Chitrananda Abeysekera

Chitrananda Abeysekera
Born 7 March 1930
Kosgoda, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lankan
Education Nalanda College Colombo
Occupation Broadcaster
Website www.chitranandaabeysekera.org

Chitrananda Abeysekera (1930–1992) was a veteran broadcaster, poet, writer and an administrator. He joined Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, then Radio Ceylon as a radio announcer and retired as the Director of Sinhala Services in 1989.[1] He was also the President of Aganuwara Tharuna Kavi Samajaya (ATHAKASA)[1] for more than a decade and initiated a lot of programs that benefited poets and the public alike. He restarted Kavi Suwanda, the poetry newspaper for poets. Chitrananda dedicated his whole life to Sinhala poetry and literature, not forgetting Radio Journalism.

Early life

Agampodi Harindranath Chitrananda Mendis Abeysekera was born on 7 March 1930 in Kosgoda. He was the only child of Mr. Agampodi Louis Mendis Abeysekera and Mrs. Degiri Roslin Henry de Zoysa. He started his primary education at Kosgoda Sinhala School in Galle district but when he was nine, Chitrananda entered Nalanda College Colombo. He was a prominent member of the College Debating Team and also of the College Culture Club. He published his first book of poetry (Sarasavi Gitaya) as a student at Nalanda with the help of mentor and teacher U. A. S. Perera. Young Chitrananda was a corporal of Nalanda College Colombo Senior Cadet Corps.

Chitrananda began work as an English assistant teacher in a village school in the rural town of Menikkadavara in the Dedigama electorate in 1949. He left this post soon after to lend his hand to the Registrar General's department, Official Languages Commission and the Official Languages Bureau.

As a Radio Journalist

On 6 August 1956 he found his long journey at Radio Ceylon as a guest producer of poetry, drama and features. He would subsequently advance to the top position of Director of Sinhala Services which he would hold till his retirement till 1989. In his position, Abeysekera would attempt to advance new talent through programs like 'Nava Mihira'. During this period, he served as the head of the Rural Services and Publication divisions. Chitrananda headed the "Govi Jaya Handa" program project during Hon. Dudley Senanayake era and was very popular among rural Ceylon. He was a very talented and well-known broadcaster and administrator. He was also very popular as a Live Radio commentator.

He got the opportunity to train on different mass media fields at ABC – Australia, BBC, AIBD – Malaysia, Pakistan and in 1980 he represented Sri Lanka at Non-aligned Broadcasters Conference in Freetown, Sierra Leon. He participated in several Poetry and Cultural events in Yugoslavia and China.

Photo Gallery – Important Events

As a Poet, writer, Lyricist

Chitrananda became the President of Young Poets' Association of Colombo (ATHAKASA) in 1979 and held this position till his death.
In addition to his initial school publication, Sarasavi Gitaya, Abeysekera published several other poetry collections and story books:

Poetry & Story Books written by Chitrananda Abeysekera

Popular Radio Songs written by Chitrananda Abeysekera

Movie Songs: written by Chitrananda Abeysekera

Song – Karunawe Yukath Dharma: Singer – Latha Walpola
Song – Aakase Aawase: Singer – Latha and Dharmadasa Walpola
Song – Aay Wade Mey: Singer – Christy Leonard Perera and K. Rani
Song – Rani Karalini: Singer – Latha Walpola
Song – Pem Hada Moray: Singer – Latha Walpola
Song – Pun Chandra Paaya: Singer – Indrani Wijebandara and Sidney Attygalle
Song – Sinasewi Wando: Singer – Latha Walpola

Song – Ho Surathal: Singer – Rukmani Devi
Song – Me Aawaa Mung Awaa: Singer – Rukmani Devi

Song – Agata Kadun: Singer – Latha Walpola
Song – Suwandathi Pipunu Kusum: Singer – Latha Walpola
Song – Dutu Da Wagema Lasanayi: Singer – Dharmadasa and Latha Walpola
Song – Meda Poti Athata Mitata: Singer – Mohideen Baig, Srimathi Rasodari and chorus

Song – Pem Ganine: Singer – Angeline de Lanerolle (Gunatillake) and H. R. Jothipala
Song – Doy Doya Puthe: Singer – Latha Walpola
Song – Loku Podi Katath: Singer – Chandra de Silva and L. M. Perera
Song – Amme Badagini Wenawa: Singer – Angeline de Lanerolle, Indrani Wijebandara and chorus
Song – Maha Polowe Upan: Singer – Mohideen Baig
Song – Sapawath Pawuluk Paramarithe: Singer – Mohideen Baig
Song – Thani We Mey Loke: Singer – Latha Walpola
Song – Lipe Mule: Singer – Sidney Attygalle and Angeline de Lanerolle
Song – Nihaday Gamanaya: Singer – H. R. Jothipala, Angeline de Lanerolle and chorus
Song – Suhada Madura Preme: Singer – H. R. Jothipala and Angeline de Lanerolle

Song – Assaya Gone Tik Tik Tik I: Singer – Latha Walpola & Geetha
Song – Assaya Gone Tik Tik Tik II: Singer – Latha Walpola & Geetha
Song – Nivi Nivi Dilihe Tharuwe I: Singer – Indrani Wijayabandara
Song – Nivi Nivi Dilihe Tharuwe II: Singer – Latha Walpola

Song – Kothanaka Sitiyath Oba Melowe: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
Song – Lassana Rattharan Babo: Singer – Rukmani Devi
Song – Kiyanna Ran Kanda: Singer – Rukmani Devi
Song – Monawa Hithagena: Singer – Rukmani Devi
Song – Oba Dekumen Ma Sith: Singer – H.R. Jothipala

Song – Savibala Yakada Wagei: Singer – W.D. Amaradewa
Song – Prema Sebawii: Singer – Latha & Dharmadasa Walpola
Song – Heenmenike Mage: Singer – W.D. Amaradewa

Asoka Pieris has also written few songs for this movie

Song – Denna Eka Sirurey: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
Song – Maa Langa Hinehee: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
Song – Wanasanna Jeewe: Singer – H.R. Jothipala

Song – Narapathiya Wetha Yanne: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
Song – Pape Galee Lowa: Singer – A.J. Kareem

Song – Wediya Honda Narakaine: Singer – Mohideen Baig
Song – Man Awa Hirabath Kala: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
Song – Me Enna Sanasannam: Singer – Latha Walpola
Song – Doyya Gan Ma Kiri Ketiya: Singer – Indrani Wijayabandara
Song – Pami Loke Rengum: Singer – Indrani Wijayabandara & H.R. Jothipala
Song – Sasi Piye: Singer – G.S.B. Rani Perera
Song – Duk Gini Godaka: Singer – G.S.B. Rani Perera
Song – Ma Soya Aa Nisa: Singer – Indrani Wijayabandara

Movie Related: other work by Chitrananda Abeysekera

Story from the Hindi movie Dulari – 1949

Story from the Hindi movie Dulari – 1949

Other Links

References

  1. 1 2 "Sixty six years of Sinhala poetry". Daily News (Sri Lanka). 12 January 2002. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  2. ↑ Cowie, Peter (1977). World filmography, 1967. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-498-01565-6.
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