Lanka's nightingale rememberedSINGER: "Swarna Gee", a musical evening will be held at the Tower Hall Theatre on October 27 at 6.30 p.m. This event is organized by the "Rukmani Devi Samaru Sansadaya", as a tribute to the late singer and actress. A whole line up of events had been arranged for the evening. Children of 10 great artists who had been a pride to the nation, would be awarded with 10 scholarships which enable them to follow a course in computer designing. The scholarships are to be presented by the well-known institution, The Ingreen Institute of Computers, Colombo. Popular celebrities including Ravindra Randeniya, D. B. Ariyasinghe, Eshan Beg, Suneth Walpola, Sabitha Perera, Meena Kumari, Damitha Abeyrathna, Indika Upamali, and child vocalist, Divya Sonali will take part in singing some of the popular songs originally sung by the late songstress.
Often acclaimed as "The Nightingale of Sri Lanka", Rukmani Devi was born on January 15, 1923. Under the name of Daisy Rasamma Daniels, she hailed from Ramboda in the Nuwara Eliya District. Rukmani gave credence to her immense talent for singing, dancing, and acting at a very early age. She was just seven years when she was selected to sing Christmas carols. Later, she was picked to perform a main role in a Christmas play, "The Cobbler's wife", which was presented by St. Clare's School, Wellawatte. At the age of 12, Rukmani got a role in the stage play, "Ramayanaya", presented by Sinhala Natya Sabha. The public appreciation towards her abilities captured the eye of well-known dramatist, Dick Dias, and he did not hesitate in selecting the blooming, young beauty for two of his stage plays, "Janaki Haranaya" and "Mayawathie". It was the year 1936 which brought her fame and fortune. Through her first recording of "Siri Buddhagaya Vihare", with Master H. W. Rupasinghe, she was able to captivate hearts of many fans. Her powerful and unique voice gave Rukmani the advantage of being picked and selected by many music directors. Therefore, she was able to pursue her singing career both on stage as well as on screen. She was even given the opportunity to sing with pop groups in the latter part of her life. There are two stories behind how her widely known name of "Rukmani Devi" originated. One claims that the late Maestro H. W. Rupasinghe created this name while the other states that Jayanath Weerasekara and Michael Sannas Liyanage gave that name. As the years rolled on, Rukmani was able to stun her audience through remarkable roles in dramas and films such as "Apparition", "Kadawunu Poronduwa" (Broken Promise)," Peralena Iranama" (Changing Fate), "Veradunu Kurumanama"(Defeated Aim), "Evasive Denial", "Fanatic Faith", "Kapati Arakshakaya"(Grisly Guardian), "Mathabhedaya" (Hasty Decision) and lastly "Irangani'. The founder of "Minerva Dramatic Club", Negombo, B.A.W. Jayamanna guided her not only in her career but it was through him that she met her future husband, Eddie Jayamanna. Rukmani became the first local actress with the launch of the first sinhala film, "Kadawunu Poronduwa" (Broken Promise), screened on January 21, 1947. Her film career covered a period of three decades and she had acted in around 90 films before her tragic death. Rukmani also possessed an inborn talent of singing in any style. She sang a number of captivating songs for films: "Sandyave Sriya" for Kadawunu Poronduwa, "Pinsara Mage Soyura" for Kapati Arakshakaya, "Gala Kandeni" and "Moranawa Preme Hade" for Weraduna Kurumanama, "Mavila Penavi Rupe' for Kela Handa, "Pem Sihina Loke Maya" for Mathabhedaya, "Suvadena Sitha Sanasum" for "Ladalu" and "Doi Doi Puta" for "Ahasin Polavata". September 25, 1978 brought a great loss to Sri Lankan art and culture. A tragic motor accident near St. Mary's church, Tudella claimed the life of one of Sri Lanka's most treasured artists. Her funeral ceremony was attended by a mass crowd consisting of film-makers, dramatists, friends, politicians, relations and fans. |
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