# Chitrananda Abeysekera

Chitrananda Abeysekera (1930–1992) was a veteran broadcaster, poet, writer and an administrator. He joined Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, then Radio Ceylon as a radio announcer and retired as the Director of Sinhala Services in 1989. He was also the President of Aganuwara Tharuna Kavi Samajaya (Athakasa) for more than a decade and initiated a lot of programs that benefited poets and the public alike. He restarted Kavi Suwanda, the poetry newspaper for poets. Chitrananda dedicated his whole life to Sinhala poetry and literature, not forgetting Radio Journalism.

## Early life

Agampodi Harindranath Chitrananda Mendis Abeysekera was born on 7 March 1930 in Kosgoda. He was the only child of Mr. Agampodi Louis Mendis Abeysekera and Mrs. Degiri Roslin Henry de Zoysa. He started his primary education at Kosgoda Sinhala School in Galle district but when he was nine, Chitrananda entered Nalanda College Colombo. He was a prominent member of the College Debating Team and also of the College Culture Club. He published his first book of poetry (Sarasavi Gitaya) as a student at Nalanda with the help of mentor and teacher U. A. S. Perera. Young Chitrananda was a corporal of Nalanda College Colombo Senior Cadet Corps.
Chitrananda began work as an English assistant teacher in a village school in the rural town of Menikkadavara in the Dedigama electorate in 1949. He left this post soon after to lend his hand to the Registrar General's department, Official Languages Commission and the Official Languages Bureau.

## As a radio journalist

On 6 August 1956 he found his long journey at Radio Ceylon as a guest producer of poetry, drama and features. He would subsequently advance to the top position of Director of Sinhala Services which he would hold till his retirement till 1989. In his position, Abeysekera would attempt to advance new talent through programs like 'Nava Mihira'. During this period, he served as the head of the Rural Services and Publication divisions. Chitrananda headed the "Govi Jaya Handa" program project during Hon. Dudley Senanayake era and was very popular among rural Ceylon. He was a very talented and well-known broadcaster and administrator. He was also very popular as a Live Radio commentator.
He got the opportunity to train on different mass media fields at ABC – Australia, BBC, AIBD – Malaysia, Pakistan and in 1980 he represented Sri Lanka at Non-aligned Broadcasters Conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He participated in several Poetry and Cultural events in Yugoslavia and China.

## Photo gallery

* Govi Jaya Handa Awards Given for Farmers-1968 Chitrananda (1st left) was also the MC Hon. Dudley Senanayake was presenting the awards. Mr Neville Jayaweera also in the picture
* Chitrananda at the Non-aligned Broadcasters Conference, Freetown, Sierra Leone
* Chitrananda (in the middle) at Australia Broadcasting Commission (ABC) in 1959 as a Radio & television Scholar
* Chitrananda (in the middle) with Hindi actor, Dilip Kumar and Ceylon Theatres' CEO, Mr Sellamutthu
* Opening of the Rural Service of Radio Ceylon, (from left) George Leslie Ranasinghe, W.R.B. Rajakaruna, Chitrananda Abeysekera, Thevis Guruge, Neville Jayaweera, Stewart Wewel and Prof. Thilak Rathnakara

