Sudharma : Her day has come

Makes debut as tele producer with ‘Ganga Addara’

The much-hyped ‘Ganga Addara’ tele drama is now ready for release and it is slotted to unfold on the small screen from November 27 on Sirasa TV.

The breathtaking series opens a new chapter in the country’s tele history not only in terms of a quality production, but it also brings to the forefront a new tele drama producer called Sudharma Nethicumara who is no stranger in the country’s glamour and business communities.

She’s smart, she’s stylish, she’s intelligent and an extremely talented perfectionist. But above all she’s an ardent lover of arts. Besides playing a crucial behind the scene role as a director of the Salaka Senkada Group owned by her loving husband Gamini Nethicumara, she  played a crucial part in the S-Three combination together with Sangeetha Weeraratne and Shereen Kumaratunga. The trio proved their power as outstanding mega event organizers. She is also the proprietor of the popular ‘Seasons’ fashion outlet in Welikada, Rajagiriya.

Talking to Reel Life on her newest mission, Sudharma said her dream was to someday make a film, but circumstances led her to kick off with this tele drama project, paving her the way to enter the film scene in the near future with more experience.

“I feel I was destined to start off with a tele drama production to bring out a quality end product. This tele project is a blessing in disguise, I should say, largely because it has given me a platform to learn and taste the reality in such a scenario. Ganga Addara is the first tele drama shot in HD format with underwater scenes. I am glad to announce that I will be starting the second part of  Ganga Addara on November 20,” said Sudharma.

“I am very much grateful to my husband Gamini Nethicumara for all the support he has been giving me to make this project a success. Besides I must express my sincerest gratitude to Vipula Botheju – son of Ganga Addara author Laticia Botheju. He offered me rights of the book without even accepting the money I presented to him. Instead he asked if I could save a cattle destined to be slaughtered. I promised to do it when the tele drama is telecast.  I am also thankful to Ms. Sumitra Peries for her blessings and kind, encouraging words. I must have not thanked Nimal Mendis enough for the cooperation and support he has extended to me right throughout. Last but not least, I am extremely grateful to Sirasa TV Chairman, Sirasa TV Channel Head Susara Dinal and his entire team for all what they are doing to make my tele drama a hit in this country and above all for appreciating and valuing my efforts,” said Sudharma.
Sudharma has herself learnt music under Maestro Premasiri Khemadasa as a teenager.
“I learnt the violin from Visharada Edward Jayakody. I even acted in Premasiri Khemadasa’s maiden Russian Opera ‘Yallah’ when I was young. I never acted after that and I don’t hope to do so in the future,” she said.

Ganga Addara directed by Saranga Mendis and featuring Ravindra Randeniya, Saranga Dissasekara, Shalini Tharaka, Buddhadasa Vithanachchi, Anula Karunathilaka, Veena Jayakody, Douglas Ranasinghe and Niroshan Wijesinghe will be telecast on Sirasa TV at 8 pm on Saturdays and Sundays from November 27..

Dailymirror - by Ramesh Uvais

‘Ganga Addara’ unfolds on Sirasa TV this week

Twenty years ago – On August 1, 1980 to be precise, new hope dawned in the country with the release of the much hyped movie ‘Ganga Addara’ directed by Ms. Sumitra Peries and produced by Ms. Milina Sumathipala. And today the much talked-about teledrama version of Ganga Addara is all set to unspool on Sirasa TV from November 27 at 8 pm – every Saturday and Sunday thereafter.

 

Well-known Sudharma Nethicumara who makes her debut as a tele drama producer produces the tele drama while it is directed by Saranga Mendis.

“Talking of the Ganga Addara tele drama I must reiterate that this is not the tele version of the Ganga Addara film. This is different and it’s based on the novel by Laticia Boteju. It is a beautiful love story that will certainly be embraced with love by today’s generation. I always believe in quality and perfection. You will certainly see these qualities in the Ganga Addara tele drama too. I have invested a large amount of money on this project. Had I invested it in business, the returns would have been manifold. But my passion for arts has made me give my heart and soul to this project. This is my first step and I hope this would be a significant step in career as a producer too,” said Sudharma who also started work on the second part of ‘Ganga Addara’ last week.

