Malaka Dewapriya

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Malaka Dewapriya
Born
Grardhiwasam Lindamulage Malaka Dewapriya

Colombo
NationalitySri Lanka Sri Lankan
Other namesMalaka Devapriya, Mālaka Dēvapriya
EducationBA (2005) MFA (2009)
Alma materAkademie Schloss Solitude, University of Colombo, Ananda College
Occupation(s)film maker and visual artist
Known forvisual arts and film
Notes

Malaka Dewapriya (

short film and video director.[2][5]

Biography

Born in Sri Lanka, Dewapriya graduated with a BA (Special) from the

National Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul, South Korea, from 2008–2009 ("5th period", "no. 671").[5]

He first became involved in theatre in 1989 and has Performed, written and directed several short plays as a student.[4] His later work engages a variety of the arts, including film, photography, theatre, and radio drama in his beginning .[9]

As a visual artist, he has created

short films and video installations, several of which have been screened in international student competitions, other competitions, festivals and exhibitions.[2][4]

He has also done some other writing and editorial work in Sri Lanka, both as a student and later, according to his personal Website and his "CV" at GoYang Art Studio, both of which list such work and also screenings of his short films.[4]

Short films experience

He came into the limelight of the Sri Lankan cinema first as a student filmmaker. His first Short film Anxiety (Sammanaru) was judged best film of the National youth center Video Production (NYSCO) team in 1998. He was a student of the acclaimed Sri Lankan film maker Dr.

Sunday Times, on 27 July 2008, "This was the first time a Sri Lankan student's film was chosen in an internationally recognized festival.[12] And the selection was a big step to re-establish short film culture in Sri Lanka."[13][14][15] Life Circle was also selected for screenings at two other student film competitions outside Sri Lanka, in 2004 and 2005.[16][17][18]

Another interview with Dewaprija, published in the Sri Lanka Sunday Times on 5 September 2004, points out that Exchange, a short experimental film whose context is "colonial Sri Lanka under the British rule," which he presented under the auspices of the University of Colombo, was "The first Sri Lankan entry" in the Tokyo Short Shorts Film Festival held in October 2004.[19] It was screened in Program A: Short Shorts: Ghost Short Shorts.[20]

His 30-minute film Transference won the Best "Silver TEN Award" in the Short Films category at the Mumbai International Sport Movies & TV (

FICTS) Festival, first held in Mumbai, India, in 2006,[2][21][22] and was also screened at the South Asia Film Festival and other festivals that year.[4][23]

Today, another short film, which he made while at the Akademie Schloss Solitude in Germany, was selected to compete in "the final round of CinemadaMare Film Festival in Italy" in the summer of 2008; it competed "with over 150 directors around the world at the semi-final round" (10–14 August).[13][24]

His article on the "Sri Lankan Experience of the Short Film", published in ArtSlant Magazine, states, "Recently, after I presented two of my short films titled 'Life Circle' and 'Exchange' in

Tel-Aviv Student … Festival (2004), and Short shorts film festival Tokyo (2005), respectively, the dialogue about the short-film in Sri Lanka has resurfaced to a certain extent"; he goes on to focus on what having his films included in such student festivals meant to him personally and develops his own perspective on short film as an art form and an industry in Sri Lanka.[25]

Filmography

Full Length Films

Year Title Credited as Notes
Directors Screenwriters Producers
2018 Bahuchithawadiya (The Undecided) Yes Yes Yes [26][27][28][29]

The film is explored how the global village has confused the expectations and unrealistic desires of the youth in a world of consumerism. Developed world, the youth here are striving to find greener pastures in alien cultural and economic worlds. Social networks have provided these youth an opportunity in search of virtual visa to their fantasized worlds.

Film was screen as world premier at the 40th Moscow International Film festival 2018

NETPAC(Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema)in competition section[30] won Best Independent film award at Independents Film Festival in Karlsruhe, Germany [31]
won Lester James Peris Special jury award for Debut Film - 34th Sarasaviya Film Festival 2018, won Special jury award for Best Direction - 8th SAARC Film Festival 2018, won best Film at Cinema of Tomorrow 2017 Organized by Derana and Screened at 26th Loveisfolly International Film festival in Bulgaria 2018

Short films

Year Title Credited as Notes
Directors Screenwriters Producers
1998 Anxiety (short film) Yes Yes National Youth Services Council [13]
2002 Penetrate (short film) Yes Yes University of Colombo [13][20]
2003 Exchange (short film) Yes Yes University of Colombo [19][20]
2004 Life Circle (short film) Yes Yes University of Colombo [19][20]
2006 Transference (short film) Yes Yes University of Colombo [13][21][32][33][34][35]
2007 Today (short film) Yes Yes Akademie Schloss Solitude [13]
2008 Malte (short film) Yes Yes Akademie Schloss Solitude [13]

