TV Times

TV Times

A voyage from here to eternity
By Susitha R. Fernando
Sri Lankan TV viewers, who have undergone a formula teledrama on the hackneyed theme of middle class family disputes are having a refreshing experience with “Nonimi Yathra”- (The Endless Voyage), ten mini telefilm series, which is shown on Rupavahini channel now.

The series of one-episodic telefilms which are more close to minifilms are a maiden directorial effort by young director, Sanjaya Nirmal and is telecast on the prominent 8.35 pm belt every Wednesday.

The stories depicts ten different issues from happiness to sadness, suspicion, anxiety, jealousy, belief and fantasy. It also differs from the usual form of teledrama as they are developed more as films.

The miniplays are produced by Nita Fernando and Yolanda Weerasinghe. The star-studded cast includes veterans like Henry Jayasena, Irangani Serasinghe, Nita Fernando, Ravindra Randeniya and well known names in the mini screen, Suwineetha Weerasinghe, Dayadewa Edirisinghe, Nalin Pradeep Uduwela, Gihan Fernando, Semini Iddamalgoda, Richard Manamudali, Mega Malhari Gokula, Shalika Jeewani, Sujith Ratnayake, Thalinda Weerasinghe, Jayani Senanayake, Bandula Sarath Waduthanthri, Sadda Uthpalakanda, Firni Roshini and Dharmasena Basnayake.

From November 10, the miniplays scheduled to be screened are “Handahana” (Horoscope), “Weeduru Walalu” (Glass Bangles), Monalisa, “Adaraneeya Amma” (Dear Mum), Sisiter Veronica, “Ada Adina Wasana” (Sweep Ticket), Music Teacher, “Malawunge Sangrahaya” (No More Tears) and “Aganthuka Tharakawa” (The Strange Star).

The technical crew who have contributed to this work are music director Harsh Makalanda, art director Duleetha Lokubandara and Mangala Fernando, editor Bandara Wickremasuriya and camera director Pradeep Bulathsinghela.

Having returned from Australia, Yolanda Weerasinghe, the main producer of ‘Nonimi Yathra’ said, “ My main target was to do a film as soon as I came to Sri Lanka but it was with Nita’s advice that I got involved in teledramas mainly to gather a knowledge about the field.

“In fact I have written some scripts and hopefully am preparing to do a film on a drug addict. The story is based on a number of true incidents.” Yolanda said. Yolanda who was brought up in a background of film personalities was influenced by her uncle to take on interest in films.

As a young girl she started the first Fan Club for Malini Fonseka. But later she went to Australia. Speaking about her latest production, Yolanda said we were happy we got Sanjaya. “There has been a very good response for these ten dramas from the beginning and this was why we were able to get the prominent 8.30 belt on Rupavahini.

Yolanda also thanked Mervyn Jayasinghe of F&G Finance Company for his support to complete ‘Nonimi Yathra’.

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