Rukmani Devi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rukmani Devi රුක්මණී දේවී
Born	Daisy Rasammah Daniels (1923-01-15)15 January 1923 Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Died	28 October 1978(1978-10-28) (aged 55) Ja-Ela, Thudella, Sri Lanka
Resting place	Manyokahena Cemetery, Negombo
Occupation	Singer and actress
Years active	1936–1978
Spouse(s)	Eddie Jayamanne
Relatives	Umaria Sinhawansa
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Daisy Rasammah Daniels, known by her stage name Rukmani Devi (born January 15, 1923 – died October 28, 1978), was a famous Sri Lankan actress and singer. People often called her "The Nightingale of Sri Lanka" because of her beautiful voice. She started her career on stage and later became a big star in movies, acting in almost 100 films. Rukmani Devi was also the top female singer in Sri Lanka during the time when gramophone records were popular. After she passed away, she received a special award called the Sarasaviya 'Rana Thisara' Life Time Achievement Award in 1979 for her amazing contributions.

Early Life

Rukmani Devi was born as Daisy Rasammah Daniels on January 15, 1923, in Ramboda, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Her family was Christian and of Tamil Colombo Chetty background. She was the second of five children. Her father, John Daniel, worked on a plantation, and her mother, Helen Rose, was a teacher.

Rukmani grew up in Colombo. She went to St. Matthew's School and then to St. Clare's School in Wellawatte. Later, she married Eddie Jayamanne, a well-known actor and singer. They fell in love while working together in plays for the "Minerva Dramatic Club." They lived in a house called "Jaya Ruk" in Angurukaramulla, Negombo.

A Star is Born: Her Career

Rukmani Devi singing for an audience in May 1976.

Even as a young girl, Daisy Daniels loved to sing and dance. When she was just seven, she was chosen to sing Christmas carols. Her talent for singing, dancing, and acting was clear. She got a main role in a Christmas play called 'The Shoemaker's Wife' at her school.

A drama producer named Walter Abeysinghe saw her perform. He was so impressed that he asked her father if she could play the main role of 'Sita' in his play 'Ramayanaya.' So, in 1935, at only 12 years old, she performed in this stage play. This was the start of her amazing career that lasted over 40 years!

Her performances were very popular. Soon, another famous dramatist, Dick Dias, chose her for his plays, "Jana Kiharanaya" and "Mayawathie." She became very busy with stage dramas, playing lead female roles like Mayawathi in Charles Dias' 'Mayawathi' and Juliet in a Sinhala version of 'Romeo and Juliet.' In the mid-1940s, Rukmani also started singing on Sri Lankan radio.

First Recordings

In 1938, when she was 15, Daisy met Gabriel Gunaratne, who recorded songs for the His Master's Voice (HMV) Gramophone Records Company. He introduced her to H. W. Rupasinghe, a music director. Rupasinghe saw her talent and chose her for HMV's first album. Her first recorded song was "Siri Buddhagaya Vihare" with Master H. W. Rupasinghe. This song became very popular and helped her become a famous singer and actress.

Her unique voice caught the attention of many music directors. She joined Rupasinghe Master's band as a regular singer. Even though she hadn't formally studied Hindustani classical music and had to compete with other famous singers, she quickly became a popular young singer for HMV. Between 1938 and 1945, she recorded 44 songs for HMV Records. She sang many Sinhala versions of popular Hindi and Vanga classical songs.

Around this time, her name changed from Daisy Daniels to the well-known 'Rukmani Devi.' Some believe H. W. Rupasinghe gave her the name, while others say Jayantha Weerasekara and Michael Sannas Liyanage did.

From Stage to Screen

Rukmani performed in many stage plays, including Janakiharanaya and Mayawathi. From 1940, B. A. W. Jayamanne, who started the "Minerva Dramatic Club," gave Rukmani important roles in his dramas like 'Broken Promise' and 'Irangani.'

The popular play 'Broken Promise' (Kadawunu Poronduwa) was made into a film by B. A. W. Jayamanne. This film, released on January 21, 1947, was the very first Sinhala film! Rukmani Devi played the role of 'Ranjani' in this movie, making her the first local cinema actress. Her film career lasted over 30 years. She acted in 99 films before her death, from Kadawunu Poronduwa in 1947 to Ara Soyza in 1984. In 1953, Rukmani also won first place in the "Popular Singing Series" for radio artists.