Radio Play experience

Since his school days he has written a number of various radio plays and submitted to produce to Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation. He Passed the Audition at SLBC in 1995 and qualified as a radio ply performing artist. Printed versions are available his number of original radio play collections named as"off with the head-(Uge hisa Ivarai)In 2005", "May you attain comforts of worldly life in Japan-(Nihon Sapa Labewa)"in 2012, "Balance Bareke Busheka Burul( wobbly bush in the balance bar)"in 2023. He Published "Earful of visual (Kanata Parak)" Radio play Audio Collection in 2016,[36][37][38][39] Kanata Parak (Earful of Visuals), a dual audio CD anthology of 14 Radio Play collection an aesthetic revolutionary change in the sphere of Radio Plays in Sri lankan Radio history after 90 year. Earful of Visuals has vocally contributed nearly 60 Sinhala and Tamil prominent artistes. The Granted of this project by Artlink of FLICT aka GIZ[40] (Facilitating Initiatives For Social Cohesion & Transformation) and presented by Contemporary Art Commune.[41][42]

Volume 1 [43]

  • I.Bashmanthara (between two mind)
    Sinhalese
  • II.Nihon Sepalebewa (May you attain comforts of worldly life in Japan)
    Sinhalese
  • III.Rangadena Kapuwo (Trickster Matchmakers)
    Sinhalese
  • IV.Alayaka Damanaya (Love Tamed)
    Sinhalese
  • V.Nawanalu Dahama (tele drama worlds order)
    Sinhalese
  • VII.Ore idaththil soolaludhal (stagnation) Tamil

Volume 2, [44]

  • VIII.Tharuwan Saranai (blessed by Star)
    Sinhalese
  • IX.Ekathena Kerakuma (stagnation)
    Sinhalese
  • X.Suwadena Agni (soothing fire)
    Sinhalese
  • XI.Nirabhishekana (fake felicitations)
    Sinhalese
  • XII.Roma roopana (life in times of rome)
    Sinhalese
  • XIV.Kalyana tharagargal (trickster matchmakers) Tamil

Malaka was declared as the Best Radio Drama writer award at the Sri lankan First State Radio Awards festival was held at the Nelum Pokuna Theater on 13 February 2017. It was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, North-Western Development and Cultural Affairs, Department of Cultural Affairs and the State Advisory Board for Radio.[45]

Malaka Dewapriya was awarded again as the Best Radio Drama Scriptwriter in the 2nd State Awards festival at the Nelum Pokuna Theater on 12 February 2019. Iranganie Serasinghe and Ramya Wanigasekara won special jury awards for their performance in Dewapriya’s radio plays at the festival[46]

State Radio Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 Rangadena Kapuwo (Trickster Matchmakers) Best Radio Play writer Won
2019 Indrajalika Magul Senakeli (Magical festival) Best Radio Play writer Won

Radio Play Controversy

Dewapriya was interrogated by the Police Organized Crimes Prevention Division (OCPD) for approximately four hours on October 17, 2019, for the second time, following a complaint about his radio dramas broadcast by ITN FM in 2018. .[47] The complaint had been lodged by a group of monks from the Buddhist Information Centre, led by Angulugalle Siri Jinananda monk.[48] They alleged that the titles of Dewapriya’s dramas were blasphemous distortions of Buddhist terminology. It appears that the content of these dramas sparked controversy and led to criminal proceedings against him, with a filed case number B/98930/01/18 under relevant Sections 291A and Section 291B of the Penal Code and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act (ICCPR Act) No. 56 of 2007.[49] The phrases “Tharuwan Saranai” and “Nihon Sapa Labewa,” a playful twist on commonly used phrases, were deemed offensive by those who interpreted them. However, the content of the radio dramas was far from religious. For instance, “Tharuwan Saranai” explored the public's obsession with superstars and reality shows, while “Nihon Sapa Labewa” satirized the consistent attempts of Sri Lankan youth to emigrate to Japan in search of greener pastures.[50] In response, Dewapriya filed a human rights petition under case number SC(F/R)No349/18 in the Supreme Court, claiming infringement of his fundamental rights (FR). This case was taken up in 2019 before a three-bench comprising their Lordships Justices S. Thureraja, E.A. G. R Amarasekara, and presided over by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya. However, the court refused to grant Leave to Proceed on 30 October 2019. Malaka Dewapriya’s creative work stirred controversy, leading to legal scrutiny. The International PEN organization [51][52] [53] and other social movements protested against the infringement on fundamental religious autonomy. Dewapriya’s commitment to defending his rights remains steadfast as he navigates the complexities of artistic expression and legal challenges in Sri Lanka.[54][55]

Theatre

He entered the field of stage drama as a child actor in 1989. He has experienced with eminent young dramatist and contributed as an actor in National youth festival and State drama festival award winning productions such as 1991 The Plague(Mahamariya)By Upali Gamlath, 1992 'Shadows and Men(Sevaneli saha minissu) By

One for the Road' play in 2001. Play was Performed at King George Hall, Colombo
for Youth and State Drama Festival and won awards In 2001 as a University of Colombo production.

