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Sathischandra Edirisinghe

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Sathischandra Edirisinghe
සතිස්චන්ද්‍ර එදිරිසිංහ
Born
Patikirige Sathischandra Edirisinghe

(1941-02-11) 11 February 1941 (age 83)
Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
Other namesSathischandra
Occupation(s)Actor, producer, director, writer,author
Years active1961–present
SpouseShriya Kariyapperuma (m. 1965)
Children3
RelativesSunil Edirisinghe (brother)
AwardsBest Supporting Actor
Websitewww.youtube.com/sathischandra

Patikirige Sathischandra Edirisinghe (born 11 February 1941 as Patikirige Sathischandra Edirisinghe, සතිස්චන්ද්‍ර එදිරිසිංහ) [Sinhala] is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[1] Considered one of the earliest pillars of Sri Lankan drama history,[2] Edirisinghe is noted as a highly versatile actor with a career spanning more than five decades.[3] He is a recipient of life time awards at many award ceremonies.[4]

Personal life

[edit]

Sathischandra Edirisinghe was born on 11 February 1941 in Kelaniya as the sixth child of the family. His father is late Patikirige Edirisinghe was a Chief Supervisor of the Department of Cottage Industries. Mother is late Ushettige Elizabeth Perera was a housewife. He has one elder brother, late Dharmasiri, four elder sisters - Techla Sandaseelee, late Florida Katherine, Mershia Sirima and Mary Elizabeth and two younger brothers - Nimal Ranjith and Sunil. Youngest of the family, Sunil is a singer in Sri Lankan music industry.[5]

Sathischandra Edirisinghe completed his education from five schools. He started preschool career with Sir D. B. Jayatilaka Vidyalaya, then entered to Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya in 1947. After ten years in the school, Edirisinghe then moved to St. Mary's College, Elpitiya in 1958 to completed A/L from art stream.[6] In 1960, he entered Stafford College and in 1964, he completed his secondary education from Vidyodaya Pirivena, Maligakanda.[5]

In 1965, he married Kariyapperuma Arachchige Sriya Kariyapperuma. Sriya was born on November 7, 1941, to Baron Perera Kariyapperuma who worked as a clerk and Sumanawathie Cooray. She was the eldest of the ten siblings in her family. She had her education at Sri Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya, where she met Sathischandra Edirisinghe. She also had a keen interest on drama, where she acted in many school stage dramas, directed by Sathischandra. The couple has three children - Udaya, Shashini and Udara.

Elderst son, Udaya Shashipriya studied at S. Thomas' College, Gurutalawa. He currently handles his own business called "U and I Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd.". Second one is the daughter, Shashini who studied at St. Paul's Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya. She is a B.Com graduate and currently resides in Australia. Youngest one is Udara Asanga, studied at Royal College, Colombo. He is interested in textile and fashion designing in Australia, All are married.[1]

Theater work

[edit]

Edirisinghe started to show his talents when he is at Sri Dharmaloka Central College. His first teacher was Ravilal Wimaladharma, who had keen interest on literature and music. At grade 5, he tried to act Madduma Bandara at home, which is a drama in his literature book.[5] After Wimaladharma saw his capabilities, Edirisinghe was appointed as in-charge of the stage play Sudo Sudu in the school. In 1953, he joined Lamapitiya program in Radio Ceylon.[7] For role in Anton Chekhov’s Proposal at Inter-school drama competition, Edirisinghe adjudged the Best Actor of the Southern Province.[5]

In 1961, he started his stage drama career where his elder brother, Dharmasiri Edirisinghe introduced him to Kala Guru J. D. A. Perera. In 1999, after the service in CTB and Mahaweli Authority, he became a full time artist.[1] His peak as a theater actor came through his role in John de Silva's stage play Wessanthara. With wider recognition, he was able to cooperate with country's leading script writers such as Gunasena Galappathi, Dayananda Gunawardane, Henry Jayasena, Sugathapala de Silva, R.R. Samarakoon, Sunanda Mahendra, Ranjit Dharmakeerthi, S. Karunaratne, Lucien Bulathsinghala and Dhamma Jagoda.[7] His one of memorable theater acting came through Henry Jayasena's Manaranjana Vedavarjana in 1965.[8]

