Ho Gaana Pokuna

Ho Gana Pokuna (The Singing Pond) (Sinhala: හෝ ගානා පොකුණ) is a 2015 Sri Lankan children's musical drama film written and directed by Indika Ferdinando.[1][2] It depicts a teacher in a remote village, Uma (Anasuya Subasinghe), teaching her students to focus on something they have never seen before.[3]

Ho Gana Pokuna
හෝ ගානා පොකුණ
official poster
Directed byIndika Ferdinando
Screenplay byIndika Ferdinando
Produced by
  • Sunil T. Fernando
  • Kusumsiri Liyanarachi
  • Yashodara Sarachchandra
  • Dayananda Liyanarachi
  • Shyama Athukorala
  • Bimal Fernando
  • Nirosha Fernando
  • Geetha Muthumala
Starring
CinematographyChanna Deshapriya
Music byDinesh Subasinghe
Production
company
Next Frame Studio & Production
Distributed bySunil T Films
Release date
11 December 2015
Running time
119 minutes
CountrySri Lanka
LanguageSinhala

The film was awarded the Teacher's Choice Prize at the 31st Chicago International Children's Film Festival,[4] Best Feature Film at the 38th Lucas International Children's Festival,[5][6] and the City of Zlin Award at the 55th Zlín Film Festival.[7] It had its world premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival and was designated as the official selection at the Hanoi International Film Festival.[5][8][9]

Plot

A new teacher, Uma (Anasuya Subasinghe), arrives at a school with her first appointment in a remote village near Dambulla in Sri Lanka. The school has few students, with only the principal (Lucian Bulathsinghala) and Uma as the teacher. With the help of Uma the pupils gradually start to dream of bigger things than they ever imagined.

One day Upuli, a blind girl, shares her unseen dream with school friends Sukiri and Ukkun. It gradually becomes the dream throughout the village. The children and Uma encounter perils in their venture to realise this dream. The children of the school start to focus on something they have never seen before. This target gives rise to a small revolution.[10]

Film crew

The movie was directed by Indika Ferdinando. It was produced by Kusumsiri Liyanarachi, Yashodara Sarachchandra, Dayananda Liyanarachi, Shyama Athukorala, Bimal Fernando, Nirosha Fernando, and Geetha Muthumala. Principal photography was undertaken by Channa Deshapriya and editing by Thissa Surendra.[11]

Cast

Child actors
  • Thishakya Kumaratunga
  • Anjali Methsara as Blind girl
  • Sathsara Jayasuriya
  • Nethpriya Manubhashitha
  • Senith Valpotagamage
  • Sethika Gunasinghe
  • Nihansa Dissanayake
  • Vinod Saleem
  • Udara Perera
  • Wasana Pathirana
  • Kimuthu Liyanaarchchi
  • Maleesha Muthuarachchi
  • Nileesha Dinethmi
  • Vishmi Sathsarani
  • Deshan Abeweera
  • Navoda Hansini
  • Vinumi Vinsadi
  • Nesta Maneth

Musical score

The film's score and songs were composed and conducted by Dinesh Subasinghe.[13][14] Vocals for the theme song, "Rata Pena Kiri Haawa", were provided by Thrishala Wijethunga with background vocals by Dewmini Fernando, Dinith Ridhmika, Banuka Senivirathna and Nishami Naizara.[15]

Sound track

The sound track of the movie was released on M Entertainment music. The musical score has been admired by the Hanoi film jury and Chicago media journalists. The soundtrack was recorded by Rajeewa Jayawickrama and finalised by Shashika Ruwan Maarasinghe in Chennai.[16][17][18]

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Atha Pena Deta Wada"Dewmini Fernando, Thrishala Wijesinghe, Banuka Senevirathna, Dinith Ridmika, Nishami Nishara03:07
2."Ho Gana Pokune"Dewmini Fernando, Thrishala Wijesinghe, Banuka Senevirathna, Dinith Ridmika, Nishami Nishara04:23
3."Hitha Purama Dagana Natana"Dewmini Fernando, Thrishala Wijesinghe, Banuka Senevirathna, Dinith Ridmika, Nishami Nishara03:52
Total length:11:22

Awards and nominations

International Awards

[19]

Year Film Festival Country Category Result
2015 31st Chicago International Children's Film Festival U.S. Special Jury award (Teacher's Choice) [20] Won
2015 55th Zlín Film Festival Czech Republic City of Zlin Award,[21][22][23] Won
2015 38th Lucas International Children's Film Festival Germany Best Feature film award[21] Won
2016 SAARC Film Festival SAARC countries *Best Screenplay-Indika Ferdinando *Best Editor-Tissa Surendra[24] Won

4th Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016

[25] Ho Gana Pokuna movie has got nine nominations & won six awards at the 4th Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016 at Nelum pokuna Thearter on 14 May 2016[26]

Category Artist Result
Best Original Score Dinesh Subasinghe Won
Best Supporting Actor Jayalath Manoratne Won
Most Popular Film Song Dinesh Subasinghe Won
Best Direction Indika Ferdinando Nominated
Best Screen Play Indika Ferdinando Nominated
Best Art Director Manjula Ayagama Nominated
Best Actor in a Negative Role Dayadeva Edirisinghe Nominated
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Jayani Senanayake Nominated
Best Movie & Most Popular Movie Indika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi Won

Jury Awards

  • Special award for Anasuya Subasinghe.
  • Highest Grossing Movie

2nd Hiru Golden Film Awards 2016

[27]