Director; translator (from English into
Sinhalese
)
  • 2001
    One for the Road (play by Harold Pinter)[4][56][57]
Director; (Original in Sinhalese)
  • 1992 Volcano – (short play)
  • 1991 Forgiveness – (short children's play)[4]

Exhibitions
  • 2014 Colombo Art Biennale Colombo, Sri Lanka(31 January 2013 to 9 February 2013)[61]
  • 2012 Colombo Art Biennale Colombo, Sri Lanka(15 to 15 February)[62]
  • 2011 4to Internacional Festival of Video Art, Camagüey 2011 Camagüey, Cuba (25 November 29 )[63]
  • 2011 "Videoholica" – 4th International Video Art Festival, Varna Puppet Theatre BLOCK RE-A Varna, Bulgaria (7 August )[64][65]
  • 2010 "Earseyes" – Tokyo wonder site, Tokyo, Japan (25th'Sat' December)[66]
  • 2010 "Urban Civilization and Humanity" – Yeosu International Art Festival, Jinnam Art and Culture Center Yeosu, South Korea (1–10, October)[67]
  • 2010 "Short video of Modern Musical Performance" – "Ears and Eyes" at KNUA Hall, Seoul, South Korea (9 August )[68]
  • 2010 "Experimental Sound, Art & Performance Festival-Osaka" at The Phoenix Hall, Osaka, Japan (4 August )[69]
  • 2010 "Earth"–Supernatural / Video Art Festival Miden in Kalamata's Historic Centre, Kalamata, Greece (8–10, July)[70]
  • 2010 "Silent art films xx contemporary music":Experimental Sound, Art & Performance Festival,2009 –Video, at Tokyo wonder site, Tokyo, Japan (27th'Sat' February )[71]
  • 2009 "Ok" Video Comedy, 4th Jakarta International Video Festival, Jakarta, Indonesia (28 July – 9 August 2009)[72]
  • 2009 "Open Studio5" (part1) – Video installation (Group show with National and international Artist, National Goyang Art studio), Seoul, South Korea (24 – 26 April)[73]
  • 2009 "Hi Asia":Contemporary art Exhibition –Video installation (Volition)at Sungsan Art Hall, Changwon, South Korea(17 April-5 May)[74]
  • 2009 "Rhythmic flow "– Video installation at Art Center Nabi, Seoul, South Korea (1 – 30 April )[75][76]
  • 2009 "Mind Street "– Video installation (Group Exhibition at EM art Gallery), Seoul, South Korea (13 – 20 March )[77]
  • 2008 "She Fits" (aka "SheFits" and "Shifits") – Video installation in Group Show: Fetish and Consumption (29 May – 5 July)at Akademie Schloss Solitude, Solitude 3, Stuttgart, Germany;[78][79] participant in Long Night of the Museums (5 April), at Akademie Schloss Solitude, Römerstrasse 2, Stuttgart, Germany.[80]
  • 2007 "Silence through Colours, Shapes and Darkness" in My Oasis of Silence – Photography and video, at Goethe-Institut, Colombo, Sri Lanka[81]
  • 2006 "Human, Texture and Pattern" in Imagine Tropics – Photography, at Goethe-Institut, Colombo, Sri Lanka[3]
  • 2005 "Life" – Photography, at Lionel Wendt Memorial Art Centre gallery, Colombo, Sri Lanka[4]
  • 2003 "Chayavalokana" – Photography, at University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka[4]

