Henry Jayasena, after three months
Sunil Thenabadu
Three months have passed since the demise of legendary dramatist,
renowned actor and author Henry Jayasena who stood tall on the modest
unsophisticated Lumbini Theatre from the early 1960s. His death was
devastating news not only to those in his field but to all lovers of our
drama and films. He had confessed many times as a much adored artiste
that “my heart lies in theatre”. Henry Jayasena was definitely in the
list of elite, and eminent literal figures of the calibre of Professor
Sarathchandra, Sugathapala de Silva, Dayananda Gunawardena and Premasiri
Khemadasa.
|
Henry Jayasena |
His enormous contribution to the theatre and films spanned for almost
four decades. He hung up his acting in 1999 after he recovered from the
dreaded colon cancer disease. The entire treatment process took around
one and a half years. On his personal experience he had written a book
titled Balha Gilano - A story of a cancer patient to educate the masses.
He contributed to the Artscope page of the Daily News for a number of
years under the Henry Jayasena column.
However, he lived for another 10 years leading a normal life during
which he revived his famous drama Hunuwataye Kathawa an adaptation of
Bertolt Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle by deploying experienced and
talented new actors along with a few who were involved earlier. He had
been a journalist and an author prior to his demise on November 11,
2009.The news of his death was devastating and unbearable as he was hail
and hearty till he was admitted to hospital for some tests to ascertain
the current condition of his health.
He was born on July 6, 1931 in a village called Bandiyamulla in
Gampaha. He was initially studied at Lorensz College Gampaha and
subsequently at Nalanda College, Colombo. It was Dr Gunapala
Malalasekera an eminent Civil Servant who first predicted a great future
for him in the field of acting after he saw little Henry Jayasena acting
in a school concert at Nalanda College.
After leaving school he opted for a career as an Assistant Teacher of
English at the Dehipe Government Primary School in Padiyapellela in the
Nuwara Eliya district in 1950 at the tender age of 19. He initially
ventured into stage acting by producing the drama Janaki in the same
year while he was a teacher.
As he was adamant to pursue a career in the Government Service, he
passed the General Clerical Service Examination and secured a job at the
Public Works Department (PWD). While working in the PWD with his immense
innate creative ability was able to make a number of new plays. The
first was Manamalayo in 1953, then Vedagathkama in 1954 and Pawkarayo in
1959.
Then the vastly improved dramatist created Janelaya and the famous
Kuweni in 1962. Subsequently he produced Thavath Udesanak, Manaranjana
Wedawarjana, Ahas Maliga, Hunuwataye Kathawa, Apata Puthe Magak Nethe,
Diriya Mava Saha Ege Daruwo, Makara, Savana Siyath Se Puthuni Habha Yana
from 1964 to 1975. With these creations Henry Jayasena became a
household name in Sri Lanka owing to the enormous revolution made in the
field of creative arts, with his absorbing and pioneering efforts in the
local drama. As a gesture of gratitude Henry Jayasena was honoured by
the OBA of his Alma Mater the Nalanda College by conferring on him
Nalanda Keerthi Shri title on September 27, 2003.
The veteran dramatist was married to the talented actress Manel
Ilangakoon in 1962. She played the lead role in her first drama Kuweni
for which she won the Best Actress award for her acting as well as for
her singing. She made a valuable contribution and a tremendous impact to
the Hunuwataye Kathawa (Chalk Circle) portraying the main female role as
‘Grusha’ for 32 years, opposite the main male character role of Judge
Azdak portrayed by her husband. She too possessed immense talent and
excelled in her absorbing performances.
While Henry Jayasena’s creations were admired and as he made lasting
impressions in his dramas. He was also called upon to act in films. His
first role in films was in Sri 296 in 1959. During 1960s he portrayed
several roles. The role of ‘Piyal’ in Gamperaliya opposite Punya
Heendeniya became an award winning film in 1964. Then he portrayed the
role of Lalith in Dahasak Sithuwili in 1968. He played vivid roles in
Hansavilak, Gehenu Geta, Kaliyugaya, Raththaran Neth, Wena Swargayak
Kumatada, Suhadea Sohoyurayo, Heta Pramada Vedie, Beddegana, Soldadu
Unnehe,Kaliugaya, Ammai Duwai and Sandakada Pahana. Some of the roles
played by him in the above films were leading characters, while in some
others they were supporting roles. In each role he clearly demonstrated
and proved his prowess as an actor. |
