{"id":156900,"date":"2025-08-16T09:06:34","date_gmt":"2025-08-16T09:06:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=156900"},"modified":"2025-08-16T09:06:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T09:06:34","slug":"santin-gunawardena-obsessive-persistence-driven-ardent-sans-ego-by-sunil-thenabadu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/santin-gunawardena-obsessive-persistence-driven-ardent-sans-ego-by-sunil-thenabadu\/","title":{"rendered":"Santin Gunawardena: Obsessive, persistence-driven, ardent sans ego – By Sunil Thenabadu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Santin Gunawardena: Obsessive, persistence-driven, ardent sans ego – By Sunil Thenabadu<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"sunil<\/p>\n

\"Santin<\/p>\n

\n

One of the utmost universal qualities of successful professional working actors is that they play well with others and they\u2019re able to make genuine acquaintances with everyone on set. They\u2019re truly good people, passionate, purpose driven and dedicated sans ego.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They always handle themselves with grace and dignity and they have the courage to bring their personalities to every role entrusted. One such inimitable actor who had conquered the stage, mini and silver screen with consummate luxury for over a half a century is celebrated actor \u2018the Sonduru Minisa\u2019 Santin Gunawardena.<\/span><\/p>\n

Santin possessed an authoritative vision for his future in store after he was selected for the first stage play \u2018Janelaya\u2019 in year 1962. His commitment to work towards that vision every day, the belief that it\u2019s possible, putting service above self with creativity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Hunuwataye Kathawa\u2019 (Caucasian Circle) was staged initially in year 1967; the role of \u2018Simon Sashawa\u2019 (soldier) was portrayed by Santin Gunawardena alongside Grusha portrayed by Manel Jayasena uninterruptedly for 28 years with about 3,000 stage appearances.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is learnt that when Manel passed away Santin had been so flabbergasted, unable to face even an interview to the national radio. With his abundance of vocal skills the popular stage song \u2018Yuddeta Mama Giya Geni Gedera Thiya\u2019 added a spectacle to his character.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Early Years<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Born on 14 April 1938 in Nagoda in Kalutara District, he had his primary education was at Maha Heenatiyangala Vidyalaya in the village before entering Kalutara Tissa Madhya Maha Vidyalaya in 1949 after triumphing in the Scholarship examination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The astrologer who had read his future had predicted him to excel in sports, singing and creative envisaging to be a well-recognised individual in society. Santin had excelled sports in cricket, athletics and in studies. In year 1955 he had passed the SSC in the English medium.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While representing Tissa Madhya Maha Vidyalaya in cricket he had performed admirably in the annual big match, the famous big match battle of the \u2018mangosteens\u2019 in Kalutara in the years 1956 and 1957 and had shone as a dependable opening batsman, while in the annual big matches versatile singer Narada Dissasekera had exceled for Kalutara Vidyalaya.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Apart from been a cricketer Santin had shown immense skill in athletics. In the year 1956 had been adjudged as the best athlete among schools in the Western Province having been the champion high jumper, second in triple jump and been a member of the winning 4X400 relay team. Santin had confessed that no one in his family had excelled in sports or in arts to verify it was not genetic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Just after leaving school he had joined Narahenpita Survey Department as a Cartographer. It is pertinent to state that Santin had shone in indoor sports also like carrom and bridge, winning many trophies and was the indoor games champion in the Survey Department. During the years 1964 to 1977 Santin had exposed his talent carrying the accountability in organising events for the State Athletic Association.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Santin had entered the stage by a sheer quirk in year 1962. During his tenure at the Survey Department he had participated in group singing at sports festivals and had been renowned for singing talent. Through his colleague Shelton Silva he had got an opening to portray a role of \u2018Akasa\u2019 as the actor selected to portray \u2018Putupala\u2019 had withdrawn unable to sing \u2018Me Thiyenne Kanthoruwa Weda Arabana Kanthoruwa\u2019 in Henry Jayasena\u2019s first play \u2018Janelaya\u2019 in 1962.<\/span><\/p>\n