Other works

  • Dewapriya, Malaka. 'Balance Bareke Busheka Burul'( wobbly bush in the balance bar). Radio Drama Collection. VAPA University Press, Colombo 7 :2023.
    Sinhalese)[82][83]
  • Dewapriya, Malaka. "Sri Lankan Experience of the Short Film". Artslant Magazine (First 2009). artslant. artslant.com. World Wide Web. Retrieved on 2009-01-18.
  • Dewapriya, Malaka (22 August 2023). 'Nihon Sepa Lebewa' (May you attain comforts of worldly life in Japan). Radio Drama Collection. Kolamba:2012.
    Sinhalese)[84][85][86][87][88]
  • Dewapriya, Malaka. Magical Festival: A Radio Drama. Colección nueva narrativa y poesía sudaca border año 2007. Buenos Aires:
    OCLC 233002160. (Corrugated board bindings.)[89][90]
  • Dewapriya, Malaka (22 August 2023). Uge Hisa Ivarai (Off with His Head). Radio Drama Collection. Kolamba: Mālaka Dēvapriya [sic], 2006.
    Sinhalese).[90][91][92][93][94]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c "Student Guests" (Web). 10th International Student Film Festival. International Student Film Festival, Tel Aviv, Israel. 5–12 June 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2009. "Student Guests" listed from Sri Lanka"Malaka Dewapriya Grardhiwasam Lindamulage" .
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Fellows: Malaka Dewapriya" (Web). Akademie Schloss Solitude. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
  3. ^ a b "Malaka Dewapriya: Imagine Tropics" (Web). srilankapicturs, Sri Lanka). blogspot.com. 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Other" (Web). Malaka Dewapriya. Webpage in personal Website; see also introductory welcome page. Cf. "CV view" via GoYang Studio search facility.
  5. ^
    National Museum of Contemporary Art
    , now announces final result of the successful candidates on the Asia Pacific Artist fellowship program 2008–2009: Goyang art studio: … Yasuaki Onishi (Japan)[;] … Thu Kim Vu (Vietnam)[;] … Malaka Dewapriya ([Sri Lanka]).
  6. ^ "Malaka Excels with Short Films" (Web). Sunday Times (Colombo, Sri Lanka), Mirror Magazine. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. 5 September 2004. Retrieved 18 February 2009.
  7. ^ Cf. "Fellowship Conditions" (Web). Akademie Schloss Solitude. Akademie Schloss Solitude. 2008–2009. Retrieved 16 February 2009. Fellowships are awarded to artists who finished their basic studies not more than five years before applying to Akademie Schloss Solitude or who are not older than 35. University or college students will not be considered for selection. Several fellowships are also awarded regardless of the applicant's age. It is possible to complete a project within the framework of the fellowship. 50 to 60 fellowships are allocated every 24 months. Akademie Schloss Solitude has 45 studios at its disposal.
  8. National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
    . 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2009. (2009 competition deadline: 1 March 2009.)
  9. ^ a b Sachie Fernando (25 July 2004). "Spell of Stage and Screen" (Web). Sunday Times (Colombo, Sri Lanka), Mirror Magazine. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 9 February 2008. Young undergraduate Malaka Dewapriya talks to Sachie Fernando of his local and international exposure in drama and cinema. [Interview with Dewapriya.]
  10. ^ "Film Search: Life Circle" (Web). 10th International Student Film Festival. International Student Film Festival, Tel Aviv. 5–12 June 2004. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  11. ^ "The Winners" (Web). 10th International Student Film Festival. International Student Film Festival, Tel Aviv. 5–12 June 2004. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  12. ^ "Malaka makes to Amsterdam". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Susitha R. Fernando (27 July 2008). "Malaka's International Mark in Short Movies" (Web). Sunday Times (Colombo, Sri Lanka), TV Times. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 10 February 2009. [Interview with Dewapriya.]
  14. ^ "About Us" (Web). 10th International Student Film Festival. International Student Film Festival, Tel Aviv. 5–12 June 2004. Retrieved 15 February 2009.
  15. ^ "Contemporary movie completes shooting" (Web). sundaytimes. sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
  16. ^ Susitha R. Fernando (4 December 2005). "Malaka's Movie Makes Its Mark in New York" (Web). Sunday Times (Colombo, Sri Lanka), TV Times. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 9 February 2009. Student filmmaker Malaka Devapriya's short film 'Life Circle' has been selected for the Chimera 25th Anniversary Digital Video Student Film Contest, in New York. [Interview with Dewapriya.]
  17. ^ Susitha R. Fernando (15 May 2005). "Malaka Makes to Amsterdam" (Web). Sunday Times (Colombo, Sri Lanka), TV Times. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved 9 February 2009. [Student filmmaker] Malaka Dewapriya … left for [the] Netherlands to participate at the International Competition of Cinestud's, Amsterdam this year. [His] contribution is his [short film] 'Life Circle'. … On a scholarship, Malaka is presently undergoing his higher education on 'film, video and new media' at Akademie Schloss Solitude in Germany and [another short film] 'Today' is one of the production[s] he did in Germany with production support of the academy. [Interview with Dewapriya.]
  18. MPEG)). StudentFilmmakers.com. Chimera Digital Video Student Film Contest
    (Welch Media). 3 November 2005. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  19. ^ a b c "Malaka Excels with Short Films" (Web). Sunday Times (Colombo, Sri Lanka), Mirror Magazine. Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. 5 September 2004. Retrieved 18 February 2009. A short film 'Exchange' made by young filmmaker Malaka Devapriya has been selected for the final round of the 'Shorts Shorts' International Short Film Festival. The festival scheduled for October is a competition that runs parallel to the Tokyo International Film Festival. … The film is a presentation of Cinema and Photographic Society and Media Unit of Colombo University. [Interview with Dewapriya.]
