Darshan Dharmaraj, who was not even in a sick bed, suddenly died of a heart attack. It is hard to believe that the audience loved this extremely talented actor with such a dark look, and thousands and one people expressed their grief for Darshan through social media.
Darshan was just 41 years old when he died. In the book of knowledge it is mentioned that the rebirth of a man is at 40 years . But at 41, Darshan left not to come back again. Darshan Dharmaraj is not the only one. It is not a secret that we often hear sad and bitter news about highly skilled and experienced artists who have unexpectedly passed away from life.
Why does this happen to artists?
Why are Sri Lankan artists subjected to such pathetic life incidents?
Often in every art there is an art that goes up unexpectedly as well as an art that goes down. It applies to business, employment, education as well as every other art field including acting. The ancients did not say such sayings at that time, which is proved by some of the things that happening now.
Does that mean the art of Sri Lankan art reached its decline?
The declining signs of Sri Lankan art appeared a few decades ago. It was with the decline of cinema and the stage and the multi-faceted weird revolution of tele-drama. This story is a different side of it. It’s pathetic. From 2020 to 2022, the phenomena of artists who lost their lives due to untimely death in a row and the phenomena of artists becoming ill without being able to do anything on their own, standing on their feet, are surely more disturbing than the above fact.
No need to look any further. The unfortunate incident of veteran artist Jackson Anthony is a perfect proof of that. Jackson went to Sinhabahu to complete the final phase of shooting. what happened It is a very unfortunate event that is beyond oures imagination not even in dreams. Was that an elephant or an animal spirit? Or, as someone mentioned recently, it is still unknown whether it is a zombie possessed by the wrath of God. The elephant could not be found.
At the end of it all, a great lion-like actor, an extraordinary artist with a high profile, was lying helplessly in a coma. He is sighing in a dark world where he does not understand who he is. The release of some of his latest films, including ‘Eka Gei Sokari’, which is a masterpiece release, is just around the corner.
It was noted on some social media that Jackson Anthony’ is a walking library.
‘Jackson Anthony has no alternatives or substitutes some one others noted’.
‘There are no other lions except you. Get up soon’ veteran film director Somarathne Balasuriya had said after the first surgery on Jackson.
Isn’t it a misfortune for the entire nation and the country that such a valuable artist has fallen victim to such an unfortunate situation and is unable to recover from it?
Meanwhile, information is revealed that veteran tele designer Mr. Nalan Mendis is also ill. The other day, it was noted on the social networking sites that Ashoka Handagama, who has derected great masterpieces, is ill due to a disability in one hand. There are many more examples.
During the same time last year, three other veteran artists fell seriously ill. They are Sampath Thennakone, Giriraj Kaushalya and Sarath Chandrasiri. There, only Giriraj survived with the grace or God and fate. How can we forget the unique artists like Jayalath Manoratne, Jayalal Rohana, Lakshman Wijesekera, Hyacinth Wijeratne, Vishaka Siriwardena who passed away before that? Singer Gypsy Sunil Perera, who brought joy to the world while some old politicians who were on their deathbed survive and these artists are taken away by Corona and other sicknesses. According to news, the veteran actor Suminda Sirisena, who captivated the audience with his various character portrayals, is still in a wheelchair for many years.
Why was that?
Why is this still happening today?
Is it their destiny? Or is it the result of a curse?
Or a strange change of mind?
Who is to say that many artists did not quietly sigh when the film and stage arts took an unexpected plunge? Who can say that great artists like Suminda Sirisenala, who contributed to the mission of making tele art a haven when it was sold cheaply and took on an absurd appearance, did not get depressed then?
If anyone say such things didn’t happen however,artists’ careers are not good these days . Let bygones be bygone and leave it for a while but looking at Jackson Anthony and Darshan Dharmaraj, it was just right. He is a talented designer who is keeping his eyes closed without a coma, looking forward to unfolding a beautiful line-up on the silver screen. Even veterans like Bimal Jayakodi wept at Darshan’s feet, but he must have understood the value of his friend who was humane and perfect in ability.
It’s a wonder if none of us even realized it. Everyone thought that one day Darshan has the talent to get close to cinema icon Gamini Fonseka or award-winning actor Joe Abeywickrama. No one said it was a victory, but neither Darshan’s destiny nor God above saw it. So Darshan thumped his chest and said goodbye to us. Why is the world losing precious people who are capable of doing something while the criminals are living on the carpets of mansions like heavens are doing well?
Is it a curse?
A satanic law?
Or as our ancestors say, is this the way they came looking for? The answer to that is in God’s hand. However, oh God, the world you have created is truly wonderful.
Damayanti Renuka Fernando
