{{short description|Sri Lankan actor, director}} {{Infobox person | name = Bandula Vithanage | native_name = බන්දුල විතානගේ | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Bandula de Silva Vithanage | birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|9|11|mf=yes}} | birth_place = Gonagala, Sri Lanka | death_date = {{death date and age|2014|9|1|1940|9|11|mf=yes}} | death_place = Colombo National Hospital | death_cause = | resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --> | education = Carey College, Colombo <br> Dharmasoka College | years_active = 1963–2014 | party = | spouse = | children = Nalaka Vithanage | parents = | relatives = Yashoda Wimaladharma (niece) | awards = | signature = | website = | occupation = Actor, Dramatist, Director }}
'''Bandula de Silva Vithanage''' (born 11 September 1940 – died 1 September 2014 as බන්දුල විතානගේ) [Sinhala]) was an actor and director in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television as well as a translator, director, playwright and scriptwriter.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5635373/ | title=Bandula Vithanage films | publisher=IMDb | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref name= bandva>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/10/07/art01.asp | title=Familiarizing with the Bard | work=Daily News | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> One of the earliest pillars of Sri Lankan art and drama,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/991121/plus2.html | title=Shakespeare in Sinhala | publisher=sundaytimes.lk | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> Vithanage has produced several critically acclaimed television serials and stage dramas during his five decades of drama career.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20190826/282711933689928 | title=Unforgettables | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> He is the pioneer to introduce Shakespearean theater to Sri Lankan theater with several plays such as ''Veniciye Velenda'', ''Macbeth'', ''Twelfth Night'', ''Hamlet'' and ''Romeo and Juliet''.<ref name= vithange>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110123/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_4.html | title=Veteran Vithanage to be felicitated | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref name= shakes>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/04/25/art01.asp | title=Thespian with Shakespearean touch | work=Daily News | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>
He died on 1 September 2014 at Colombo National Hospital at the age of 73.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20140902/281852936753990 | title=Bandula Vithanage passes away | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://asianmirror.lk/news/item/3168-pioneering-artiste-bandula-vithanage-no-more | title=Pioneering Artiste Bandula Vithanage No More | publisher=Asian Mirror | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life== He was born on 11 September 1940 in Gonagala. He attended Athuruwella Primary School for primary education and then moved to Carey College, Colombo to complete up to G.C.E O/L. He completed his A/L education at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda.<ref name= vithange /> He entered to the University of Colombo for higher education and came under the influence of renowned dramatist Ediriweera Sarachchandra's university drama circle. He graduated with a master's degree in Dramaturgy and Acting.<ref name= bandula>{{cite web | url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2016/10/19/features/96378 | title=A brief tribute to Bandula Vithanage | work=Daily News | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>
His son Nalaka Vithanage is a popular filmmaker.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/curtain-comes-down-on-bandula-vithanage--51824.html | title=Veteran dramatist no more | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> He has produced three stage dramas - Rathri Bojanaya (2004), Kasi Malla (2006) and Upanda Maranaya (2009).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2009/07/08/art02.asp | title=Birthday meets death! | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> Nalaka is an old boy of Nalanda College, Colombo. Bandula Vithanage's niece Yashoda Wimaladharma is a popular actress in Sinhala television and cinema.<ref name= bandula /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/131117/plus/butterfly-symphony-gives-wings-to-yashodha-73438.html | title='Butterfly Symphony' gives wings to Yashodha | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>
==Career== In 1963, he started stage drama acting with P. Velikala's production ''Rathnavali'' with the role 'Vidushaka'.<ref name= vithange /> In 1965, he produced his first theater play ''Megha Garjana'', which is a translation of Harold Pinter's ''The Collection''. He acted in Simon Navagattegama's ''Gangavak'' and then directed ''Sapaththu Kabalak Saha Maranayak''.<ref name= bandula /> Along with fellow dramatist Tony Ranasinghe, Vithanage produced the popular stage play ''Veniciye Velenda'' in 1980.<ref name= vithange />
