Gamini Haththotuwegama


Dr. Gamini Kalyanadarsha Haththotuwegama was a Sri Lankan playwright, director, actor, critic and educator. He was widely known as the father of Sri Lanka's modern street theatre. He was among the most influential directors of post-independent Sri Lanka.

Personal life

He was born on 29 November 1939 in Galle. He completed education from Richmond College, Galle. He entered University of Peradeniya in 1956 and obtained a Honors Degree in English. After obtaining degree, he moved back to Galle and worked as an English teacher and the teacher-in-charge of drama at Richmond College. Then, in 1965, Haththotuwegama joined with University of Kelaniya as a lecturer of English. He retired from the four decades of university service in 2005.
He died on 30 October 2009 at the age of 73 due to long prevailed cancer.

Career

While studying at the University of Peradeniya, he played the lead role in the English language drama 'Agachemnan. He also produced Anton Chekhov's play "The Proposal" with the title Magul Prasthawa, in Sinhala and played the role of Loveris. In 1967, Haththotuwegama was also the President of the Film Critics and Writers Association.
At the University of Kelaniya, Haththotuwegama had some experimental performances such as Ranga Kebali Samaga Sochchamak. He made his first appearance in Raja Darshana at the Vidyalankara University. On 4 June 1974, he presented three short plays - Raja Darshana, Bosath Dekma and Minihekuta Ella Marenna Barida - shown at the Anuradhapura Railway Stadium. On the way back to Colombo the next day, at the Anuradhapura railway station, the drama Minihekuta Ella Marenna Barida was presented as a street drama, becoming the first historical street drama in Sri Lanka.
He has produced several popular stage dramas such as Merawara Mehewara, Akeekaru Puthraya, Oba Dutuwa, Paraviyek Dakka Kal, Loka Ahara Sammelanaya, Otunnaka Bara and Nurussana Handa. The drama Paraviyek Dakka Kal was based on the racist riot and Oba Dutuwa based on
88-89 terror era.
He later acted in stage drama such as Saakki and produced plays such as Lark and Hamlet on the stage.
A special street drama presentation was held on Sunday, November 29th at 6.00 pm at the Mangala Methodist Church, Moratuwa to commemorate the 71st birth anniversary of Dr. Haththotuwegama.