  20. ^ a b c d "Exchange, by Malaka Devapriya" (Web). ShortShorts.org. Short Shorts Film Festival Asia. 2004. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
  21. ^
    Bollywood
    ', where close to 1000 films are made every year, [Ten Films] and [FICTS] have joined hands to organize the Sport Movies & TV India FICTS Festival. ("About the Festival")
  22. ^ "Malaka's 'Transference' in Berlin and Karachchi" (Web). TV Times. sundaytimes. 2006. Retrieved 22 October 2006.
  23. Sinhalese
    .
  24. ^ "CinemadaMare Film Festival: 7th Edition: Concept" (Web). CinemadaMare Film Festival. 2009. Retrieved 18 February 2009. The biggest gathering of young Filmmakers in the world(Website for festival dates: 4 July – 16 August 2009): "CinemadaMare Film Festival aims to be the ideal formative experience for all filmmakers and cinema students: that kind of experience that achieves its goal – professional and human growth – through enjoyment and entertainment."
  25. ^ Malaka Dewapriya (2009). "Sri Lankan Experience of the Short Film" (Web). ArtSlant Magazine. Colombo Film Circle. Retrieved 9 February 2009. (Free access.)
  26. ^ "Malaka Makes Maiden Feature" (Web). sundaytimes. sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
  27. ^ "Bahuchithavadiyage Agamanaya". dailynews. dailynews.lk/. Archived from the original (Web) on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  28. ^ "'Malaka brings 'Bahuchithawadiya'" (Web). sundaytimes. sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  29. ^ "Malaka Dewapriya to release maiden feature, says cinematographers must contribute towards socio-cultural boost". Daily FT. ft.lk. Archived from the original (Web) on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  30. ^ "Discovery. Cinema of Sri Lanka" (Web). moscowfilmfestivalT. 40.moscowfilmfestival.ru. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  31. ^ "BIIF-Awards 2018" (Web). bestindependentsfilmfestival. bestindependentsfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  32. International Student Film Festival, Tel Aviv, Israel
    . 3–10 June 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  33. ^ Malaka Dewapriya. "Transference" (World Wide Web). Personal Website. Malaka Dewapriya. Retrieved 12 February 2009. Includes synopsis, production details, and "A Review by Harsha Nagaraju".
  34. ^ 1st Mumbai International FICTS Festival. "Silver TEN Award" (World Wide Web). smtvindia Website. smtvindia. Archived from the original on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  35. Sunday Times (Colombo, Sri Lanka). Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. 18 June 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2009. Young short-filmmaker Malaka Dewapriya's film 'Transparence' [sic] was screened at the 11th Tel Aviv International Student Film Festival, Israel
    . [The title of the film is misspelled; it is Transference, not Transparence.]
  36. ^ "Kanata parak redio katha" (Web). OPAC - National Library of Sri Lanka. National Library and Documentation Services Board. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  37. ^ "AN EARFUL!" (Web). dailynews. dailynews.lk/. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  38. ^ "Arts: Art of creating dramatic visuals through sound" (Web). Sunday Observer (Colombo, Sri Lanka). 13 July 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2017. CD is supported by vocal contributions of nearly 40 prominent artistes. These include Jayalath Manorathna, Dharmasiri Bandaranayake, Saman Athaudahetti, Lucian Bulathsinhala, Hemasiri Liyanage, W. Jayasiri, Buddhadasa Withanachchi, Chandra Kaluarachchi, Ramya Wanigasekara, Rathna Lalani, Damayanthi Fonseka, Lakashman Mendis, Saumaya Liyanage, Kaushalya Fernando, Darmapriya Dias, Deepani Silva, Chandrasoma Binduhewa, Raja Ganeshan, Niranjani Shanmugaraja and several others. Theme music for the CD has been created by Lakshman Wijesekara.
  39. ^ "Art of creating dramatic visuals through sound" (Web). sundaytimes. sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  40. ^ "On a creative path with a little help from Art linK". Sunday Times. Retrieved 15 April 2015. Art linK supports creative blood. Following the advertisements placed in newspapers, 126 proposals came in.The twelve grantees and the work they are to do are as follows:Musicmatters, led by Sumudi Suraweera, Sivamohan Sumathy with Villimbuhal on artists, Kandy Kathak Kendra led by Veronika Dassanayaka, M. I. Jaffir, together with Sirahununi Production House, Sudath Mahadivulwewa, with X 10 Productions, A. Jathindra head the Social Development and Research Organisation's (SDRO), Kalasuri Dharmasiri Bandaranayake led by Trikone, The Centre for Peace Building and Reconciliation (CPBR), led by Prof. Jayantha Seneviratne and Dilshani Jayaweera, Malaka Devapriya led by Contemporary Art Commune, Jayathilaka Bandara head NAFSO, Chandraguptha Thenuwara, working for Vibhavi Academy of Fine Arts, Delon Weerasinghe led by Dreamforge.Art linK is a programme implemented by Facilitating Initiatives for Social Cohesion and Transformation (GIZ-FLICT) – a bilateral cooperation between the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, Local Government and Democratic Governance. .
  41. ^ "Art linK encourages artists to soar" (Web). srilankamirror. srilankamirror.com/. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  42. ^ "On a creative path with a little help from Art linK" (Web). sundaytimes. sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  43. ^ "Kanata parak redio katha" (Web). OPAC - National Library of Sri Lanka. National Library and Documentation Services Board. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  44. ^ "Kanata parak redio katha" (Web). OPAC - National Library of Sri Lanka. National Library and Documentation Services Board. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  45. ^ "Malaka wins radio drama award" (Web). sundaytimes. sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  46. ^ "Soaring in the waves" (Web). dailynews. dailynews.lk. