Professor
Sunil Ariyaratne
සුනිල් ආරියරත්න
Born
Sunil Ariyaratne Kuruwita Bandara

(1949-07-28) 28 July 1949 (age 74)
Nugegoda, Dominion of Ceylon
EducationSt. John's College, Nugegoda
Alma materD.Litt. University of Sri Jayewardenepura
OccupationSenior Professor
Years active1961—present
AwardsWishwa Prasadini Award
Vidyodaya Vibhushana Honorary name
Sahithya Kala Shiromani Honorary award
Kamban Award

Vidyodaya Vibhushana Sahithya Kala Shiromani Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne Kuruwita Bandara (සුනිල් ආරියරත්න; born 28 July 1949), popularly as Sunil Ariyaratne, is a Sri Lankan scholar, film director, author, poet and a lyricist.[1][2] One of the most popular filmmakers and lyricists in Sri Lankan cinema,[3] Ariyaratne has won six Sarasaviya awards, four Presidential awards from the year 1981 as a film lyricist and then won three awards as a teledrama lyricists.[4]

Personal life

He was born on 28 July 1949 in Nugegodaas the fourth child of the family with 6 siblings.[5] He completed education from St. John's College, Nugegoda. He has three brothers and two sisters. His brothers, Nimal Kuruwita Bandara is a lawyer and Thilakaratne Kuruwita Bandara is a journalist and editor.[6]

He sat for General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level in 1963. After passing senior examination, he was selected to Vidyodaya Pirivena (currently known as University of Sri Jayewardenepura) for higher studies. In 1971, he obtained a Sinhala honours degree with a first class.[7]

He worked as a temporary lecturer at University of Kelaniya in 1972. Then he served as a Part time lecturer at The Department of Aesthetics studies at Kelaniya university from 1975 to 1976. He moved to University of Jaffna as a Lecturer of Sinhala in 1976 and worked as a lecturer for three years.[6] Then he returned to Kelaniya as a permanent Assistant lecturer. In 1985, Ariyaratne joined the academic staff at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura where he was promoted as an Assistant Professor and became a professor in 1994. In 1989 he traveled to Madras to study Tamil. In 2000, he was promoted as a Senior Professor of Sinhala Language and Mass Media in the Communication Faculty, becoming the youngest to achieve the feat in Sri Lanka university system.[7][8]

In 2011, he was awarded Doctorate in Literature from Kelaniya University. In 2015, he was honored with second Doctorate in Literature in recognition of his contributions in the field of literature and the arts.[9][10]

Career

At the age of 11, he wrote a school play named Amal Biso. Then, in 1961 at the age of 16, Ariyaratne published a collection of short stories called Ähinsakayo.[6] Then in 1963, he wrote a poetry collection called Api Okkoma, historical novel Alakeshwara in 1964 and a poetic tale Siyothunta Rekawal in 1965. He produced the play Deyyo which was written by his elder brother Thilakaratne Kuruwita Bandara.[7]

While as an undergraduate at Vidyodaya, Ariyaratne polished his ability where he wrote a novel Jeewithaya Geethayak Wewa in 1969. After graduating in 1971, he published a poetry book, Dolosmahe Pahana along with closest friends Buddadasa Galappaththi and Jayalath Manoratne. He wrote several lyrics such as Pahan Kanda (1983), Yathra (1984), Pembara lanka (1990), Madhu Badun (1994), Adaheraya (2004) and Shwetha Rathriya (2012).[7] He is an accomplished lyricist who wrote several songs for popular artists such as Nanda Malini, W.D. Amaradeva and Victor Rathnayake.[11] Some popular lyrics made by Ariyaratne include: Me guru pare, Podiduwage sina welai, Buddhanu Bhawena, Oba themei kiya bayyai, Api ethata ethata pa nagala, Viyo ge gayana, Yalu bala sande and Ane kurulu kooduwata gahanna ape.[4][12]

