The golden thread woven around the silver screeen – Sriyani Amarasena

by jagath
July 28, 2024 1:09 am 0 comment 984 views

Words: Isuru Thambawita

She is the golden thread woven around the lamp of Sinhala cinema lit by Dr. Lester James Peries and the winsome smile on the Sri Lankan silver screen.

The ‘Youth Observer’s’ warm conversation with the most celebrated artiste Sriyani Amarasena will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration for anyone.

Born Palamakumbura Herath Mudiyanselage Sriyani Weerakoon Kumarihami in Meethotamulla, Kolonnawa on June 14, 1944, she studied at three schools, primary education at Meetotamulla College, and then to Musaeus College and Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo.

Stage

Her childhood filled with parental love, affection and care was a blessing in her life. “My parents, who loved art, motivated me to contribute to artistic activities. I used to sing songs, recite poems, spin beeralu lace and act in school stage dramas mainly because of my parents’ influence. Significantly, there were worth-reading novels, short stories, biographies and newspapers on my bookshelf,” she noted. Sriyani is a born actress with growing passion and inborn skills. It was her school stage which brought out the hidden actress within her.

“During my school days I acted in stage dramas like ’Hathara Beeri Kathawa’ and ’Koheda Yanne Rukmani’. I got the opportunity to take part in fashion shows and musical concerts. It was the beginning of my journey,” recalled Sriyani.

Today, we find ourselves being absorbed by smart phone screens, laptop screens and television screens. Several decades ago, radio served as the source of entertainment and knowledge. Everyone dreamt of having their voice being heard on air through the SLBC.

Only a handful of talented individuals were fortunate enough to this golden opportunity. This is how Sriyani met Siri Perera and entered the ‘Lama Mandapaya’ program of the SLBC.

Speaking of her performances in stage plays, her maiden stage drama was P. D.L Perera’s ’Thammanna’. However, it is interesting to note that Dayananda Gunawardena’s stage drama ‘Naribana’ opened the doors for her acting career. With her main role as a daughter in ‘Naribana’, she showcased her talent and acted in some stage dramas including ’Hitha Honda Ammandi’ and ’Ves Muhunu’.

Silver screen

Sriyani has conquered the stage, the small screen and the silver screen by portraying even the most serious characters. Realizing Sriyani’s skills and capacity, Dr. Lester James Peries offered her a minor role in his sixth feature film, ‘Golu Hadawatha’.

With her inborn skills and the blessings from the most renowned film director Dr. Lester James Peries, Sriyani received more opportunities. Most characters such as the blind woman in Dr. Peries’ ‘Desa Nisa’, Champa in ‘Golu Hadawatha’, Somey in ‘Hathara Denama Soorayo’ and Anoma in ‘Tharanga’ depict her unique identity and natural performance.

Sriyani, throughout her illustrious acting career, has worked with many veterans Gamini Fonseka, Joe Abeywickrama, Ravindra Randeniya, Vijaya Kumarathunga and so on. Hence, she becomes an evergreen star on the silver screen.

Not only dramatic roles in films such as ’Golu Hadawatha’, ‘Desa Nisa’, ’Ahasin Polawata’, ’Viragaya’ and ’Mahagedara’, Sriyani has portrayed characters in commercial films of many genre, such as ’Kalyani Ganga’ and ’Raththaran Amma’. She was awarded the Sarasaviya award for the film ’Kulageya’. ‘Dath Kekulu Pala’ is her first tele production. Then, she produced three teleplays , ’Ira Bata Taruwa’, ‘Hemanthaye Wasanthayak’ and ’Hangi Muttham’.

In 2003, she directed and produced the tele series ’Peraliya’, which was shot in Australia. In 2005, she directed the serial ’Thusharaye Chaya’ which was shot in USA. In 2011, she directed the serial ’Mayura Asapuwa’. In 2019, he was honored with the Janabhimani Honorary Award at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. In 2021, she was honoured with the ‘Deshabhimani Keerthi Kalabushana’ award.

Unforgettable memories

For an artiste every moment will be an unforgettable moment. Sriyani portrayed two characters in the movie ‘Raththaran Amma’. In one sequence of the movie, she gets an electric shock and undergoes medical treatment. “In the movie ‘Raththaran Amma’ Gamini got stabbed and fell down at the gate, causing it to open. The gate touched a light post and an electric cable. When I touched the iron bar of the gate, I got an electric shock. It was an unforgettable incident. Not only ‘Raththaran Amma’, in another movie I had to lie down in a coffin,” she said.

Seconds, minutes and hours flew away like the wind and our conversation too came to an end.

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