RUKMANI DEVI,SINHALA ACTRESS AND SINGER BORN 1923 JANUARY 15- 1978 SEPTEMBER 25

RUKMANI DEVI,SINHALA ACTRESS

 AND SINGER BORN 1923 JANUARY 15-

1978 SEPTEMBER 25

 

As a little girl, Daniels showed an inborn talent to sing and dance. At the age of seven she was picked to sing Christmas carols. Impressed with her ability to sing, dance, and also to act, she was selected to perform a main role in a Christmas play, 'The Shoemaker's Wife'.

Rukmani Devi, was born as Daisy Rasammah Daniels to a Colombo Chetty Christian family on January 15, 1923 at Ramboda in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka. Second, in a family of five, her father, Joh John Daniel worked on a plantation and her mother, Helen Rose was a teacher.

Ruwini JAYAWARDANA

Talent, they say, is inborn rather than achieved. Similarly Sri Lanka’s immensely talented screen queen and nightingale, Daisy Rasamma Daniels, renowned as Rukmani Devi, was born with acting skills and a golden voice, two qualities along with her beauty took her on an early path to stardom.

Known as the pioneer actress of the Sinhala cinema, Rukmani breathed life to many heart wrenching roles. She also lent her voice to a number of gramophone numbers while contributing to a number of stage dramas and films.


On her wedding day with husband, Eddie Jayamanna

She was born in Ramboda in the Nuwara Eliya district on January 15, 1923. Her father, John D. Daniels, was employed in the estate while her mother, Helen Rose Daniels, was a teacher at St. Clare’s, Wellawatte, Methodist College, Bambalapitiya and Prince of Wales, Moratuwa. She was the second in a family of six.

She was educated at St. Mathews’ College, Dematagoda and St. Clare’s, Wellawatte while the family was residing in Dematagoda. She showed signs of what was in store for her in her school days as she took part in school plays like Sapaththu Mahannage Birinda (The Shoemaker’s wife).

Her most significant public performance was in Ramayanaya in which she took on the role of Seetha in 1935 at the tender age of 12 years. Walter Abeysinghe spotted the talent in the young lass and soon introduced her to stage plays.

Though she took to the field at a time when women were barred from entering the field and female characters were mostly portrayed by men, it did not take long for her to make a name as the most sought after actress on stage.

H.W. Rupasinghe Master, a pioneer of the Sinhala music scene, introduced her to the industry through his duet in the evergreen number Siri Buddha Gaya Vihare in 1939. She carved a niche as a vocalist overnight and the song won her 10 more songs. She later went on to become a reputed gramophone singer in the thirties and early forties. She sang under the H.M.V label while Eddie Jayamanna, who later became her husband, sang gramophone songs under the Colombia label.


A.D. Ranjith Kumara

Rukmani’s association with the Minerva Drama Troupe, Negombo, was her path to the silver screen and also to marriage for she met Eddie through the founder of the troupe, B.A.W. Jayamanna.

While acting and singing on stage productions, she was offered the duel role of becoming the first heroine and playback singer in Sri Lanka’s maiden talkie Kadawunu Poronduwa (Broken Promise).


With Joe Abeywickrama in Sathara Diganthaya

By then she had done around 800 performances of Kadawunu Poronduwa, the play, which inspired J. Singh into bringing the stage production onto the wide screen. The screening of the talkie took place at Kingsley Theatre in January 21, 1947 with Rukmani starring as Ranjanie as well as singing Jeewithaye Sama Preme Geethe, the song lyrics which were penned by Hugo Fernando Master and music composed by Narayana Iyyer.

She played the lead role in 98 movies in a career spanning three decades. She even acted in a Tamil film Kusuma Latha, a movie based on B.A.W. Jayamanna’s Sanguwunu Pilithura in 1951. This was Sri Lanka’s first Tamil film to be screened in India.