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  47. ^ "ONUR-sponsored Radio Plays receive bad reception" (Web). sundaytimes. Retrieved 16 April 2023. The issue was first raised by Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera, over the Radio drama series, "Kanata parak", aired over State-owned ITN FM, which contain several phrases used by Buddhists and particularly, members of the Buddhist clergy, to greet/bless others.Ven. Omalpe Sobitha said the use of phrases of the Dhamma in this manner is tantamount to ridiculing Buddhism, and is an insult to Buddhists. Malaka Dewapriya, defended his play on words from Buddhist terminology, saying it was his right as an artiste to choose the title of his dramas. "Artistes must have room to be creative, otherwise we will become a regressive society. I ask those who criticise my productions to listen to them and come forward for an open discussions." he said."The Radio plays were reviewed by a committee of officials and artistes and given the go-ahead, following which ONUR had agreed to sponsor all 15 plays to be aired on ITN FM," he said. The Committee was made up of artistes as well as Additional Secretary (Media) of the Prime Minister's Office, Saman Athaudahetti.
  48. ^ "Playwright Dewapriya released after recording long statement" (Web). srilankabrief. 18 October 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2023. A strongly worded statement made by Devapriya on the matter had prevented the police from asking his client too many questions. As they were satisfied with the statement recorded today, the OCPD has told Devapriya that they will send a report based on the statement to the Attorney General's Department.
  49. ^ "Award-winning Sri Lankan playwright penalised under UN law" (Web). jdslanka. Retrieved 16 April 2023. Police in Sri Lanka have used a UN-backed law designed to protect fundamental rights including freedom of expression for legal action against an award-winning playwright. This is the second time this year that police used the ICCPR act to punish writers seen as critical by the dominant Buddhist hierarchy.
  50. ^ "Award-winning artiste Malaka Dewapriya decries censorship" (Web). sundayobserver. Retrieved 16 April 2023. Minister of Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has ordered the Inspector General of Police to commence investigations. Speaking to the Sunday Observer Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara confirmed that investigations have now commenced in this regard by DIG Crime and Organised Crime Kamal Silva
  51. ^ "Malaka Dewapriya Creative Artist, Dramatist" (Web). penorg. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2023. STATUS Continued Harassment
  52. ^ "42nd Session of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review UN Human Rights Council" (Web). fidh. Retrieved 16 April 2023. Violations oftheright to freedom of expression have primarily stemmed from the enforcement of two laws, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)and the PTA. In some instances, both laws have been used together to target individuals, especially those belonging to minority communities.
  53. ^ "Sri Lankan authorities delay on whether to prosecute" (Web). penorg. wsws. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2023. On the eve of the recent presidential election, film director and playwright Malaka Devapriya was questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department over alleged violations of the ICCPR Act
  54. ^ "ONUR radio dramas, authors under fire despite lack of religious references in creative works" (Web). sundayobserve. 25 August 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2023. Author and Civil Society activist, Gamini Viyangoda expressed his dismay that the suppression of artistes should happen under the good governance government.Shakthika told the Sunday Observer that it has become a trend to arrest artists at the behest of extremists. "If they feel any artwork is anti-Buddhist they complain and use their civil powers to suppress artists," he said. According to him, this has instilled fear in artists, while also confusing Buddhism among the populace as it is a religion that encourages freedom of thought."If these extremist elements get stronger, will artists have to leave the country?" he questioned. "Freedom of expression must be protected at all costs," he added. Jayasekara agrees as he warns that if this situation may not be temporary, the danger continues to loom over the local art industry.According to the Chairman of the PPB, Saman Athaudahetti the current board has been liberal and not banned any artwork to date. "We even gave permission for films that had been shelved due to censors previously," he saidSpeaking in Parliament recently, Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera also expressed his dismay. Samaraweera claimed there was an attempt to create an image of the Government as 'Anti-Buddhist' through these efforts. recognizing the plays' adherence to authentic Buddhist principles after personally reviewing them. His parliamentary address emphasized their alignment with genuine Buddhist philosophy, countering allegations of blasphemy. This recognition of the plays' intrinsic value was documented in the Hansard at page 1374 of volume 262, 2018 "The summoning of Dewapriya shows the danger against artistes and freedom of art as well as expression," he noted. He says this is an attack on progressive art in the country
  55. ^ "Critics 'tune' into wrong frequency" (Web). dailymirror. Retrieved 16 April 2023. Jaylath Manorathna observed that it's the responsibility of readers, listeners, observers and viewers to listen, view and read these episodes before presenting opinions. "We are given the opportunity to enjoy the content while it can also be an opportunity to review the content and point out concerns, he said. "What we're seeing here is a blatant misuse of this opportunity. They have voiced their concerns prior to an inadequate study of the content. Their opinions have been based on the premise of an unsuitable title," he added
  56. ^ Malaka Dewapriya (2001). "One for the Road: A Play by Harold Pinter, Translated and Directed by Malaka Dewapriya" (Web). Personal Website. Malaka Dewapriya. Retrieved 10 February 2009. [Includes synopsis, production details, and photograph.]
