Baptist Fernando

Warnakulasuriya Maha Lekumge John Baptist Fernando (born 9 June 1933 – died 1 February 2017 as බැප්ටිස්ට් ප්‍රනාන්දු) [Sinhala]), popularly as Baptist Fernando, was an actor and producer in Sri Lankan cinema.[1] One of the earliest pillars in Sri Lankan film history, acted as one of the best villains in silver screen during his career that spanned more than four decades.[2]

Baptist Fernando
බැප්ටිස්ට් ප්‍රනාන්දු
Born
Warnakulasuriya Maha Lekumge John Baptist Fernando

(1933-07-09)9 July 1933
Died1 February 2017(2017-02-01) (aged 83)
Ragama, Sri Lanka
Resting placeKanatte Cemetery
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationJoseph Vaz College
OccupationActor, Producer, Director
Years active1955–2001
Spouse(s)Thiris Fernando (m. 1960)
Children3
Parents
  • Eugene Fernando (father)
  • Winifreda Fernando (mother)

Personal life

Fernando was born on 9 June 1933 in Collin Jadiya, Wennappuwa as the eldest of the family. His father's name was Eugene Fernando and mother's name was Winifreda Fernando. He had three younger sisters and two younger brothers. He completed education from Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa.[3] He was a very good at sports, particularly wrestling, where he practiced wrestling with the then heavyweight champion, Basil Rodrigo.

In 1960 he married Thiris Fernando. The couple had two daughters - Shamila Priyadarshani, Dulari Fernando and on son - Shammi Fernando. His son Shammi was also an actor. In the film Angulimala which was directed by his father, Shammi played the main role as "Ahinsaka". Then he acted in few films such as Raja Kello, Cheriyo Darling, Alu Yata Gini and Ane Master. Daughter Shamila acted in the teledrama Mangala Seenu. His wife Thiris died in 1986.[4]

He died on 1 February 2017 while receiving treatments at Ragama hospital at the age of 83.[5][6] Funeral took place on 3 February 2017 at Borella Cemetery.[7]

Career

One of his schoolmates, S.A. Fernando took some photographs of Baptist during a church feast. Then he posted those photos to popular filmmaker B. A. W. Jayamanne.[3] Jayamanne invited Baptist for a screen test at Jayamanne's house "Jaya Ruk Sevana". He was selected for main antagonist in 1955 film Perakadoru Bena directed by A.B. Raja.[4] He had to finish senior level class in College to fly India for the shooting. He played two roles in the film - a police officer and villain's henchman.[8]

In 1959, Baptist acted in the film Purusha Rathnaya along with Prem Jayanth. They sang the popular song Aiyata Me Raja Ge Malli Hadala. He continued to receive many villain roles in the preceding years, including Sithaka Mahima, Ohoma Hondada, Satha Panaha, Sahanaya and Kawuda Raja.[9] In many films, Baptist acted as the villain opposite to Gamini Fonseka who played the protagonist role.[4][10] He studied cinema in India and met the cinematographer S. Anandan. After returned to Sri Lanka, Baptist involved in acting in films along with Anandan. It was only after this that he became a character actor.[3]

In 1972, he co-produced the film Sahanaya with Prem Jayanth under the banner "Seven Arts". Then he produced the film Duppathage Hithawatha and played as the protagonist for the first time.[4] After the film became a blockbuster of that year, Baptist continued to produce many films such as Tikira, Eka diga Kathawak, Namal Renu and Sudu Ayya. The film Eka diga Kathawak was dubbed in Tamil as Oru Thalei Kadal and screened in Jaffna as well. He is known not to sign any agreements with film crew as he was always fluent with paying money on time. In the film Tikira he introduced back and forth somersault actions to Sinhala cinema. The film was a blockbuster hit as well. It was also Baptist's best-loved film role.[3]

In 1998, he produced and directed the film Angulimala. Then in 1991, he produced the film Raja Kello with Sithara Priyadharshani. Overall he produced 7 films - Sahanaya, Duppathage Hithawatha, Tikira, Eka diga Kathawak, Sudu Ayya, Namal Renu and Angulimala.[3][4]

Apart from cinema, Baptist also worked as the treasurer of "Nalu Nili Sangamaya".[3]

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
1955Perakadoru BenaDual role
1959AvishwasayaGunaratne
1959Purusha RathnayaSugatha Pala
1963Suneela
1964Sithaka Mahima
1965Sepatha SoyaWinnie
1965Satha PanahaClub Manager[11]
1966Athulweema Thahanam
1966Seegiri KashyapaRama Datva[12]
1966Seyawak Pasupasa
1967Sarana
1969Oba Nathinam
1970Ohoma Hondada[13]
1971SahanayaBaby Mahathaya[14]
1973ThusharaWijesinghe[15]
1973Hondata HondaiDuncan
1974Duppathage HithawathaAnanda[16]
1975Cyril Malli
1976Pradeepe Ma Wewa
1976Kawuda RajaKapila[17]
1977Aege Adara KathawaManager
1977Wanagatha Kella
1977Deviyani Oba Kohida?Joseph[18]
1977Chin Chin Nona
1978Mage Ran Putha
1978TikiraAnanda 'Tikira'
1978Sally
1979Subhani
1979Raja KolloDharme
1982Sudu AyyaAnanda
1982Eka Diga Kathawak
1984Namal Renu
1987AhinsaParty guest
1988Angulimala
1989Mamai RajaInspector father
1989Shakthiya Oba AmmePolice Chief
1990Walawwe Hamu
1990Christhu CharithayaAnnas
1991Raja Kello
1994Shakthi
1996Sihina Wimane KumariyaTipster Victor
1996Sebe Mithura
1996Cheriyo DarlingMr. Fernando
2008Adara Meena

References

  1. "Baptist Fernando - බැප්ටිස් ප්‍රනාන්දු filmography". Sinhala Cinema Database. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  2. "Baptist Fernando commemoration". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  3. "Baptist Fernando who emerged from the movie Parakadoru Bena". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  4. "There are no old friends today". Colombo Journal. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  5. "Veteran actor Baptist Fernando passes away". Daily News. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  6. "Actor Baptist Fernando no more". Sri Lanka Mirror. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  7. "Baptist Fernando passes away". gossiplankanews. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  8. "Our actors playing dual roles". lifie. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  9. "Baptist Fernando died". Sri Lanka Mirror. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  10. "Baptist Fernando films". IMDb. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  11. "All about the film "Satha Panaha"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2020-01-04.
  12. "All about Seegiri Kashyapa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  13. "All about the film "Ohoma Hondada"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  14. "All about Sahanaya". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  15. "All about the film "Thushara"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  16. "All about Duppathage Hithawatha". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  17. "All about the film "Kawuda Raja"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  18. "Deviyani Oba Koheda". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
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