Rukmani also contributed in playback singing for films: Sandyave Sriya for Kadawunu Poronduwa, Pinsara Mage Soyura for Kapati Aarakshakaya, Gala Kandeni and Moranawa Preme Hade for Veradunu Kurumanama, Mavila Penavi Rupe for Kela Handa, Pem Sihina Loke Maya for Mathabhedaya, Suwadena Sitha for Ladalu and Doi Doi Puta for Ahasin Polovata.


With Vijaya Kumaratunga and Malani Fonseka in Kundala Kesi


With Stanley Perera in La Dalu

She emerged the winner at the popular star poll conducted by Dinamina in 1956 while winning the title of best actress at the Deepashika Festival in 1956 for her dual role in Umathu Wishwasaya. She clinched the ANCL award for most popular singer in 1964 before winning the award for best singer at the Presidential Awards for the song Gangata Udin Kokku Giya for Lester James Peries’ Ahasin Polowata in 1978, just after her death.

One of her most significant features was though she was not well versed in the Sinhala language; she was able to pronounce the language and even Sanskrit clearly and beautifully. It is known that she even wrote the Sinhala sentences in her films in English and by-hearted them.


in Kela Handa


With Tony Ranasinghe in Nuwan Renu

There are two stories behind how her widely known name of ‘Rukmani Devi’ originated. One claims that the late Maestro H.W. Rupasinghe created this name while the other states that Jayantha Weerasekara and Michael Sannas Liyanage gave the name. There is also a belief that the name started off as ‘Rukmani Wasundara’ before her father intervened and changed it to ‘Rukmani Devi’.

Though death took her in a fateful accident at Tudella while returning home after a musical show in Matara on October 28, 1978, her intelligence, modesty, dedication and humble manners touched those who knew her and made a lasting impact that transcended beyond death. She was every heart’s delight and will continue to be remembered throughout the years.

RUKMANI DEVI FILMOGRAPHY

1947 - Kadawunu Poronduwa
1948 - Kapati Aarakshakaya, Veradunu Kurumanama
1949 - Peralena Iranama
1950 - Hadisi Vinischaya
1951 - Sangavunu Pilithura, Kusumalatha
1952 - Umathu Wishwasaya
1953 - Kela Handa
1954 - Irangani
1955 - Mathabedaya, Perakadoru Baana
1956 - Dosthara,
1957 - Siriyalatha
1959 - Dhivya Yogaya
1960 - Kavata Andarae, Nalangana
1962 - Daskon
1963 - Mangalika
1964 - Heta Pramada Wadi, Samiya Birindage Deviyaya
1965 - Sathutai Kandulai, La Dalu
1966 - Sampatha
1967 - Hathara Kanderae, Pipena Kumudu, Magul Pooruwa, Rana Girav
1968 - Abudassa Kaalae
1969 - Para Walalu, Romeo Juliet Kathawak
1970 - Geetha, Nim Walalla
1971 - Samanala Kumariyo Samaga Api Kavadath Soorayo, Seeyae Noattuwa
1972 - Sahanaya, Hathara Watay, Weeduru Gewal, Ihatha Aathmaya
1973 - Suhada Pathum, Hondata Hondai
1974 - Dinum Kanuwa, Sagarika, Lasanda,Jeewana Ganga
1975 - Hitha Honda Minihek, Obai Mamai, Sukiri Kella, Kohoma Kiyannada, Jeewana Geethaya, Lassana Davasak, Sadana
1976 - Nayana, Kavuda Raja, Wasana, Harima Badu Thunak, Hariyata Hari, Unnath Daahai Malath Daahai, Onna Mamay Kella Panapi, Sardiyelge Puta, Aadarai Mang Aadarai, Naadayo, Ran Thilaka
1977 - Sudu Paraviyo, Sri Madhara, Chin Chin Nona, Hithuwoth Hithuwamai, Tom Pachaya Deviyani Oba Kohida, Saja, Kaathiruppen Unakkaga
1978 - Nanungal Tholan, Madhuwanthi, Kundala Kesi, Apsara, Ahasin Polowata
1979 - Samanmali, Jeewana Kandulu, Amal Biso, Ran Kurullo, Monarathanna,Anusha, Podi Malli, Nuwan Renu
1980 - Tak Tik Tuk, Silva, Sinhabahu
1981 - Bamba Ketu Hati, Sanasuma, Jeewanthi Sathara Diganthaya,
1982 - Thana Giravi, Sakvithi Suwaya, Sudu Ayya, Sithara
1983 - Sandamali, Hithath Hondai Wadath Hondai
1984 - Ara Soysa

