Wasantha Wittachchi, better known as an actor and makeup artiste has engaged himself in the field of arts for more than 45 years. Winding back the clock to his childhood. He received his education from Sedawatta Siddhartha MM Vidyalaya in Wellampitiya. Being a language enthusiast, he has learnt Russian language at the Russian Cultural Centre. At that time as if through a luck he was given an opportunity to perform in a drama titled “Raththo” directed by Nimal Pathirana. Afterwards, Wasantha Wittachchi had realised that it is sensible to study the field of drama in depth rather than fumbling in the darkness without a proper knowledge. As pointed out by him, under the guidance of the gurus such as Dr. Ediriweera Sarachchandra, Salaman Fonseka and Dhamma Jagoda the veteran artiste Wasantha Wittachchi had trained himself. And the foundation laid by the foreign mentors from different countries such as German, Finland and Belgium had fostered his creativity. Lionel Wendt Art Centre had become a fertile ground for him to flourish.
Noted stage plays
Speaking of his contribution, the stage play titled Raththo directed by Nimal Pathirana is regarded as his first stage drama. Kada Ima directed by Parakrama Niriella is the first tele drama in his journey. The film in which Wasantha Wittachchi emerged as a film actor and an assistant makeup artiste is Adara Kathawa directed by Chandran Rutnam. Apart for these dramas and films , we can witness his creative spirit in these films and tele dramas. Sirimadura, Weda Barinam Wedak naha, Kelimadala, Gurugedara, Maruthaya, Sihina Deshayen , Anthima Reya, Sudu Sewaneli, Sathkampa, Arumosam Wehi, Sikuru Hathe, Maathaa, Paththini, Garasarapa, President Super Star, Suparna and Aale Corona.
Talented makeup artiste
Through the facial expressions we can portray nuances of feelings and emotions. That is why facial expressions have occupied a vital role in the field of drama. Any makeup artiste is expected to heighten the emotions and feelings of the actors and actresses to bring out the characters. In other words, he can re-create the characters on the faces of the actors and actresses.
The veteran artiste Wasantha Wittachchi got to know Shesha Palihakkara via a friend called Ranjith Wickramasinghe. As stressed by him, Shesha Palihakkara is more like a university for him in his career as a makeup artiste. Shesha Palihakkara has paved the way for Wasantha Wittachchi to flourish in the field. Speaking of his contributions, in the films such as Yuganthaya, Maya, Adara Kathawa, Viragaya and Kristhu Charithaya he has established an icon as an unrivalled makeup artiste. Speaking further about the achievements, Wasantha Wittachchi has won many awards for the best makeup artiste in many Award Ceremonies. For instance, 11th Presidential Award 1997 (Sihina Deshayen), 8th Swarna Sanka Cinema Awards Ceremony 1997 (Sihina Deshayen) , 25th Sarasaviya Awards - 1998 (Sihina Deshayen), 32nd Sarasaviya Awards - 2007 (Udu Gan Yamaya) and so on.
Challenges faced
The biggest challenge taken up by Wasantha Wittachchi is the shortage of makeup materials. In days of yore, none but the makeup artistees who had registered at the Film Corporation of Sri Lanka were allowed to obtain the required makeup materials under restrictions and strains. Due to the restrictions makeup artistes in the country had to go for the alternative materials without obtaining the standard professional materials. Going down his memory lane Wasantha wittachchi told that he used to buy the required makeup materials at a salon called “Godwin” in Pettah.
Changed Nihal Silva’s destiny
Nihal Silva even though known to many as a bald-headed actor and singer, had a long hair. No doubt that the unknown tale is the fact that the veteran artistee Wasantha wittachchi had shaved Nihal Silva’s head.
One of the Finland drama producers by the name of Helena Lekthimathy had produced a drama titled “Punthila.” In this drama Nihal Silva had played the role of a well-to-do businessman. The contribution of Wasantha Wittachchi as a makeup artiste was distinguished. He had designed the character of the businessman as a bald-headed mature person with a moustache. However, Nihal Silva who had performed in 264 dramas expressed his unwillingness to get his head shaved for a character. Eventually Wasantha wittachchi could persuade Nihal to play the role by asking him to think that this is not his 265th drama but the first drama in his life.
No creativity resident in art
Art is artisteic. If not so, there must be another word to call it. True that there prevails a decline in good art culture. However, we all hope that there will dawn a new vibrant era on the Sri Lankan good art culture. As mentioned by him, the rotten dramas based on stale themes, lyrics throwing up crude ideas and mushrooming reality stars bear testimony to the deterioration of the good art culture of Sri Lanka. At present many artistees exploit the trust of the audience by producing good for nothing tele dramas, films and songs. The responsibility of artistees is none other than bringing the audience towards the wisdom. According to Wasantha , there are standards which should be achieved by the modern artistees. Sri Lanka is described as a country where there had existed a good drama culture, good literature culture, good song culture, good tele drama culture and good film industry. However unfortunately at present it has become impossible even to trace the signs of that golden era. Therefore, the steps should be taken to metamorphose this rotten art culture into a thriving art culture.
Message for the budding artistees
Wasantha Wittachchi as a veteran dramatist opined that drama is a vast field that one should study in depth. Without a proper knowledge one cannot survive in the field. As mentioned by him , at present many artistees who do not have even a grain of sense of art had engaged themselves in the field of drama to make a mint of money. However the impact of their ignorance on the Sri Lankan drama is negative. Therefore, anyone who has a burning desire to enter the field of drama should study the salient areas of drama in order to hone their skills and talents. The budding artistees who have a narrow view and a very limited knowledge are not capable of producing good products. Therefore, they should study the field before entering the field.
“ Everyone cannot perform in front of a camera. It requires skills, talents and experience. Just because one has an attractive face does not mean that he has the ability to perform in a drama. For instance, In India there can be seen drama schools and film schools for the beginners to practise. In other words, Indian artistees have university degrees in arts. Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka there can be found some actors and actresses who lack even common sense.
No one can expect good products from them. Therefore, I would say that they should study about the country first, secondly the field and then the whole world because it is impossible even to talk with someone without a grain of common sense. Some people say that Gamini Fonseka and Joe Abeywickrame had entered the field of films without a proper knowledge but it is wrong to spread such baseless opinions because they have gained a vast range of knowledge from the society and experience. All in all If one wants to be a famous figure in the country, he should study the needed area well. “ veteran artistee Wasantha Wittachchi said.
It is clear that there can be seen an irrepressible vacuum in good art. Sadly none in any Government in our living memory has even attempted to uphold our good art culture. As a remedy to this, those at the helm should take measures to rekindle the good art culture of Sri Lanka under the guidance of the veteran artistees like Wasantha Wittachchi. The rays of the light he has scattered in the field of drama will shine in the sacred and permanent place in the drama world forever.