In 1970, Ariyaratne excelled his career towards cinema direction by producing first short film Sara Gee and then Dushkara Kriya in 1976. His maiden cinema direction came through 1978 full-length feature film Anupama.[7] With the help of Ranjith Palansuriya, Ariyaratne produced two blockbuster films, Sarungale (1979) and Siribo Aiya (1980).[6] As an author, he won a State literary award for the book on Baila and Kapirigngna. In 1985, he wrote several research papers and publications on "Gramophone Era", "Kerol Pasam Kantharu", "Mahinda Prabanda", "Manawasinghe Geetha Prabanda", "Purana Sinhala Nadagam", "Gandarwa Apadana", "Sinhala Chithrapati Geethawali". In 1991, he wrote book Demala Sahithya Ithihasaya and then translated Tamil folktales Ramayanaya in 1994.[4] He also translated the Garcia Lorca's play Yerma along with Ediriweera Sarachchandra.[13]

In 2002, he directed the dramatic movie Sudu Sewaneli. The film won the Sarasaviya award for the Best Director and President's Medal for the Best Script of that year.[14]

In 2008, he released a volume Visithuruya Re Ahasa which contained all his lyrics written for films, teleplays, social events such as the Tsunami devastation, light songs for radio, cassettes and CDs. He directed the film Uppalavanna in 2008 which was based on a reinterpreted Buddhist story similar to a Theri gatha story.[13] The film was a blockbuster of that year and won several awards at local film festivals including Most popular actress, best actress and music direction.[15] However, the movie received primarily negative reviews.[16][17] Many criticized the various unnecessary characters in the movie which do not have any role in the plot, the editing, and the acting.

In 2012, he directed the film Kusa Pabha based on the 523rd story "Kusa Jataka" in the Jataka story series.[18] The film won 12 awards at 2013 Derana Lux Film Festival including popular actor, actress, movie, music direction, and singer.[19]

In 2018, Ariyarante directed a historical story of Bimba Devi Alias Yashodara. It was screened on 26 April, at 85 cinema halls becoming the biggest number of the simultaneous screening in Sri Lanka.[20] The film received mostly positive reviews from the critics.[4]

In 2019, he directed the blockbuster film Vijayaba Kollaya which was released on 1 August in 80 cinema halls across the island. The film was an adaptation of W.A. Silva's novel of the same name.[21][22] The film received positive reviews.[23][24]

On 17 March 2020, he launched the second volume of Gandharwa Apadana where 06 books written on 12 musicians.[25]

Awards and accolades

Filmography

As director

Year Film Other roles Ref.
1978 Anupama [31]
1979 Sarungale [32]
1979 Podi Mali
1980 Siribo Ayya
1980 Kinduru Kumari
1981 Kolamkarayo
1981 Bamba Ketu Hati Lyricist
1981 Sathara Pera Nimithi Lyricist
1981 Vajira
1982 Bambara Geethaya
1982 Jeewithayen Jeewithayak Lyricist
1982 Kele Mal Lyricist
1983 Muhudu Lihini
1985 Mihidum Salu
1990 Christhu Charithaya Screenwriter [33]
1994 Ahas Maliga
2002 Sudu Sewaneli Producer, screenwriter, lyricist [34]
2007 Uppalawanna Screenwriter [15]
2012 Kusa Pabha Lyricist [35]
2016 Paththini Screenwriter, lyricist [36]
2017 Ali Kathawa Screenwriter, lyricist [37]
2018 Bimba Devi Alias Yashodhara Screenwriter [38]
2019 Vijayaba Kollaya [39]
2023 Ksheera Sagaraya Kalabina [40]
2023 Kadira Divyaraja [41]

As lyricist

Year Film Ref.
1970 Nim Walalla
1972 Lokuma Hinawa
1973 Matara Achchi
1974 Duleeka
1974 Dinum Kanuwa
1975 Tharanga
1975 Amaraneeya Adare
1975 Rajagedara Paraviyo
1975 Desa Nisa
1976 Madol Duwa
1976 Diyamanthi
1976 Hulavali
1976 Saradielge Putha
1976 Mangala
1977 Sri Madara
1977 Hariyanakota Ohoma Thamai
1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase
1978 Gehenu Lamai [42]
1979 Amal Biso
1979 Chuda Manikya
1979 Handaya
1980 Ektam Ge
1981 Thavalama
1981 Ajasaththa
1981 Bandura Mal
1982 Sandaa
1982 Sakvithi Suwaya
1983 Kiri Suwanda
1983 Chandira
1984 Sasara Chethana
1986 Maldeniye Simion
1986 Sura Saradiel
1987 Viragaya
1990 Pem Rajadahana
1991 Sthree
1992 Umayangana
1993 Ragini
1994 Abhiyogaya
1994 Ambu Samiyo
1995 Seilama
1995 Demodara Palama
1996 Bithu Sithuwam
1997 Apaye Thappara 84000k
1997 Visidela
1998 Anthima Reya
1999 Mandakini
1999 Nagaran
2000 Indrakeelaya
2001 Mahadena Muththai Golayo Roththai
2001 Poronduwa
2002 Seethala Gini Kandu
2002 Kalu Sudu Mal
2002 Thahanam Gaha
2003 Sudu Salu
2005 Sulanga
2006 Samaara
2008 Aba
2008 Nil Diya Yahana
2010 Ape Yalu Punchi Bhoothaya
2011 Mahindagamanaya
2012 Daruwane
2013 Abhinikmana
2015 Mage Yalu Malu
2015 Address Na
2017 Wassanaye Sanda
2018 Adarei Man
2018 Punchi Andare
2018 Nidahase Piya DS

