Dr RAVINDRA RANDENIYA SUPERLATIVE , LEGENDARY ACTOR, ORATOR, VOCALIST ,TV HOST IN AN EFFERVERSCENT OF VOYAGE OF FIVE DECADES
Dr Ravindra Randeniya the legendary actor having dominated the Sinhala cinema for over five decades was recently bestowed with a doctorate for his immense services rendered to the Sinhala cinema by the authorities of the university of aesthetic studies. Though is the popular stage name of legendary actor his real name was Liyanage Boniface Walter Perera born on 5th June 1945 as the second of six siblings Father LP Perera was a reputed hardware businessman having a lucrative business, elder brother had helped father in the business while Ravindra had been in charge lately of administration, banking, export and imports during a short stint, having opened an office in Maradana to facilitate the looming business. When he knew it was difficult to do both roles acting and business he opted to take part in films sacrificing the luxurious life he had.He handed over the business to his younger brother.The father and mother had never commented on this decision only closest reason was that he was a bit boisterous character at home.The name change was done by the film personalities Manik Sandrasakara and Dr Ediriweera Sarathchandra While following the course Manik Sandrasakara the director of film’ Kalu Diya Dhara’ film after selecting him for a major main role, when questioned whether you were the person who acted in Robin Tampoe’s film Boniface Fernando a well-known actor then.Manik Sandrasakara wanted the name changed as this will lead to a confusion otherwise people would inquire about the name Boniface. Then only his name was changed to Ravindra Randeni which was later changed to Randeniya by Dr Sarathchandra .Ravindra had acted opposite all female actresses like Iranganie Serasinghe, Suweneetha Weerasinghe, Malini,Anula, Veena Jayakody, Swarna, Anoja,Neeta,Geetha, Sriyani and lately with Anarkali as lover, wife, sister or mother roles. Ravindra had added that though he had acted in very close loving scenes but it was restricted to the portrayal of roles only not beyond in life..
Ravindra had studied in the Kindergarten at St Francis Maha Vidyalaya in Dalugama then Studied at St Benedict’s College Kotahena three months elder to Vjaya Kumaratunga both called each other Malli. So many old Benedictines had been stalwarts in art and films like Nayagam producer of Kada Vunu Poronduwa, Shesha Palihakkara,Premanath Morais ,Sunil Shantha., Roy Handapangoda, Elson Diritotawela,Robin Fernando, Melroy Dharmaratne.The school relatively has produced more film stars and artistes than by most other schools. Vijaya had been famous as a good orator having won awards while in school while Ravi had been the vocalist in school. The duo had after leaving school had met by sheer quirk at a location
Ravindra on lives currently in his twilight years in the comfort of his home in Dalugama, Kelaniya.He likes the environment just like his passion for acting..All around the dwelling are trees, all planted by Ravindra hlmself.His dwelling was designed by him though the architect did his role in the drawings and project planning. In every area, rooms had openings for sunlight to fall which was bathed in sunlight.There is a small verandah when one sits the view s like sitting in an entirely different location. His father is wealthy businessman. After leaving school there was a silence until the two had met in films. A special mention to Wilfred Perera a very kind teacher who never used a cane was a very simple individual small made in stature who wore a white trouser and white shirt sometimes wears slippers. Every ten to fifteen minutes while teaching he used to relate a story with humor to entertain the students. His personality Ravindra never forgets. He was the brother of famous comedian Anthony C Perera to whom later Ravindra and Vijaya were introduced to him.Ravindra has added he is the most unassuming person cum teacher ever met in his life.It was the master who had introduced Ravindra and Vijaya to the school literary society, in year 1962.Ravindra had been chosen to portray the role of “Kashyapa” in the school stage play “Sigiri Kashyapa” though Ravindra was more interested in academic studies.
