Gamini Haththotuwegama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr. Gamini Haththotuwegama
ගාමිණී හත්තොටුවේගම |
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At Malamulla Sri Sudarshanarama temple, Kiriberiya, Panadura, Sri Lanka in 2009
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| Born |
Gamini Kalyanadarsha Haththotuwegama
29 November 1939 |
| Died | 30 October 2009 (aged 69) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Other names | GK, Hatha, Haththa |
| Education | Richmond College, Galle |
| Occupation | Playwright, educator, actor, director, critic |
| Years active | 1965–2008 |
| Awards | Kala Keerthi (1995) |
Dr. Gamini Kalyanadarsha Haththotuwegama was a famous Sri Lankan playwright, director, actor, and educator. He was born on November 29, 1939, and passed away on October 30, 2009. People widely knew him as the father of modern street theatre in Sri Lanka. He was one of the most important directors in Sri Lanka after it gained independence.
Early Life and Education
Gamini Haththotuwegama was born in Galle, Sri Lanka. He went to Richmond College, Galle for his schooling. Later, he studied at the University of Peradeniya. There, he earned an Honors Degree in English in 1956.
After finishing university, he went back to Galle. He worked as an English teacher at Richmond College. He also led the drama club there. In 1965, he became an English lecturer at the University of Kelaniya. He taught at the university for about 40 years. He retired in 2005.
His Theatre Journey
While at the University of Peradeniya, Gamini Haththotuwegama was very active in theatre. He played the main role in an English play called Agachemnan. He also directed a Sinhala version of Anton Chekhov's play "The Proposal." He named it Magul Prasthawa and acted in it too.
In 1967, he was the President of the Film Critics and Writers Association. This shows his wide interest in arts.
Starting Street Theatre
At the University of Kelaniya, Dr. Haththotuwegama tried new things in theatre. He had experimental shows like Ranga Kebali Samaga Sochchamak. His first show at Vidyalankara University was Raja Darshana.
A very important moment happened on June 4, 1974. He presented three short plays at the Anuradhapura Railway Stadium. These plays were Raja Darshana, Bosath Dekma, and Minihekuta Ella Marenna Barida.
The next day, on their way back to Colombo, something special happened. At the Anuradhapura railway station, they performed Minihekuta Ella Marenna Barida again. But this time, they did it as a street drama. This performance became the first-ever street drama in Sri Lanka's history.
Famous Plays
Dr. Haththotuwegama created many popular stage dramas. Some of them include Merawara Mehewara, Akeekaru Puthraya, and Oba Dutuwa. He also directed Paraviyek Dakka Kal and Loka Ahara Sammelanaya.
His plays often talked about important social issues. For example, Paraviyek Dakka Kal was about social unrest. Oba Dutuwa focused on difficult times in the late 1980s. He used theatre to make people think about their society.
He also acted in plays like Saakki. He directed famous plays such as Lark and William Shakespeare's Hamlet for the stage.
To remember his work, a special street drama show was held. It took place on November 29, 2010, on what would have been his 71st birthday.
