Ranasinghe Rajapakse Samarakoon (born 17 July 1939 – died 1 August 2010; Sinhala: ආර්. ආර්. සමරකෝන්) [Sinhala]), popularly as R.R. Samarakoon, was a Sri Lankan dramatist, playwright, translator and author.[1] One of the earliest pillars of Sri Lankan drama, he is well known for several stage plays directed and produced in 1970s including Kelani Palama and Ahasin Wetunu Minissu.[2]
Samarakoon was born on 14 August 1939 in Dekinda village, Nawalapitiya.[3] He started primary education from St Andrew's Girls College, Nawalapitiya and secondary education from Kingswood College, Kandy. He worked as a teacher of Kingswood for a brief period. Later he moved to Colombo for clerk post of co-operative wholesale corporation Sathosa. Later he worked as a translator and also held the post of Institutional Manager. In 1982, he was transferred to Jaffna for a political revenge. Instead, he quit his job and returned home. In 1995 he got back to work.[4]
Samarakoon was married to Molly Srima Samarakoon and the couple had their first daughter born in October 1978. Her name was Niluka Tharangi Samarakoon. Unfortunately his marriage didn't last long and after 7 years he separated and lived together with a popular artist Ramya Wanigasekara[5] She was born on 17 July in Kotiyakumbura, Kegalle as the fifth child in a family with seven siblings. Her father from Hettimulla, Kegalle was an estate superintendent and mother was from Eheliyagoda. Ramya has two elder sisters, two elder brothers and two younger brothers. She started primary education from Ampe Maha Vidyalaya, Kotiyakumbura. After attending to many school, she completed education finally from Ruwanwella Royal College.[6]
The affair started during the stage play Kelani Palama. The Samarakoon and Ramaya Wanigasekara had their daughter in 1989, her name was Buddhika Mudithani.[7] Buddhika acted in Kelani Palama in little age as "Surangani".[6] She excelled at stage costume designing.[8]
Samarakoon died on 1 August 2010 at the age of 71 following a brief illness.[9] His remains were kept at his residence, No 45, Dibbadda Road, Thalpitiya, Wadduwa North. The funeral was held at the Wadduwa cemetery on August 2010.[10]
Career
During school times, Samarakoon played a female role in the school play Vidura. However, he quit from acting since then and started to script writing. He wrote a detective story while in the school, which was later published as a novel Wes Muhunu.[4][11] Samarakoon enters drama as a pioneer in bringing together Sathosa artists and creating Sathosa art in 1967. His first play was produced in 1968 under the direction of Sathosa Drama Circle.[12]
In 1965, Samarakoon made his maiden stage play Ledak Nethi Ledek.[13] Samarakoon's second play is Charitha Dekak which came on stage under the direction of Sathosa Drama Circle in 1967. The play is considered to be a psychoanalytic work on gender relations.[12]
In 1971, he produced the play Ahasin Wetunu Minissu, where he won nine State awards including four major state awards: Best Script, Best Production, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress.[14] He went England, France, USA and many other countries to stage the drama as well. His award winning novel Ge Kurullo won the award for the best work of fiction in 1971. The book was also translated into Russian and Tamil languages.[4][11] Samarakoon returned to drama in 1975 with the play Idama which won the Best Independent Essay and Best Actress awards at the State Drama Festival and four Merit Certificates for Outstanding Performance.[12]
In the same year, he won the award for the best original script at the State Drama Festival.[10] On 25 October 1978, he produced the popular stage play Kelani Palama.[15][16] Earlier he selected actress Chandra Kaluarachchi for the main role "Matilda". However she was pregnant at that time, where Samarakoon shifted to popular radio artist and his future wife Ramya Wanigasekara for the role. Still after his death, Wanigasekara produced the play and acted in the role for 41 consecutive years.[17] The play is considered as a milestone in history of Sri Lankan theater.[12]
Samarakoon produced the stage plays Idama (1975), Jailer Unnahe (1986), Doowili (1990) and Raja Kathawa (1991), where Wanigasekara acted in all of them.[6]Doowili is a drama that has gained rapid popularity due to its production on the subject of the world of a superpower in Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo. He also produced the plays Charitha Dekak (1967), Minihek (1979), Kaputu Bo (2003) and Kakul Hathare Ilandariya (2008).[4][18][19][11] The play Kaputu Bo was a new production that changed the title and cast of his second play, Charitha Dekak, but not a new drama.[12]
Even though worked as a translator, Samarakoon was a freelance writer.[11] Later he wrote many books such as Ek Sabhya Kathavak, Akalanka, Asammatha Adarayak, Ran Tharuwa, Thala Mala, Chandra Thapaya, Sundara Saha Sobani, Heta Kaluwara Dawasak, Sanda Eliya Kaluwarai and Loku Akka.[10][20] In 1994, he wrote the novel Eka Kuse Upan Evun which is considered as one of his best publications.[4] His only poem collection was Rathriya Awadi Nowe released in 2002.[12]
