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. He was also the President of Aganuwara Tharuna Kavi Samajaya (Athakasa) 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 August 6, 1956, he began his career at Radio Ceylon as a guest producer of poetry, drama and features. He held the position of Director of Sinhala Services until his retirement in 1989. Abeysekera aimed to promote new talent through initiatives such as 'Nava Mihira', while also leading the Rural Services and Publication divisions. During the Hon. Dudley Senanayake era, Chitrananda was notable for overseeing the "Govi Jaya Handa" program, achieving significant popularity among rural Ceylon communities.
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 Leone. He participated in several Poetry and Cultural events in Yugoslavia and China.
Photo gallery
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 and Story Books
Suli Sulang – Poetry, 1961Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Sakwala Dunna – PoetryPublisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Suduta Lilu Kavi – Poetry, 1974Publisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka Awatharaya – Short StroryPublisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Satan Bima Kandulu – Short StoryPublisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Savi Nethi Ath – NovelPublisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi – Songs, 1982 – Collection of Popular Songs written by ChitranandaPublisher:Lassana Printers, Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka Kavya Manjari – Poetry, 1983Publisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka Kavya Pushpanjali – Poetry, 1983 – Awarded The Best Poetry Book at The State Literary Awards Festival by The Ministry of Cultural AffairsPublisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka Swarana Mali – Poetry, 1984Publisher:Captain Printers, Maradana 1st, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka Ran Sannasa – Poetry, 1985Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka Samanala Mahima – Poetry, 1986 – Awarded The Best Poetry Book at The State Literary Awards Festival by The Ministry of Cultural AffairsPublisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka Sewana Ruwana – Poetry, 1987Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka Susata Kala – Poetry, 1989 – Collection of Poems by Prominent PoetsPublisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka
Popular radio songs
Jayasiri Ma Bodhi: Singer – Dayaratne Ranatunge, Music – Rohitha Wijesuriya Vilwala Mal Pokuru Pokuru: Singer – Neela Wickramasinghe & T.M. Jayaratne Ma Ipaduna Mage Ratata Sewaya Karala: Singer – Edward Jayakody Nidahasa Gena Kavi Liyanna: Singer – Edward Jayakody Wediya Honda Narakai Me Loke: Singer – Mohideen Baig Kiri Ithirewa Nawa Wasare: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Alokaya Deka Yanna: Singer – Latha Walpola Swarnamali Se Kirane: Singer – Amara Ranatunge Ran Diya Bindu Mahaweli: Singer – Oba Yana Maga Nathara Novi: Singer – Ramya Bhumi Saru Bhumi: Singer – Jathiye Udara Sithum: Singer – Edward Jayakodi Oba Dan Keewath Kandulu Sala: Singer – Milton Mallawarachchi, Music – Sarath Dassanayake Sinarella Sisi Kirane: Singer – Milton Mallawarachchi, Music – Sarath Dassanayake Keewemi Oba Hata: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Man Podikale Dekkata Passe – H.R. Jothipala
Movie Songs
Movie – Sirimali by Robin Thampoe in 1959Produced by P.L. Buddhadasa & Meena ThampoeMusic by V. Krishnamurthi (Indian national) 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
Movie – Nalangana by L.S. Ramachandran in 1960Produced by S. M. NayagamMusic by R. Muththusami Song – Ho Surathal: Singer – Rukmani Devi Song – Me Aawaa Mung Awaa: Singer – Rukmani Devi
Movie – Pirimiyek Nisa by T. Somasekaran & K.A.W. Perera in 1960Produced by Premalal Edirisinghe (E.A.P. Edirisinghe)Music by R. Muththusami 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
Movie – Suvineetha Lalini by Robin Thampoe in 1961Produced by Robin ThampoeMusic by R. Muththusami 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
Movie – Mage Putha by Devendra Goyel in 1961Dubbing Direction by Thewis GurugeMusic by P.L.A. SomapalaOriginal Hindi Movie:Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan 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
Movie – Samiya Birindage Deviyaya by Robin Thampoe 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
Movie – Sudo Suduby Robin Thampoe in 1965Music – Somadasa Elvitigala Song – Savibala Yakada Wagei: Singer – W.D. Amaradewa Song – Prema Sebawii: Singer – Latha & Dharmadasa Walpola Song – Heenmenike Mage: Singer – W.D. Amaradewa
Movie – Saranaby Asoka PierisMusic – Mohamed Sali & P.L.A. SomapalaSingers – Sujatha Perera, Latha & Dharmadasa Walpola, Manel Upasena Asoka Pieris has also written few songs for this movie
Movie – Sudu Sande Kalu Walaby Robin Thampoe in 1963 Song – Denna Eka Sirurey: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Song – Maa Langa Hinehee: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Song – Wanasanna Jeewe: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
Movie – Kolankarayo by Thissa Nagodawithana Movie – Sigiri Kashyapaby Bindu Gunasekera in 1966Music – M.K. Rocksami Song – Narapathiya Wetha Yanne: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Song – Pape Galee Lowa: Singer – A.J. Kareem
Movie – SRI 296Premnath Morayas in 1959Produced by Premnath MorayasMusic by P.L.A. SomapalaOriginal Hindi Movie: C.I.D. 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 – Suhada Divi Piduma in 1962 Movie – Sulalitha Sobani in 1964
Movie Related
Movie – Sepaliby W.M.S. Thampoe in 1958Produced by Robin ThampoeFilm Script: Chitrananda Abeysekera & Suriya Kumar Story from the Hindi movie Dulari – 1949 Movie – Daruwa Kageda?by Herbi Seneviratne in 1961Produced by W.M.S. ThampoeScreen Play: Chitrananda Abeysekera Story from the Hindi movie Dulari – 1949 Movie – Sirimali by Robin Thampoe in 1959Produced by P.L. Buddhadasa & Meena ThampoeDialogues: Chitrananda Abeysekera Movie – Sudo Sudu by Robin Thampoe in 1965Dialogues & Screen Play: Chitrananda Abeysekera
Other Links Features | Online edition of Daily News – Lakehouse Newspapers Latha Walpola – Nightingale of Sri Lanka | Asian Tribune English girl of Lankan parents for Karate World Cup Remembering Sri Lanka's Nightingale: 30th Death Anniversary of Rukmani Devi Nalanda Old Boys
References
Lyrics of the Sinhala Cinema from 1957 to 1961, by Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne – Library of Congress Onlone Catalog Open Library.org www.chitranandaabeysekera.org Chitrananda Abeysekera