Cultural
Clarke
Portrait of Clarke by H R Premaratne
As a man of letters, Arthur C Clarke was well integrated with the literary and cultural circles in Sri Lanka.
He befriended many local writers, painters and musicians, supported their creative endeavours and promoted them internationally whenever possible.
One such friend was the leading Lankan painter Marie Alles Fernando. She recalls how he visited her exhibitions and bought paintings that adorned his home. They became friends, and used to discuss topics like the beauty of Sri Lanka and mysticism.
In an earlier era, among Clarke’s early friends in Ceylon was H R Premaratne, an accomplished engineer, painter and sculptor. In 1965, on Clarke’s recommendation, Premaratne worked with the team that built elaborate sets for making the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.
“Prema’s expertise in art and engineering was very valuable in the production of the movie’s special effects, and he assisted in the building of the spectacular space station,” Clarke said.
“ When the East was desperately trying to acquire the technology of the West, the West was turning to the East in search of spiritual guidance. ”
in Profiles of the Future (1964)
Bronze sculpture of Clarke by Sarath Chandrajeewa at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
“ When the East was desperately trying to acquire the technology of the West, the West was turning to the East in search of spiritual guidance. ”
in Profiles of the Future (1964)
Bronze sculpture of Clarke by Sarath Chandrajeewa at Galle Face Hotel, Colombo
Clarke being directed by Lester James Peries
Clarke was the principal financier of Ran Muthu Duwa (Island of Treasures), the first colour Sinhala feature film made in Sri Lanka, released in August 1962. Directed by Mike Wilson, the movie included several underwater scenes – another first. It was a box office hit.
In 1980, Clarke played the role of colonial officer and magistrate Leonard Woolf in Beddegama (130 mins), a Sinhala movie adaptation of Woolf’s 1913 acclaimed novel, The Village in the Jungle. It was directed by Lester James Peries, Sri Lanka’s top ranked filmmaker of his generation.
