Kala Suri Dona Meraya Denawaka, known by her popular screen name Denawaka Hamine, was a renowned actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television. She was often referred to as "The grand old lady" of Sinhala cinema and had a prolific career spanning more than four decades, during which she appeared in over 300 films and teledramas.
Personal Life:
Denawaka Hamine was born on February 20, 1906, in Imbulgoda, Gampaha, Sri Lanka. After completing her education at Imbulgoda Vidyalaya, she initially pursued a career as a school teacher at the same school. She had one daughter named Edith Senarath Yapa, who had her own connection to the film industry. Denawaka Hamine's grandchildren were also involved in cinema. Anura Senarath Yapa, Palitha Senarath Yapa, and Udaya Bandara Senarath Yapa all ventured into acting in films. Her son-in-law, Theja Bandara Senarath, worked as a supervisor at Yapa Port Cargo Corporation. Denawaka Hamine passed away on December 9, 2002, at the age of 96.
Career:
Denawaka Hamine's entry into the world of acting was somewhat serendipitous. She initially worked as a school teacher but got her first break when she accompanied a young actress to a theatrical audition. Her impressive performance in the role of an elderly mother in a play directed by G. D. L. Perera led to her joining Perera's drama group Kala Pela. She performed in various Kala Pela productions, earning recognition and awards for her roles.
Her debut in films came with her portrayal of the character Nonnohamy in the film adaptation of "Sama" (1965), a role she had previously popularized in a play. Denawaka Hamine was known for her versatile performances and played significant roles in films like "Sath Samudura" (1968), for which she received critical acclaim and a Best Character Actress Award from a special government council. She was recognized for her exceptional acting abilities and received awards for her contributions to cinema, including the Kalasuri title in 1987.
Denawaka Hamine continued to excel in her career throughout the 1970s and beyond. She played memorable roles in films such as "Tun Man Handiya," "Desa Nisa Kolomba Sanniya," and "Matara Achchi." She even made a brief appearance in the Hollywood film "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" in 1984. Additionally, she made significant contributions to television, including being part of the original cast of the popular teledrama "Kopi Kade."
In recognition of her remarkable contributions to Sinhala Cinema, Denawaka Hamine received an honorary award
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