Friday, March 9, 2012

DRAMA

Dayananda Gunawardena



Dayananda Gunawardena
Born October 15, 1934
Sri Lanka
Died June 24, 1993 (aged 58)
General Hospital, Colombo
Resting place Udugampola, Ehelagahahena
Nationality Sri Lanka Sri Lankan
Other names Hettipathirannehelage Dayananda Gunawardena, 'Jubal'[1]
Education Government School - Udugampola,
Government Secondary School - Veyangoda,
Ananda College - Colombo
Occupation playwright actor, lyricist, Sri Lankan dramatist, radio play producer, and writer
Religion Buddhist
Spouse Irangani Ranatunga
Children Chakrayuda Kirthi Gunawardena, Abhimangala Gunawardena & Wasanthapriya Gunawardena
Website
www.dayanandagunawardena.org
Dayananda Gunawardena (15 October 1934 – June 24, 1993.) was a Sri Lankan playwright, actor, lyricist, dramatist, radio play producer, and Sinhala Radio Play writer.

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[edit] Early life

Gunawardena was born in Halgampitiya in Gampaha, where his father Don Simon was an English Teacher. He completed his schooling from the Government school, Ugampola (1943–46) and Government Secondary School, Veyngoda (1946–51). In 1951, he joined the Ananda College, Colombo. While at school, he was active in many societies such as the drama society and was the Junior Cadet Captain and served as the vice-president of the college geographic society. He was awarded the D. B. Jayatilleke Literary Award and the Amarasena Art Award (both in open categories) while studying at Ananda College. In 1957, he joined the University of Peradiniya and completed his General Arts Qualifying Examination (subjects taken: Sinhala, Geography and Economics). He married Irangani Ranatunga of Gampaha on September 28, 1967 and they had three children.[2]

[edit] Career

Gundwardena's first notable play was Nari Bena (1961). It was based on a Sinhala folk-tale and was full of songs.Lionel Algama assisted to write Some of the memorable songs in this play - like Ahala malin gas pirila balanna hari lassanai and Kumatada sohoure kandulu salanne. It became hugely popular and has continued to be staged for forty years.[3][4] His next play Bakmaha Akunu (1962) - based on the French drama The Marriage of Figaro - was made into a film. "Kaamare Pore" (1962) Produced as a single stage drama in Sinhala this is an adaptation of the Play 'Box and Cox' by the English playwright John Maddison Morton and It was first staged without any songs.[3] Gunawardena had produced sixteen plays, Particularly notable amongst them are Gajaman Puwatha (1975) and Madhura Javanika (1983).[1] He formed the Nalu Kirthi Sabha Theatre Group in the 1970s.[5] Gunawardena is credited with introducing docudramas to the Sinhala theatre and with showcasing the talent of Gajaman Nona, the Sinhala poetess.[3] His Gajaman Puwatha (1976) was the first Sinhala play to adopt the docudrama style.[6] Another notable play of Gunawardana that is Madhura Javanika (Joyous Scenes).[1] This drama picks up the period of war between kings Rama and Ravana and noteworthy events in the country's history and the influence of the western invaders on Sri Lanka culture with dramatized chronicle of the 'Hingala'(Sinhala) people. It continues even in to modern times, where women seek employment in Dubai as housemaids. [1] In 2007, some of his plays were restaged in an attempt to raise funds for reviving public interest about his works.[5]

[edit] Institutions served

  • Producer – Programmes, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (1961–1989)
  • Director – Audio Research, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (1989–1990)
  • Director – English Service, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (1990–1992)

[edit] Training & Scholarship

  • 1957 - Moscow – International Student and Youth Festival
  • 1962 – Rumania – Sri Lankan Representative at the International Drama Federation and Study of Drama *in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia and Russia
  • 1966 – Awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship for Study of Radio and Television at BBC by Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
  • 1978 – East Germany – Directing of “NariBena” under the Cultural Exchange Programme
  • 1979 – Yugoslavia – Sri Lankan Representative at the First Television Festival of the Non Aligned
  • 1991 – South Korea – Conducted a Research on “Buddhism and Korean Theatre” following a scholarship awarded by the South Korean International Cultural Foundation

