MULTI FACETED LEGENDARY TITUS THOTAWATTE REMINISCED – By Sunil Thenabadu
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Thotawattege Don Manuel Titus de Silva , popularly as Titus Thotawatte,also as “Tye Mama” was a Sri Lankan director and editor who made several popular Sri Lankan action movies in the 1960s and 1970s and later developed Sinhala children’s movie ‘Handaya” and many cartoon programs. He was born on 17 April 1927 in Colombo. He was the second child in a family of three children, with one elder brother and one younger sister. He attended Ananda College in Colombo shown talent for drawing from young days had studied art under J.D.A. Perera and Stanley Abeysinghe and Matara Technical College.He had also learnt the art of dancing.Having been employed in the Government Film Corporation as a film editor but Titus Thottawatte’s journey in life was changed having joined Lester James Peries and Willie Blake as editor to make the film Rekava in 1956. It was an attempt to make a truly Sinhalese movie in contrast with the Southern Indian copies then in trend. Thottawatte debuted as a director with Chandiya in 1965. The film starred Gamini Fonseka in the first villain’s role of Sinhala Cinema.]Other early films included Kauda Hari (1969), Thewatha (1970) and Haralaksaya (1971).
In 1980,Thotawatte wrote and directed the children’s movie ‘Handaya’,’which was awarded Best Picture at the Sarasaviya Film Festival. In the 1980s and 1990s, he dubbed English cartoons such as Bugs Bunny, Doctor Dolittle and Top Cat into Sinhala for Sinhalese audiences with the popular titles Ha Ha Hari Hawa, Dosthara Honda Hitha and Pissu Pusa respectively. He is the pioneer of dubbing programmes in Sri Lanka. These continue to air on Sinhala Television channels. Thotawatte created puppet characters like ‘Eluson’
In year 1965 Thotawatte stepped to direction of films successfully editing the film “Chandiya”..In year 1969 had directed “Kawda Hari”, ‘Baduth Ekka Horu”, then in 1970 ‘Thevatha’,in 1971 “Kara Lakshaya”,then continued directing the films ‘Sihasuna’, ‘Sagarika:, “Mangala’, “Maruwa Samaga Wasaya”,in the following years from year 1972 Among the above the direction of the film “Hara Lakshaya” is hailed by many.This is because as a female actress was deployed for a main role and also of the cameraman’s work and the editing work.
In year 1979 his Thotawatte’s journey was altered with his direction in the film “Handaya” which was liked to all elevations by children. After which Thotawatte stepped into Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation in year 1980 decade when he became sought after not for his directions but for substituting Sinhalese dialogues to many English films which was attracted to many Sri Lankans domiciled in overseas countries. too. Among them “ Dosthara Honda Hitha” and “Guliver” were top drawer attractions. After these successful ventures Thotawatte made cartoon films as “Pissu Poosa”, also “Malgudu Dawasa”,”Surangana Katha Karaliya”,”Situwara Montha Kristho”,”Manuthapaya”,”
Titus Thotawatte did not stop at dubbing exercises, but he did “Rasara” creations which were conceptions developed the ‘Muppet” programs. He brought in the precise Sinhalese words from the ‘Hela Hawla’ which made his productions fruitful to attract viewers.When he dubbed Sinhalese words to cartoons he made sure that words were very impressive not harsh at all. The only Teledrama Thotawatte produced was the popular “Rankahawanu”.
When the first National Media Awards took place in Sri Lanka, Thotawatte, was awarded a gold medal for his contribution to television and media in Sri Lanka.
Titus Thotawatte was married to Sujatha who was very helpful for all his work.Son Damith Thotawatte is a senior Attorney at Law attached to a government department.
Titus Thotawatte breathed his last in year 2011 on October 15th but had left an unbending name in the field of films, cartoons, and dubbing fields.