## As a poet, writer, lyricist

Chitrananda became the President of Young Poets' Association of Colombo (ATHAKASA) in 1979 and held this position till his death. In addition to his initial school publication, Sarasavi Gitaya, Abeysekera published several other poetry collections and story books:
Poetry and Story Books
* Suli Sulang – Poetry, 1961 Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka
* Sakwala Dunna – Poetry Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka
* Suduta Lilu Kavi – Poetry, 1974 Publisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka
* Awatharaya – Short Strory Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka
* Satan Bima Kandulu – Short Story Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka
* Savi Nethi Ath – Novel Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka
* Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi – Songs, 1982 – Collection of Popular Songs written by Chitrananda Publisher:Lassana Printers, Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka
* Kavya Manjari – Poetry, 1983 Publisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka
* Kavya Pushpanjali – Poetry, 1983 – Awarded The Best Poetry Book at The State Literary Awards Festival by The Ministry of Cultural Affairs Publisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka
* Swarana Mali – Poetry, 1984 Publisher:Captain Printers, Maradana 1st, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
* Ran Sannasa – Poetry, 1985 Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka
* Samanala Mahima – Poetry, 1986 – Awarded The Best Poetry Book at The State Literary Awards Festival by The Ministry of Cultural Affairs Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka
* Sewana Ruwana – Poetry, 1987 Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka
* Susata Kala – Poetry, 1989 – Collection of Poems by Prominent Poets Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka
* Samanala Mahima - Poetry, 1986
Popular radio songs
* Jayasiri Ma Bodhi: Singer – Dayaratne Ranatunge, Music – Rohitha Wijesuriya
* Vilwala Mal Pokuru Pokuru: Singer – Neela Wickramasinghe & T.M. Jayaratne
* Ma Ipaduna Mage Ratata Sewaya Karala: Singer – Edward Jayakody
* Nidahasa Gena Kavi Liyanna: Singer – Edward Jayakody
* Wediya Honda Narakai Me Loke: Singer – Mohideen Baig
* Kiri Ithirewa Nawa Wasare: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
* Alokaya Deka Yanna: Singer – Latha Walpola
* Swarnamali Se Kirane: Singer – Amara Ranatunge
* Ran Diya Bindu Mahaweli: Singer –
* Oba Yana Maga Nathara Novi: Singer –
* Ramya Bhumi Saru Bhumi: Singer –
* Jathiye Udara Sithum: Singer – Edward Jayakodi
* Oba Dan Keewath Kandulu Sala: Singer – Milton Mallawarachchi, Music – Sarath Dassanayake
* Sinarella Sisi Kirane: Singer – Milton Mallawarachchi, Music – Sarath Dassanayake
* Keewemi Oba Hata: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
* Man Podikale Dekkata Passe – H.R. Jothipala
Movie Songs
* Movie – Sirimali by Robin Thampoe in 1959 Produced by P.L. Buddhadasa & Meena Thampoe Music by V. Krishnamurthi (Indian national)
Song – Karunawe Yukath Dharma: Singer – Latha Walpola Song – Aakase Aawase: Singer – Latha and Dharmadasa Walpola Song – Aay Wade Mey: Singer – Christy Leonard Perera and K. Rani Song – Rani Karalini: Singer – Latha Walpola Song – Pem Hada Moray: Singer – Latha Walpola Song – Pun Chandra Paaya: Singer – Indrani Wijebandara and Sidney Attygalle Song – Sinasewi Wando: Singer – Latha Walpola
* Movie – Nalangana by L.S. Ramachandran in 1960 Produced by S. M. Nayagam Music by R. Muththusami
Song – Ho Surathal: Singer – Rukmani Devi Song – Me Aawaa Mung Awaa: Singer – Rukmani Devi
* Movie – Pirimiyek Nisa by T. Somasekaran & K.A.W. Perera in 1960 Produced by Premalal Edirisinghe (E.A.P. Edirisinghe) Music by R. Muththusami
Song – Agata Kadun: Singer – Latha Walpola Song – Suwandathi Pipunu Kusum: Singer – Latha Walpola Song – Dutu Da Wagema Lasanayi: Singer – Dharmadasa and Latha Walpola Song – Meda Poti Athata Mitata: Singer – Mohideen Baig, Srimathi Rasodari and chorus
