Episode 14: Major Throwback – ’90s Pop Culture in Sri Lanka

From Doo Daruwo to Soora Pappa, from Rookantha to Bathiya & Santhush, the 1990s saw an unprecedented boom in popular entertainment in Sri Lanka that defined an entire generation. This is a look back at the glory days.

Listen on YouTube

Listen on your favourite app

Dilina Amaruwan Pathirage is a writer at Roar Media. He has a BA in Teaching English as a Second Language and has extensive experience in feature writing, content creation and writing for online media. He also been involved in video production during his stint at Yamu.lk, having being featured on a few videos of his own.

Dilina is a self-confessed film buff and a pop culture enthusiast.

Dilina is on Twitter at @dili.

Listen to all our episodes with Dili →

Chav is a programming language pony by day and everything else by night. He’s on Twitter at @chav_.

Listen to all our episodes with Chav →

Show Notes

  1. Kopi Kade: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Kade
  2. Giraya, written by Punyakanti Wijenaike: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/9757220-giraya
  3. Oshin (1983-): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367380/
  4. Palingu Manike: Part 1, Part 2
  5. Doo Daruwo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doo_Daruwo
  6. Dandubasnamanaya, directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri: https://www.lankachannel.com/browse-dandubasnamanaya-teledrama-videos-1-date.html
  7. Akala Sandya, directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri: https://www.lankachannel.com/browse-akala-sandya-teledrama-videos-1-date.html
  8. Rathu Rosa Tele Drama Title Music: https://youtu.be/Hvpc07_polo
  9. Desa Piyagath Kala (Live) – Clarence Wijewardena: https://youtu.be/yBRGWVxZ3ZA
  10. Amba Yahaluwo: Episode 1 (Follow YouTube recommended videos to the right to watch the rest of the episodes)
  11. Seven Iconic Teledramas In Sri Lanka’s Television History, Roar Media: https://roar.media/english/life/history/seven-iconic-teledramas-in-sri-lankas-television-history/
  12. Sirasa FM: http://sirasafm.lk/
  13. Bambara Pahasa by Rookantha Goonatillake: https://music.apple.com/lk/album/bambara-pahasa/1440268046
  14. Tharuda Nidana Maha Rea – Nanda Malini: https://youtu.be/omF2yZqBqBc
  15. Vasanthaye (1998) Original Video – Bathiya & Santhush: https://youtu.be/QhQ4oRt3igw
  16. The Mask (1995–1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112064/
  17. A multiple talent with a Divine calling, Sunday Times: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170101/magazine/a-multiple-talent-with-a-divine-calling-221993.html
  18. Five Sri Lankan Films That Were Banned By The Government, Roar Media: https://roar.media/english/life/culture-identities/five-sri-lankan-films-that-were-banned-by-the-government/
  19. Songs from Always Breakdown: https://youtu.be/ZFj9mMDMy8Y
  20. ALA (Api Nodanna Live): http://www.watch.lk/entertainment-and-reality-video/sirasa-tv/api-nodanna-live-entertainment-and-reality/117
  21. Wela Langa Danga Karana ( From ALA): https://youtu.be/pmYM7EKUoE8
  22. Pissu Poosa: https://sinhalacartoonworld.blogspot.com/search/label/Pissu%20Pusa
  23. Dosthara Honda Hitha: https://sinhalacartoonworld.blogspot.com/2014/01/dosthara-honda-hitha_93.html
  24. Dekirukana (1967–1990): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1286756/
  25. Gnana Katha Malli Theme Song: https://youtu.be/1Rm8rDW9du0
  26. Brum (1991–2002): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217177/
  27. Ocean Girl (1994–1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108885/
  28. Space Cases (1996–1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115366/
  29. Space: 1999 (1975–1977): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072564/
  30. Crash Zone (1999–2001): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0220217/
  31. Ghostwriter (1992–1995): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108787/
  32. The Zack Files (2000–2002): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108787/
  33. Spellbinder (1995– ): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112174/
  34. Round the Twist: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaXbaeWUe9bnjOowu3xSDoQ/featured
  35. Popular Mechanics for Kids (1997–2005): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0126169/
  36. Ganga Dige | ගඟ දිගේ with Jackson Anthony: Episode 1
  37. Muthuhara x Thanos meme: https://twitter.com/KaluMallii/status/1131461885805510656
  38. Mega Movie Magic (1994– ): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108865/
  39. Splat: Pilot
  40. Namayai Paha: Sample episode
  41. Atapattama: https://www.itntv.lk/magazine/atapattama/
  42. Sellam Gedara: Sample episode
  43. Saptha Kanya (1992) directed by H. D. Premarathne: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108043/
  44. It’s a Matter of Time (1990), directed by Roy de Silva: https://youtu.be/6KD5W3USVtg
    It’s a Matter of Love, directed by Roy de Silva: https://youtu.be/MWSn1OgaEyU
  45. Nommara 17: https://youtu.be/WTA47DO-lFA
  46. Anaconda (1997): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118615/
  47. Maha Sinhale Wansakathawa: https://varunamultimedia.com/videos/btv/vmtube2/sinhale-wansa-kathawa.html?1
  48. The Incredible Hulk (1978-1982): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077031/
  49. The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095368/
  50. Kung Fu (1972–1975): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068093/
  51. The X-Files (1993– ): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106179/
  52. Knight Rider (1982–1986): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083437/
  53. Kawda Boy: https://sinhalacartoonworld.blogspot.com/search/label/Cow%20the%20Boy
  54. Soora Pappa: https://sinhalacartoonworld.blogspot.com/2013/10/soora-pappa_87.html

Photo by Aleks Dorohovich on Unsplash

Leave a Reply