The Life Experience for Young Talents

The Life Experience for Young Talents

Henry Nissanka Diddeniya lovingly addressed in art circles as ‘Diga’ gets the introduction to stage drama through Prof.Ediriweera Saratchandra. At that time, he was an Arts Graduate of University of Peredeniya.
Acting in well-known dramas like Sinhabahu, Maname, Mahasara, Pemato Jayati Soko, Gajaman Puwatha, Padmawathi, Sirisangabo, Tharavo Igelethi, Rattaran Rathu Hettakari he has been on stage for 39 years.

He played the role of the Lion in Sinhabahu for an unbroken 25 years. He was the second actor who acted this role. He also portrayed the King of the Veddas in Maname. For some time, he has also portrayed Prince Maname. His role as Elapatha Mudali in Gajaman Puwatha is unforgettable. He introduced the Nurti tradition to the stage.
Having studied North Indian music under Mr.B.Victor Perera and Mr.Premadasa Mudunkotuwage, he was successful in the Sangeet Visharada Bathkand examination in the 1980’s. He has also been successful at the auditions for folk songs and Nadagam songs conducted by the Sri Lanka Broad- casting Corporation(SLBC).
He also compiled two music albums – Avaragira Mudunin in 1992 and Ranmala in 2002. He was awarded the first Bunka award for Art in 1993. In 2002 he authored a book titled Arumesi Gee Sara.
Competent in acting and dancing he steps into Prof.Athugala’s Mahasamayama as the Narrator.
There was an era where our past was very close to our culture. Mahasamayama also depicts the cultural binding we have with stories of the Deva’s and the Yaksha’s. This is also an attempt to bring on to the stage a peep into our ancient heritage.
One might feel whether the role of the Narrator is important. Starting from the Greek dramas, the narrator plays an important role connecting the various incidents of the drama. His role becomes vital when difficult portrayals can be related through narration. This concept was even used by Bertolt Brecht in his drama “The Chalk Circle”.
I am quite at home being the Narrator. It gives me great pleasure to enact the narrator’s role in Mahasamayama. It is also a rare occasion where ancient traditions and rituals come alive through portrayal, song and dance.

His role model was Mr. Ediriweera Sarathchandra. Sarachchandra produced his first stylist play Maname in 1956 to widespread acclaim. Maname is generally considered the first real  "Sinhalese language” drama, signaling the transition from the Nadagam or folk drama to the modern theatrical drama format. It was praised especially for drawing influence from the traditional nadagam play style. He continued as a playwright, developing his play Sinhabahu in 1961, which is widely considered as his best work. Most of his plays were adaptations from ‘Buddhist" Jathakas or Sinhala folklore giving his work instant and lasting popularity with the population that identified with their roots.

He has played,

·        Maname

·        Sinhabāhu

·        Elowa gihin Melowa Āwā

·        Rattaran

·        Pabāvatī

·        Lomahaṃsa

·        Bhavakaḍaturāwa

·        Vessantara

·        Mahasara

·        Kada walalu

·        Pematho jayathi soko

·        Kirimuttiya Gangea Giya – 1985

·        Bahina kalawa

·        mudalalige peraliya

Mr. Diddeniya has acted Maname, Sinhabahu, Kadawalalu, Pematho jayathi soko and many of his dramas. He sang some beautiful songs for us including a Tamil song. It has the same melody as the song in Maname, ‘Premayen mana ranjitha wea’.  

He came with a very talented lesser known musician Mr.Nilantha Sri Pathirana. He gave us a great joy with this song.

Ganga Addara Song in 8 different voices - Nilantha Siri Pathirana

Thank you, sir, for giving us a great moment. Blessings for your wealthy longevity!