Remembering Rukmani
Demi Hewamanna
She was known as the Queen of the silver screen, nightingale of Sri
Lanka, Daisy by friends and family but to us she is known as the one and
only Rukmani Devi who really took the Sinhala Cinema industry by storm
with her unbelievable talent in acting and music and being the first
female star in Sinhala Cinema.
Brilliant performance
Today markes the 31st death anniversary of the beloved Rukmani Devi.
She was born as Daisy Rasamma Daniels on January 23, 1923 to John D
Daniels, a planter and Helen Rose, a teacher, being the second child in
a family of five.
Her education life began first in St. Matthews, Dematogoda and then
in St. Clares, Wellawatte, where her life in front of a stage started
for her. She was the main actress in a play presented by her school
called "The Shoemaker's Wife", and with her brilliant performance she
caught the eye of Walter Abeysinghe, a drama producer.
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The nightingale of Sri Lanka |
Promising actress
After getting permission from her father, he made her play the role
of Seeta at the tender age of 12 in one of his productions Ramayanaya.
This role began her life as a very promising actress sure to make
history for Sri Lanka. She joined the Minerva Dramatic Club and began
acting in other dramas such as Mayawathi, Janakeeharanay, Raja Drohiyam
Keekaru Birinda, Siri Sangabo, Rangala Appu and Romeo Juliet. During
this time not only did her acting life take on the road but so did her
love life. She met her partner in life Eddie Jayamanne who was also
acting along with her in many of the dramas. They married and lived in
Negambo.
As she was making a successful career with her acting, her singing
was also put to the test with her first audio recording of the song Siri
Buddhagaya Vihare along with Master H. W. Rupasinghe in 1938 and began
as an actress turned singer taking her from the stage to the silver
screen. Some of her all time favourites are Mewila Penewi Rupe, Pem
Sihina Loke performing with Mohideen Beg, Adarayai Karunawai and Gala
Kande.
Her maiden film was also Sri Lanka's first talkie Kadawanu Poronduwa
with Eddie Jayamanne an adaptation of the play Broken Promise into a
film by B. A.W. Jayamanne 1947. This was the first talkie ever made in
Sri Lanka and she became the first female actress to act in the film
industry.
Famous hits
The name Rukmani Devi also took change from here and many believe it
was Maestro H. W. Rupasinghe who gave her the name and some believe that
it was Jayantha Weerasekara and Michael Sannas Liyanage created it.
Her other films were Umathu Vishwasaya, Kela Handa, Daiwayogaya,
Suhanda Pethuma, Lasanda Chin Chin Nona and more. Some of the songs she
sang in her films were Sandyave Sriya for 'Kadawunu Poronduwa', Pinsara
Mage Soyura for 'Kapati Arakshakaya', Gala Kandeni, and Moranawa Preme
Hade for 'Weradun Kurumanama', Nindede Rathri Yahane for 'Peralena
Iranama', Mavila Pena vi Rupe for 'Kela Handa', Pem Sihina Loke Maya for
'Mathabhedaya', Melavi Yanna Hada Mage for 'Daiva Yogaya', Suva dena
Sita Sanasum for 'Ladalu' and Doi Doi Puta for 'Ahasin Polavata'.
One of her famous hits that still is one of my very own favourites is
Malbara Himidiriye which she performed with late Neville Fernando of the
Sinhala Calypso group Los Cabelleros in the sixties. Other hits were
Menike Obe Sinawe and Sandak Nage
But as we know not all good things last forever as in the afternoon
of October 28, 1978, Rukmani Devi's vehicle collided with a truck when
she was returning from a musical concert at Matara and she left this
world.
Rukmani Devi Museum
She was fondly remembered by all her family, friends, dramatists,
film makers and thousands of her fans. The road on which the Rukmani
Devi Museum in Negombo is located was re-named to Rukmani Devi Mawatha
by President the then President Ranasighe Premadasa on October 28, 1990.
A statue of hers was commissioned by one of her close friends Leela
Kottegoda and it was unveiled by Minister Anandatissa de Alwis.
She was the one and only Sri Lankan actress on the cover page of
popular Indian Film Magazine Filmfare and was also featured in "My like
and dislike" in 1958. her awards were for Best background Singer for the
song Doi doiya putha in the film Ahasin Polawata at the inaugural
Presidential Awards Ceremony in 1978, Best actress Award for Kele Handa
at the Deepasika awards ceremony conducted by Lankadeepa Newspaper in
1956 and Voted Best Actress with a majority of 16,221 votes at the
'Reader's Contest' conducted by Dinamina Newspaper in 1955.
Even after her death around 15 films were released and the last to be
screened film of hers was Era Soysa in 1984 and was the first actress to
play a dual role.
One can speak of her and never be bored of her, as people who knew
her personally know that she being the country well known, respected and
honoured actresses, she was more than anything down to earth and love by
ever dear and near and will be loved forever. |