References
^"ආර්. ආර්. සමරකෝන්". Goodreads, Inc. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
^"Kelani Palama to be staged Nelum Pokuna" (PDF). Daily News. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"From the fond memory of Ramya Wanigasekara about RR Samarakoon". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^ abcde"R. R. who made the theater interesting". Lankadeepa. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"The Kelani Palama is a milestone in my life". Tharunie. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^ abc"I remember my life". Hiru FM. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"Who else can do what I did - Ramya Wanigasekara". Deshaya. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"Multi faceted Ramya Wanigasekara". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
^"My voice and beauty remain in the hearts of people ...... - Veteran artist Ramya Wanigasekara". Divaina. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^ abc"Death of well-known dramatist R R Samarakoon". Daily News. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
^ abcd"The playwright who stood on his feet in the dialogue drama: R. R. Samarakoon". Boondi. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^ abcdef"The creator who made the stage fun: R. R. Samarakoon". Divaina. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"RR Samarakoon no more". BBC. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"Ahasin Wetunu Minissu". rangahala. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"A continual cry left perpetually unheard". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"Kelani Palama 40 years on". Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"Only Geetha Kanthi and I are still on the Kelani Palama". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^"Kakul Hathare Ilandariya". rangahala. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
^""Kakul Hathare Illandariya" at the Wendt on May 8". The Nation. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
^"R. R. Samarakoon - ආර්. ආර්. සමරකෝන් BOOKS". KBOOKS & KSP Publishers. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
samarakoon, ranasinghe, rajapakse, samarakoon, born, july, 1939, died, august, 2010, sinhala, ආර, ආර, සමරක, sinhala, popularly, samarakoon, lankan, dramatist, playwright, translator, author, earliest, pillars, lankan, drama, well, known, several, stage, plays,. Ranasinghe Rajapakse Samarakoon born 17 July 1939 died 1 August 2010 Sinhala ආර ආර සමරක න Sinhala popularly as R R Samarakoon was a Sri Lankan dramatist playwright translator and author 1 One of the earliest pillars of Sri Lankan drama he is well known for several stage plays directed and produced in 1970s including Kelani Palama and Ahasin Wetunu Minissu 2 R R Samarakoon ආර ආර සමරක න BornRanasinghe Rajapakse Samarakoon 1939 07 17 July 17 1939Nawalapitiya Sri LankaDiedAugust 1 2010 2010 08 01 aged 71 ColomboResting placeWadduwa cemeteryNationalitySri LankanEducationSt Andrew s Girls College Nawalapitiya Kingswood College KandyOccupation s Dramatist playwright translator authorYears active1965 2008SpouseMolly Srima Samarakoon amp Ramya Wanigasekara m 1987 Children2AwardsBest Theater production Contents 1 Personal life 2 Career 3 References 4 External linksPersonal life EditSamarakoon was born on 14 August 1939 in Dekinda village Nawalapitiya 3 He started primary education from St Andrew s Girls College Nawalapitiya and secondary education from Kingswood College Kandy He worked as a teacher of Kingswood for a brief period Later he moved to Colombo for clerk post of co operative wholesale corporation Sathosa Later he worked as a translator and also held the post of Institutional Manager In 1982 he was transferred to Jaffna for a political revenge Instead he quit his job and returned home In 1995 he got back to work 4 Samarakoon was married to Molly Srima Samarakoon and the couple had their first daughter born in October 1978 Her name was Niluka Tharangi Samarakoon Unfortunately his marriage didn t last long and after 7 years he separated and lived together with a popular artist Ramya Wanigasekara 5 She was born on 17 July in Kotiyakumbura Kegalle as the fifth child in a family with seven siblings Her father from Hettimulla Kegalle was an estate superintendent and mother was from Eheliyagoda Ramya has two elder sisters two elder brothers and two younger brothers She started primary education from Ampe Maha Vidyalaya Kotiyakumbura After attending to many school she completed education finally from Ruwanwella Royal College 6 The affair started during the stage play Kelani Palama The Samarakoon and Ramaya Wanigasekara had their daughter in 1989 her name was Buddhika Mudithani 7 Buddhika acted in Kelani Palama in little age as Surangani 6 She excelled at stage costume designing 8 