[edit] works

[2]

[edit] Theater

  • Swarnathilaka– 1958 – Produced by Kegalu Vidyalaya Drama Society
  • Prassaya – 1959 – Staged by National Drama Circle
  • NariBena -1960 – First Production for Thurstan College Drama Society, 1961 – Second Production for Amateur Drama Society
  • Kamare Pore – 1960 – Adaptation from English Drama “Box and Cox”
  • Emathi Pattama– 1960 – Adaptation from the Bulgarian Drama “Golemanov”
  • Pinguththara– 1961 – Produced by the Sinhala Society of the University of Colombo
  • Bakmaha Akunu– 1963 – Adaptation of the French Drama “Marriage of Figaro” (Introduced the Revolving Stage to Sri Lanka for the first time)
  • Denna Depole– 1964 – Produced from Hemasiri Prewardhana’s script
  • Jasaya saha Lenchina– 1965 –
  • Jeevana Vanchawa hewath Ibikatta– 1965
  • Vikaraye Akaraya– 1967 – Produced for the Drama Festival of ‘Lassana’ Newspapers
  • Kabaye Habe– 1971
  • Padmawathi– 1974 – Produced along with Lakshman Jayakody after editing the original publication of Charles Dias
  • Gajaman Puwatha (– 1975
  • Banku Natakaya - 1977 - Produced for the 10th Anniversary of the People’s Bank
  • Madhura Javanika– 1983 – Produced in association with Jones Overseas 1984 – Winner of Peace Award (Drama)
  • Ananda Jawanika– 1986 - Awarded Best Direction and Special Award for Script at the 1987 State Drama Festival. In addition, certificates awarded for Best Music, Stage Management and Acting.
  • Mathaka Bhaktha– 1990 – Produced on the invitation of the Police Sub Services Headquarters

[edit] Films

Bakmaha Deege– 1969 (Following the Bakmaha Akunu Drama)

[edit] Performed films

Kurulu Bedda
Ran Salu
Wesathuru Siritha

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "'Jubal' remembered with 'Madhura Javanika". sundaytimes. Retrieved 09 july 2000.
  2. ^ a b "dayanandagunawardena's web". dayanandagunawardena dot org.
  3. ^ a b c "Theatre Festival". sundaytimes. Retrieved 04 march 2007.
  4. ^ "Stage play festival to commemorate Dayananda Gunawardena". Daily News. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  5. ^ a b "Gajaman Puwatha". sundayobserver. Retrieved 11 November 2007.
  6. ^ "Dayananda's Gajaman Puwatha to go on boards again". sinhalaya. Retrieved 4 October 2006.

[edit]

Ediriweera Sarachchandra


Ediriweera Sarachchandra
Born 3 June 1914
Galle, Sri Lanka
Died 16 August 1996 (aged 82)
National Hospital of Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lanka Sri Lankan
Other names Veditantirige Ediriweera Ranjitha Sarachchandra, V.E. Sarachchandra, E.R Sarachchandra,Veditanthirige Eustace Reginold de Silva.
Education Richmond College
St. Aloysius College
St. John's College
St. Thomas' College
University of Colombo
University of London
Religion Buddhism
Spouse Ailean (Beleth) Sarachchandra, Lalitha (Swarna Perera) Sarachchandra
Children Kisagothami Sarachchandra, Sunethra Sarachchandra, Yashodara Sarachchandra, Ransiri Sarachchandra
Awards Honorary D. Litt. from the University of Jaffna, Honorary D. Litt. from the University of Peradeniya in addition to the Professor Emeritus
Website
http://www.sarachchandra.org
Ediriweera Sarachchandra (3 June 1914 - 16 August 1996) was an Sri Lankan playwright, novelist, poet, literary critic, essayist and social commentator. Considered Sri Lanka's premier playwright, he was a senior lecturer at the University of Peradeniya for many years and served as Sri Lankan Ambassador to France ( 1974–1977).

