S. Sivanandan, a veteran of Sinhala cinema

Sivanandan with his wife Rohini in Toronto, Canada. (Picture by Mahesh Abeyewardene)

Sivanandan with his wife Rohini in Toronto, Canada. (Picture by Mahesh Abeyewardene)

For over five decades S. Sivanandan has been associated with the Sri Lankan Cinema. This veteran of Sinhala film industry has dedicated his entire career to the industry from his early days.

Lester  James Peiris  autographs one  of his books at his Dickmen’s Road residence,  Bambalapitiya, to remember 50 years of association with Sivanandan.

Lester James Peiris autographs one of his books at his Dickmen’s Road residence, Bambalapitiya, to remember 50 years of association with Sivanandan.

No other person in the industry with the wealth of talent Sivanandan possesses has worked in various capacities in the Sinhala Cinema. He directed movies and held senior administrative positions in the government and private sector of the Sri Lankan film industry.

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His final assignment was as Assistant General Manager of State Film Corporation under the chairmanship of veteran Sri Lankan industrialist Anton Wickremasinghe.

Wickremasinghe produced the record breaking movie ‘Gamperaliya’ which won the Golden Peacock award at the International Film Festival held in New Delhi. While in the private sector Sivanandan held various positions at Cinemas under its chairman K. Gunaratnam. It was  late  S.  M.  Nayagam who produced   the   first   Sinhala   movie

‘Kadawunu Poronduwa’ (Broken Promise) with a cast of B. A. W. Jayamanne, Rukmani Devi and her hus- band Eddie Jayamanne.

Sivanandan, a true lover of the Sinhala Cinema, is a native of Jaffna and received his early education in Hatton where his father was a government servant working for Public Works Depart- ment (PWD) in the up-country.

Sivanandan with actress anula Karunatilleke at the Sumathi awards held at the Sugathadasa indoor Stadium. Anula received lifetime achievement award.

Sivanandan with actress Anula Karunatilleke at the Sumathi awards held at the Sugathadasa indoor Stadium. Anula received lifetime achievement award.

His grandfather was a wealthy busi- nessman from Nuwara Eliya. There was no question that Sivanandans were a wealthy family in the up-country and as any rich man’s son Sivanandan also got his final brush up in his early education at the Aquinas Colombo. Before moving to Colombo he was a student at Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai.

The movie ‘Oba Dutu Da’ directed by Sivanandan was a box office hit and received Sarasavi Award for one of the best five films produced in 1966. Thirty films were produced that year. The cast of his film included Gamini Fonseka, Jeevarani Kulukulasooriya, Sandya Kumari, Iranganie Serasinghe, Hugo Fernando and Bandu Gunasekera.

The film was edited by Titus Thotawatte while dialogues were by K. A. W. Perera. R. Muthusamy produced music. Irangani Serasinghe received the best actress award for her role in ‘Oba Dutu Da’ which was produced by K. Gunaratnam, Chairman of Cinemas Ltd. By the time he made this film, Sivanandan was a top executive at Cinemas designated as their publicity Manager. Later he was appointed Import Supplies and Sales Manager of the State Film Corporation which came under D. B. Nihalsinghe, CEO and General Manager.

Sivanandan, Lester and Sumithra Peiris.

Sivanandan, Lester and Sumithra Peiris.

Shortly afterwards in 1960 Gunaratnam embarked on  a  box  office  hit ‘Sandeshaya’ directed by Lester James Peiris with Ananda Jayaratne, Gamini Fonseka and that beautiful actress Kanthie Gunatunga as its leading stars.

After the inauguration of Vijaya Studios, Wattala, Siavanandan functioned as the first Assistant Director of the movie ‘Adata Wediya Heta Hondai’, the maiden production of the new facility. He was also Assistant Director for ‘Deevarayo’ and ‘Uda Rata Menike’.

He was involved in the productions of several foreign movies. He was a close associate of late Gamini Fonseka and veteran film maker Dr. Lester James Peiris for over 50 years.