Celebrating his 75th birth anniversary, and 55 years in the world of art, and 50 years of marriage, Sathischandra Edirisinghe will honour the pillars who helped him climb the ladder as a young artiste, at the annual felicitation ceremony, ‘Suvanda Padma’ at 3.00pm today, at Ananda College, Colombo 10.
Reminiscing with the Sunday Observer, Edirisinghe said, he always wanted to appreciate those who supported him, sponsoring his first cinema production ‘Matara Aachchi’. “Back in the early 1970s, these people who were not so rich themselves, supported my first movie, and I want to profess my gratitude.”
The most important quality the world should cherish is gratitude, Edirisinghe said. Not only in his career, Edirisinghe intends to felicitate those who supported him in his personal life as well. “My older brother, Dharmasiri inspired me and supported me as a young man. He is no more, so I have invited his children to attend the felicitation ceremony on his behalf. Also, my younger brother Nimal, who has been a guiding light in my life on many occasions, will be felicitated.”
Enjoying his minimalistic life, Edirisinghe is experiencing peace and quietness in life, engaging in social work, and helping children and others who are vulnerable.
Looking back at his roots, Edirisinghe said, his schools, Dharmaloka College in Kelaniya and St Mary’s College in Elpitiya, that moulded him to be the person he is today, will be honoured at the ceremony. “I’ve had four mothers in my life, and I think we all do. First, the mother who raised me, second, Mother School, third, Mother Nation (country) and fourth, the ‘Ama Meni’ the religion. I respect all four mothers with gratitude.” ‘Suwanda Padma’ is a ceremony organized by an artiste, with the support of other artistes, held to celebrate artistes in the country.
Edirisinghe said, this felicitation ceremony will be held as usual, except that the last 45 minutes will be taken to commemorate his personal life and life in the cinema. “As actors, we live a life of lies in front of the camera. It’s important that we become true to ourselves in real life.”
Looking back, Edirisinghe is leading a life of retirement, but engulfed with the notion that he could have done better as a young man.
At this event, four books written by Mr. Edirisinghe will be released. Prof. J. B. Dissanayake will be the chief guest at the event, where a few others who have contributed to Sri Lankan arts, music, cinema and literature will also be felicitated. Among them are, Henry Rajakaruna, Thalangama Jayasinghe, A. D. Ranjith Kumara, W. A. Abeysinghe, Dr. RohanaWeerasinghe, Suminda Sirisena, Menike Attanayake, Swarna Mallawarachchi, Nissanka Diddeniya, Rejini Selvanayagam, Prof. Ariyaratne Kaluarachchi, Prof. Sunanda Mahendra, Namel Weeramuni, Sirisumana Godage and Jackson Anthony.
Pic: Siripala Halwala