  57. ^ "Arts: The Best of Them – Onstage: Second Round Selections – Length Dramas: One For The Road – Malaka Dewapriya" (Web). Sunday Leader (Colombo, Sri Lanka). 13 July 2003. Retrieved 10 February 2009. The 2002–2003 National Drama Festival second round will be held at Tower Hall from July 14 to August 5 from 6.30 pm onwards. One unique feature of the festival is that length dramas and short dramas will be held together with alternative theatre.
  58. ^ "Launch of three books on Sinhala theatre by Dr. Dharmasena Pathiraja" (Web). dailyft. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2018. Dharmasena Pathiraja is hardly known to the present generation as a dramatist but it is ascertained that his early career was committed to the theatre of Sri Lanka. Pathiraja's ('Kora Saha Andaya', which was scripted by him as an original play and directed by veteran dramatist Dhamma Jagoda in 1970; 'Putu', a Sinhala translation of a play by Eugene Ionesco, directed by Pathiraja himself for the State Drama Festival in 1971
  59. ^ "Cinnamon Colomboscope" (Web). cinnamoncolomboscope.com. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  60. ^ "John Keells Foundation supports local artists at Cinnamon Colomboscope" (Web). ft.lk. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  61. ^ "Colombo Art Biennale" (Web). colomboartbiennale.com. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  62. ^ "Colombo Art Biennale" (Web). colomboartbiennale.com. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
  63. ^ "Cita internacional para la videocreación contemporánea" (Web). arteporexcelencias.com. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  64. ^ "Videoholica 2011– International Video Art Festival" (Web). thierryferreira.com/videoholica-2011-bulgaria. thierryferreira.com. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  65. ^ "Videoholica Program 2011" (Web). videoholica.org. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  66. ^ "Grand Prize-ensemble cross.art "earseyes"" (Web). Tokyo wonder site. tokyo-ws.org. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  67. ^ "Yeosu International Art Festival". blog.daum.net. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
  68. ^ "Ears and Eyes" (Web). mastmedia. mastmedia.co.kr. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  69. ^ "Experimental Sound, Art&Performance Festival". ensemblecrossart. .ensemblecrossart.com. Retrieved 17 August 2010.
  70. ^ "Supernatural". estivalmiden. festivalmiden.gr. Retrieved 31 July 2010.
  71. ^ "Silent art films" (Web). Tokyo wonder site. tokyo-ws.org. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  72. ^ "OK.VIDEO COMEDY Jakarta International Video Festival" (Web). 4th Jakarta International Video Festival. hokvideofestival.org. 17 July 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  73. ^ "artmuseums: Open Studio5 (part1" (Web). artmuseum. artmuseums dot kr. Retrieved 20 April 2009.
  74. ^ "Hi Asia" (Web). 2009 Changwon Asian Art. blog dot naverdot com. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  75. ^ "comostory: rhythmic" (Web). nabi.or.kr. comostory dot com. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  76. ^ "artwork: Earth" (Web). nabi.or.kr. nabi. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  77. ^ "emarts: Mind Street" (Web). emarts. emarts dot kr. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  78. ^ "Group Show: 18 Artists: Fetish and Consumption (final): 29 May 2008 until 5 July 2008 at Akademie Schloß Solitude, Stuttgart" (Web). ArtFacts.net. ArtFacts. 29 May 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
  79. ^ "Fellows: Gallery of the Exhibition Opening Fetish and Consumption" (Web). 29 May 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2009. [Includes image of "She Fits" (aka "SheFits"), by Malaka Dewapriya, his entry in this exhibition.]
  80. ^ "Events: Long Night of the Museums" (Web). Events Archive: 19.00. Akademie Schloss Solitude. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2009. As they do every year, Solitude fellows transform the Akademie's project space, located in the middle of Stuttgart's inner city, for the Long Night of the Museums. Fellows from the areas of architecture, video, visual arts, literature, music and performance will take part in the event in the Römerstrasse 2 outpost, which is used as studio and event space. … Participating artists are: Corinne May Botz, Malaka Dewapriya, Katalin Hausel, Matthias A. Megyeri, Donata Rigg, Helene Sommer, Roselyne Titaud. [Event announcement.]
  81. ^ "Silence through Colours, Shapes and Darkness" (Web). My Oasis of Silence Exhibition Catalogue. Goethe-Institut, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 13 February 2009. (Participating photographer.)
  82. ^ Cf. "Tapestry of a visual artiste" (Web). sundayobserverArticles. sundayobserver. Retrieved 2 July 2023. K. B. Herath Eminent Dramatist in Sri Lanka Writes as Johannes Biranger says, there is also an audio illusion in the post-modern era. Visual imagery as well as voice and rhythm have garnered unprecedented attention, with electronic sounds becoming the primary means of providing entertainment. It is in this backdrop that Malaka mentions the renaissance of radio drama around the world. And it is in this environment, the radio plays written by Malaka emerge as wonderful artistic creations in the field of performing arts . Malaka is the exception. His collection of ten radio drama series 'Balance Bar Eke Bush Eka Burul' (wobbly bush in the balance bar) is a masterpiece in script writing, showcasing his skills, imagination, talent and creativity . The first is the use his imagination that seamlessly shifts between reality and fiction. In dramatic art, human nature is created by the logic of imagination, with imaginary logic bridging the border between reality and illusion. This, according to Helen Nicholson, is not a copy of an existing situation, but a creation. Second is the narrative style, where all the stories are broadcast with a broad understanding of the artistic effects of theatre. How the narratives are structured generate meaning upon meaning, blurring the lines between reality and imagination is extremely interesting. A series of verbal gestures accomplishes much that visual images cannot. Amphibians are the main characters in many of these stories. That is; the fictional characters of the imagination represent the many pentacles of reality . Malaka's radio drama marks the birth of an independent writer with a rare talent. As Walter Benjamin said, storytelling is a place to explore and represent personality, culture, and society.'