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[edit] Early education

Sarachchandra was born on 3 June 1914. He completed his early education at Richmond College in Galle, St. John's College in Panadura, S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia and St. Aloysius' College in Galle.
Sarachchandra started his career as a teacher at St. Peter's College in Colombo 4. He then joined the publishing company Lake House in an administrative position. 1933, gained admission to the University College, Colombo and offered Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhala for the first degree and passed out in 1936 with a first class and sat for the Ceylon Civil Service examination (because of his parents insistence) and came first in the island.[1]
In 1939 Sarachchandra wed Aileen Beleth. He subsequently travelled to Santiniketan to study Indian Philosophy and Music. Sarachchandra returned to Sri Lanka in 1940 and resumed his teaching career at St. Thomas College in Mt. Lavinia. From 1942 to 1944 he worked on his Masters Degree in Indian Philosophy as an external student of the University of London while holding the position of Sub-Editor of the Sinhala Dictionary.
Sarachchandra returned to the University College (Now University of Colombo) serving as a lecturer in Pali from 1947 to 1949. He gained entry to the University of London in 1949 to study towards a post graduate degree in Western Philosophy.

[edit] Theatre

Sarachchandra produced his first play Maname in 1956 to widespread acclaim. Maname is generally considered the first real Sinhala 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.

[edit] Awards and honors

The University of Jaffna and the University of Peradeniya conferred Sarachchandra the degree of Doctor of Literature in 1982. Also in that year he was made an Emeritus Professor at the University of Peradeniya. In 1983 the State of Kerala in South India awarded Sarachchandra the Kumaran Asian World Prize. In 1988 he won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Literature.

[edit] Plays

[edit] Books

[edit] Novels

  • Malagiya Eththo (1959)
  • Walmath Wee Hasarak Nudutimi (1962)
  • Malwunge Awrudhuda (1965)
  • Loku Putha Nohoth Bandulage Parawarthaya (1971)
  • Heta Echchara Kaluwara Ne (1975)
  • Wilasiniyakage Premaya (1988)
  • Curfew and a Full Moon (1978)
  • With the begging bowl (1986)
  • Foam Upon the Stream (1987)

[edit] Short Stories

  • Kalayage Awemen (1969)
  • Maya Roopaya (1974)
  • Roopa Sundari (1984)
  • Midiya, Gruhaniya ha Upasikawa (1993)
  • Of a Queen and a Courtesan (1970)
  • The Death of a Friend (1981)

[edit] Research, Literary Theory and Criticism

  • Sahithya Vidyawa (1949)
  • Sinhala Nawaatha Inthihasaya ha Wicharaya (1951)
  • Kalpana Lokaya (1958)
  • Natya Gaweshana (1967)
  • Sinhala Gemi Natakaya (1968)
  • Wes Muhunuda Sebe Muhunuda? (1971)
  • Modern Sinhalese Fiction (1943)
  • The Sinhalese Novel (1950)
  • The folk Drama of Ceylon (1952)
  • Budshist Psychology of Perception (1958)

[edit] Other

  • Ape Withthi (1942)
  • Asampurna Charika Satahan (1967)
  • Dharmishta Samajaya (1982)
  • Pin Ethi Sarasawi Waramak Denne (1985)

[edit]

Sugathapala de Silva


Sugathapala De Silva
Born Avalikkara Gallappattige Sugathapala De Silva
August 8, 1928
Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka
Died October 28, 2002 (aged 74)
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lanka Sri Lankan
Other names Lovable Dictator
( Sonduru Aknyadayakaya)
Spouse Sheela De Silva
Children Dimuthu Prasada Gallappatti , Vanamali Kaushalya Gallappatti , Sudesh Prabudda Gallappatti , Harindra Pragathi Gallappatti
Sugathapala De Silva (August 8, 1928 – October 28, 2002) is an acclaimed Sri Lankan dramatist and novelist, translator, radio play producer, and Sinhala Radio Play writer.[1]

