Sarasaviya is a name synonymous with the arts in Sri Lanka. Appropriately named after a goddess of the arts, Sarasaviya is now the country’s only dedicated Sinhala film weekly, with additional focus on television, stage, music and other forms of art. Sarasaviya is close to the hearts of all art lovers in the country and artistes have a close bond with the newspaper.
Sarasaviya is equally known for the film awards named after it and for many actors and artistes, winning a Sarasaviya award was the highlight of their career.
Some have won Sarasaviya awards multiple times, others only once, but a Sarasaviya award is an accolade you cherish for a lifetime and beyond, when your children and grandchildren will hold it with awe.
It is the award by which all other local cinema awards are judged. There is nothing quite like it in local cinema. Sarasaviya was launched during the ‘Golden era’ of the Sinhala cinema in the 1960s.
To add lustre to it, Sarasaviya founder-editor Wimalasiri Perera held the first ‘Sarasaviya Film Festival’ on May 10, 1964 under the patronage of Ranjith Wijewardene, Ranapala Bodinagoda and the then greats of the local film industry.
Since then, the successive panels of Judges of the Sarasaviya Festival have added more value.
Throughout the years, the Sarasaviya Film Festival retained its unique identity without a change since it represents a combination of both classical (arthouse) and popular cinema. Sarasaviya’s first choice for best film was Gamperaliya, which went on to win the Golden Peacock award in India, the same year.
This shows that Sarasaviya has synced with the true heartbeat of cinema fans and critics everywhere. In addition to jury awards, the choice of the best actors and actresses is left in the hands of the fans. It would not be incorrect to assume that the popular SMS star culture came into being as a result of this initiative.
The Sarasaviya Festival which carries the imprint of Sri Lankan identity and cultural traits is always admired by the people, especially, artistes, for its characteristics.
Veteran artiste Sathischandra Edirisinghe once remarked that the Sarasaviya dominates all other cinema festivals.
The next Sarasaviya film festival will be ushered in shortly. So far only films that have been screened come within the scope of the Festival. This time even those approved by the Public Performance Board but could not be shown in 2015, will be considered for awards.
The Dr. Lester James Peries Award will be presented to an artiste who has directed his maiden cinematic creation. Two ‘Ranathisara’ awards, Bodinagoda Literary award and the four awardees of the first Sarasaviya Cinema Festival will also be presented awards this time.
The Most Popular film will be identified as one which drew the highest income during the first 100 days of it being screened.
The usual cinema week to coincide with the Sarasaviya Film Festival will be held at the Regal Cinema Colombo, right opposite the Lake House building, from December 5-9.
Five films, namely, Maharaja Gemunu, Boradiya Pokuna, Oba Nethuwa Oba Ekka, Address Nae and Ho Gana Pokuna adjudged by the panel of judges will be screened free during the cinema week.
Expect a mesmerizing, star-studded evening on December 15, 2016 when the Sarasaviya awards are presented.