Samarakoon died on 1 August 2010 at the age of 71 following a brief illness 9 His remains were kept at his residence No 45 Dibbadda Road Thalpitiya Wadduwa North The funeral was held at the Wadduwa cemetery on August 2010 10 Career EditDuring school times Samarakoon played a female role in the school play Vidura However he quit from acting since then and started to script writing He wrote a detective story while in the school which was later published as a novel Wes Muhunu 4 11 Samarakoon enters drama as a pioneer in bringing together Sathosa artists and creating Sathosa art in 1967 His first play was produced in 1968 under the direction of Sathosa Drama Circle 12 In 1965 Samarakoon made his maiden stage play Ledak Nethi Ledek 13 Samarakoon s second play is Charitha Dekak which came on stage under the direction of Sathosa Drama Circle in 1967 The play is considered to be a psychoanalytic work on gender relations 12 In 1971 he produced the play Ahasin Wetunu Minissu where he won nine State awards including four major state awards Best Script Best Production Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress 14 He went England France USA and many other countries to stage the drama as well His award winning novel Ge Kurullo won the award for the best work of fiction in 1971 The book was also translated into Russian and Tamil languages 4 11 Samarakoon returned to drama in 1975 with the play Idama which won the Best Independent Essay and Best Actress awards at the State Drama Festival and four Merit Certificates for Outstanding Performance 12 In the same year he won the award for the best original script at the State Drama Festival 10 On 25 October 1978 he produced the popular stage play Kelani Palama 15 16 Earlier he selected actress Chandra Kaluarachchi for the main role Matilda However she was pregnant at that time where Samarakoon shifted to popular radio artist and his future wife Ramya Wanigasekara for the role Still after his death Wanigasekara produced the play and acted in the role for 41 consecutive years 17 The play is considered as a milestone in history of Sri Lankan theater 12 Samarakoon produced the stage plays Idama 1975 Jailer Unnahe 1986 Doowili 1990 and Raja Kathawa 1991 where Wanigasekara acted in all of them 6 Doowili is a drama that has gained rapid popularity due to its production on the subject of the world of a superpower in Cinnamon Gardens Colombo He also produced the plays Charitha Dekak 1967 Minihek 1979 Kaputu Bo 2003 and Kakul Hathare Ilandariya 2008 4 18 19 11 The play Kaputu Bo was a new production that changed the title and cast of his second play Charitha Dekak but not a new drama 12 Even though worked as a translator Samarakoon was a freelance writer 11 Later he wrote many books such as Ek Sabhya Kathavak Akalanka Asammatha Adarayak Ran Tharuwa Thala Mala Chandra Thapaya Sundara Saha Sobani Heta Kaluwara Dawasak Sanda Eliya Kaluwarai and Loku Akka 10 20 In 1994 he wrote the novel Eka Kuse Upan Evun which is considered as one of his best publications 4 His only poem collection was Rathriya Awadi Nowe released in 2002 12 References Edit ආර ආර සමරක න Goodreads Inc Retrieved 12 August 2020 Kelani Palama to be staged Nelum Pokuna PDF Daily News Retrieved 12 February 2020 From the fond memory of Ramya Wanigasekara about RR Samarakoon Sarasaviya Retrieved 12 February 2020 a b c d e R R who made the theater interesting Lankadeepa Retrieved 12 February 2020 The Kelani Palama is a milestone in my life Tharunie Retrieved 12 February 2020 a b c I remember my life Hiru FM Retrieved 12 February 2020 Who else can do what I did Ramya Wanigasekara Deshaya Retrieved 12 February 2020 Multi faceted Ramya Wanigasekara Daily Mirror Retrieved 14 August 2020 My voice and beauty remain in the hearts of people Veteran artist Ramya Wanigasekara Divaina Retrieved 12 February 2020 a b c Death of well known dramatist R R Samarakoon Daily News Retrieved 14 August 2020 a b c d The playwright who stood on his feet in the dialogue drama R R Samarakoon Boondi Retrieved 12 February 2020 a b c d e f The creator who made the stage fun R R Samarakoon Divaina Retrieved 12 February 2020 RR Samarakoon no more BBC Retrieved 12 February 2020 Ahasin Wetunu Minissu rangahala Retrieved 12 February 2020 A continual cry left perpetually unheard Sunday Observer Retrieved 12 February 2020 Kelani Palama 40 years on Sunday Times Retrieved 12 February 2020 Only Geetha Kanthi and I are still on the Kelani Palama Sarasaviya Retrieved 12 February 2020 Kakul Hathare Ilandariya rangahala Retrieved 12 February 2020 Kakul Hathare Illandariya at the Wendt on May 8 The Nation Retrieved 14 August 2020 R R Samarakoon ආර ආර සමරක න BOOKS KBOOKS amp KSP Publishers Retrieved 12 February 2020 External links EditI am a Kandyan woman ප ර මය ස ර ථක ව න නට නම ද ද න ටම ඉවස ම ත ය න න ඕන රම ය වන ගස කර An Earful Kelani Palama in town Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title R R Samarakoon amp oldid 1112390509, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
