Anula Bulathsinhala

Anula Bulathsinhala, born Anula Mendis, was a renowned Sri Lankan actress and singer known for her exceptional talent in stage drama, television, and cinema.[2]

In 1970, she married the popular dramatist Lucien Bulathsinhala, and the couple was blessed with a daughter and a son. Her daughter, Indrachapa, established herself as a gifted opera singer in Vienna, while her son, Harsha, followed in his mother's footsteps as an actor, singer, and musician.[3]

Anula's passion for the arts blossomed at a young age, as she was exposed to numerous stage plays due to her father's involvement as a theatre actor. Under her father's guidance, she received training in singing, and during her school days, she obtained a Diploma in Kandyan Dance. Her pursuit of musical knowledge led her to India, where she earned a Diploma in North Indian Ragadhari Music at Bhatkhand University in Lucknow. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, she joined the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and became an A-grade singer.[3]

In 1968, Anula became a member of the Colombo Sathosa Arts Circle. During this time, she met the acclaimed theatre director R. R. Samarakoon while working at the Sathosa head office. She made her stage debut in Samarakoon's production "Ledak Nathi Ledek" in 1967.[4] Subsequently, she ventured into radio singing and dramatization during the 1960s. Notably, she was cast in Premaranjith Tilakaratne's "Kontare," an adaptation of "West Side Story" set in Sri Lanka. In this production, she acted alongside Suvineetha Weerasinghe, Sunethra Sarachchandra, Nawanandana Wijesinghe, Elson Divithurugama, and her husband Lucien.[5]

However, her most memorable theatre performance came through her husband's play "Rathu Hettakari." In this play, she captivated audiences with her rendition of the popular song "Dee Kiri Dee Kiri," which left a lasting impact on the Sri Lankan stage. Following this success, she went on to star in many other notable plays, including Premaranjith Tilakaratne's "Kontharaya," "Sri Wickrama," Samarakoon's "Charith Dekak," Lucien's "Tharavo Igilethi," Dayananda Gunawardena's "Madhura Jawanika," Henry Jayasena's "Kuveni," and Prof. Sarachchandra's "Mahasara."

In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the arts, Anula Bulathsinhala was honored with the prestigious Natya Keerthi Award at the State Drama Awards on 11 September 2020. Her talent, dedication, and passion continue to inspire the world of Sri Lankan theatre and entertainment.