Vijaya Nandasiri

Ilukpitiya Mudiyanselage Vijaya Nandasiri (born 6 May 1947 – died 8 August 2016 as විජය නන්දසිරි)[1] was an award-winning actor in Sri Lankan cinema, stage drama and television.[2] Considered a leading dramatist in Sri Lankan cinema, he was also a singer and a producer.[3]

Vijaya Nandasiri
විජය නන්දසිරි
Born
Ilukpitiya Mudiyanselage Vijaya Nandasiri

(1947-05-06)May 6, 1947
Maharagama, Sri Lanka
DiedAugust 8, 2016(2016-08-08) (aged 69)
Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationVidyakara Vidyalaya, Maharagama
OccupationActor, director, producer, singer
Years active1966–2016
Spouse(s)Devika Mihirani (m. 1989)
Children2
RelativesLal Kularatne (cousin)

He had a varied career beginning in theater and extending into film as a dramatic actor; his most recent roles were steeped in comedy and include credits in Sinhala sitcoms like Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni, Ethuma, Yes Boss and Kathura.[4]

Personal life

Born on 6 May 1947 in Maharagama as the third in a family with seven siblings,[3] he has two elder brothers, two younger brothers and two younger sisters.[5] His father was Ilukpitiya Mudiyanselage Simon Singho who worked in the food department. His mother, Don Caroline Mabel Senadheera, worked at the Department of Health and later at the Colombo General Hospital.[5] Nandasiri attended the Vidyakara Vidyalaya in Maharagama. He had an ambition to join military, because he was a sub-lieutenant in the school cadets. Nandasiri was briefly a catering officer at the Katunayake Airport in the late-'60s as his acting career developed.

Nandasiri married fellow actress Devika Mihirani in 1989.[6] She holds the record to be the main actress in Sri Lanka's first ever tele-drama, Dimuthu Muthu.[7][8] Their first encounter was at Sudarshi Visual Arts Center, where Mihirani studied for dancing. Nandasiri was the one who invited Mihirani for the drama Subha Saha Yasa in 1974.[9] She was studying at Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda. He joined her at the Chitrasena Kalaya in Kollupitiya and learned dance from Vajira.[5] Devika's sister Sriyani Perera is married to actor Lal Kularatne.

They have two children, Navanjana and Rasanjana Suchitra.[10] His daughter lives in Australia and son in America.[11] Navanjana was born on 13 November 1989.[12] Navanjana is married to businessman Chaminda Gunaratne and they married on 28 December 2012 in Hilton Hotel, Colombo.[13] His son Rasanjana started to continue his father's legacy by making mark in stage dramas, where his father previously acted.[14]

Acting career

Theater work

Mrs. Mulin Perera, who opened the doors of the school stage to Vijaya for the first time, is the wife of editor of Sarasaviya, Navayugaya and Silumina papers, Wimalasiri Perera.[5] He then acted in Premasiri Nawalage's 1965 stage play Paravunu Mal which was written for the School Development Fund. He made his theater debut in 1966 in the stage drama Vidura-Diva produced by Amaradasa Gunawardena for the State Drama Festival. He next obtained a role in Naribena, Jasaya saha Lenchina made by veteran drama producer Dayananda Gunawardena, who personally invited Nandasiri to become part of the cast.[10]

He subsequently played in many stage dramas including Bakmaha Akunu by Dayananda Gunawardena, Thahanchi and Baka Thapas by Sathischandra Edirisinghe, Kontharaya, Wahalak Nathi Geyak and Sarade Sina by Prema Ranjith Thilakarathna and Bedde Goranaduwa by Ananda S. Wijesiri.[15]

After Ran Kanda, Nandasiri was in demand, and starred in the plays Kapuwa Kapothi,[16] Kakul Hathare Ilandariya,[17] Subha Saha Yasa, Nariya Saha Keju Kella, Ekadipathi, Tharawo Egilethi, Rookada Raajje, Ran Kada, Sellam Badu Nowei,[18] Kuweni and Hunuwataye Kathawa among others. Over the next years he played the character of king Maname in Prof. Ediriweera Sarachchandra's Maname more than 1000 times, and appeared in Singha Bhahu, Mahasara and Ratnawalee. Nandasiri finally achieved fame in 1971 in the play Ran Kanda.[10] In all, he has done over 40 plays staged island-wide.[10]