Ravindra was an avid reader extensively read books of authors like Siri Gunasinghe,Martin Wickramasinghe ,Kumaratunga Munidasa,Dr Ediriweera Sarathchandra, Dr Gunadasa Amarasekera.By the time Ravindra while he was in fifth standard he had read all these books sans ‘Viragaya’ by Martin Wickremasinghe which was published lately.All these books are preserved and kept for posterity even now. A cousin sister observing him reading avidly had cautioned his mother that he is reading books not suited for his age,He believes it is his reading habits that changed his life.Even to date he cannot sleep without reading an old newspaper even he had remarked. he was in the higher classes had been addicted to our stage art which was at a high ebb. Ravindra had studied in the science stream had completed his Advanced Level at the Aquinas University though had no intention and desire of an University education. But he had to join in his father’s hardware business following his elder brother. It was said that his elder brother had been a huge helping hand to father’s hardware equipment manufacturing business .Ravindra had opened a separate office in Maradana to assist in banking issues, administration, exports and import business in the company.But he could not cope with it as he had to attend to the Lionel Wendt art centre classes.Hence he had to forego the lavish comfortable home life.His parents had not objected to his choosing to study art which was in his self embedded owing to the very reason that at home he was a bit of a boisterous lively character.Also as the next younger brother was willing to take over the part of the business he contributed.
In the decade of the sixties it was the stage plays that superseded films.Had gone to watch all stage plays during weekends at the Lumbini theatre.In this context Ravindra had joined the Lionel Wendt Art Centre as it was established to learn art the proper manner having viewed an advertisement in the newspapers had joined with a fee of Rs 10/-. the Art was taught by teachers like Dhamma Jagoda, Gunasena Galappatthy Henry Jayasena, Sugathapala Siva with Dr Ediriweera Sarathchandra at the helm .
Ravindra had claimed this three year grueling course was a life changing event in his acting career. It was Irangani Serasinghe who had thought him voice training, to express on stage , on tone and pronunciation. Ravi had really wanted to learn not acting but about stage decoration ,script writing drama direction which is proved as his .But there had been times when all students had to perform together in a common class for one hour. Having observed Ravindra’s talents, Dhamma Jagoda had focused on hm more than on others selecting him to portray different types of scenes.After Dhamma Jagoda had selected him to perform many acts he had been impressed exclusively by the portrayals of Ravindra.At the tender age of 25 years was selected to act in Dhamma Jagoda ‘Muhudu Puththu’ to portray a main lead role.Then for Sir Lestor James Peiris film “Desa Nisa” Ravindra was invited even when none of his films had even been screened. Then was even selected unanimously for his films ‘Ran Salu’,’Delowak Athara’, ‘Gamperaliya’ which Ravindra had admitted been a huge blessing for him. Dr Lestor had seen him portray his role in ‘Muhudu Puththu’ had given one of the main roles to him , Joe Abeywickrema also had recommended to Lester saying ‘Onna kena’.Ravindra had met at the Lionel Wendt arts theatre social centre as a constant visitor.it had been in this film Ravindra had met his future wife Preethi.Before portraying his role had gone to Galgamuwa to see shooting as he needed to get used to Lester’s direction procedures. It was after Preethi’s roles only Ravindra had to portray his roles.There he had added that nothing happened other than saying hello to Preethi.But in the next film ‘Tharanga’ the duo had developed a serious love affair.
Ravindra had acted in 115 films including 14 foreign collaborations won 3 Presidents awards,7 Sarasavi awards, one was the one time lifetime achievement ‘Rana Thisara award’ which was also awarded at a Sarasaviya film festival in year 2018. Other sarasaviya awards were in years 1984/1985,1989/1990. was awarded the best actor Sarasavya ward for the role in ‘Sirimedura’ of Parakrama Niriella when no name was nominated. He portrayed the most difficult role of a totally crippled walking with clutches one who could not speak when he could only sit at 90 degrees with one hand on a wheel chair..
Once Ravindra had bought car when still as a school boy from Chitra Balasuriya who had taken him to witness a sarasaviya film festival at Regal Theatre which was a spectacle with a densely decorated surrounding with a massive audience mostly film stars and those connected to films .After the ceremony where Gamini Fonseka had thrown a party after winning the best director/ actor for ‘Parasathumal’ film.Dharmasena Hemapala had won the best art director award at this ceremony also for ‘Parasathumal’. Ravindra had given him a lift to Dalugama to stay the night as he had to travel to Veyangoda the following morning.The Sarasavya award had remained at his dwelling for that night.Ravindra had then in his wildest of dreams had thought in the following years many such sarasaviya awards would be permanently displayed in his dwelling for posterity.