* Movie – Suvineetha Lalini by Robin Thampoe in 1961 Produced by Robin Thampoe Music by R. Muththusami
Song – Pem Ganine: Singer – Angeline de Lanerolle (Gunatillake) and H. R. Jothipala Song – Doy Doya Puthe: Singer – Latha Walpola Song – Loku Podi Katath: Singer – Chandra de Silva and L. M. Perera Song – Amme Badagini Wenawa: Singer – Angeline de Lanerolle, Indrani Wijebandara and chorus Song – Maha Polowe Upan: Singer – Mohideen Baig Song – Sapawath Pawuluk Paramarithe: Singer – Mohideen Baig Song – Thani We Mey Loke: Singer – Latha Walpola Song – Lipe Mule: Singer – Sidney Attygalle and Angeline de Lanerolle Song – Nihaday Gamanaya: Singer – H. R. Jothipala, Angeline de Lanerolle and chorus Song – Suhada Madura Preme: Singer – H. R. Jothipala and Angeline de Lanerolle
* Movie – Mage Putha by Devendra Goyel in 1961 Dubbing Direction by Thewis Guruge Music by P.L.A. Somapala Original Hindi Movie:Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan
Song – Assaya Gone Tik Tik Tik I: Singer – Latha Walpola & Geetha
Song – Assaya Gone Tik Tik Tik II: Singer – Latha Walpola & Geetha
Song – Nivi Nivi Dilihe Tharuwe I: Singer – Indrani Wijayabandara Song – Nivi Nivi Dilihe Tharuwe II: Singer – Latha Walpola
* Movie – Samiya Birindage Deviyaya by Robin Thampoe
Song – Kothanaka Sitiyath Oba Melowe: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
Song – Lassana Rattharan Babo: Singer – Rukmani Devi Song – Kiyanna Ran Kanda: Singer – Rukmani Devi Song – Monawa Hithagena: Singer – Rukmani Devi Song – Oba Dekumen Ma Sith: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
* Movie – Sudo Sudu by Robin Thampoe in 1965 Music – Somadasa Elvitigala
Song – Savibala Yakada Wagei: Singer – W.D. Amaradewa Song – Prema Sebawii: Singer – Latha & Dharmadasa Walpola Song – Heenmenike Mage: Singer – W.D. Amaradewa
* Movie – Sarana by Asoka Pieris Music – Mohamed Sali & P.L.A. Somapala Singers – Sujatha Perera, Latha & Dharmadasa Walpola, Manel Upasena
Asoka Pieris has also written few songs for this movie
* Movie – Sudu Sande Kalu Wala by Robin Thampoe in 1963
Song – Denna Eka Sirurey: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Song – Maa Langa Hinehee: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Song – Wanasanna Jeewe: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
* Movie – Kolankarayo by Thissa Nagodawithana
* Movie – Sigiri Kashyapa by Bindu Gunasekera in 1966 Music – M.K. Rocksami
Song – Narapathiya Wetha Yanne: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Song – Pape Galee Lowa: Singer – A.J. Kareem
* Movie – SRI 296 Premnath Morayas in 1959 Produced by Premnath Morayas Music by P.L.A. Somapala Original Hindi Movie: C.I.D.
Song – Wediya Honda Narakaine: Singer – Mohideen Baig Song – Man Awa Hirabath Kala: Singer – H.R. Jothipala Song – Me Enna Sanasannam: Singer – Latha Walpola Song – Doyya Gan Ma Kiri Ketiya: Singer – Indrani Wijayabandara Song – Pami Loke Rengum: Singer – Indrani Wijayabandara & H.R. Jothipala Song – Sasi Piye: Singer – G.S.B. Rani Perera Song – Duk Gini Godaka: Singer – G.S.B. Rani Perera Song – Ma Soya Aa Nisa: Singer – Indrani Wijayabandara
* Movie – Suhada Divi Piduma in 1962
* Movie – Sulalitha Sobani in 1964
Movie Related
* Movie – Sepali by W.M.S. Thampoe in 1958 Produced by Robin Thampoe Film Script: Chitrananda Abeysekera & Suriya Kumar
Story from the Hindi movie Dulari – 1949
* Movie – Daruwa Kageda? by Herbi Seneviratne in 1961 Produced by W.M.S. Thampoe Screen Play: Chitrananda Abeysekera
Story from the Hindi movie Dulari – 1949
* Movie – Sirimali by Robin Thampoe in 1959 Produced by P.L. Buddhadasa & Meena Thampoe Dialogues: Chitrananda Abeysekera
* Movie – Sudo Sudu by Robin Thampoe in 1965 Dialogues & Screen Play: Chitrananda Abeysekera
Other Links
* Features | Online edition of Daily News – Lakehouse Newspapers
* Latha Walpola – Nightingale of Sri Lanka | Asian Tribune
* English girl of Lankan parents for Karate World Cup
* Remembering Sri Lanka's Nightingale: 30th Death Anniversary of Rukmani Devi
* Nalanda Old Boys