This unanimous decision of Shelton was Santin\u2019s beginning after which he was sought after, being nominated thereafter for every play of legendary Henry Jayasena. However, Santin had to surpass an audition steered by musician Somadasa Elvitigala, which he had achieved commendably.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It is reported that at that time the Survey Department had been the nucleus for so many artistes to bloom. Santin who was a Cartographer at the Survey Department had been bestowed a scholarship to Netherlands during 1975 to 1976 where such personnel from 22 countries had participated. Santin bought laurels to Sri Lanka been adjudicated the best Cartographer in the entire batch. It was Santin who had designed the Colombo map for the Municipal Council in a new design in 1974.<\/span><\/p>\n

Santin tied his nuptial knot with Gunawathie Ramawickrema on 4 March 1968 an employee of prestigious Bank of Ceylon also a stage actress having been in love for eight years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1968 he was blessed with a son who had lived only for two days. After a long anxious pause of nine years daughter Jayadhari Anjali was born. Obviously Santin had focused a lot of attention on her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Santin had introduced creative \u2018Gunie\u2019 to Henry Jayasena\u2019s \u2018Manoranjana Wedawarjana\u2019 and subsequently to \u2018Hunuwataye Kathawa\u2019 (The Caucasian Circle, portraying three roles viz Nataliya, Grusha\u2019s in-law, mother-in-law) and several other plays like \u2018Apata Puthe Magak Nethe,\u2019 \u2018Janelaya,\u2019 \u2018Makara,\u2019 \u2018Diriya Mawa Saha Eyage Daruwo\u2019 and \u2018Thahanam Deshaya\u2019 in which her portrayals were applauded. The duo\u2019s only daughter Jayadhari had also acted in \u2018Janelaya\u2019 as Miss Karadasi and in \u2018Hunuwataye Kathawa\u2019 as the elderly lady.<\/span><\/p>\n

Santin had been a sought-after stage actor. Several directors had come to his office in quest for him requesting him to portray roles. One such significant juncture was when Simon Nawagaththegama offered a role in \u2018Suba Saha Yasa\u2019. He had come to invite to portray the \u2018Doratu Palakaya\u2019 role, opposite to the king\u2019s role portrayed by Upali Attanayake. This was another feather in his cap as the role further substantiated his apt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Santin had directed seven short tele-dramas apart from acting in them. He had also portrayed roles in films such as \u2018Arumosam Wesi\u2019 and \u2018Sivarangasena\u2019. Santin had once confessed that \u201cone can teach technology, but one cannot teach creativity\u201d. This advice from him was to all novices to have creativity in mind if they are to impress in this field. In his twilight years he had quipped that there were virtuous signals sprouted by young actors which is good for the industry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Lifetime Achievements<\/span><\/div>\n
\n

