Janith made this Kottu sketch to remember Ti Maama.
Today on Kottu there are a few popular topics. One is reactions to the death of Titus Thotawatte, director, editor but – to many young people in Sri Lanka – remembered for his creative dubbing of popular cartoons, localizing them beyond language. Another trending topic is teenyboppers, or, what’s with the kids these days.
Ti Maama
I never grew up with Titus’s cartoons, but Halik did:
In my experience, a lot of dubbing sucks, but some dubbing is better than the original. The cartoons i mentioned above are just as good, if not better than the original. Definitely better if you’re a kid unaccustomed to the English language and aspects foreign culture. TT’s productions were completely localized down to the very last detail. From names, customs to Music (the theme to Dr. Honda Hitha is a baila hit) . More importantly he was funny, extremely so. Not in the tired slapstick way you find in most Sinhala movies but in an understated, sarcastic genuinely witty way that hits you deep inside so that you can laugh at it even when you’re twenty six. His work also sent strong positive moral vibes, a good thing.
Titus was so beloved by that generation that he’s still referred to as ‘Ti Maama’. Hence Himal writes A eulogy to Ti Maama.
I think it’s great he had such an effect as a dubbist. So much dubbing is unspeakably horrid, but it really is another point of creative input, if you choose to use it that way. There’s more posts about Titus Thotawatte here, on Kottu.
Teenyboppers
There also a couple of posts along the lines of, what on earth are the kids up to these days. At one point I used to think I was a kid, but that conceit has long since passed. Now Sunday Jazz is full of people I don’t know and don’t understand. Kids these days will trade shoes with their friends and wear mismatched pairs. I go jogging with my cousin now and then and he lives in another world. I envy the teenyboppers a bit, but not much.
Anyways, Queen Of Dreams has complained about discipline in kids these days. She is, however, aware that this is quite likely a constant problem:
I once read of a father who had written a despairing letter to a close friend about his son. It went something like this;
‘He spends hours in front of the mirror trying various ridiculous hairstyles and absurd styles of clothes. He hasn’t any sense in his head, all he can think of is girls, girls and more girls. His taste in books, theater and music are appalling, he is such a philistine. I quite despair of him….,’ etc, etc.
Apparently this was a real letter, written by a Greek father some thousands of years ago. (Problems Of Generation Gap)
Himal, however, has gone full codger
Teenagers, today, are like an invading Medieval army when they go out. They come in hordes, occupy every inch of space available, eat all your food, and rape all your women. Okay, maybe not that last one; but you catch my drift.
When I was a teen – which was barely 10 years ago, mind you – this was not the case. Far from it. We weren’t complete assholes; we didn’t live to piss everyone off; and we definitely didn’t hit on everything that couldn’t pee standing. At least, not when everyone was looking. (Teenyboppers)
To which Jerry responds:
Let them go to jazz sunday, let em wear hair that looks like dead cats. (teenyboppers)
So, those are a few things trending on Kottu. Feels like the good old days.
There was ton of them around CR on saturday as well. I had to urge to run over them several times. I thin they had come to some stupid concert.
BTW does anyone remember oshin
I do. Used to watch it quite regularly, too. I mentioned it in my post, but apparently I got her husband’s name mixed up with that of her son. Awkward.
“Feels like the good old days.”
:) :) :)
None of you teenyboppers seem to have heard of “Handaya” either.
By the way Himal, my guess is that the search could only have been for the late gallant knight.
Shammi, i’m sure a fair few of us, at least those of us who grew up speaking sinhala, have heard of handaya. I certainly have heard of it but i haven’t seen it. BTW was pissu puusa also a titus thotawatta dub. I loved the song from that it was called etha gow ganan
Ten points to Griffindor!
Trying to remember the Pissu Poosa song, but loved the cartoon, both versions, that and Topcat.
The Top Cat song was “Pissa muu, Pissa muu, Pissu poosa muu…” and “Etha gow ganan durin..” was from the film “Gatawarayo” starring Gamini Fonseka, Joe Abeywickrama and was edited by Titus Thotawatte. Coincidentally “Gatawarayo” could mean Teenyboppers too :D
You used to be able catch Handaya around Childrens day. Rupavahini/ITN used to show it regularly around every Oct. 1 a few years ago.
I think we’ve all heard of and seen at least bits and pieces of Handaya. I know I have. But unfortunately, I never got around to seeing the whole thing.
Ah, now I remember the Pissa Moo song.
I always thought Joe Abeywickrema was the better actor of the two, though I didn’t much like either of their younger performances, except maybe Gamini in Nidhanaya and Amal Biso. I haven’t really seen that many films but the vintage Joe Abeywickrema was absolutely super in the few I’ve seen, like Ek tam ge, Paalama yata, Maldeniye Simeon and the recent one where he played the soldier’s father; much more convincing than Gamini.
You haven’t lived till you’ve seen Joe Abeywickrama and co. in “Kolamba Sanniya” xD
I’ll try to see it if they show it on TV : )
Totally agree. That was one wacky movie!
Why wait when you can see it online. Don’t ask me about copyright laws, I have no idea. xD
I actually remember watching “Handaya” at either Savoy or Majestic with my sister and parents. That was one of the most happiest experiences of my generation I think. It had songs that we used to sing over and over again. Such nostalgic memories! My god I feel so old reading the kottu blogs!! Titus Thotawatte was a giant of a creator. Sadly like many of his contemporaries in this country this man never got the recognition and the accolades he should. But he was and always will be remembered in the hearts of the many fans and people whom he used to work with.
Oh yes Majestic City was a movie theater back then.
Gee, thanks. Didn’t know there were sites like that. Tikkak balanna gihin peyakma beluwa! Copyrights? What are those? :D