\u2019 made later in 1970 was entered for the 1972 Venice International Film Festival where the film won the Silver Lion of St. Mark award. It also received a certificate as one of the outstanding films of the year at the London Film Festival. \u2018Nidhanaya\u2019 was also included in the global list of 100 best films to be ever made that was compiled by the Cinematheque Institute of France to mark the World Film Centenary. The film won the award at Sri Lanka\u2019s Golden Jubilee of Independence for being the best Sinhala movie in 50 years. It has also won critical acclaim as one of the 10 top Asian films for all time.<\/p>\n

\"Gamini<\/a>

Gamini Fonseka and Lester James Peries<\/p><\/div>\n

Entry into films<\/strong><\/p>\n

It was Lester James Peries who gave Gamini Fonseka his first break in movies through his path-breaking film \u2018Rekawa\u2019 (line of destiny). Gamini showed his face for the first time on screen in a scene in the film. He was working as a camera cum production assistant for Lester. It was Lester who made Gamini an assistant director for his second film \u2018Sandesaya,\u2019 in which he also played the second lead to Ananda Jayaratne. Gamini\u2019s first attempt at directing was \u2018Parasathumal\u2019 in which Lester played a behind the scenes role as an adviser and guide.<\/p>\n

Lester enjoyed working with Gamini. The veteran director summed up the working relationship between both succinctly in an interview. Here is the excerpt: \u201cTo work with Gamini was an absolute pleasure for me. Other directors have problems because he takes over and directs himself. With me it has always been without a question. Occasionally he would ask whether to do something. Otherwise, I only tell him how the scene went. Sometimes I don\u2019t even give him directions. He knows the scene and knows what to do. He is conscientious and the spontaneity in his acting is really remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Gamini<\/a>

Gamini Fonseka in Nidhanaya<\/p><\/div>\n

Nidhanaya<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nidhanaya was the eighth feature film made by Lester James Peries. It is in black and white and 108 minutes long. Gamini and Malani Fonseka play the lead roles and about 75% of the scenes revolve around the pair. Gamini plays Willie Abeynayake the superstitious scion of a rich family facing financial ruin. Malani plays Irene his trusting, devoted wife. Sinhala Cinema\u2019s foremost acting duo play their parts to perfection in \u2018Nidhanaya\u2019.K.L. Coranelis Appuhamy and J.R.L. Fernando act as Willie Abeynayake\u2019s elder brother and father respectively while Shanthi Lekha acts as Malani\u2019s mother. Other actors are Saman Bokalawala as Julius, Francis Perera as Juwanis, Trilicia Gunawardene as Dulcie, Thilakasiri Fernando as Diyonis, Kumarasinghe Appuhamy as Gurunanse, Mapa Gunaratne as the doctor, Thalatha Gunasekara as the Nanny and Barry Whittington as the Government Agent.<\/p>\n