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[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Sugathapala De Silva was born in 04th of August 1928 Midigama (Weligama, Matara), downsouth town 130 kilometers from of Colombo to the son of a small trader.[2] He grew up there, among Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim traders. His childhood experiences would later influence him to write the novels Ikbithi Siyalloma Sathutin Jeevathvuha and Esewenam Minisune Me Asaw. According to other writing he was born in Weligama and After studied in a few schools in Galle and from tenth grade studied Jinaraja College, Gampola, and came to Colombo.[3] Sugathapala de Silva worked as a salesman at K.V.G. de Silva's bookstall at Wellawatte. . He made this environment read book using free time. That habit amassed in him to gain knowledge which becomes a free thinker, a creator, an innovator, a radical and non-conformist.[4]

[edit] 1960

De Silva came to Colombo, Sri Lanka in the 1960s, and became engaged in the political and cultural movement, taking place there at that time. Nicknamed the "lovable dictator", he formed the drama group "Apey Kattiya" there, and started to translate and adapt plays by Tennessee Williams and Pirandello, like Cat On a Hot Tin Roof and Six Characters in Search of an Author, to wide acclaim. He followed these plays with original ones, like Thattu Geval and Boarding Karayo which captured the mood of the new city-bred middle classes of the time. Among his other creations are Eka Walle Pol, Boodin Karayo, Hithahonda Ammandi, Harima Badu Hayak, Mutu Kumari, Esala Sanda, Marasad and Snthuvara sebalano.

[edit] 1970

De Silva's best play is considered by many to be Dunna Dunu Gamuwe, which was written just after the 1971 insurrection in Sri Lanka. Although centered on a trade union struggle, it had an admixture of politics and art expertly mixed with technique and aided by some superb acting by the late U. Ariyawimal and Wilson Jayasiri was the precursor of the serious political theatre which followed at the end of the decade.
De Silva worked for long time at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation as a producer, and in the late 1960s was in charge of the weekly radio play, and the weekly short story programs on the station, which were the first "stamping grounds" of writers and dramatists who are today well-known in their own right.[5]
De Silva was bed-ridden since 1997, and after being admitted to a hospital, died on October 28, 2002.[6]

[edit] Produced Plays

  • 1972 Dunna Dunu Gamuwe
  • 1977 Nandivisala
  • 1979 Mutu Kumari
  • 1981 Thuranga Sanniya
  • 1983 Esala Sanda Avanhala (The Tea House of the August Moon, Ingmar Bergman )
  • 1987 Maratsad( Marat/Sade, Peter Weiss)
  • 1991 Santhuvara sebalano

[edit] Published works

  • Biththi Hatara (novel)
  • Asura Nikakaya (novel)
  • Ikbithi Siyaloloma Sathutin Jeewath uha(novel)
  • Ballo Bath kathi (novel)
  • Ese veenam Minisune Asav (novel)
  • Hitler Ellla marai (novel)
  • Pavara nirindeku viya bambadath (novel)
  • Ata messa- The Gadfly By Ethel Lilian Voynich (Translation novel)
  • Hathara veni Thattuva (Translation)
  • Deiyampa Sahathika Eththa (Translation )
  • Re bo ikbithi -When nights fall (Translation )
  • Amuthu Ilandariya Funny Boy By Shyam Selvadurai’ (Translation novel)
  • Ginidalu mal (Translation )
  • Nil katrol mal ( Original Play))
  • Dunna dunu gamuve ( Original Play)
  • Thuranga Sanniya ( Original Play)
  • Marasadh ( Marat/Sade by Peter Weiss Translation play)
  • Godo Unnhehe Enakal ( Waiting for Godot By Samuel Beckett Translation play)
  • Harima badu hayak ( Six Characters in Search of an Author, By Luigi PirandelloTranslation play)
  • Sonduru Akna dayaka Hevath Natya nishpadaka ( Academic)
  • Handa Naluva Hevath Guvan viduli Nattya ( Academic)
  • Anoo navaya ( humor )
  • Saibu nana ( humor )
  • Ane Devdath Noditi mokpura ( Poem )

