Dr. Dharmasiri Bandaranayake (born 06th of October 1949) is a Sri Lankan film director and playwright.[1] Particularly work as a playwright, Bandaranayake is an artist who attempts to connect the sociopolitical environment with the civil society through art.[2]
Dharmasiri Bandaranayake ධර්මසිරි බණ්ඩාරනායක | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 6, 1949 |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Years active | 1969-present |
| Known for | Film directoring and playwright |
| Spouse | Swarna Mallawarachchi |
| Children | 1 |
Career
editBandaranyake's debut Hansa Vilak in 1980 dealt with facets of a society at odds with itself. His other films like Thunveni Yamaya (1983), Suddilage Kathaawa (1984), Bawa Duka and Bawa Karma (1997) followed similar themes. Two films Bawa Duka and Bawa Karma challenged the repressive dogma of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.[3] Common arcs in Bandaranayake's films follow the conflicted lives of men and women, transformation of private lives into public affairs, the unpleasant reality of marriage and society and the dark side of human desire.
He produced many stage plays such as Eka Adhipathi, Makarakshaya, Dhawala Bheeshana,[4] Yakshagamanaya and Trojan Kanthavo have all dealt with current issues of national and political importance.[5] In 1999, Bandaranyake first staged the play Trojan Kanthawo which adapted Euripides' Greek drama The Trojan Women for a Sinhala and Tamil audience.[6] It is meant as an anti-war statement and proved to be controversial with the Sri Lankan government despite critical acclaim.
Bandaranayake received several death threats in 2001 after he made plans to stage the play in predominantly Tamil areas. In 2021, his film Hansa Vilak, a new copy has been reprinted with colored format and screened in cinemas from March 10.[7]
Filmography
editAs actor
edit| Year | Film | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Bakmaha Deege | Premadasa | |
| 1978 | Veera Puran Appu | Punchi Rala | |
| 1979 | Palagetiyo | Sarath Gunewardena | |
| 1980 | Sevaneli Aeda Minissu | Victor | |
| 1980 | Hansa Vilak | Nissanka Weerasinghe | [8] |
| 1981 | Bamba Ketu Hati | Sugath | |
| 1981 | Sathara Pera Nimithi | Sudath 'Sadhu' | |
| 1983 | Muhudu Lihini | ||
| 2015 | Bora Diya Pokuna | Desmond |
As director
edit| Year | Film | Other roles | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Hansa Vilak | Screenwriter, producer | |
| 1983 | Thunveni Yamaya | Screenwriter | |
| 1985 | Suddilage Kathaawa | Technical Advisor | |
| 1997 | Bawa Duka | Screenwriter | |
| 1997 | Bawa Karma | Screenwriter |
References
edit- ^ "Living with 'Dragons and Makarakshayas': Politics of Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's theatre".
- ^ "A literary tribute to Dharmasiri's cinematic journey". sundaytimes. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ "Impact | Sundayobserver.lk - Sri Lanka". Archived from the original on 2013-03-06. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
- ^ "'Dhawala Bheeshana' back in Colombo". sundaytimes. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ "'Makarakshaya' hunting for dragons in humans".
- ^ "The Trojan Women Popular play of the decade". sundaytimes. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
- ^ "'Hansa Vilak' is reborn after 40 years". Silumina. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ "All about "Hansa Vilak"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.