The 35th Lux Sarasaviya Awards were held under the patronage of Veteran Actress Malani Fonseka at the BMICH, Colombo on March 28, with Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena as Guest of Honour.
This year’s Lux Sarasaviya Awards feted films screened in 2019 and 2020; its return after five years was a ray of hope for fans of local cinema. The event could not be held for five years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis. The organisers decided to honour the films screened in 2019 and 2020 as they would otherwise not get due recognition.
ANCL Chairman Prof. Harendra Kariyawasam, Director Legal and Administration Attorney-at-Law Janaka Ranatunga, Director Operations Attorney-at-Law Manjula Makumbura, Director Finance Dr. Sunil Jayantha Navaratne, Editorial Director veteran journalist Sisira Paranatantrie, ANCL administration, Sarasaviya editor-in-chief Dr. Nuwan Nayanajit Kumara and Unilever’s (the event’s main sponsor) Marketing Director Shamara Silva worked to make the star-studded event a resounding success.
It is important to note that all films screened in the four years beginning from 1960 to 1963 were feted in the very first Sarasaviya Awards held in 1964. Incidentally, some of the songs from the films that won awards at that inaugural Sarasaviya Awards were featured at this year’s awards ceremony, taking the audience down memory lane.
Back then, the awards consisted of two phases and in the first phase the five best films selected by readers’ votes were re-screened. Before each film was screened, all the artistes, producer, director, actors cameramen and so on were honoured on stage amidst cheers from the audience.
At the time eager movie fans lined up outside the theatre to see the actors and actresses as they arrived and if they were lucky a word or two, or even an autograph with their idols. Cinema historians say that in some cases fans even got their clothes and bodies autographed.
The second phase of the Sarasaviya awards was held in a grand manner, and although the awards show was completed within a few days, film historians say that the big night took three months to organise.
The Sarasaviya Awards statuette which is aesthetically done in a manner paying homage to the patron deity of creativity (Saraswathi) was the brainchild of the world-renowned sculptor Tissa Ranasinghe.
The final judgment is given by an independent and impartial panel. The panel of judges watches each film while preserving the confidentiality of the final judgments and conclusions.
The Sarasaviya Awards commenced with the grandeur of traditional drums and dances accompanied by the dignitaries. It goes without saying that Sri Chandraratne Manavasingha’s devotional lyrics and Pandit Amaradeva’s melodious music for the Saraswathi Pooja awakened the memory of their greatness.
Fifty-six awards were presented at the BMICH on Thursday; Samadhi Laksiri won Best Actress of 2019 for her performance in ‘Dakala Purudu Kenek’, Neeta Fernando won Best Actress of 2020 for ‘Panshu’, and Bimal Jayakodi won Best Actor of 2019 for ‘Dakala Purudu Kenek’. Kumara Thirimadura won Best Actor of 2020 for ‘The Newspaper’, Producer Mohamed Adamli won Best Film – 2019 for the movie ‘Dakala Purudu Kenek’ and Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena won 2020’s Best Film award for producing ‘The Newspaper’.
It goes without saying that in an era where local cinema is facing many challenges, The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) organising the Sarasaviya Awards for the 35th time is a great initiative for all art lovers. The ANCL is grateful for sponsors Unilever Lux and Commercial Bank, two partners who have always been with ANCL and also the world of cinema and arts.
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Photographers who covered the 35th Lux Sarasaviya Awards:
Wimal Karunathilaka
Thilak Perera
Nissanka Wijerathne
Wasitha Patabandige
Shan Rupassara
Sudath Nishantha
Dushmantha Mayadunna
Marlon Karunarathne
Chinthaka Kumarasinghe
Rukmal Gamage
