Shanthi Kumar Senevirathna

Berty Seneviratne (16 September 1916 – 22 February 1967 බර්ටි සෙනෙවිරත්න), popularly known by stage name Shanthi Kumar was an actor, filmmaker and choreographer in Sri Lankan cinema. Considered one of the three pioneer film directors in Sinhala cinema, he made the first talkie film of Sri Lankan film history. He has gone down in history as a dancer who amazed India and was honored by an Indian governor.

Personal life Berty Seneviratne alias Shanthi Kumar Seneviratne was born on September 16, 1916, at the Lihinigiri Palace in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. His mother was from Subasinghe family of Sandalankawa. He studied as Trinity College, Kandy, and mastered wrestling, rugby and football during school period.

He died on 22 February 1967 at the age of 50.

Career He later studied English and Latin and went to India to learn dance from popular choreographer Gopinath. Therefore, he took his script angrily as the board of directors opposed it.

In 1964, his film Kala Kala De Pala Pala De was the adaptation of the Tamil film Irambu Thirai. He was also the first director of the film Suhada Sohoyuro produced by E.A.P. Edirisingha. Berty has also been involved in directing dialogues for two films: the Hindi film 'Milap' titled Salli Epa and the Hindi film 'Insathiyath' titled Manushyathwaya. On November 6, 1966, he wrote two articles on how to make a film.

Filmography Year Film Roles Ref. 1947 Asokamala Director, screenwriter, Choreographer, Actor: Saliya 1953 Eda Rae Director, screenwriter, actor: Ranjith 1957 Jewitha Satana Director 1962 Sansare Director 1963 Suhada Sohoyuro Director 1964 Heta Pramada Vadi Director 1964 Kala Kala De Pala Pala De Director