As a dramatist, he has helmed several successful plays. These include Vrushaba Raja,[19] and Kusa Pabawathie.[10]

When he reached 46th anniversary as an actor in 2012, he celebrated his personal milestone by organizing Wijayanandaya' film festival from 20–25 March 2012 at John de Silva Theatre performing his most popular stage dramas.[3]

Nandasiri simultaneously worked in all three aspects of cinema evenly. In last years, he worked on stage dramas like Malwadam Anawashyai,[20] and Balloth ekka ba.[21] He was working on the comedy drama Aluth horek one of Ajith Mendis at the Wayambe provincial council auditorium, Kurunegala, where he got sick next day and died.[22]

Television career

Nandasiri's early television credits include K.A.W. Perera's Gamana and Pramada Wedei. He was later a producer of the teledrama Humalaya. He won the Award for the Best Comedian for his role in Sikka.

The turning point of his performance was the Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni (which is a re-make of the popular Hindi sitcom Shriman Shrimati produced by Adhikari Brothers) sitcom directed by Jayaprakash Sivagurunathan.[5] He became famous as a comedy actor with the character of Gunadasa Premachandra in the sitcom Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni and later through Yes Boss as Senarath Dunusinghe.[10] He also acted in numerous teledramas and sitcoms.[23] He also hosted children's quiz program Punchi Pahe Man which was telecasted on Sirasa TV.

Selected serials
  • Bhagya
  • Class Sinhala Class
  • Ethuma
  • Hathara Wate[24]
  • Hathare Kanuwa
  • Kathura
  • Kawda Bole Ethuma 1
  • Kekiri
  • Mathi Nethi Daa[25]
  • Methuma
  • Nonawaruni Mahathwaruni
  • Raja Varama [26]
  • Satakapata
  • Senehase Geethaya [27]
  • Sikka
  • Yes Boss
  • Yes Madam
  • Jara Mara

Cinema career

He first came to prominence from the movie Ran Kenda. In 1973, Vijaya made his maiden cinematic appearance in the film Matara Achchi directed by Sathischandra Edirisinghe.[5] In 1976, Nandasiri met K.A.W. Perera while staging T. B. Ilangaratne's Shailasanaya. Perera gave him his first film role in the movie Nedayo. The character was a blind person who sings the song Sanasum Susuman Pavila which is still a popular song among people, as his starring in the scene was absolutely realistic. Some of the films with his dramatic roles include Yasa Isuru, Sandakada Pahana, Bengali Walalu, Sasara and Rail Para.[10][28] He won The Best Actor award for his role of the match maker in Sikuru Hathe and later in 2011 as the Best Comedian for King Hunther.[29]

Illness and Death

Nandasiri was suffering from diabetes over a long period of time. Owing to a wound on his leg, due to severe infection, the leg was amputated and from that point, he was using an artificial leg.[22]

On 8 August 2016, Nandasiri died while being taken to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital after suffering from a cardiac arrest.[30][31][32]