Ravindra’s first film was screened in year 1974 when Ravi was already married ( 31st October 1974) to Preethi Premila Seneviratne actress ,famous poet, author of children’s’ books .This inaugural film was “Kalu Dhiya Dhara directed by Manik Sandasakara who had been impressed with his ‘Muudu Puththu’ drama.This film was an epoch making film considered as a ‘breakpoint in the annals of the Sinhala cinema which dealt with a struggle between workers and the administration personnel of a tea plantation company shooting done in year 1971.This was the first and only time sequence of a kissing scene was filmed and screened.It Had been a ‘Baptism with fire’.There had been fifteen nights of continuous night shooting in cold Haputale.In this film there had been three who had to portray lead roles ,the other two were Joe Abeywickrema and Sriyani Amarasena already accomplished artistes at that time while Ravindra was relatively a novice had to act alongside two greats.
During a television confrontation Ravindra when asked about evil, immoral experiences had lamented on some.While on location in ‘Saradiel” he had been shot ironically on the back when a shrapnel from a bullet had nearly pierced his lung.But there had been no first aid offered instantaneously which Ravindra laments as ‘touch and go’.In addition Ravindra had undergone many such situations he recollects. He had made bravely stunts which could be performed only by the skilled.Ravindra had added that he had never used ‘dummies’. According to Ravindra any actor if need to survive need to ccept challenges according to the scripts. In the film ‘Babarapettikke” he had to jump from the top of Kalutara bridge to the Kalu Ganga then go twenty feet deep and come up sans any aid.Then in film “Siripala and Ranmenika’ Ravindra had to jump out from a moving train on the ground without been carpeted then had to roll over .This sequence had to be repeated thrice as the cameraman wanted it be taken in three angles was reminisced as a daring experience.Among many others Ravindra recollects the portrayal in “Veera Puran Appu” was very rough as it need strong physical strength to navigate over.Ravindra recollects there were always elements of risks and doubt as elements of risks existed which would jeopardize one’s career.Ravindra had added that he had been lucky to have evaded injuries in many acts and stunts while successfully executing without been injured in his long career which was over five decades. But he had said there had been some jitters but added once undertaken a role needed to be completed.
Although Ravindra had acted in many films opposite Malini Fonseka who was baptized in ‘Akalwessa’ while still a schoolgirl going to Gurukula Vidyalaya,Kelaniya. Though not met, Ravindra had seen her coming back from school walking parallel to the railway line looking a peach , while travelling by car in the same neighborhood. Once in the Lionel Wendt art centre era Sugathapala Silva had casted Malini and Ravindra in film which never took off.Later on Malini when asked who is your actor in mind had added ‘that tall fair boy who looks a burgher’. But later on the duo had acted a number of films together.
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A question that is frequently asked from Ravindra, as to why he has not directed a film having an enormous knowledge with immense technical knowledge too.The answer was though he has had been contemplating seriously, entry to politics had prevented him. From the National list as recommended by many film personalities he was elected to .Ravindra had lamented that the government has no policy on development of the cinema although a legislation had been passed in year 1971 with the Act 147 enacted. For Ravindra after sacrificing his valuable time been a Member of Parliament only thing that remains accredited is that to say he was a Member of Parliament This appalling issue had been raised by Ravindra in parliament and at many meetings at the film corporation and at many other congregations, conventions, interviews etc.It should be emphasized that Ravindra is a competent orator often invited for many conventions to address not only on cinema but on alternate topics as he is a avid reader possessing an abundance of knowledge, Ravindra has added that he loves singing more than his acting.He had proved his singing prowess in many television channels where his demand is at a very high ebb. It needs to be commented that Ravindra had hosted a quiz program at the ITN sometime back titled ‘Mind Star’.In this context Ravindra Randeniya could be classified as a ‘Jack of All Trades”.. Only thing could say was a member of parliament. Though many wanted Ravi to continue he had taken a wise decision to leave politics.Ravindra was always determinedly an unassuming person wants to behave like a normal human being leaving his acting at the shooting venues when he comes home.Do marketing like any other normal person even when even he was at the peak.Also never wanted to be highlighted as a star, lead a very simple life wearing a T shirt when visiting market but for functions was very particular about his attire.
