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.

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

Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Publisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Publisher: M.D. Gunasena & Co. Colombo, Sri Lanka Publisher:Lassana Printers, Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka Publisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka Publisher:Samayawardana Printers, Maligakanda Rd, Maradana, Sri Lanka Publisher:Captain Printers, Maradana 1st, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka Publisher:Dulmini Printers, "Kamkarupura" Flats, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka
 * Suli Sulang – Poetry, 1961
 * Sakwala Dunna – Poetry
 * Suduta Lilu Kavi – Poetry, 1974
 * Awatharaya – Short Strory
 * Satan Bima Kandulu – Short Story
 * Savi Nethi Ath – Novel
 * Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi – Songs, 1982 – Collection of Popular Songs written by Chitrananda
 * Kavya Manjari – Poetry, 1983
 * Kavya Pushpanjali – Poetry, 1983 – Awarded The Best Poetry Book at The State Literary Awards Festival by The Ministry of Cultural Affairs
 * Swarana Mali – Poetry, 1984
 * Ran Sannasa – Poetry, 1985
 * Samanala Mahima – Poetry, 1986 – Awarded The Best Poetry Book at The State Literary Awards Festival by The Ministry of Cultural Affairs
 * Sewana Ruwana – Poetry, 1987
 * Susata Kala – Poetry, 1989 – Collection of Poems by Prominent Poets

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

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
 * Movie – Sirimali

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

Produced by S. M. Nayagam Music by R. Muththusami Song – Ho Surathal: Singer – Rukmani Devi
 * Movie – Nalangana by L.S. Ramachandran in 1960

Song – Me Aawaa Mung Awaa: Singer – Rukmani Devi

Produced by Premalal Edirisinghe (E.A.P. Edirisinghe) Music by R. Muththusami Song – Agata Kadun: Singer – Latha Walpola
 * Movie – Pirimiyek Nisa by T. Somasekaran & K.A.W. Perera in 1960

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

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
 * Movie – Suvineetha Lalini

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

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
 * Movie – Mage Putha

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

by Robin Thampoe Song – Kothanaka Sitiyath Oba Melowe: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
 * Movie – Samiya Birindage Deviyaya

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

by Robin Thampoe in 1965 Music – Somadasa Elvitigala Song – Savibala Yakada Wagei: Singer – W.D. Amaradewa
 * Movie – Sudo Sudu

Song – Prema Sebawii: Singer – Latha & Dharmadasa Walpola

Song – Heenmenike Mage: Singer – W.D. Amaradewa

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 – Sarana

by Robin Thampoe in 1963 Song – Denna Eka Sirurey: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
 * Movie – Sudu Sande Kalu Wala

Song – Maa Langa Hinehee: Singer – H.R. Jothipala

Song – Wanasanna Jeewe: Singer – H.R. Jothipala

by Thissa Nagodawithana by Bindu Gunasekera in 1966 Music – M.K. Rocksami Song – Narapathiya Wetha Yanne: Singer – H.R. Jothipala
 * Movie – Kolankarayo
 * Movie – Sigiri Kashyapa

Song – Pape Galee Lowa: Singer – A.J. Kareem

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
 * Movie – SRI 296

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

in 1962 in 1964
 * Movie – Suhada Divi Piduma
 * Movie – Sulalitha Sobani

Movie Related

by W.M.S. Thampoe in 1958 Produced by Robin Thampoe Film Script: Chitrananda Abeysekera & Suriya Kumar Story from the Hindi movie Dulari – 1949 by Herbi Seneviratne in 1961 Produced by W.M.S. Thampoe Screen Play: Chitrananda Abeysekera Story from the Hindi movie Dulari – 1949 by Robin Thampoe in 1959 Produced by P.L. Buddhadasa & Meena Thampoe Dialogues: Chitrananda Abeysekera by Robin Thampoe in 1965 Dialogues & Screen Play: Chitrananda Abeysekera
 * Movie – Sepali
 * Movie – Daruwa Kageda?
 * Movie – Sirimali
 * Movie – Sudo Sudu

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