[edit] Awards

  • 1962 'Bodin karayo' best script and play National drama festival in Sri Lanka
  • 1971 best literary prize 'Ikbithi Siyalloma Sathutin Jeevathvuha' .[10]
  • 1987 'Marat sad' best Translation and play National drama festival in Sri Lanka

[edit] Scholarships

British government scholarship for study drama.[11]

[edit] Picture

[edit]

Jackson Anthony

Jackson Anthony
Born Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Konganige Joseph Malsi Jackson Anthony is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema (refer to Cinema of Sri Lanka). Though he has become popular from his career as an actor (in Television, Stage and Cinema). He has appeared before the public in versatile forms; director, producer, singer, screenwriter, novelist and lyricist.

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[edit] Early life

While he's recognized as "Jackson" by many people, his parents used to call him "Malsi". He received his primary education at Hapugoda Junior School and St. Mary's College in Bandarawela and later entered Galahitiyawa Central College in Ganemulla. For higher education he attended the University of Colombo where he first obtained an honors degree in Sinhala Language and Literature and did his Master’s degree in Mass media at University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

[edit] Career as an Actor

His performances in stage plays such as Marsad, Madura Jawanika, Loma Hansa, Dhawala Beeshana, Ath, Mora and Tharawo Igilethi brought him islandwide recognition in the field of cinema. In 1993 he came to film industry. Having acted in Guru Gedara, Chitti, Ayoma and Loku Duwa, in his initial days, Jackson went on to prove his status in films like Bawa Duka, Bawa Karma, Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli, Aswesuma, Agni Dahaya, Sooriya Arana, Mille Soya and Randiya Dahara. In the mean time he came to terms with television as well. These fields helped him establish his own identity as an actor. He is also admired for his memorable performances in the roles of arrogant, assertive and impertinent characters.Sri Lanka's leading planter Dinal Hilary Samerenayaka was acting as a mentor to Anthony. He also collaborated with Jayantha Chandrasiri, a director in modern Sri Lankan cinema and television. In 2004, under the direction of the Sri Lankan director and writer, Somaratne Dissanayanke, he took up a leading role in the film, Sooriya Arana in which he brought to life the role of an egocentric hunter who is compelled to vainly battle with the subtlety of Buddhist tradition both socially and spiritually. This bagged him awards at many of the local Award ceremonies. During his acting career he has garnered more than 20 Best Actor Awards at local award ceremonies such as Sarasavi Awards, Presidential Awards and OCIC Awards.

[edit] Filmography

  • Guru Gedara
  • Chitti
  • Ayoma
  • Visidela (1994)
  • Lokuduwa (1994)
  • Bawa Duka
  • Bawa Karma
  • Gini Awi Saha Gini Keli
  • Aswesuma
  • Agnidahaya (2002)
  • Sooriya Arana (2004)
  • Mille soya (2004)
  • Randiya dahara (2004)
  • Guerilla marketing (2005)
  • Dheewari (2006)
  • Kurulu Pihatu (2006)
Director
  • Aba (2008)

[edit] Other careers

Jackson Anthony was the Winner of the Peoples’ award for the best artist at the Awards Ceremony of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) 2007. Currently, Jackson Anthony serves as the Creative Director of Swarnavahini Television Channel. He is acclaimed for his concept and presentation of ‘Maha Sinhalaye Vansa Kathawa’ (translated as “The Chronicle of the Great Sinhalese”) telecast through Swarnavahini channel for several years. With many erudite historians brought together, this probably became a most comprehensive program dedicated to the History of Sri Lanka. Other popular programs created by him include exploratory programs like “Ganga dige”(an exploration of the water bodies in the island) and “Salang hanthe”(a travel program revealing the history and civilization of Lesotho).
He has also directed several Sri Lankan films. His directorial debut, ‘Julietge bhumikawa’ won him the award for the Most Promising Director at the Critics’ Awards Ceremony. Paradeesaya was another film directed by him. His direction Aba, allegedly an expensive movie have been made in Sri Lanka. It is based on the legend of King Pandukabhaya; a story which took place more than 2300 years ago. Jackson’s son Sajith Anuttara will play the role of the young Pandukabhaya.
"Esala Kaluwara" is the only teledrama directed by him and is based on a story that addresses a realistic approaches to the roots and causes of the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka.

