Chandra Kankanamage Kaluarachchi, known by her popular name Chandra Kaluarachchi, graced the realms of Sri Lankan cinema, theater, and television with her talent and presence. Her notable performances in Welikathara (1971), Ira Madiyama (2003), and Nisala Gira (2007) have earned her enduring recognition.[1]
Early Life and Passing
Born on April 6, 1943, Chandra Kaluarachchi spent her formative years in Narahenpita, near Colombo. She departed from this world on November 1, 2019, at the age of 76.[2] Chandra was united in marriage with Lakshman Wijesekara, a musician and actor. Their union brought forth a daughter named Ama and a son named Vihanga.[3]
Artistic Journey
Chandra Kaluarachchi's artistic journey commenced with her involvement in the radio program titled Lamapitiya. Her passion for acting grew, leading her to take on the leading role in various Sri Lankan stage productions, including the acclaimed "Wahalak Neti Geyak," produced by dramatist Premaranjit Tilakaratne. This performance garnered recognition at the State Drama Festival in 1964, where she was honored with the Best Actress Award.[4] Chandra's portrayal as a grandmother in S. Karunaratne's production "Erabadu Mal Pottu Pipila" in 1967 added another dimension to her versatile talent.[5]
Notably, Chandra Kaluarachchi played an integral role in the evolution of the "docudrama" genre on the Sinhala stage. She featured in Dayananda Gunawardena's groundbreaking work "Gajaman Puwatha," a pioneering docudrama that premiered on October 14, 1975.[6] Since her debut as a 19-year-old in Arnold Wickramasuriya's "Raththaran Putha" in 1962, Chandra became recognized for her skill in portraying maternal and other diverse characters across stage, film, radio, and television serials.
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