Appreciation of Santin Gunawardena\u2019s 50 years of stage dominance was appropriately organised was held at Tower Hall Foundation at Savusiripaya Auditorium on 31 May 2012. In year 2013 he was awarded the once in a lifetime award the \u2018Natya Keerthi Award\u2019 presented by the Cultural Department by the then Minister of Cultural Affairs and Art T.B. Ekanayake. By this time Santin was in a wheelchair in his twilight days ailing from his terminal illness.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is appended below are some statistics of lifetime of achievements made by Santin to arts compiled by the authorities of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and Arts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He was introduced to Henry Jayasena by colleague Shelton Silva at the Survey Department and in 1962 was selected to portray a role in Henry Jayasena\u2019s \u2018Janelaya\u2019 on 29 April 1962. After this every Henry Jayasena play for Santin was a walk in the park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then he was drafted to \u2018Kuweni\u2019 in 1964\/1965, followed by \u2018Thawath Udesanak,\u2019 \u2018Ahas Maliga,\u2019 \u2018Hunuwataye Kathawa,\u2019 Apata Putje Magak Nethe,\u2019 \u2018Diriya Mawa Saha Ege Daruwo\u2019 and \u2018Sarana Siyothse Puthuni Hanba Yanna\u2019. The popular dramas other than Henry Jayasena\u2019s were \u2018Raththaran Putha,\u2019 \u2018Sigiri Kashyapa,\u2019 \u2018Suba Saha Yasa,\u2019 \u2018Sirith Wirith,\u2019 \u2018Julius Caesar\u2019 and \u2018Sambada Mama Rasputin\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It needs to be emphasised that Santin had won several awards for directing dramas for festivals organised jointly by the Eksath Bauddha Bala Mandalaya and the National Housing Development Authority.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He had collected awards for first place in seven short dramas like \u2018Kanakok Handa,\u2019 \u2018Wera,\u2019 \u2018Peni Walalu,\u2019 etc. Santin had acted in tele-dramas like Dhamma Jagoda\u2019s \u2018Sandaka Kathawak,\u2019 Bandula Vithanage\u2019s \u2018Aththa Bindei,\u2019 Soma Kiriella\u2019s \u2018Pencha,\u2019 Vipula Sumanasekera\u2019s \u2018Sathange Puththu,\u2019 Lester James Pieris\u2019s \u2018Giraya,\u2019 Sumithra Pieris\u2019s \u2018Gehenu Lamai,\u2019 Nalan Mendis\u2019s \u2018Du Daruwo,\u2019 \u2018Senehiwanthayo\u2019 and \u2018Mama Novei Mama\u2019 and Sanjaya Nirmal\u2019s \u2018Divya,\u2019 etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

All art works needed for drama advertising at Lumbini, Lionel Wendt and Tower Hall were the superlative labours of sought after Santin. He also designed all cover pages for all Henry Jayasena\u2019s plays, possessing talent in profusion in that field of art too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In year 2013 he was suddenly hospitalised and his 45th wedding anniversary was celebrated in hospital. His terminal illness was diagnosed as the lung tissues becoming thicker, making it difficult for him to breathe. In year 2013 the Sinhala New Year was celebrated with all his family members which was unfortunately his final family get together before succumbing to his terminal illness in the same year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Santin was very subtle, sympathetic and not at all selfish. He did not care in the least for material wealth. He had willingly written all his ancestral wealth to his siblings. He never liked to hurt feelings of others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As disclosed by his wife Gunie, now deceased she firmly believes that Santin was the kindest person in the whole planet. In the context of the above the amount of input made by veteran Santin Gunawardena to the stage, small and silver screen is gigantic, perhaps certainly no other stage actor had achieved the same through an era of acting.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane <\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
e mail sthenabadu@hotmail.com.<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
WhatsApp 0061444533242<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
Click here to receive your free copy of the eLanka Newsletter twice a week delivered directly\u00a0to\u00a0your\u00a0inbox!<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Santin Gunawardena: Obsessive, persistence-driven, ardent sans ego – By Sunil Thenabadu One of the utmost universal qualities of successful professional working actors is that they play well with others and they\u2019re able to make genuine acquaintances with everyone on set. They\u2019re truly good people, passionate, purpose driven and dedicated sans ego.\u00a0 They always handle themselves […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":156901,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,37869],"tags":[81275,81274,81272,81271,81273,81276],"class_list":{"0":"post-156900","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-aside","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles","8":"category-sunil-thenabadu","9":"tag-henry-jayasena-and-santin-gunawardena","10":"tag-hunuwataye-kathawa-play-cast","11":"tag-santin-gunawardena-actor-sri-lanka","12":"tag-santin-gunawardena-biography","13":"tag-sri-lankan-stage-and-screen-actors","14":"tag-sri-lankan-theatre-legends","15":"post_format-post-format-aside"},"yoast_head":"\nSantin Gunawardena biography<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"One of the utmost universal qualities of successful 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