He continued to produce several critically acclaimed foreign drama adaptations, which include Jean Anouilh's ''Becket'', ''Romaya Gini Gani'' (based on Ray Cooney's ''Run for your wife''), ''Sikuru Sanekeli''.''Senehebara Dolly'' (based on Thornton Wilder's ''The Matchmaker''), ''Hiru Dahasa'' (based on Wilder's ''Our Town''), ''Macbeth'' (2006), ''Twelfth Night'' (1988), ''Hamlet'', ''Romeo and Juliet'', and ''A Comedy of Errors''.<ref name= bandula /><ref name= bandva />
He acted in small number of films where compare with efforts in theater and television. He worked with and assisted Vasantha Obeysekera in ''Wes Gaththo'', and later acted in Dharmasena Pathiraja's ''Ahas Gawwa''.<ref name= bandula /> His maiden cinema acting came through 1974 film ''Dahakin Ekek'' directed by Merril Albert. His most notable television production came through ''Bumuthurunu'', ''Aththa Bindei'' and ''Asal Wasiyo'',<ref name= bandva /> which were telecast in Rupavahini.<ref name= vithange /> In 2011, he produced the play ''Romaya Gini Gani-2'' as a joint effort with actor Roger Seneviratne. ''Romaya Gini Gani-2'' was based on Cooney's play ''Caught in the net''. He directed the television comedy serials ''I Love Jennie''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/070916/TV/tv-times000015.html | title=I Love Jennie : A comedy of a family | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> in 2007 and ''Paththara Gedara'' in 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/080427/TV/tv-times000014.html | title='PaththaraGedera':Comedy in a press | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> In 2009, he acted in the stage play produced by his son Nalaka, ''Upanda Maranaya''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090809/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_06.html | title='Upanda Maranaya' comes alive | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref>
He joined the Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) in its early years and had a brief serving period.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2011/01/12/art19.asp | title=Shakespeare's initiator | work=Daily News | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> He lived in England for three and a half years after the expulsion from SLRC along with Lucien Bulathsinhala.<ref name= shakes />
===Selected stage plays=== * 1963 - ''Rathnavali'' * 1965 - ''Megha Garjana'' * 1971 - ''Gangavak Sapattu Kabalak saha Maranayak'' * 1974 - ''Becket'' * 1980 - ''Venisiye Velenda'' * 1982 - ''Dolosveni Rathriya'' (co-produced with Tony Ranasinghe) * 1986 - ''Senehebara Dolly'' * 1990 - ''Hiru Dahasa'' * 1996 - ''Romaya Gini Gani'' * 1998 - ''Sikuru Senakeli'' * 2001 - ''Macbeth'' * 2002 - ''Eliya'' * 2003 - ''A Sonduru Minisa'' * 2011 - ''Romaya Gini Gani 2''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20110627/283012576370687 | title='Romaya Gini Gani 2' in Coombo, Ekala | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>
===Selected television serials=== {{Div col|colwidth=25em}} * ''Amuthu Minissu''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/120205/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_6.html | title='Amuthu Minissu' to appear soon | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Anthima Rathriya'' <ref name="Sunday Times">{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060820/tv/tv14.html |title='Vishwanthari': World Class literature on miniscreen |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Antharjana Minisa'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/071028/TV/tv-times00001.html |title=Surrealism and Prosthetic in 'Antharjana Minisa' |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=11 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Asal Vesiyo'' * ''Asani Wesi''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020616/tv/2.html | title='Asani Wesi': portrays a remote village | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Atta Bindei'' * ''Bhavana - Akala Rathriya''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/990404/mirror5.html | title=16 short stories on mini screen | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=20 September 2019}}</ref> * ''Bhawathra'' * ''Bumu Thurunu'' * ''Depath Nai''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020922/tv/3.html#1 | title='Depath Nai': A social commentary | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=29 November 2019}}</ref> * ''Deva Daruwo'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/050731/tv/5.html |title=Child deities descend to earth |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=4 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Devana Warama'' <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060319/tv/6.html | title='Devana Warama' : A tale in Australia | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=18 August 2019}}</ref> * ''Eka Iththaka Mal'' * ''Heeye Manaya'' <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/061119/TV/tv10.html | title='Heeye Manaya' discusses heritage | work=Daily News | access-date=15 August 2019}}</ref> * ''Hiru Avarata'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/030622/tv/3.html#1 |title='Hiru Avarata' on Swarnavahini |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> * ''I Love Jennie'' * ''Isisara Isawwa''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20120305/287122860376169 | title=Isisara Isawwa in the making | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Jayathuru Sankaya''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/061015/TV/tv24.html |title='Jayathuru