References

  1. ^ "Sunil Ariyaratne films". IMDb. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Sunil Ariyaratne". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 2 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  3. ^ "I do not remember a time when there was such a huge breakdown in Sinhala cinema: Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Poet in him". Daily News. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Second Doctorate for Sunil Ariyaratne". Sunday Times. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d "Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne ascent to artistic and cultural excellence". The Island. Retrieved 1 March 2020.[dead link]
  7. ^ a b c d e "Senior Professor Sunil Ariyaratne". University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Ascent to artistic and cultural excellence". Daily Observer. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  9. ^ "D.Litt. for Professor Sunil Ariyaratne".
  10. ^ "Second Doctorate for Sinhala Literary Lion Prof Sunil Ariyaratne".
  11. ^ "Reflections on the lyrics of Sunil Ariyaratne". Fragment Eyes. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  12. ^ "Sunil Ariyaratne and Nanda Malini: Away from a musical sensibility". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  13. ^ a b "Sunil Ariyaratne's multi-faceted world". Daily News. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  14. ^ "Shadows Of White – Sri Lankan Film By Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne". LRR Technologies (Hyderabad), Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  15. ^ a b "Uppalawanna; a novel theme for Sri Lankan cinema". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  16. ^ Wiruma. "Uppalavanna: A portray of real human values". The Daily News. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  17. ^ Silva, Chandana. "Uppalavanna depicts need for universal love". The Daily News. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
  18. ^ "All in the name of love". Daily News. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  19. ^ "Pooja & Roshan:'most popular'actors at Derana film awards". Sithma.com. Archived from the original on 6 March 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  20. ^ "Lotus revolution". Daily News. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  21. ^ "Sunil Ariyaratne brings W.A. Silva's 'Vijayaba Kollaya' to screen". Daily FT. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  22. ^ "Taken hostage". Daily News. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  23. ^ "A power struggle amidst a confusing love triangle". The Morning. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  24. ^ "Resistance record". Daily News. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  25. ^ "Masters are not easy guys". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Sumathi Award winners in each year". www.sumathiawards.lk.
  27. ^ "Sriyantha, Duleeka bag Best Sumathi Awards". The Sunday Times.
  28. ^ "Raigam Tele'es 2010 award winners". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  29. ^ "Award winners at 2018 Hiru Golden Film Awards". Sarasaviya. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  30. ^ "Derana Lux Film Awards 2019".
  31. ^ "All about the film "Anupama"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  32. ^ "All about Sarungale". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  33. ^ "All about Christhu Charithaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Ariyaratne comes out again". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  35. ^ "Pabawathi I'm coming for you". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Latest film by Sunil Ariyaratne". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  37. ^ "This is Going Back to My Childhood – මහාචාර්ය සුනිල් ආරියරත්න අලි කතාව ගැන හෙළි කරයි". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  38. ^ "BIMBA DEVI NOHOTH YASHODARA: STUDYING THE CHARACTER OF A PRINCESS". Sunday Observer. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  39. ^ "My movie lights are for the folk". Sarasaviya. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Professor Sunil Ariyaratne made new with Jackson – Hemal combination". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  41. ^ "Prince Kanda falls in love with Valli". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  42. ^ "සදා මේ සංසාරේ අපේ හමුවීම නොවේ: ගැහැනු ළමයි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 January 2021.

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