Notable works

[edit]
  • Baka Thapas
  • Vessanthara
  • Sri Wicrama
  • Ibi Katta
  • Manaranja Wedewarjana
  • Liyathabara
  • Maha Hene Hiriyaka
  • Maha Gedere
  • Cheri Uyana (Cherry Orchard)
  • Onna Babo Ethiniya
  • Habun Katai Bath Dekatai
  • Elade
  • Erabodu Mal Pottu Pipila
  • Geheniyak
  • Sauren Ae Lada
  • Ane Massine
  • Ruduraya Saha Gangawa
  • Liya Thambara

Television acting

[edit]

Edirisinghe is considered one of the pioneer actors in Sri Lankan teledrama history. His maiden television acting came through Lucien Bulathsinhala's Ekamawakage Daruwo in 1982. In that drama, he played the main role as a school principal. He played in many popular films of the early stage of Sri Lankan television such as, Mihikathage Daruwo, Tharadevi and Palingu Menike.[9]

Notable works - as actor

[edit]
  • Ambu Daruwo[10]
  • Aravinda saha Indu
  • Avindu Adura
  • Chandi Kumarihami [11]
  • Eke Mawakege Daruwo
  • Gauwen Gauwa
  • Kadathira[12]
  • Kokila Ginna[13][14]
  • Mihikathege Daruwo
  • Minigandela[15]
  • Nisala Vilthera[16]
  • Paligu Menike
  • Sausiri Uyana[17]
  • Senehelatha Menike
  • Sivmansala
  • Sonduru SIthaththi
  • Sudu Hamine[18]
  • Sudu Mahaththuru[19]
  • Sudu Paraviyo
  • Sujatha[20]
  • Sura-asura
  • Suseema [21]
  • Thara Devi
  • Uthuru Sulanga
  • Uthuwankande Sura Saradiyel[22]
  • Wassanaye Hiru Evidin [23]

Notable works - both as producer and actor

[edit]
  • Tikiri Nileme
  • Namal Golla
  • Bopath Sakkiya[24]
  • Girikula Andereya
  • Suwanda Padma [25]
  • Diyawadana Maluwa [26]
  • Monaravila [27]
  • Sathmahala[28]

Career as a director

[edit]

In 1963, he started his first direction and production of stage dramas with the play Baka Thapas. Out of 20 stage plays he acted, six of them were his production and direction.[5] In 1964, he produced second stage play, Atthikka Mal Pipila with his own script. He produced another four stage dramas – Hotabari Yuddae based on George Orwell's Animal Farm, Thahanchi, Sokkano Rajano and Apaya Avurudu.[3]

With his success at both stage drama and cinema, Edirisinghe turned to film making in 1973. His first cinematic direction came through Matara Aachchi in 1973.[7] The film made a landmark in Sinhala film history as he introduced his little brother Sunil Edirisinghe as a singer, Wally Nanayakkara as lyricist and Victor Ratnayake as a film music director. All of them became big names in the proceeding years in Sri Lankan artistic history.[5]

Not only in cinema, he has produced eleven television serials of which he directed seven. In 2019, he was honored with Janabhimani Honorary Award at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall.[29]

Beyond acting

[edit]

In 1965, he was attached with Ceylon Transport of Bus (CTB) as a clerk. After the marriage and few years of work, he resigned from CTB and joined to Mahaweli Authority in 1986. In the authority, he served as the Manager in Cultural Affairs from 1986 to 1998.[5]

In 2008, Edirisinghe was invited to take the position of Consultant in Cultural Affairs in the Ministry of Irrigation.[5]

He is an author who published many books such as Apa Sathu Minimuthu, Kata Wata Kara Weta and Jalaya Saha Minisa.[30][31] He has written nearly 25 books, where Eight books for children.[3]