Rukmani Devi (January 15, 1923–September 25, 1978) was a Sri Lankan singer and actress, who was often acclaimed as "The Nightingale of Sri Lanka"[1]. She made it to the silver screen via the stage and had acted in close to 100 films, at the time of her death. Having an equal passion for singing as well as a melodious voice, she was Sri Lanka's foremost female singer in the gramophone era. After her death, she was awarded the Sarasaviya 'Rana Thisara'- Life Time Achievement Award at the 1979 Sarasaviya Awards Festival.

Background
She grew up in Colombo and had her early education at St. Matthew's School and then moved on to St. Clare's School, Wellawatte.
The stage play was trained and presented by St. Clare's School, Wellawatte.
Watching her play this role much enthusiastically, Walter Abeysinghe, a drama producer sought permission from her father, to invite her to play the lead role of 'Sita' in his drama 'Ramayanaya.' Thus, in 1935 at the age of just 12 years she performed in this stage play, presented by the 'Sinhala Natya Sabha'.
She was married to veteran dramatist, actor and singer, Eddie Jayamanne, whom she fell in love with as a result of her close association with him, when performing in dramas produced by "Minerva Dramatic Club" founded by B.A.W. Jayamanne. They lived at "Jaya Ruk", at Angurukaramulla, Negombo.

Career
This marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would span over four decades. As her performances were highly appreciated by the packed audience, well-known dramatist Dick Dias chose her for two of his stage plays, "Jana Kiharanaya" and "Mayawathie". She was now flooded with stage dramas, as she became Mayawathi in Charles Dias' 'Mayawathi', Juliet in a Sinhala adaption of Romeo and Juliet, playing the lead female role in all of them.
With her first audio recording of the famous song "Siri Buddhagaya Vihare" with Master H. W. Rupasinghe in 1938, she captured the hearts of the masses and she shaped her career from that of an actress to that of an actress turned singer.
Her unique voice attracted many music directors, as her singing career moved from the stage to the silver screen.
It was also, around this time that her name underwent a change from Daisy Daniels to the well known 'Rukmani Devi'. There are two schools of thinking as to how the name "Rukmani Devi" originated. According to one school, the late H. W. Rupasinghe maestro created the name, while the other believe that Jayantha Weerasekara and Michael Sannas Liyanage who is in his 90s, created it[2].
B. A. W. Jayamanne, founder of "Minerva Dramatic Club" of Negombo took Rukmani to perform remarkable roles in his interestingly featured dramas, such as 'Apparition', 'Broken Promise', 'Changing Fate, 'Defeated Aim', 'Evasive Denial', 'Fanatic Faith', 'Grisly Guardian', 'Hasty Decision' and lastly 'Irangani'. Above-mentioned plays followed the English alphabet.
The popular play 'Broken Promise', was adapted into a film by B. A. W. Jayamanne. This was the first Sinhala film - Kadawunu Poronduwa, screened on January 21, 1947. Rukmani Devi, who also began her film career through the role of 'Ranjani' in this film, also became the first local actress. Her film career, which thus began spread over a period of more than three decades.
According to Sri Lankeya Cinema Vanshaya (pp 637 - 638) written by Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara, from Kadawunu Poronduwa in 1947 to Ara Soyza in 1984, Rukmani Devi had played different roles in 99 films, up to the time of her death.
An equally talented singer, some of the immortal songs she sang for films are 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'.
In the mid sixties she joined the sinhala calypso musical group 'Los Cabelleros' led by late Neville Fernando. They recorderd ever popular sinhala songs such as 'Malbara Himidiriye','Menike Obe sinawe' & 'Sandak nage'.
Rukmani Devi was also featured prominently on the airwaves of Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia.

