Suraj Mapa

Mapa Mudiyanselage Suraj Laksiri (born on 2nd January 1980 as සුරාජ් මාපා) [Sinhala]), popularly as Suraj Mapa, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and television as well as a Teledrama Producer, Model (person), Dance Performer and a Choreographer.[3] Highly versatile actor particularly active on television, Mapa is best known for the roles in television serials Olu, Sepalika, ''Haara Kotiya'' and Sihini. He has been awarded and recognized under various titles for his talents. Apart from being into Entertainment industry, he is into fashion industry as well where he owns partnership in upcoming popular brand named Elsa Clothing

Suraj Mapa
සුරාජ් මාපා
Born
Mapa Mudiyanselage Suraj Laksiri[1]

(1980-01-02) 2 January 1980[2]
Kandy, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationTrinity College, Kandy
OccupationActor, Dramatist, Choreographer
Years active2002–present
Parent(s)
  • Dayani Mapa (mother)
AwardsMost Popular Actor

Personal life

He was born on 2nd January 1980 in Kandy as the youngest of the family with two elder sisters. His father was a businessman and his mother was a housewife. He completed education from Trinity College, Kandy and did his Advance Level examination in 1999.[4]

Then, Mapa attended a course in Hotel Management earning a Diploma in Hotel Management and worked for one year in his father's hotel – ‘Hotel Zurich Park’. He also studied at IDM and gained a Diploma in Computer Studies. While working for ‘Suntel’ as a customer care executive, he was selected as a model by famous fashion designer Lou Ching Wong and hairdresser Nayana.[5]. Later he obtained qualifications in Marketing through SLIM.

His father died on 13th July 2016[6] and mother Dayani Mapa died on 17th August 2018 by a blood clot in brain.[7] His mother's sister, Suneetha Ratnayake was a popular dancer. Suraj is a religious, kind-hearted person who values humanity, family and nature.[5]

Acting career

Mapa started his acting career in 2000 with the television serial Mage Sanda Oba directed by Prasanna Withana. He was starring the main role, which gained him large popularity and also selected for Upcoming Actor award in year 2002.[8]

During the very early stage of his carrier, he had a slight challenge of finding opportunities, but since his appearances in Suriya Daruwo in 2002 he has been continuously starring many different characters. He was also nominated as the Best Upcoming Actor in 2003.[9] Shirly P. Delankawala's Olu Teledrama (TV series scripted out of a famous novel) was the climax in Mapa's carrier. In Olu he was starring a role of a young English Teacher named Asanka. [10]This is still recognized as Mapa's retrospective extraordinary performance which lifted him to the next level of his career. He won the award for the Most Popular Actor in both Sumathi Awards and Raigam Tele'es awards in 2005 and 2006 respectively for the serial Olu. In 2005, he won the award for the most popular Sri Lankan actor in the UAE. Nirmala's Character in Pooja teledrama was Mapa's next biggest move which was directed by Eranga Senarathne. In Pooja, Mapa was casting a character of a famous Writer who was leading a battle to save his child and the family. This is one of Mapa's favorite acts

Romantic Roles

Since his first appearance in a production Mapa portraited the role of a Lover and he was the main cast in most of his projects. He did a memorable performance in Olu, Pooja, Sapumali, Poojasanaya, Ridee Siththam, Muthu Wessak, Mage Sanda Oba, etc which credited him with the title "Generous Lover in TV". However, over 15 years in his career he was limited to Romantic Roles. Mapa is devoted to his work and always did great justice to all the roles he portrayed.

Moving to Demanding Roles

His appearance in Kalu Araliya in 2016 can be seen as a turning point in his career. Mapa was performing multiple roles in Kalu Araliya as famous actor Vishwa Disanayaka, servant Muni & a disabled person. His role as Muni was a remarkable act which made him a nominee for the best actor award as well. Since then Mapa started to appear in slight classical roles deviating from his ordinary roles. Thushara Thennakon's Lokantharayo (in 2017) is a scientific story about two parallel universes where Mapa screened dual roles. Mapa was able to study different aspects of life and nature throughout this assignment. In Lokantharayo, his co-star was Shalani Tharaka. Haara Kotiya (in 2017) was his next sparkling act where he was starring as a Crime Boss. He played the role of a young businessman who's trapped by his wife which was directed by Shantha Soysa in 2017. His co-star in Pini was Udari Warnakulasooriya. Later in the story, Mapa's character became complicated where he had to put on multiple faces. Vijitha's Character in Amuthu Rasikaya is another interesting role played by Mapa. He has been nominated for awards as well in upcoming ceremonies for his great performance in this role. His latest tv-series is Sihini which is directed by Shantha Soysa. Mapa demonstrates the role of a rich mischievous, playful young businessman's role in Sihini and for his extraordinary performance, his fans have started to hate Mapa's personality as well. [5]

Moving to Cinema Mapa started his film career with a supportive role in 2004 comedy film, Clean Out directed by Roy de Silva.[11] He also acted in Belgium film Semi Tower.[5] He acted in the film ''Sikuru Hathe'' directed by Giriraj Kaushalya. The film became a blockbuster hit and became the highest-grossing film in 2007. The film won many awards at SIGNIS award and Sarasaviya awards.[12]