Category Artist Result
Most Popular Film Song Dinesh Subasinghe Won
Best Editing Tissa Surendra Won
Best Sound Designing Sasika Ruwan Marasinghe Nominated
Best Comic Role Jayalath Manoratne Won
Best Original Score Dinesh Subasinghe Nominated
Best Movie Song Dinesh Subasinghe Nominated
Most Popular Child Star Thishakya Kumarathunga Won
Most Promising director Indika Ferdinando Nominated
Best Negative Role Daya Deva Edhirisinghe Won
Best Screen Play Indika Ferdinando Nominated
Best Movie Indika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi Won

Jury Awards

  • Special Award for Anjali Wickramasinghe

36th SIGNIS Awards (OCIC) 2016

Category Artist Result
Best Editing Tissa Surendra Won
Best Sound Designing Sasika Ruwan Marasinghe Won
Best Original Score Dinesh Subasinghe Won
Best Supporting Role Jayalath Manoratne Won
Best Supporting Role Dayadeva Edirisinghe Nominated
Best Actress Anasuya Subasinghe Nominated
Best Director Indika Ferdinando Won
Best Screen Play Indika Ferdinando Won
Best Movie Indika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi Won

Jury Awards

  • Special Award for Anjali Wickramasinghe

33rd Sarasaviya Awards

[28]

Category Artist Result
Most Promising Actress Anasuya Subasinghe Won
Best Supporting Actor Jayalath Manoratne Won
Best Original Score Dinesh Subasinghe Nominated
Best lyricist indika Ferdinando,Kusumsiri Liyanarachi Nominated
Best Cinematography Channa Deshapriya Nominated
Best Sound Designing Sasika Ruwan Marasinghe Nominated
Best Director Indika Ferdinando Nominated
Best Screen Play Indika Ferdinando Nominated
Best Movie Indika Ferdinando,Kusum Siri Liyanarachi,Yashodara Sarathchandra,Sunil T Fernando,Bimal Fernando& Ananda Liyanarachi Nominated

Presidential Film Awards 2017

[29]

Category Artist Result
Best Art director Manjula Ayagama Won
Best Film Song Dinesh Subasinghe Won
Best Original Score Dinesh Subasinghe Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Jayalath Manoratne Won
best Upcoming Actress Anasuya Subasinghe Won
  • Jury Merit Awards
  • Thishakya Sankalana Kumarathunga
  • Senith Sathwiru Walpitagamage
  • Sathsara Sawan Jayasooriya
  • Senitha Dinith Gunasinhe
  • Nethpriya Madhubhashitha Ranawakarachchige

Box office

The film completed 100 days[30] and went up to 147 days until the release date of movie Paththini. It was a huge box office success in Sri Lanka and won the Highest Grossing movie Award at the 4th Derana Sunsilk Film Festival. The film was recorded as the first Sri Lankan movie to be released in Blu-Ray technology.[31]

References
  1. "Sri Lankan Screened Films". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  2. "Ho Gana Pokuna: Inspiring and inspirational". Sundayobserver.lk. 21 February 2016. Archived from the original on 21 February 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  3. "එන්න හීන දකින්න". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  4. "31st Chicago International Children's Film Festival" (PDF). Facets. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  5. "Laurels". Next Frame Studio. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  6. "The LUCAS Awards". Deutsches Film museum. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  7. Emersion Software. "About film - 56th ZLIN FILM FESTIVAL - International film festival for children and youth". Zlinfest.cz.
  8. "The Singing Pond". Haniff.vn. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  9. "'The Singing pond' creates international ripples | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". Sundaytimes.lk. 25 October 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  10. "A refreshing movie, a tribute to teachers | The Sunday Times Sri Lanka". Sundaytimes.lk. 13 December 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  11. "Cast & Crew". Hogaanapokuna.com. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  12. "Anusaya in Ho Gaana Pokuna". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  13. "Music of Ho Gaana Pokuna". Sarasaviya. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  14. Ruwini Jayawardana (27 November 2013). "A rebel's music | Daily News Online : Sri Lanka's National News". Dailynews.lk. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  15. "Dinesh's global tempo".
  16. Fernando, Susitha R. (3 February 2011). "A Musical Revival in Lankan cinema". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  17. "'Ho Gana Pokuna' ::: Dailymirror.lk ::: Breaking News". Dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  18. "Ho Gaana Pokuna plot". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  19. "Next Frame Studio :: Director".
  20. "Arts".
  21. "'The Singing pond' creates international ripples | the Sunday Times Sri Lanka".
  22. "About film - 62nd ZLIN FILM FESTIVAL 2022 - international film festival for children and youth".
  23. "Awards at Zlin". filmfesthamburg.de. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  24. "Winners – SAARC Film Festival 2016 |".
  25. "Glowing accolades for Ho Gaana Pokuna". Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  26. "The Glamour and Splendour at the Derana Sunsilk Film Awards 2016 – Beautiful you". Beautifulu.lk. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  27. "Hiru Golden Film Awards 2016 with Lux". Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  28. "The 33rd Sarasaviya Film Awards 2016 culminates with : A star-studded night". 17 December 2016.
  29. "Presidential Film Awards - 2015 - National Film Corporation".
  30. "'Ho Gana Pokuna' passes 100th day | the Sunday Times Sri Lanka".
  31. "Ho Gaana Pokuna in Blu-ray". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
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