Sankaya': Miniplay for a worthy cause |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=29 September 2019}}</ref> * ''Malaya'' * ''Paradeesaya'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/031221/tv/16.htm |title=Depicts social differences |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=11 September 2019}}</ref> * ''Paththara Gedara'' * ''Punchi Kumarihami'' * ''Puthu Senehasa'' * ''Ranga Soba'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060820/tv/tv11.html |title='Ranga Soba' depicts the life of an actress |publisher=Sunday Times |access-date=8 December 2019}}</ref> * ''Rupantharaya''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/000409/tv.html | title=Piyananda Thera blazes a new trail | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=8 May 2010}}</ref> * ''Sudu Kapuru Pethi''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/060716/tv/tvp4.html | title='Sudu Kapuru Pethi' : Another tale of war | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=17 July 2019}}</ref> * ''Three-wheel Malli'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/050710/tv/14.html |title=Daya brings humour with 'Three-wheel Malli' |publisher=Sunday times |access-date=17 November 2017}}</ref> * ''Urumaya Soya''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/040307/tv/5.html | title=Janaka comes out with 'Urumaya Soya' | publisher=Sunday Times | access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> * ''Vishwanthari'' <ref name="Sunday Times"/> * ''Yahaluwo'' {{Div col end}}
==Author work== He translated several Shakespearean plays into Sinhala language.<ref name= bandva />
* ''Hamlet''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Book/Hamlet-Sinhala-9552016622 | title=Hamlet by Bandula Vithanage | publisher=Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Veniciye Velenda''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Book/Waenisiye-Welenda-9553015050 | title=Waenisiye Welenda by Bandula Vithanage | publisher=Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Shekshpiyer Hadunaganimu''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Book/Shekshpiyer-Hadunaganimu-9553037224 | title=Shekshpiyer Hadunaganimu by Bandula Vithanage | publisher=Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Macbeth''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Book/Macbeth-Sinhala-9789553014818 | title=Macbeth by Bandula Vithanage | publisher=Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Haemotama Waeradila''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Book/Haemotama-Waeradila-9553045987 | title=Haemotama Waeradila by Bandula Vithanage | publisher=Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Romaya Gini Gani - 2''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Book/Romaya-Gini-Gani-2-9553064337 | title=Romaya Gini Gani - 2 by Bandula Vithanage | publisher=Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Romeo Juliet''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Book/Romeo-Juliet-955307085X | title=Romeo Juliet by Bandula Vithanage | publisher=Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Hamlet Sandeepanee''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sarasavi.lk/Book/Hamlet-Sandeepanee-9553085903 | title=Hamlet Sandeepanee by Bandula Vithanage | publisher=Sarasavi Bookshop (pvt) Ltd | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Sikuru Sanakeli'' * ''Senehabara Dolly'' * ''Jeewana Rekawa''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.godage.com/book-details/cinema-teledrama/7055-jeewana-rekawa.html | title=Jeewana Rekawa by Bandula Vithanage and Chanaka Vithanage | publisher= Godage Book Emporium | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Itu Pathuma''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.godage.com/book-details/fictions-novels/7819-itu-pathuma.html | title=Itu Pathuma by Bandula Vithanage and Chanaka Vithanage | publisher= Godage Book Emporium | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''Gilbert, Wilbert saha Anette''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.godage.com/book-details/drama/7747-gilbert-wilbert-saha-anette.html | title=Gilbert, Wilbert saha Anette by Bandula Vithanage and Chanaka Vithanage | publisher= Godage Book Emporium | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref> * ''A Sonduru Minisa''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.godage.com/book-details/drama/8170-a-sonduru-minisa.html | title=A Sonduru Minisa by Bandula Vithanage and Chanaka Vithanage | publisher= Godage Book Emporium | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>
==Death== He died on 1 September 2014 at Colombo National Hospital while receiving treatments. His remaining were kept at Jayaratne Funeral Parlour in Borella on 2 September and brought to National Art Gallery on 4 September. Final rites performed at 4.00 pm and buried at Borella Cemetery on the same day.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=27922 | title=Veteran artist Bandula Vithanage passes away | publisher=Ada Derana | access-date=2 October 2019}}</ref>
==Awards and accolades== His play ''Sapaththu Kabalak Saha Maranayak'' won many awards at State Drama Festival in 1971 including Best Actress and Best Stage Designing. In 1996, the play ''Romaya Gini Gani'' won major awards including the Best Production, Best Script, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Supporting actor at State Drama Festival. On 30 January 2011, a felicitation program was held at John de Silva Theatre to celebrate 70 years of his life.<ref name= vithange /><ref name= bandva />