Edirisinghe went with a script writer to Kuwait in 1990 for a stage drama. During that period, Sadaam Hussein captured Iran and the crew were stuck there for 47 days in the Middle East. After 47 days, they came back to Sri Lanka.[3] A felicitation ceremony titled Sathischandra Edirisinghe in Retrospect was held on 16 January 2011 at 6 pm at Kularatne hall in Ananda College Maradana organised by Telemakers Guild.[32]

During a family trip to Ella, Badulla in January 2019, gold jewellery and cash worth nearly Rs.189,000 had been stolen from the family. Police said that the thief might have entered the room through a window as one of the windows was opened.[33]

The children's teledrama based on Edirisinghe's children's book 'Raththaran Daruwek' (Golden Child) directed by Anura Waragoda will be telecast on Independent Television Network on the 3 October 2020 at 5.30 pm.[34]

Author works

[edit]
  • Apa Sathu Minimuthu
  • Kata Wata Kara Weta
  • Jalaya Saha Minisa
  • Adaraya Saha Vivahaya
  • Ape Thaththa
  • Guru Bhumika Nirupanaya
  • Raththaran Daruwek
  • Thanhawa Dukata Hethu We
  • Wanduru Nuwana

Legacy

[edit]

On January 14, 2008, felicitation program titled Sathischandra Prathibhanaya was held at 3 pm at Sarasavi Studio, Dalugama, Kelaniya. The program was organized by Nuwana Youth Organisation.[7]

For the enormous contribution rendered to the Sri Lankan drama career, he is honored with Kala Suri in 1990 by late President Ranasinghe Premadasa. and conferred with an honorary degree from the University of Kelaniya in 2006.[7]

Awards

[edit]

Presidential Awards

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
1985 Hima Kathara[5] Best Supporting Actor Won

Sumathi Awards

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2003 Contribution to drama[35] U.W. Sumathipala Award Won

Raigam Tele'es

[edit]
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2010 Contribution to drama[36] Prathibha Prabha Award Won

Filmography

[edit]

Edirisinghe started his film career with Sadol Kandulu back in 1966, directed by Senator Reggie Perera.[5] Through that, he performed many dramatic and supportive roles in more than 35+ films.[37][38] In 1982, he was lucky to be participate for International Mannheim Film Festival held in Germany. During that film festival, he received a merit certificate for the film Adhishtanaya. Then he took that film again to the Ludwigshafen Film Congress

