Vasantha Obeysekera
Sri Lankan film director (1937–2017)
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Vasantha Obeysekera (1937–2017), was a Sri Lankan film director and screenwriter.[1][2]
Vasantha Obeysekera | |
|---|---|
| Born | 29 December 1937 Mathugama, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 8 April 2017 (aged 79) |
| Occupation | Film Director |
| Years active | 1967–2017 |
| Notable work | Walmathwuwo, Palangetiyo, Dadayama, Kedapathaka chaayaa, Maaruthaya, Dorakadamaaraawa, Theertha yaathraa, Salelu warama, AsiniVarsha, Aaganthukayaa |
Early life and career
Kala Keerthi Vasantha Obeysekera who was regarded as one of the foremost film makers in the 70s decade graduated from the University of Ceylon in 1962. He served on the Editorial Staff of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited from 1964 to 1970. In addition to his editorial work, Obeysekera wrote several short stories during this period.[3][4]
Obeysekera entered the film industry with Sath Samudura in 1967 which he co-wrote and worked on as assistant director; it was Sri Lanka's entry at the Moscow International Film Festival. In 1971 he was awarded a certificate in Cinematography by the Comité de libération du cinéma français.[3][5]
1970s
In the 1970s Obeysekera wrote and directed Ves Gaththo ("Masked Men") (1970), Valmathuwo ("Lost Ones") (1976), Diyamanthi ("Diamond") (1977) and Palangetiyo ("Grasshoppers") (1979). Palangetiyo won the Presidential Film Awards for Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Film.[3]
1980s
1990s and 2000s
In the late-'90s, Obeysekera made Maruthaya ("The Storm") (1995), Dorakada Marawa ("Death at the Doorstep") (1998) and Theertha Yathra ("Pilgrimage") (1999). These also secured several OCIC and Presidential Awards.[3][6]
Salelu Warama ("Web of Love"), Agni Warsha ("Rains of Fire"), Aganthukaya ("The Stranger"), and Sewwandhi were made in the 2000s.[3]
Filmography
He has directed 13 films across many dramatic genres.[7]
- No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[8]
| Released date | No. | Film |
|---|---|---|
| 12 December 1970 | 234 | Wesgaththo |
| 2 April 1976 | 339 | Walmathwuwo |
| 28 May 1976 | 342 | Diyamanthi [9] |
| 27 April 1979 | 417 | Palagatiyo |
| 20 May 1983 | 558 | Dadayama [10] |
| 24 March 1989 | 687 | Kedapathaka Chaya |
| 9 June 1995 | 831 | Maruthaya |
| 2 December 1998 | 904 | Dorakada Marawa |
| 1 October 1999 | 922 | Theertha Yathra |
| 17 October 2002 | 990 | Salelu Warama |
| 7 April 2005 | 1048 | Asani Warsha |
| 7 December 2006 | 1080 | Sewwandi |
| 31 May 2007 | 1087 | Aganthukaya |
Death
He died on 8 April 2017 in a private hospital in Colombo.[11]