Both Saranga Dissasekara and Shalini Tharaka who play the lead roles in the tele serial said they were so thrilled with the end product and that it would certainly be a hit among the audiences who today crave for wholesome entertainment.

Besides Saranga and Shalini, the enchanting romantic tale features Ravindra Randeniya, Buddhadasa Vithanachchi, Anula Karunathilaka, Veena Jayakody, Niroshan Wijesinghe, Deunuka Porage, Hasantha Gunasekara, Douglas Ranasinghe, Kanthi Fonseka, Malee Jayaweerage, Richrad Weerakkody and others in the key roles.

Prabath Roshan handled the camera, Banura Jayamal the art direction, Navarathne Gamage the music while Nimal Mendis and Ajith Galappaththy penned the lyrics.

Surendra Perera and Lalith Thomas have sung the songs that come in the tele serial.

Daily Mirror  

Ganga Addara - Reviving a timeless endeavour

Three women got together to breath life into this evergreen creation. Laticia Botheju scripted the novel which was later adapted as a film by Sumitra Peries. Recently Sudharma Nethicumara took on the task of transforming the beloved story into the small screen.

This is the story of Ranjith, Nirmala and Dr Sarath Pathirana. It is a story of childhood bonds, innocence, romance and sacrifice. Director Saranga Mendis had given a new twist to the tale which features Ravindra Randeniya, Saranga Dissasekara, Shalini Tharaka, Buddhadasa Vithanachchi, Anula Karunathilaka, Veena Jayakody, Douglas Ranasinghe and Niroshan Wijesinghe. The teledrama will be telecast on Sirasa TV from November 27, every weekend at 8.30 pm.

Significantly Ganga Addara sets a milestone in the country's teledrama scene because it will be the first teledrama produced by Sudharma. She is no stranger to the arts, glamour and entertainment scene for she had been playing her part in enhancing some significant quality productions in the past.

Starting off her link with arts at a young age, Sudharma had been a disciple of Master Premasiri Khemadasa and had taken part in his maiden Russian Opera Yallah. She has even learnt to pay the violin under Edward Jayakody. Working with Sangeetha Weeraratne and Shereen Kumaratunga, Sudharma is part of the S-Three group which puts together some of the most entertainment packed events in the country. She is also a top business woman in the island for she plays a significant part as a director of the Salaka Senkada Group whish is owned by her husband Gamini.

Credits
Director : Saranga Mendis
Producer : Sudharma Nethicumara
Cameraman : Prabath Roshana

"The teledrama is based on the novel. It was written to suit not only the wide screen and the mini screen but a variety of other media. Ganga Addara is the first local teledrama shot in HD format with underwater scenes. Surendra Perera rendered his voice for the popular song sung by Vijaya Kumaratunga in the movie. Hangum Bindu Bindu Ya Vevi, a song penned by Ajith Galapatti and sung by Leslie Thomas will also be included," said the multi talented individual who is also the proprietor of the'Seasons' fashion outlet in Welikada, Rajagiriya.

My husband Gamini Nethicumara has been a pillar of strength in my endeavours. I also wish to thank Vipula Botheju, the son of author Laticia for presenting me with the rights of the book. He did not sell it for money but made a request for me to save a cattle which is destined to be slaughtered. I promised to take on the task once the teledrama is telecast," she noted adding that she is also grateful to Sumitra Peries for her well wishes and Sirasa TV channel head Susara Dinal for allocating space to telecast the teledrama. She aims to produce a movie in the future. The teledrama is a project to test her wings but one which she had put in much effort and dedication. The second chapter of Ganga Addara will begin work in November 20.

Daily News - article by Ruwini Jayawardana