Kala Keerthi Jayantha Chandrasiri (ජයන්ත චන්ද්රසිරි; born 1959), is a Sri Lankan journalist, screenplay writer, television director, and filmmaker in Sri Lankan cinema.[2] Chandrasiri's film Agnidahaya won seven golden awards and four silver awards at the Signis International Film Festival 2003.[3] His two teledramas Dandubasnamanaya and Akala Sandhya are rated as two of Seven Iconic Teledramas In Sri Lanka's Television History.[4]
Jayantha Chandrasiri ජයන්ත චන්ද්රසිරි | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jayantha Chandrasiri June 1959 Colombo, Sri Lanka |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, director, producer, screen writer |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | Madhumani Hapuarachchi |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Kala Keerthi[1] |
Career edit
Chandrasiri started his acting career in 1978 under the guidance of German dramatist Dr. Norbet J. Mayer.[5] He completed extensive study on theater by earning scholarships to Norway, Sweden, Germany and the USA.[6] In 1979 he worked as the playwright for the play Saraswathi.[7] Armed with the knowledge gained through these scholarships, he returned home and began directing with stage drama Ath, which led to State Drama Award winners Mora and Oththukaraya.[6] In 2016 he resigned from the post of executive editor of the Divaina newspaper due to political disputes.[8]
He has acted in two films, Sagarayak Meda and Maatha. His maiden stage drama direction came through Hankithi Daha Thuna.[9] His maiden television drama direction came through super hit Weda Hamine. His maiden cinematic direction was Agnidahaya.[10]
Filmography edit
His first film direction came through Agnidahaya in 2002. His most notable films include Guerrilla Marketing and Samanala Sandhawaniya.[11][12]
| Year | Film | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Agnidahaya | [6] |
| 2005 | Guerilla Marketing | [13] |
| 2013 | Samanala Sandhawaniya | [14] |
| 2015 | Maharaja Gemunu | [15] |
| 2018 | Gharasarapa | [16] |
| 2023 | Midunu Vishvaya | [17] |
Television edit
His first television serial is Weda Hamine,[18] which later became a cult classic in Sri Lankan television drama history.[19] His most notable television direction came through Dandubasnamanaya. His television serial, Akala Sandya is credited as the first ever Sri Lankan teledrama to depict the concept of time travel.[20]
Accolades edit
- Sumathi Best Teledrama Director Award 1995 - Dandubasnamanaya[28]
- SIGNIS Salutation Award for Best Director 2003 - Agnidahaya.[29]
- Presidential Award for Best Director 2003 - Agnidahaya[30]
- Sumathi Best Teledrama Series Award 2009 - Hathara Denek Senpathiyo[31]
- Sumathi Best Teledrama Director Award 2009 - Hathara Denek Senpathiyo[32]
References edit
- ^ "Kalakeerthi to Jayantha". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ "Jayantha Chandrasiri". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Seven golds for 'Agnidahaya'". The Island. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Seven Iconic Teledramas In Sri Lanka's Television History". Roar. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Jayantha Chandrasiri bio". Dubai International Film Festival. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "Agnidahaya - the unquenchable thirst for humanity". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Jayantha's 'Guerilla Marketing' ready for release". Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
- ^ "Next 'Divaina' editor from Mathugama". Sri Lanka Mirror. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Hankithi 13". Rangahala. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Chandrasiri has touch of success". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
- ^ "Jayantha Chandrasiri and the unveiling of the political". Daily Mirror fragments. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Chandrasiri's next coming soon". Daily News. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Going to Extremes". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ ""Samanala Sandhawaniya" – A film by Jayantha Chandrasiri". Lanka Help. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Extraordinary cinematic experience". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Gharasarapa (The lurking Serpent): A series of acting gems". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "The frozen universe is bestowed on my teachers and the university". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ "Wedahamine". Torana Video. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Teledrama her first love". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Jayantha Chandrasiri and the intersection of magic and reality". Daily Mirror fragments. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Weda Hamine". paradisaya. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
- ^ "Dandubasna Manaya". Paradisaya. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Akala Sandya". Paradisaya. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Concept Development Lecturer - Jayantha Chandrasiri". Wide Angle. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "Wisdom travels from past to present". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
- ^ "'Sathara Denek Senpathiyo' a fact and a fiction from Jayantha". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "My screenwriting role is a challenge to my directorial role: Veteran director Jayantha Chandrasiri is returning to the telemedia with 'Nannattara'". සරසවිය. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
- ^ "Sumathi Award winners in each year". www.sumathiawards.lk.
- ^ "Today's Top Stories year". Daily News.
- ^ "Presidential Film Awards". Daily News.
- ^ "Senpathiyo bags Sumathi award". The Sunday Times.
- ^ "Bringing the best of the tele scene". Daily News.