  • No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[39]
Year No. Film Role Notes Ref.
1966 150 Sampatha
1966 170 Sadol Kandulu Monk first cinematic appearance
1969 205 Hari Maga Monk
1970 229 Sidadiyen Hayak
1971 236 Poojithayo Father
1973 269 Matara Achchi Cyril also as Director, Screenwriter, Producer
1975 322 Rajagedata Paraviyo also as Director, Screenwriter
1977 363 Sri Madara also as Director, Screenwriter
1979 433 Podi Malli Palitharatne
1981 497 Sathara Diganthaya also as Director, Producer
1982 513 Adhishtanaya also as Director, Screenwriter, Producer
1983 556 Karate Joe
1984 586 Veera Madduma Bandara
1984 594 Wadula Galapathy Kandey Vidanaya also as Director
1984 597 Hima Kathara Silva
1985 626 Rosy
1986 646 Koti Waligaya
1990 712 Christhu Charithaya Peduru [40][41]
1992 764 Muwan Palesse Kadira
1994 797 Jayagrahanaya [42]
1994 804 Sujathaa Colonel Weerakoon [43]
1996 864 Bithu Sithuwam [44]
1996 846 Body Guard [45]
1997 872 Tharanaya [46]
1998 904 Dorakada Marawa Subha's father [47]
1999 918 Surangana Yahana [48]
2000 930 Undaya Ranil Seneviratne [49]
2002 993 Sathkampa Kumari's father [50]
2003
-
 Mother Teresa Sikh Government Inspector Home movie
2009 1132 Kanyavi Janaka's father [51]
2010 1144 Ira Handa Yata Monk [52]
2015 1237 Suhada Koka Minister Narendrasinghe [53]
2017
-
 Hath Pana Story teller Home movie
2018 1303 Punchi Andare Andare's grandfather [54]
TBD Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo [55]
TBD Guththila [56]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Our beloved elder is 80 years old now". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-02-13.
  2. ^ "Today, tele-drama is a victim of advertising: Veteran actor Satishchandra Edirisinghe". සරසවිය. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  3. ^ a b c d "Be A Light Not A Judge-Sathischandra Edirisinghe". mirrorarts. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  4. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe awards". sathischandraedirisinghe. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Sathischandra Edirisinghe biography". sathischandraedirisinghe. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  6. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe is the hero of 90 seconds". Silumina. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  7. ^ a b c d e "Sathis celebrates golden jubilee". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  8. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe stage plays". sathischandraedirisinghe. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  9. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe teledramas". sathischandraedirisinghe. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  10. ^ "'Ambu Daruwo':Sudath Rohana's new creation". Sunday Times. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  11. ^ "Two creations by Charith Abeysinghe for small screen and silver screen ..." Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  12. ^ "Kadathira". paradisaya. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Kokila Ginna". Paradisaya. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  14. ^ "Kokila Ginna: tragedy strikes singer". Sunday Times. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  15. ^ "Minigandela shooting begins". Daily News. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  16. ^ "'Nisala Wilthera': Sathischandra discusses samsara". Sunday Times. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  17. ^ "Sausiri Uyana-based on changing social ethos". The Island. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Sudu Hamine; A tale with a twist". Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  19. ^ "Return of 'Sudu Mahaththuru'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  20. ^ "'Sujatha': Big screen hit ready to hit small screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  21. ^ "'Susima' on DVD format". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  22. ^ "Saradiel re-lived". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  23. ^ "Of love, sacrifice and mystery". Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  24. ^ "Erosion of traditional values in a typical Sri Lankan milieu". The Island. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  25. ^ "Suwanda Padma focuses on our past". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  26. ^ "'Diyawadana Maluwa' : A story about water heritage". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  27. ^ "'Monaravila' portrays patriots". Sunday times. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  28. ^ "Sathmahala: story of changing times". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  29. ^ "Presented Janabhimani to veteran legends". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
  30. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe publications". sathischandraedirisinghe. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  31. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe publications". Sarasavi. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  32. ^ "Salutation for Sathis". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  33. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe, family robbed in Ella". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  34. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe's 'Golden Child' on Saturday". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  35. ^ "About Sumathi Awards". www.sumathiawards.lk.
  36. ^ "Raigam Tele'es 2009 award winners". Sarasaviya.
  37. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe filmography". sathischandraedirisinghe. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  38. ^ "Sathischandra Edirisinghe - සතිස්චන්ද්‍ර එදිරිසිංහ". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 8 May 2010.
  39. ^ "Sri Lankan Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  40. ^ "All about Kristhu Charithaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  41. ^ "Christhu Charithaya - ක්‍රිස්තු චරිතය". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  42. ^ "Jayagrahanaya - ජයග්‍රහණය". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  43. ^ "Sujatha". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  44. ^ "Bithu Sithuwam - බිතු සිතුවම්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  45. ^ "Body Guard - බොඩි ගාර්ඩ්". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  46. ^ "Tharanaya - තරණය". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  47. ^ "'Dorakada Marawa' release on fifth circuit". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  48. ^ "Surangana Yahana - සුරගන යහන". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  49. ^ "Undaya - උණ්ඩය". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  50. ^ "සිංහල සිනමාවේ එදා මෙදා තිරගත වූ චිත්‍රපට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  51. ^ "Kanyavi — A timeless partnership". The Nation. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  52. ^ "Ira Handa Yata: A flawed jewel". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  53. ^ "සුහද කොකාගේ සුද 23 දා සිට පෙනේ". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  54. ^ "Family Entertainment for Holiday Season". Sunday Times. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  55. ^ "Kondadeniye Hamuduruwo - කොන්ඩදෙනියේ හාමුදුරුවෝ". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  56. ^ "Tale of Guththila becomes a cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
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