Dharmasena Pathiraja facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dharmasena Pathiraja (පතී)
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| Born | 28 March 1943 Kandy, Sri Lanka
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| Died | 28 January 2018 (aged 74) Lakeside hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka
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| Education | B.A., M.A., PhD |
| Alma mater | Dharmaraja College, Kandy, University of Peradeniya, Monash University |
| Occupation | University lecturer, Film Maker , screenwriter, Chairman – Sri Lanka Media Training Institute |
| Years active | 50 years of experience in film fields |
| Spouse(s) | Kusumalatha Malini Pathiraja |
| Children | Sumedha Pathiraja, Milinda Pathiraja |
Dharmasena Pathiraja (born March 28, 1943 – died January 28, 2018) was a famous Sri Lankan film director and screenwriter. Many people called him a "rebel" and a leader in Sri Lankan cinema. He is known for starting a "second revolution" in the country's film industry. Pathiraja was also a respected teacher, a writer for plays, and a poet.
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Early Life and Learning
Dharmasena Pathiraja went to Dharmaraja College, Kandy. He later studied at the University of Peradeniya. In 1967, he earned a special degree in Sinhala and Western Classical Culture.
After finishing his studies, he became a lecturer. He taught about drama and performance arts. He also earned a PhD in Bengali cinema from Monash University. He learned a lot about filmmaking from film societies. These groups were popular in Sri Lanka in the 1960s. He also studied the works of famous directors like Jean-Luc Godard and Satyajit Ray.
Early Film Success (1970–1977)
Pathiraja made his first short film, Saturo, in 1970. Four years later, he released his first full-length movie, Ahas Gauwa. This film was different from other movies at the time. It showed the lives of people in the city who were not rich. Critics really liked it. It won awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.
In 1975, his film Eya Dan Loku Lamayek was chosen to represent Sri Lanka. It went to the 9th Moscow International Film Festival. The film won a special award for the female actor in 1976. It was also shown at the Venice Film Festival in Italy.
His 1978 film, Bambaru Avith, is often seen as his best work. It was shown at the 10th Moscow International Film Festival. It also played at the Venice and Los Angeles Film Festivals. In Sri Lanka, it won awards for Best Director and Best Film. Later, in 1997, experts named it the fourth best Sri Lankan film ever.
Middle Period Films (1977–1981)
After Bambaru Avith, Pathiraja made a Tamil film called Ponmani. This movie was shown at the International Film Festival in India. In 1980, he filmed Para Dige. This film was later shown at the UCLA in a special program. It was also screened in France and Melbourne.
His 1981 film, Soldadu Unnahe, was his last movie for 13 years. It was Sri Lanka's entry to the 8th International Film Festival of India. It won awards for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Script. Experts also called it the best Sri Lankan film from 1980 to 1990.
Return to Filmmaking (1994–2002)
In 1994, Pathiraja made a smaller film called Wasuli. He returned to bigger filmmaking in 2001 with Mathu Yam Dawasa. This movie was shown at the Singapore International Film Festival. It also played at the 4th Osian's Cinefan Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema in New Delhi.
Teaching Career
Dharmasena Pathiraja also had a successful career as a teacher. He started as an assistant lecturer at the University of Kelaniya. He later taught at several other universities in Sri Lanka. These included the University of Jaffna and the University of Colombo. He was also the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Media Training Institute.
Plays and Theater
Dharmasena Pathiraja also worked in theater.
- 1970: He wrote the script for a play called Kora saha Andaya (The Lame and the Blind).
- 1971: He translated and directed the play Putu (The Chairs) by Eugène Ionesco. This translation won an award in 1971.
Filmography
| Year | Feature Films | Ref. |
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| 1974 | Ahas Gauwa | |
| 1975 | Eya Dan Loku Lamayek | |
| 1978 | Ponmani | |
| 1978 | Bambaru Avith | |
| 1980 | Paradige | |
| 1981 | Soldadu Unnehe | |
| 2002 | Mathu Yam Dawasa | |
| 2014 | Sakkarang | |
| 2014 | Swaroopa |
Unscreened Feature Films
- 1981: Sira Kandavura
- 1983: Shelton Saha Kanthi
- 1994: Whirl Wind (Vasuli) (Colour)
Short Films and Documentaries
- 2006: In Search of a Road (Colour)
- 1988: Shelter For Million Families – A 15-minute documentary about housing.
- 1984: Putting The Last First – A documentary about community projects.
- 1974: The Coast (Werala) – A 30-minute documentary about coast protection.
- 1972: Anduren Eliyata – From Darkness to Light, a 40-minute documentary about land reforms.
- 1969: Enemies (Sathuro) (Black and White)
Television Dramas (Series)
- 1985: Gangulen Egodata - Crossing the Stream
- 1986: Maaya Mandira – Mansion of Maya. A 27-minute TV feature.
- 1988: Ella langa Walawwa – The House By the Waterfall. 14 episodes.
- 1989: Wanni Hamilage Kathawa – Story of Wannihamy. 4 episodes.
- 1989: Sudubandelage Kathawa- Story of Sudu Banda. 2 episodes.
- 1989: Pura Sakmana-2. An adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Lady with the Dog.
- 1992: Kadulla-The Hurdle. 21 episodes. This series won 9 international awards.
- 1993: Suba Anagathyak. 16 episodes. An adaptation of Charles Dicken's Great Expectations.
- 1994: Nadunana Puttu- Unknown Sons. 21 episodes.
- 1996: Durganthaya. 34 episodes. An adaptation of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights.
- 2009: Kampitha Vil