When Ravindra was at peak the children were small it was difficult to go on holidays to reputed places as fans would recognize and disturb them.What the family did was to visit a wild life sanctuary booking a bungalow with another know family which was a relaxation to Preethi too which all enjoyed. Ravindra likes to be isolated near a village lake for a few hours whenever time allows which brings to him an immense relaxation cum happiness. He loves nature, birds villages with lake loves habitat with plants animals and other organisms. During his childhood lived in an environment neighborhood was bought up in Sapugaskande in mother’s native home located which resembled a typical village environment with streams, lakes etc., in a pleasing habitat this was next to Dalugama.Even to date he enjoys environment which he likes to visit whenever time permits. Somehow makes a few days free to visit animal sanctuaries predominantly for immense pleasure which is one of his hobbies at the helm of his list.
The most controversial character that Ravindra had ever accepted to portray was that in the film of Wasatha Obeysekera ‘s criticized “Dadayama’ film. However when he had got the Wasantha Obeysekera’s script for ‘Dadayama’ ,he was puzzled having read the script several times before giving a word. Once had attended a function with Vijaya Kumaratunga on his way to drop him at Rosmead Place, was in the habit to talk for a few minutes before getting off had told about the script of Vasantha Obeysekera .Vijaya had told Vasantha will not do a bad thing hence better agree at which time Ravindra also had decided. But to Ravindra it was an immoral and dreadful character never seen the sequences even in a foreign film . Not only killing the main actress who was pregnant but to drive over her body several times driving at 70 MPH which was a very heartless villain role after portraying many types of different roles. Ravindra had added that he had courage to accept such a role.After this film was screened several producers and directors had blamed him for portraying that wicked role as for their films would be a huge disadvantage as audiences will think twice as Ravindra who portrayed that immortal role .In the film the dialogues that were used were too appalling .Once for Swarna’ s uttering according to the script Ravindra had to retaliate appropriately in a loud tone “Kawda Yako Balla”.This too was related by Ravindra in another television interrogation.
The duo are blessed with three children two sons( Sachindra Nirmal and Sameera Manabarana) and a daughter( Umayangana Indrachapa). Sons are living overseas married with children in Sweden and Australia both having post graduate qualifications too doing respectable jobs. They had never been guided all studies followed by themselves even the marriages. Only regret for Ravindra is missing are the grand children to who he and Preethi are greatly devoted to. Ravindra claims the grandchildren, two grandsons and one granddaughter are attached to the grandparents. Daughter lives with the duo.
Charisma , hard work, dedication and commitment are those real surface qualities with charm communicative that would make a fabulous actor like Ravindra Randeniya.This is because performing on camera, requires a certain amount of expressive energy .Ravindra is an individual with high-octanes of energy in abundance who has the ability to translate that energy on-screen. Ravindra possesses natural charisma which has benefited her in successful performing endeavours.
Ravindra is happy about the talents of the younger generation whom he meets at shooting still. Had lamented the lack of good scripts and competent directors was only an issue which need to be addressed. ‘The directors need to uplift the standards of the current cinema though from the technology aspects there are no flaws detected, he had summed up. Ravindra Randeniya in his twilight years loves to relax at home attending to selected meetings giving orations for which he is invited often. Loves to live a sedate life away from the hustle and buzzle of the city which is now congested to unprecedented heights. All his fans and well wishes would demand Ravindra Randeniya who is a legend in our Sinhala cinema good health and longevity.
Sunil Thenabadu email sthenabadu@hotmail.com whatsApp 0061444533242.
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