Multi-talented artiste of the stage and the screen
Ruwini JAYAWARDANA
He was not only known for his ability to get into the shoes of
diverse characters but also for his talent at composing music scores.
Even Parakrama Niriella had attributed a part of the success of the
Janakaraliya series to the mystic tunes he had composed.
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H.A. Perera |
Seasoned actor H.A. Perera who was known among the audience as Dias
Mudalali of Nalan Mendis’ lengthy teledrama Doo Daruwo passed away
recently. Though he was mostly known for his hard hearted characters
many say that he was very different from the roles he portrayed.
The old boy of St. James De Laa Salle school and Kotahena Central
wished to be a musician from childhood. He had been fiddling with the
sitar strings when veteran dramatist Gamini Haththotuwagama came upon
him.
He engaged the promising young man in his creations and H.A. Soon
developped a deep love for acting. He was involved in a number of street
dramas and after 10 years graduated to stage dramas.
His first stage play was Wedikkarayo which never made it to the
public. His next part was in Sekkuwa and there he took on the lead role.
H.A. Followed his success by performing in around 50 other stage plays,
Galliliyo being his favourite.
“It was a complex character which gave me an opportunity to bring out
many emotions and moods,” he had noted once when questioned about his
favourite stage performance.
His entry to teledramas took place with Janelayen Aapu Minissu. He
followed it up with many more and made his mark as a teledrama actor.
Though he was stuck with negative roles at most times he made sure that
there is a slight diversity between the roles.
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H.A. in diverse roles |
The father of four children battling with life in Bumuthurunu
differed from the shrewed businessman plotting to inherit his wife’s
home in Doo Daruwo. In Passe Gena Manamaali he is the typical thug of
the village, coming home drunk after nightfall and bashing his wife.
Yashorawaya and Tharadevi are two other creations in which he stood out.
His debut in films took place in Sumithra Peries’ Saagara Jalaya Madi
Henduwa Oba Hinda. Soon Palama Yata followed and he took on the
character of the tough Willie Aiyya.
Kelimadala was an outstanding film in which he was able to show his
acting skills. He was once quoted saying that the role is his favourite
in a film since tougher the role is the more he enjoys portraying it.
“I study both the mental and physical elements in any character I
take on and the inter-relationships with the other characters of the
story. That is the secret which makes a good or bad actor,” said the
actor who hails from Modera.
He has a number of awards to his name. Among them are State Drama
Festival, OCIC and Swarna Sanka awards. His 1996 drama Warenthu
co-directed with Parakrama Niriella won several awards. Though an actor
he was employed as a telegraph operator at the Sri Lanka Telecom and
also composed music for several stage dramas.
He died at the age of 59 after a brief illness in hospital on
February 4. |