Notable Television serials
  • Aathma Senehasa[13]
  • Amuthu Rasikaya[14]
  • Baloli[15]
  • Chuttey[16]
  • Daangale
  • Degammediyawa[17]
  • Haara Kotiya[18]
  • Handewa [19]
  • Indrachapa [20]
  • Isuru Bawana [21]
  • Jeewa Chakra [22]
  • Kaluaraliya
  • Lokantharayo
  • Mage Sanda Oba[23]
  • Mini Kirana[24]
  • Muthu Wessak
  • Nethra
  • Pini
  • Pinikunatuwa[25]
  • Pooja
  • Poojasanaya
  • Ridee Siththam
  • Sanda Siththam[26]
  • Sepalika[27]
  • Sihinayak Paata Paatin [28]
  • Sihina Cinderella
  • Sihini [29]
  • Surya Daruwo
  • Suddilage Kathawa [30]
  • Thanamalvila Kollek [31]
  • Tharu Prabha
  • Uthum Pathum
  • Veeduru Mal [32]

Notable Single Episode Teledramas
  • Sansara Sewanali - Podi Hamuduruwo
  • Thunkal Sihinaya

Notable Tele Films
  • Mathaka Sihina

Dancing career

Mapa started dancing at school age and excels in Latin American dance. He studied dancing under Neomi Rajaratnam and performed at many events both locally and internationally such as "Footwork Dance Sport 2002".[8] Mapa's talented in Latin Dance. Mapa always works on positioning himself as an actor with dancing capabilities. In 2013 he learned Kandyan dance traditions under Guru Kulasiri Budawatta and became a Ves Kandyan dancer in 2014.[4][33]

His maiden dance show titled Elements with Surya was held at Bishop's college auditorium on 14–15 May 2010 at 7 p.m.[8] On 27 February 2016, Mapa organized a dance show with over fifty dancers. The show was held at the Dharmaraja College Auditorium from 10.00 am and 6.30 pm.[4]

In 2013, he contested for the reality program Derana City of Dance, The Ultimate Level telecast by TV Derana[34] and in 2018 Hiru Mega Stars telecast by Hiru TV.[35]

Mapa started Started Suraj Dance Academy in 2015 where he conducts workshops in Colombo & Kandy.

Filmography
YearFilmRoleRef.
2004Clean OutPathale Sudha 'Sam'[36]
2007Sikuru HatheVidyartha[37]
2008Akasa Kusum[38]
2010UththaraShanilka[39]
2011SuseemaRanga[40]
2015Singa Machan CharlieRomeo[41]
2018Yama Raja SiriIn item song[42]
2019Ginnen Upan Seethala[43]

Other Work

Productions

Mapa contributed as a producer for the Dagammadiyawa tv series. He was also starring in it and was awarded a Merit Award in Sumathi Awards Ceremony.

Reality Program Presenter

In 2008 Suraj hosted Sirasa Dancing Stars session I together with Nirosha Perera, the program won the most popular award in 2008. This was a reality dancing program for stars in Sri Lanka

Partnership with Elsa

Suraj act as the Head of Sales & Marketing for Elsa Clothing brand which was launched together with 2 other friends of him.

Awards and accolades

Sumathi Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007People's voteMost Popular ActorWon
2011DegammediyawaMerit AwardWon

References
  1. "Suraj Mapa biography". wordpress. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  2. "Happy Birthday – January 2". suratha. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  3. "Suraj Mapa filmography". IMDb. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  4. "Suraj Mapa presents 'Elements with Surya'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  5. "Memorable performance". Lakadesha. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  6. "Actor Suraj Mapa's father passes away". Hiru FM. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  7. "Actor Suraj Mapa's mother passes away". lankahitgossip. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  8. "In step with Suraj". Daily News. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  9. "Suraj and Harshini : 'Coke Ambassadors'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  10. "Remarkable Performance". Lankadeesha. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  11. "Suraj Mapa - සුරාජ් මාපා films". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  12. "'Sikuru Hathe' back on screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  13. "Aathma Senehasa teledrama". Alankulama Holding (Pvt) Ltd. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  14. "'අමුතු රසිකයා' ආලින්දයට පැමිණේ". Divaina. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  15. "Stars in scuffle at Baloli location". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  16. "'Chotte' on Rupavahini". Daily News. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  17. "A play on worthlessness of wealth". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  18. "Haara Kotiya, Its No Waste Of Time!". The Sunday Leader. Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  19. "'Handewa' pictures a tragedy in a colony". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  20. "'Indrachapa':A family drama". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  21. "'Isuru Bawana' miniplay on Rupavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  22. "'Jeewa Chakra' brings world-renowned literature on miniscreen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  23. "'Mage Sanda Oba': a tender love story". Sunday Times. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  24. "'Mini Kirana' on Rupavahini from Wednesday". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  25. "'Pinikunatuwa':A drama with hundred episodes". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  26. "Tele treat". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  27. "'Sepalika' on Swarnavahini". Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  28. "Mohan Niyaz has a dream in Colour". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  29. "'Sihini'theme song". ITN. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  30. "'Suddilage Kathawa' back on miniscreen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  31. "Thanamalvila Kollek' - Award-winning warmth and fatherly memory". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  32. "'Veeduru Mal': Depicts a topsy-turvy tale". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  33. "Suraj dances his way to maturity". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  34. "City Of Dance - The Ultimate Level". Derana TV. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  35. "Suraj Mapa - සුරාජ් මාපා bio". Hiru TV. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  36. "එදා මෙදා තිරගත වූ සිංහල චිත්‍රපට". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  37. "Sikuru Hathe: A magnificent comedy". Daily News. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  38. TV Times (19 October 2008). "Akasa Kusum (Flowers of the Sky) Blooms in Pusan". The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka.
  39. "Sandun brings 'Uththara'". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  40. "Susima on the big screen". Daily News. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  41. "Singa Machan Charlie movie". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
  42. "Yama Raja Siri films.lk article". Films.lk (in Sinhala). Archived from the original on 2018-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-05.
  43. "Gratitude for that sacrifice - Director Anuruddha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
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