Filmography
  • No. denotes the Number of Sri Lankan film in the Sri Lankan cinema.[33]
YearNo.FilmRole
1973269Mathara AachchiPolice Officer
1974300Wasthuwa
1976334Thilaka Ha Thilaka
354Mangala
357NedayoMahinda Gunarathne
1977379Tom PachayaDancer
1978392Siri PathulaAthula
405SasaraUpali Rankatiya
1979410SamanmaliAsanka
411GahaniyakProsecutor
416Higana KollaRonald Jayarathne
1980464Sabeetha
469Kinduru KumariThilak [34]
461Mage Amma
1981483Eka Dawasak RaInspector Ranawaka
487Amme Mata SamawennaRohana
500Bangali WalaluKapila
1982511Yasa IsuruAjith Wickramasinghe
525Wathura Karaththaya
540Rail Para
1983544Ran Mini Muthu
566Sister MarySiripala
571Monara Thanna 2
1984599Hadawathaka Wedana
604Ranmalige WasanawaChandana / Senaka
1985615Chalitha Rangali
621Aya Waradida Oba Kiyanna
627Sudu Mama
628Du Daruwo
1988675Sandakada PahanaPriyantha
1989686Badulu Kochchiya
1990708Jaya Kothanada
712Christhu CharithayaShadipathiya [35]
1994801Dhawala PushpayaPathirana
816Vijaya GeethaShelterer
2002977Pissu DoubleWickie
985BahubuthayoDrunken god
20031011Pissu TribleSakalasuriya 'Mudalali'
1010Taxi Driver[36]
20041035Left Right SirPinto
1037Ohoma HaridaNamali's father
20051054Samanala ThatuDoctor
20061084Ran KevitaSuran's father
20071092Sikuru HatheMangala Jaya
1115Ai Oba Thaniwela
20091122Sir Last ChanceDetective Sir Last Chance
20101136Kshema Bhoomi
1137Mago Digo DaiSargent C.K Perera / Mago
20111158King HuntherKing Hunther / Ahethuka
1165Ethumai MethumaiMinister
20121168Sakvithi DadayamaMaxim
2013-It’s a Matter of LoveRobert[37]
20141217Ko Mark No MarkMark / Minister Palutupana
20151237Suhada KokaMinister Rajamanthri
2016126464 MayamSoysa. Posthumous release
20191334Sikuru YogayaMaster [38]
TBDBreaking NewsPosthumous release
TBDEla DabalaBenny / Bonny. Posthumous release[39]
gollark: I should set them to both have the command prefix ++ or ! to be really confusing.
gollark: !help
gollark: <@241757436720054273> If you can tell me how to make a discord.py bot able to respond to itself I may implement that.
gollark: ++list_deleted
gollark: Or maybe to each server's <#457999277311131649> equivalent.

References
  1. http://www.adaderana.lk/news/36416/vijaya-nandasiri-is-no-more
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4731433/
  3. "Wijaya Nandasiri celebrates 46th anniversary". Lanka Help Magazine. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  4. "Comedy role did not affected for my dramatic roles". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  5. "Prince of Baranas in Sikuru Hathe". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  6. "Which way year 2004 ?". Sunday Observer. 2004. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
  7. "Her face was her fortune". Sunday Observer. 2008. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  8. "Life with Vijaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  9. "Its 30 years for our love". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  10. "A Thespian with rare talent". The Island. 2000. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
  11. "Story related in the company of wife Devika by Wijaya Nandasiri who left us". Gossip Lanka News. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  12. "Daughter you are my soul". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  13. "Vijaya-Devika's daughter married". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  14. "Rasanjana on Stage on behalf of Vijaya විජය වෙනුවෙන් රසාංජන වේදිකාවට." Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  15. "The Gods Bless - විජය, දෙවියන් දුන් දායාදයකි". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  16. "Kapuwa in a new look". Sunday Times. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  17. "Kakul Hathare Illandariya 100th Show". Daily News. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  18. "ස්වාභාවික ප්‍රහසනයක්". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  19. "Fiftieth performance of Vrushaba Raja". Sunday Observer. 2002. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-04-17.
  20. "Malwadam-Anawashyai". Rangahala. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  21. "Balloth Ekka Ba". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  22. "Wijaya Nandasiri who created mirth among people and made them happy no more !". Lanka e-news. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  23. "Bhagya". Torana Video, 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  24. "'Hatara Wate' deals with routine events". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  25. "'Mathi Nethi Daa'". Sunday Times. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  26. "'Raja Varama': ready to hit the screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  27. "'Senehase Geethaya': Courage of a woman". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
  28. "Vijaya Nandasiri Acting career". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  29. "Comedians of Sinhala Cinema". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  30. "Vijaya Nandasiri passes away - නොකියාම ගියේ ඔබ නොගොස් බැරි නිසාමද?". Sarasaviya.
  31. "Veteran actor Vijaya Nandasiri passes away". ITN. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  32. "Veteran actor Vijaya Nandasiri passes away". News Radio.
  33. "Sri Lankan Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
  34. "පෙම් සිහින තොටින් 'කිඳුරු කුමාරි'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  35. "All about Kristhu Charithaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  36. "'Taxi Driver' moves slowly". Sunday Times. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  37. "'ඉට්ස් අ මැටර් ඔෆ් ලව්'". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  38. "Sikuru Yogaya coming tomorrow". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  39. "Maiden cinema direction by Jagath Epaladeniya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
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