===State Drama Festival=== {{Awards table}} |- || 1987 ||| ''Senehebara Dolly'' || Best Translation production || {{won}} |- || 1990 ||| ''Hiru Dahasa'' || Best Translation production || {{won}} |- || 1997 ||| ''Romaya Gini Gani'' || Best Direction and Adaptation || {{won}} {{End}}
==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! Ref. |- | 1970 ||''Wes Gaththo'' || || |- | 1973 ||''Dahakin Ekek'' || Drunken person || |- | 1974 ||''Ahas Gauwa'' || Trip friend || |- | 1977 ||''Pembara Madhu'' || University boy || |- | 1978 ||''Selinage Walawwa'' || Shashiya || |- | 1978 ||''Jodu Walalu'' || || |- | 1980 ||''Sinhabahu'' || || |- | 1980 ||''Api Dedena'' || || |- | 1981 ||''Sathara Pera Nimithi'' || Chief monk || |- | 1987 ||''Viragaya'' || Chief clerk || |- | 1993 ||''Guru Gedara'' || Stage director || |- | 1998 ||''Dorakada Marawa'' || || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/970629/plus7.html |title=Dorakada Marawa: a tense drama of human relationships |publisher=The Sunday Times |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 1999 ||''Re Ru'' || || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.films.lk/re-ru-sinhala-film-1920.html |title=Re Ru |publisher=films.lk |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 1999 ||''Theertha Yathra'' || || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/990404/mirror5.html | title='Theertha yatra' goes in search of family roots | publisher=Sunday Times| access-date=29 November 2019}}</ref> |- | 2001 ||''Mathu Yam Dawasa'' || || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.films.lk/mathu-yam-dawasa-sinhala-film-1689.html |title=Mathu Yam Dawasa - මතුයම් දවස |publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> |- | 2002 ||''Agnidahaya'' || || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/020519/tv.html#5 |title='Agni Dahaya' another Chandrasiri contribution |publisher=The Sunday Times |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 2003 ||''Sudu Kaluwara'' || Monk || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/030629/tv/4.html |title=The British Raj and 'Sudu Kaluwara' |publisher=The Sunday Times |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 2003 ||''Sulang Kirilli'' || Doctor || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/010318/tv.html |title='Sulan Kirilli' : Maiden effort by Sathyangani |publisher=The Sunday Times |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 2005 ||''Sulanga'' || Senarathne's father || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2007/03/15/news26.asp |title=Sulanga screened in Kurunegala today |work=Daily News |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref> |- | 2008 ||''Machan'' || Drunken person || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2014/09/18/?fn=sa14091836 |title=I liked those small scripts of Machan - Pasolini |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=20 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171009111619/http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2014/09/18/?fn=sa14091836 |archive-date=9 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | 2011 ||''Nino Live'' || Nino's grandfather || <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/090621/Magazine/sundaytimestvtimes_05.html |title='Nino Live' : a note on reality TV |publisher=The Sunday Times |access-date=28 May 2017}}</ref> |- | 2013 ||''Anithya'' || Milan's father || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://cinema.lk/Movie-detail/anithya-sinhala-movie/ | title=Anithya – අනිත්යා – Sinhala Movie | publisher=cinema.lk | access-date=2 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303124045/http://cinema.lk/Movie-detail/anithya-sinhala-movie/ | archive-date=3 March 2017 | url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | 2015 ||''Sulanga Gini Aran'' || || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/150809/magazine/the-director-and-achievement-of-the-film-dark-in-the-white-light-159566.html | title=The Director and Achievement of the Film "Dark in the White Light" | publisher=The Sunday Times | access-date=25 February 2017}}</ref> |- | 2016 ||''Sulanga Apa Ragena Yavi'' || Doctor || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.films.lk/sulanga-apa-ragena-yavi-sinhala-film-2222.html | title=Sulanga Apa Ragena Yavi - සුළඟ අප රැගෙන යාවි | publisher=Sinhala Cinema Database | access-date=23 March 2019}}</ref> |- | 2017 ||''Nilanjana'' || Densil || <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/films/nilanjana-120/ | title=Nilanjana | publisher=National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka | access-date=3 March 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=188215 SIGNIS Director Tomorrow short film festival and felicitation] * [http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/04/11/art07.asp Resplendent extravaganza in Melbourne]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vithanage, Bandula}} Category:Sri Lankan male film actors Category:1940 births Category:2014 deaths Category:Sri Lankan dramatists and playwrights Category:Sri Lankan screenwriters Category:20th-century Sri Lankan novelists Category:20th-century dramatists and playwrights