Denawaka Hamine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Denawaka Hamine
දෙනවක හාමිනේ |
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| Born |
Dona Meraya Denawaka
20 February 1906 Imbulgoda, Gampaha, Sri Lanka
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| Died | 9 December 2002 (aged 96) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Education | Imbulgoda Vidyalaya |
| Occupation | Actress, Dramatist |
| Years active | 1962–2002 |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Best Actress |
Kala Suri Denawaka Hamine, whose real name was Dona Meraya Denawaka, was a famous actress from Sri Lanka. She was born on February 20, 1906, and passed away on December 9, 2002. People often called her "The grand old lady" of Sinhala cinema. She acted in over 300 movies and TV shows during her long career, which lasted more than 40 years! She won many awards for her amazing acting.
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About Denawaka Hamine
Early Life and Education
Denawaka Hamine was born on February 20, 1906, in a place called Imbulgoda, which is in Gampaha, Sri Lanka. She went to school at Imbulgoda Vidyalaya. After finishing her studies, she became a teacher at the very same school.
Family and Legacy
Denawaka Hamine had one daughter named Edith Senarath Yapa. She also had three grandchildren. Interestingly, all three of her grandchildren followed in her footsteps and became involved in cinema! Her grandson, Anura Senarath Yapa, acted in the film Sama. Another grandson, Palitha Senarath Yapa, appeared in movies like Dasa Nisa. Palitha later became a leader in the sports division of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Her youngest grandson, Udaya Bandara Senarath Yapa, starred in the film Dandu Monara. Denawaka Hamine passed away on December 9, 2002, when she was 96 years old.
Her Acting Career
Starting in Theater
Denawaka Hamine was a school teacher before she became an actress. One day, she went with a young actress to an audition for a play. By chance, she ended up getting a role herself! She played an elderly mother in a play called Kandulu, written by G. D. L. Perera. Her performance was so good that GDL invited her to join his drama group, Kala Pela.
She acted in many plays with Kala Pela, including Manamalayo and Sama. For her role in Totupola, she even received a special award at the 1964 Arts Council Drama Festival.
Moving to Movies
Denawaka Hamine's first movie role was in the film version of Sama in 1965. She played the same character she had made famous in the play. A few years later, in 1968, she starred in the movie Sath Samudura. In this film, she played the mother of two fishermen, and her acting was highly praised by critics. She won a special award for Best Character Actress for this role. The award was given to her by the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka at the time, Dudley Senanayake.
Famous Roles and Awards
In the 1970s, Denawaka Hamine continued to play important roles in movies like Tun Man Handiya, Desa Nisa, and Matara Achchi. She became well-known for playing elderly women characters. She even had a small role in the Hollywood movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 1984, where she played a weeping mother.
In 1987, she was given the special title of "Kalasuri" for her contributions to art. Many people believe her best movie scene was in Sath Samudura, where she played the mother of characters played by Edmund Wijesinghe and Cyril Wickramage. For her work in Sath Samudura, she won the Best Actress of the Year award at the Sarasaviya Film Festival in 1968.
Television Work and Later Years
Denawaka Hamine also acted in television shows. She was part of the original cast of the popular TV drama Kopi Kade. In 1998, she received an honorary award from the President of Sri Lanka, Chandrika Kumaratunga, to celebrate her many contributions to Sinhala cinema.
Selected Filmography
Denawaka Hamine acted in over 300 films and teledramas. Here are some of her notable film appearances:
- 1965 – Saama as Nonnohamy
- 1967 – Sath Samudura as Gunadasa's mother
- 1968 – Dahasak Sithuvili as Lalith's mother
- 1970 – Thun Man Handiya as Sirisena's granny
- 1972 – Desa Nisa as Mother
- 1973 – Matara Achchi as Matara Achchi
- 1976 – Kolamba Sanniya as Sister
- 1976 – Madol Duwa as Net trapped homeowner
- 1984 – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as Villager Woman #2
- 1993 – Ordinary Magic as Vani
- 1994 – 150 Mulleriyawa as Kiri Amma
Images for kids
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Denawaka Hamine
