Talented artistes Sampath Tennekoon and Rathna Lalani Jayakody who made outstanding contributions to the local arts, especially on stage say it was the stage that groomed them into disciplined artsites today.

The duo who are celebrating their 30^th year  on stage, have acted in more than 50 plays, of which they have played opposite each other in about 20 popular stage creations.

“We both met on stage while working on Puthra Samagama and Suba Sendewak. We both played lovers in these plays. Suba Sendewak is being staged at the Lionel Wendt this week, “ Rathna Lalani who iniststed that among the other popualr dramas they acted together were Jagath Matha, Ambu Semiyo and Guru Tharuwa.

“The stage is not a bed of roses. Life on stage is tough. This is one reason why many people don’t remain on stage for long. This is one place for the people with commitment and dedication. We were fortnate to have worked with big names like Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra, Sugathapala de Silva, Ranjith Dharmakeeerthi, Jayalath Manoratne, Douglas Siriwardana, K. B. Herath, Bandula Vithanage and others. They really instilled discipline and showed us the right path,” said Sampath who was the only boy among five sisters.  His mother passed away last month.

“Sampath is a dedicated actor who gives his 200% to whatever he does. He also pinpoints my shortcoming too. He can grasp any charatcer very fast,” she said.

The two have acted in a  few tele dramas too.

Sampath acted in Paba, Adaraneeya Chanchala, Situmedura and organised several stage plays in Europe in 1999. Rathna acted in films like Pooja, Awaragira, Punchi Suranganavi and made a significant debut in ‘Yashorawaya’.

Their son Rangika Lankesha Tennekoon is a passionate music lover, but they are not sure if he would take up acting.

 

 

By Vasantha Wimalasinghe