Death
Rukmani Devi, the singing star, stage and screen idol died in a tragic motor accident near St. Mary's Church, Thudella on September 25, 1978. She was returning after a musical show in Uyanwatte, Matara. Her funeral ceremony was attended by a very large gathering; film makers and dramatists, friends, politicians, relatives and her beloved fans.
She was the most celebrated Sri Lankan artiste and a statue in memory of her was erected at the Kanuwana Junction, Ja-Ela, as she still lives in the hearts and minds of the Sri Lankan people. The road on which the Rukmani Devi Museum in Negombo is located was also re-named 'Rukmani Devi Mawatha' by President Ranasinghe Premadasa, on October 28, 1990.

Photo Gallery

Films

Main Actress / Actress

No Year Name Character Director
1 ) 1949 Peralena Iranama Jothish Singh
2 ) 1950 Hadisi Winishchaya B.A.W. Jayamanne
3 ) 1954 Iranganie B.A.W. Jayamanne
4 ) 1947 Kadawunu Poronduwa Ranjani Jothish Singh
5 ) 1948 Weradunu Kurumanama Jothish Singh
6 ) 1951 Sengawunu Pilitura B.A.W. Jayamanne
7 ) 1953 Kele Handa B.A.W. Jayamanne
8 ) 1955 Mathabhedaya B.A.W. Jayamanne
9 ) 1955 Perakadoru Bena A.B. Raja
10 ) 1956 Dosthara K. Shankar
11 ) 1959 Daiwayogaya S.K. Oja
12 ) 1960 Nalagana L.S. Ramachandran
13 ) 1962 Daskon Upali Wanasinghe
14 ) 1963 Mangalika B.A.W. Jayamanne
15 ) 1964 Samiya Birindage Deviyaya W.M.S. Thampo
16 ) 1965 Sathutu Kandulu W.M.S. Thampo
17 ) 1965 La dalu S. Ramanadhan
18 ) 1966 Sampatha S. Ramanadhan
19 ) 1967 Pipena Kumudu Ruby De Mel
20 ) 1968 Abuddassa Kale Kumar Wickremasooriya
21 ) 1972 Hathara Wate L.M. Perera
22 ) 1974 Dinum Kanuwa Ranjith Perera
23 ) 1981 Sathara Diganthaya Sathischandra Edirisinghe
24 ) 1972 Veeduru Geval Daya Wimalaweera
25 ) 1948 Kapati Arakshakaya Mallika Jothish Singh
26 ) 1972 Sahanaya J. Selvarathnam
27 ) 1975 Sadhana S. Ramanadhan
28 ) 1976 Unnath Daahai Malath Daahai Lenin Morais
29 ) 1979 Ran Kurullo Kingsly Rajapaksha
30 ) 1980 Silva Herbert Ranjith Peiris
31 ) 1979 Nuwan Renu Milton Jayawardhana
32 ) 1981 Bamba Ketu Hati Sunil Ariyarathna
33 ) 1976 Saradiyelge Putha Neil Rupasinghe
34 ) 1969 Paara Walalu Sudath Maskorala
35 ) 1975 Obai Mamai Joe Dev Ananda
36 ) 1976 Harima Badu Thunak Ananda Hewage
37 ) 1976 Nedeyo K.A.W. Perera
38 ) 1977 Sri Madara Sathischandra Edirisinghe
39 ) 1983 Sandamali Milton Jayawardhana
40 ) 1951 Sengawunu Pilitura B.A.W. Jayamanne
41 ) 1964 Heta Pramada Vadi Rupa Shantha Kumar Senevirathna
42 ) 1976 Hariyata Hari William Holmes
