Lest I forget – the gorgeously “inclusive” Gamini

I was lunching late, after a short workshop, in Badulla. A 'FM' radio station was on with one of their silly “phone in” request programmes. A girlish giggle faded off with a 'beep' that said an hour was up. It was breaking news in 'Sinhala'.

“Sri Lanka’s greatest silver screen idol, Gamini Fonseka, passed off a little while ago. He was 68 years at the time of his death. Funeral arrangements would be notified later, said a family source.” The youthful male voice was replaced with an advertisement on “sizzling fun”.

The DJ took over and teased his female co-DJ. “You could have partnered Gamini Fonseka in 'Getawarayo', had you been out of school in 60’s……but then you’d miss this programme with me….you at 60 years” That let out another round of giggles and some groggy remarks.

A retired school teacher next to me, grumbled. “Nuts…..don’t even know to respect death”.

Gamini Fonseka deserves respect, living or dead. He was one among the few film icons who stood for a secular, plural and an inclusive modern life, despite his flamboyant, robust, romantic and the unchallenged image of a hero, on the Sri Lankan silver screen. He was all that and more, from the 60’s to easily the late 70’s. Popular among young film goers of the 60’s and the 70’s, he was also a very versatile actor, who played serious roles in some of the best ‘arty’ films, Sinhala cinema has seen to date. Nidhanaya, Gamperaliya and Weli kathara, strikes me immediately.


With this extra ordinary film icon and his unbelievably tall ego, I sat many a times over “Scotch on rocks”, in his bungalow at “Araliya Gardens”, Ekala, Ja-ela, thanks to (President) Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was then a very conspicuous opposition politician in parliament. Gamini was then, Deputy Speaker in parliament. He successfully contested the Matara district at the 1989 February elections, from the UNP.

“Couldn’t refuse Premadasa…..he was my good friend for too long…” said Gamini once, when I asked him why he came to open politics.

He was a different UNPer. He lived with his conscience, than with votes. He wouldn't contest the next time he told. Wasn't happy either with Premadasa, a year or two into his Presidency.

“I some times feel.....I still like the man.....but I should have refused Preme......this is not the way to run a country.....” Gamini added, after a long pull on his “555” cigarette.

Turning round, he fed his German Shepherd, “Lissie”, with a thick slice of Kraft Cheese, we had for “bites” with Cream Crackers. Then a calculated, slow sip on his glass and he continued with his monologue, one we had to accommodate when accommodating his late evening hospitality.

“Mahinda....you know 'KG',,,,don't you ?” asked Gamini, his rough and authoritative voice, waiting for no answers.

I could not immediately place these two “capital letters” on a person. I looked at Mahinda, for some explanation. Gamini nevertheless continued.

“You know....this man Gunaratnam.....his contribution was immense....we would not have a Sinhala film industry......if these Tamil gentlemen were not there.”
He had a long list of names. Nayagam, Tampoe, Anandan, Somasekeran, Venkat and Gunaratnam, he said he really respected as a gentleman producer. I was curious to know about his role in “Sarungaley” as Nadarajah, a clerk in a government department. That set him on a long nostalgic path.

“Oh......that was one role I lived.....I had to alter many things in the script......our people don't understand Tamil people......but they want to make films about Tamil people....most dialogue in that film was mine......I told that chap who was directing....I would have my lines....my way....” He stubbed his half smoked cigarette in the ash tray.

“You know......there were people who thought.....my Tamil lines were dubbed.....I know my Tamil quite well.....my friends......my Tamil friends said......'you were more Tamil than Jaffna Tamils'.....” And he had a loud laugh. “You know....they have that pride.....Yarlpanam aal....”

“Nice fellows...” He told himself loud, pouring another round of Scotch. “Okay..... gentlemen ?” There isn't much choice, when he decides to treat you, the way he wants. “Drop one or two.....ice cubes” He left the bottle in front and was reminiscing.
“I tell you two......this Sinhala film industry will not come out of this fall......no way.....for what these Sinhala hooligans did to Gunaratnam....” His voice was serious and bitter. “We don't deserve to have a Sinhala film industry......for what we did to that man” [During 1983 July Tamil pogrom, K.Gunaratnam's entire business was burnt,including cinema halls and buses. He was killed on 09 August, 1989 during the height of JVP insurgency.]

“Have WE eaten,..... on the insane root,....that TAKES the reason,.... prisoner ?” His voice was firm, clear and neatly modulated. The actor he was.
I was taken aback. Didn't know what the answer should be. He wasn't waiting for answers. He has answers too.

“That's from Macbeth.....You see.....we don't see reason.....an insane lot....”
On our way back, Mahinda told me the idea of meeting Gamini in the evening, was to talk about his role in Gamini's next film “Nomiyena Minissu”. That was one thing though, that was never talked about, the whole evening.

[This little piece was prompted by idle talk me and a few friends had last evening......the question was, will there be another Gamini Fonseka, in the Sinhala film world ?]
Saturday, 02 October, 2010.