  83. ^ Cf. "A Writer with a Nonconventional Practice" (Web). dailynews. 9 November 2023. Lucian Bulathsinhala pioneer Dramatist in Sri Lanka Writes as While retaining aspects of human stories, he chooses to emphasize the contradictions within them, bringing out characters, human behavior or situations that go against societal conventions or give rise to dilemmas. Through his writings – that draw on expressionism and sarcasm – he strives to confront us with the real society and patterns of human behaviorexperienced within social, political, and religious institutions that we inhabit in our daily lives. Instead offeel-good stories that warm the listeners' heart, bring a tear to their eye, or transport them to a dream world, Malaka's dramas confront the listener with the bitter reality that s/he is a part of. This endeavor by Malaka may be viewed by most as a self-defeating exercise. And it may not be surprising that when measured against traditional standards, characters and incidents in his plays are pronounced by some to be 'unreal' or 'impossible'. This collection of radio dramas reveals a creator who instead of remaining silent, chooses to engage in a practice that goes against traditional norms, in order to speak out about the tragedy of a society cursed with island mentality and slave mentality; a society that in the absence of rule of law and moral compass,is drowning amidst broken down and distorted social, political and religious institutions. '
  84. ^ "Book discussion on Friday" (Web). dailynews. dailynews.lk. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  85. ^ "Malaka's role in Radio plays" (Web). sundaytimes. sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  86. ^ Cf. "Integrity of a non-conformist artist" (Web). ceylontoday. Retrieved 27 September 2012. Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri who Senior Lecturer of the department of history at the University of Colombo, Writes Malaka's work is a challenge for the Sinhala Buddhists and it is expose the Sinhala Buddhist mind, highlighting what was between the material life of the Sinhala Buddhist and the ideological curtain covering such material lives. Therefore, he describe the Sinhala Buddhist readership cannot deal with these texts without being critical of him/her. Such is the political importance contained in these works of art.
  87. Daily News (Sri Lanka), Features. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd
    . Retrieved 2 January 2013. a compilation of self-written radio-plays, one word can trigger a thousand visuals in a listener's mind. Malaka has compiled ten inspirational self-written radio-plays with rich content in his book. Amongst them, Nihon* Sepa Lebewa, Bhashmanthara, Mana Widamana and Nirabhishekana take reader on a trail towards a non-explored zone in human life.
  88. ^ Cf. "Mesmerizing Plays of Satirical Genre meant for Radio Media" (Web). BoondiArticles. Boondi. Retrieved 2 July 2013. Athulasiri Kumara Samarakoon who lecturer in Political Science, Social Studies Department, Open University of Sri Lanka, Writes 'Thematically, Malaka's plays are very rich and he has used his creative faculty to make an exciting experience for the reader. The reality that we talk about could always be 'out there', but still the 'unconscious' that we can never get explored totally is only an area to be explored by arts. Malaka has brilliantly examined the unconscious dimension of contemporary consumerist society, its human subjectivity and political economy in many ways shedding lights on some chosen characters from our own environment'.'Malaka's attempt in a way fills the vacuum created by artists in the caliber of Sugathapala de Silva and Henry Jayasena who consciously used their creations to expose the ideology and politics underpinning the social and economic system forced on our lives by history's circumstances. So, the art of the epoch have to be conscious of such circumstances and the dialectical forces of the history and thereby work for liberating the human beings from the agonizing political, social, cultural and economic circumstances enforced on their lives. And Malaka Dewapriya belongs to that rare caliber of artists who have identified the human potential of making history of their choice and also the need for conscious effort towards such transformations'.
  89. OCLC 233002160 – via OCLC
    .
  90. ^ a b "Dēvapriya, Mālaka" (Web). Identities (Beta). WorldCat. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
  91. ^ Malaka Dewapriya is both author and publisher; publication sponsored by Book Developing Fund of the National Library of Sri Lanka.
  92. ISBN 978-955-99772-0-9
    ; SupplierBook Development Project; NLC NLC 891.482 DEV; Barcode-112016; Accession No-112016
  93. Sinhala radio plays broadcast over the last ten [sic] years. … Note: Prof. Sunanda Mahendra writes that there are ten plays broadcast over the last three years. But as Author [I] [m]ention there are eleven plays which [were] broadcast from [sic] Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
    since [sic] 1996 – 2005 over 10 years.
  94. Sinhala radio plays broadcast over the last three [sic] years. In his personal Webpage concerning Uge Hisa Ivarai: Radio Drama Collection cited above, Dewapriya provides this (hyperlinked) review published by Professor Sunanda Mahendra
    in the Sri Lankan Daily News: Artscope section, followed by his own "Note" correcting Professor Mahendra's mistake. Dewapriya's WriteClique.net profile reproduces the same ArtScope excerpt and "Note" as those that he has posted on his personal Website.

External links
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