43 ) 1979 Podi Malli Sunil Ariyarathna
44 ) 1979 Amal Biso Neil Rupasinghe
45 ) 1978 Maduwanthi Milton Jayawardhana
46 ) 1952 Umathu Wishwasaya B.A.W. Jayamanne
47 ) 1960 Kavata Andare B.A.W. Jayamanne
48 ) 1967 Hathara Kendare L.M. Perera
49 ) 1967 Magul Poruwa B.A.W. Jayamanne
50 ) 1967 Rena Girawu Dharma Sri Kaldera
51 ) 1969 Romio-Juliet Kathawak G.D.L. Perera
52 ) 1970 Geetha Joe Dev Ananda
53 ) 1970 Nim Walalla Ranjith Lal
54 ) 1971 Seeye Nottuwa K.A.W. Perera
55 ) 1971 Samanala Kumariyo samaga Api Kawadath Soorayo Wimaladasa Perera
56 ) 1974 Sagarika Titus Totawatte
57 ) 1973 Suhada Pathuma Chamila/s Mother Kingsly Rajapaksha
58 ) 1973 Hondata Hondai J. Selvarathnam
59 ) 1974 Dinum Kanuwa Ranjith Perera
60 ) 1974 Jeewana Ganga Dayananda Rodrigo
61 ) 1975 Hitha Hoda Minihek M.V. Balan
62 ) 1975 Sukiri Kella Joe Dev Ananda
63 ) 1975 Kohoma Kiyannada Godwin Hanthi
64 ) 1975 Lassana Dawasak Nimal Silva
65 ) 1977 Tom Pachaya Roy De Silva
66 ) 1978 Kundala Keshi Wimalanath Dissanayaka
67 ) 1978 Apsara J. Selvarathnam
68 ) 1978 Ahasin Polovata Dr. Lester James Peries
69 ) 1979 Samanmalee Dayananda Jayawardane
70 ) 1982 Thana Giravee Roy De Silva
71 ) 1975 Jeewana Geethaya I.P. Sena
72 ) 1976 Ran Thilaka W. Wilfred Silva
73 ) 1977 Sudu Paraviyoo Kingsly Rajapaksha
74 ) 1976 Adarei Man Adarei Lenin Morais
75 ) 1977 Hithuvoth Hithuvaamai Lenin Morais
76 ) 1977 Chin Chin Nona J. Selvarathnam
77 ) 1977 Deviyani Oba Kohida Aruna Shanthi
78 ) 1976 Onna Maame Kella Panapi Lenin Morais
79 ) 1977 Saja Syril P. Abeyrathna
80 ) 1979 Jeewana Kadulu Daya Wimalaweera
81 ) 1979 Monarathenna Yasapalitha Nanayakkara
82 ) 1979 Anusha Dayananda Rodrigo
83 ) 1980 Tak Tik Tuk Yasapalitha Nanayakkara
84 ) 1976 Kauda Rajaa J. Selvarathnam
85 ) 1981 Senasuma
86 ) 1984 Era Soysa Herbert Ranjith Peiris
87 ) 1984 Era Soysa Herbert Ranjith Peiris
88 ) 1983 Hithath Hodai Wedath Hodai J. Rasaratnam
89 ) 1983 Hithath Hodai Wedath Hodai J. Rasaratnam
90 ) 1982 Sithara S.V. Chandran
91 ) 1982 Sithara S.V. Chandran
92 ) 1982 Sudu Ayya S.V. Chandran
93 ) 1982 Sakvithi Suvaya Gamini Fonseka
94 ) 1982 Sakvithi Suvaya Gamini Fonseka
95 ) 1981 Jeewanthi Hemasiri Sellapperuma
96 ) 1981 Hondama Naluwa Sherly P.Wijerathna
97 ) 1980 Sinhabahu Pathiraja L.S.Dayananda
98 ) 1976 Vasana K.A.W. Perera
99 ) 1976 Nayana Amarasena Kumarasinghe
100 ) 1974 Lasanda K.A.W. Perera
101 ) 1972 Ihatha Athmaya K.A.W. Perera

Producer

No Year Name Character Director
1 ) 1955 Mathabhedaya B.A.W. Jayamanne
2 ) 1957 Siriyalatha S.S. Rajan