[edit] Personal life

Jackson Anthony is married to Kumari Munasinghe, a singer. They have two sons and a daughter and the family is settled in Kadawatha, a Colombo suburb. His youngest son, Sajitha Anuththara has played the role of the hunter’s son in “Sooriya Arana”. He has also played the title role in his father's big-budget film ‘Aba’& his daughter married Dr Aloka Liyanage son of Hemasiri Liyanage & younger brother of Saumya Liyange on 02nd of December 2010.
He often remembers his father, Mr. Konganige Benedict Anthony and his mother Mrs.Rolin Perera as the mammoth pillar of his success. Jackson's parents lived in his hometown Podiweekumbura, Ragama. He hails from a family of 5 brothers. Elder Brother is Senaka Titus Anthony who is a journalist for several medias.



Henry Jayasena


Henry Jayasena
Born July 6, 1931
Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Died November 11, 2009 (aged 78)
Colombo South (Kalubowila) General Hospital - Sri Lanka
Nationality Sri Lanka Sri Lankan
Education Lorenz College Gampaha & Nalanda College Colombo
Occupation Film and stage Actor , Play writer and Director
Spouse Manel Jayasena
Children Sudaraka jayasena
Awards Dr [1]
Henry Jayasena (Sinhala:හෙන්රි ජයසේන) (6 July 1931 - 11 November 2009) born in Bendiyamulla, Gampaha is a Sri Lankan film actor and dramatist.

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[edit] Early life

Jayasena studied at the Gampaha branch of Lorenz College and at Nalanda College Colombo. Some of Jayasena's notable classmates at Nalanda College were Karunaratne Abeysekera, Dr Harischandra Wijayatunga, Dr Hudson Silva, Hon. Dr Dharmasena Attygalle, Hon. Rupa Karunathilake, Ravindra Rupasena and Stanley Jayasinghe.
He began his career as an Assistant Teacher of English at the Dehipe Primary School in Padiyapellela in the Nuwara Eliya district in 1950 where he directed his first play, Janaki. Jaysena left this post a few months later after passing the General Clerical Service Examination and securing a job with the Public Works Department (PWD) of Sri Lanka.[2]

[edit] works

While with PWD, Jaysena created many of his most famous plays, Pawkarayo [3](1958) Janelaya (1962), Thavath Udesenak (1964), Manaranjana Wedawarjana (1965), Ahas Malilga (1966), Hunuwataye Kathawa (1967), Apata Puthey Magak Nethey (1968), Diriya Mawa (1972), Makara (1973) and Sarana Siyoth Se Puthini Habha Yana (1975). Before retiring from government work, he also served as Deputy Director for the National Youth Services Council (Arts and Sports Division) and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (Programmes Division).[2]
Also during this time Jaysena was a reputed film actor. An early role was in Sri 296 (1959). During the 1960s Jaysena played the starring roles of Piyal in Gamperaliya (1964), Azdak in Hunuwataye Kathawa (1967) and Lalith in Dahasak Sithuvili (1968).[2]
He died, November 11, 2009 in Colombo, Sri Lanka

[edit] References

  1. ^ "New Year 2006 : Hopes and aspirations". Sunday Observer - Lakehouse Newspapers. 2006-01-01. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  2. ^ a b c "Henry Jayasena". Upali Group of Companies. 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
  3. ^ Dr Henry Jayasena - some personal reflections, dailynews, 2010, retrieved 13 01 2010
  • Compiled by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi "Dailynews Features". Dailynews. 2003-09-27. Retrieved 2009-07-02.

[edit] External links


drama photos










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