She was also a very talented singer for films. Some of her famous movie songs include Sandyave Sriya from 'Kadawunu Poronduwa' and Doi Doi Puta from 'Ahasin Polavata'. She also sang duets with other singers like Milton Mallawarachchi, Sujatha Perera, and H. R. Jothipala.

In the mid-1960s, she joined the Sinhala calypso music group 'Los Cabelleros.' They recorded popular songs like "Malbara Himidiriye" and "Sandak Nage." Rukmani Devi was also a regular voice on Radio Ceylon, which was the oldest radio station in South Asia.

Awards

Rukmani Devi received several important awards for her work:

• In 1976, she won the Best Background Singer award for her song 'Doi doiya putha' from the film 'Ahasin Polawata' at the first Presidential Awards Ceremony.
• In 1956, she won the Best Actress Award for her role in 'Kele Handa' at the 'Deepasika' awards ceremony, organized by the 'Lankadipa' Newspaper.
• In 1955, she was voted Best Actress by readers of the 'Dinamina' Newspaper, receiving a large majority of 16,221 votes.

Death

Rukmani Devi sadly died in a car accident on October 28, 1978. The accident happened near St. Mary's Church, Thudella, as she was returning from a musical show. Her funeral was attended by a very large crowd of filmmakers, actors, friends, politicians, family, and her many fans.

She was a beloved Sri Lankan artist. A statue was built in her memory at Kanuwana Junction. Also, the road where the Rukmani Devi Museum is located in Negombo was renamed 'Rukmani Devi Mawatha' by President Ranasinghe Premadasa on October 28, 1990.

Songs

• Ada Handanawa Himiyani Yasodara
• Adara Nadiya Gala
• Adara Pana Suda
• Adaraya Nisa Harde Bandena
• Adarayai Karunawayi
• Alokaya Hama Thana Pathire
• Anna Sudo Ara Pata Wala - (with Mohideen Beg)
• Ara Ramani Pem Handa Akase - (with Dharmadasa Walpola)
• Ase Geethe Madura Jeewe - (with Dharmadasa Walpola)
• Asure Nisa Me
• Chandra Mage Ko Ane
• Dadi Kala Matha
• Dalwaw Bathi Adara Pem
• Danno Budunge
• Deerghayu Siri Labewa - (With H. W. Rupasinghe & Kokila Devi)
• Denna Priye Dathata Oya Datha
• Deviyan Ko Saman Deviyan
• Dewa Gini Mawa
• Dharmaraja Maraji - (With H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Doi Doiya Putha
• Dushmantha Aho Kimado
• Gala Kandeni
• Giye Aida Mawa Thanikara
• Hada Gilei Ama Mihire - (with Mohideen Baig)
• Herdhey Pina-aei
• Jaya Mangala Gatha
• Jeewithe Ma
• Kiyanna Rankanda
• Koheda Yanne Ran Menike Oya
• Lakmenige Darukela - (with H. W. Rupasinghe & Kokila Devi)
• Mage Prema Raja
• Manike Obe Sinahawe - (with Neville Fernando)
• Mata Mata Gamini Mata - (with H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Mawa Penwala
• Muhude Pathule Kimidee - (with Mohideen Baig)
• Muniraja Diyana Swami - (With H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Muni Sri Dalada - (With master H.W.Rupasinghe)
• Nilambare Paya - (With master H.W.Rupasinghe)
• Pem Rajadhane Ahas Maligavo - (with Milton Mallawarachchi)
• Pem Rajaya
• Pem Sagare
• Raja Sri Mangala - (With H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Sandyawe Pena Pena - (with H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Saranawewa Wasana - (With H. W. Rupasinghe & Kokila Devi)
• Siri Buddhagaya Vihare - (With H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Siri Pada Kamal - (With H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Silpa Satara Loke - (With H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Srimuni Gautama - (With H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Siriyavi Mage - (With Mabel Blyth)
• Sudata Sudey - (With Mohideen Baig)
• Thayam Mayam
• Thribhuwana Jana Puja - (With H. W. Rupasinghe)
• Wandimee Sadaren - (with H. W. Rupasinghe & Kokila Devi)
• Wasanawantha Kala Laba - (with Dharmadasa Walpola)

Filmography