D. R. Nanayakkara

Don Ruter Nanayakkara (15 March 1915 – 4 January 1989) was a Sri Lankan actor in Sri Lankan cinema as well as in British drama. Playing lanky villains and comedic characters, Nanayakkara gained popularity in movies like Rekava, Kurulu Bedda and Sikuru Tharuwa.

D. R. Nanayakkara
ඩී. ආර්. නානායක්කාර
Born
Don Ruter Nanayakkara

(1915-03-15)March 15, 1915
Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka
DiedJanuary 4, 1989(1989-01-04) (aged 73)
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationSt. Matthew's College, Dematagoda
OccupationActor
Years active1949–1989

Personal life

Nanayakkara was born in Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka in 1915 and attended the Kolonnawa Govt. School and St. Matthew's College, Dematagoda.

Nanayakkara died of tuberculosis caused by AIDS in 1989. He had been HIV positive for 12 months.

Career

As a young adult, Nanayakkara showed interest in theater and became a regular attender of stage plays. At one such drama around 1936, he was noticed by playwright Sirisena Wimalaweera who took him into his troupe of players. Beginning with Amma, Nanayakkara appeared in many of Wimalweera's plays; these include Seedevi, Pitisara Kella, Rodi Kella and Maggona Charlie.[1]

Nanayakkara debut in film came when Wimalaweera adapted Amma into a motion picture in 1949, two years after the release of the first major Sinhalese film Kadawunu Poronduwa. Nanayakkara dabbled as a vocalist in Wimalaweera's films singing two songs for Amma. He continued to appear in Wimalaweera's movies up to Wimalaweera's death in 1963.[2]

Nanayakkara's had one of his most celebrated performances in Rekawa (1956) which is considered a landmark in film. He appeared in the critically acclaimed role of Sooty, the protagonist's father who is a thief and attempts to use his son's supposed healing powers to gain wealth causing a death and his son's condemnation by the whole villages.[2]

Nanayakkara continued his celebrated villainous roles in Kurulu Bedda (1961), Sikuru Tharuwa (1966) and Binaramali (1969).[2] He won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award for his role in Bicycle Hora in 1968.[3] In 1984, Nanayakkara was chosen as one of the Sri Lankan actors in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. In the movie he played the village headsman.[4]

In Kathuru Muwath (1971) he played the lead role of the Kathuru Muwath. He had major roles in many of K.A.W. Perera's other films like Kapatikama (1966), Duleeka (1974), Lasanda (1974) and Nedeyo (1976),. Working with Lester James Peries again in Baddegama (1981) he played another major negative role as the Medicine Man.

Other film appearances include Chandiya (1965), Parasathumal (1966), Ahasin Polawata (1978), Siribo Aiya (1980) and Dese Mal Pipila. Nanayakkara's last film Ahas Maliga was screened five years after his death.[1]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Other notes
1949 Amma Saranapala film debut
1956 Rekava Sooty
1961 Kurulu Bedda Kaithan Baas [5]
1963 Sikuru Tharuwa Village Headman Sarasaviya Award for Best Actor (1964)
1965 Chandiya Piloris
1966 Parasathumal Head Servant
Sudu Duwa
1967 Saru Bima
Ran Salu
1968 Vanasara
Singithi Surathal
Indunila
Hangi Hora
Dahasak Sithuvili Man on bus [6]
Bicycle Hora Sarasaviya Award for Best Actor (1969)
Ataweni Pudumaya
Amathikama
Akka Nago
Adarawanthayo
Abuddassa Kale
1969 Binaramalee Village Headman [7]
1970 Thewatha
1971 Kathuru Muwath
1972 Lokuma Hinawa
1973 Sinawai Inawai Bertie
Suhada Pathuma [8]
1974 Duleeka
Lasanda
1975 Sukiri Kella
1976 Nedeyo
1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Podi Appu
Siripala ha ranmanika
Maruwa Samaga Wase
Vishmaya
Sandawata Ran Tharu
Ahasin Polawata
1978 Kumara Kumariyo
1980 Siribo Aiya
Baddegama Exorcist [9]
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Shaman
Welle Thenu Maliga
1988 Sandakada Pahana
1992 Beyond Justice El Mahadi
1994 Ahas Maliga posthumous release
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References
  1. Uvais, Ramesh (August 15, 2005). "DR: The prolific character actor". Daily Mirror.
  2. Savarimutthu, Ranee (1977). On the Development of Sinhala Cinema, 1947-1967. Colombo, Sri Lanka: OCIC Sri Lanka.
  3. Gunatilake, P. K. Ishante (May 11, 2008). "He brought a unique touch to the Sinhala silver screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  4. Fernando, Susitha R (June 1, 2008). "Dr. Jones returns to Colombo with the Crystal Skull". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  5. "All about urulu Bedda". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  6. "All about Dahasak Sithuvili". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  7. "All about Binaramalee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  8. "All about Suhada Pathuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  9. "All about Beddegama". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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