D. R. Nanayakkara

Don Ruter Nanayakkara (15 March 1915 – 4 January 1989) was a Sri Lankan actor in Sri Lankan cinema as well as in British drama. Playing lanky villains and comedic characters, Nanayakkara gained popularity in movies like Rekava, Kurulu Bedda and Sikuru Tharuwa.[1]

D. R. Nanayakkara
ඩී. ආර්. නානායක්කාර
Born
Don Ruter Nanayakkara

(1915-03-15)March 15, 1915
Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka
DiedJanuary 4, 1989(1989-01-04) (aged 73)
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationKolonnawa Govt. School
St. Matthew's College
OccupationActor
Years active19491989
Spouse(s)Adeline Perera (m. 1945)
Children6
Parents
  • Don Diyas Nanayakkara (father)
  • Nonno Caldera (mother)

Personal life

He was born on 15 March 1915 in Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka. His father Don Diyas Nanayakkara was from Kolonnawa. His mother Nonno Caldera was from Gothatuwa. He attended the Kolonnawa Govt. School and St. Matthew's College, Dematagoda. Ever since he was a kid, he has been leaning towards music and got the ability to play the Japanese mandolin.[1]

He was married to Adeline Perera whom he met while performing the play. He went to the Pagoda Hotel in Fort where she works and presented his proposal. In 1945 he married Adeline. They had six children: daughters – Asoka, Shanthi, Sirima and Kalyani and sons – Dilip and Ranjith. Adeline passed away on March 10, 1983.[1]

Nanayakkara died of tuberculosis caused by AIDS on January 4, 1989.[1] He had been HIV positive for 12 months.

Career

As a young adult, Nanayakkara showed interest in theater and became a regular attender of stage plays. At one such drama around 1936, he was noticed by playwright Sirisena Wimalaweera who took him into his troupe of players. Later he was chosen to play the role of 'Saranapala' in the play Amma.[1] Beginning with Amma, Nanayakkara appeared in many of Wimalweera's plays; these include Seedevi, Pitisara Kella, Rodi Kella and Maggona Charlie.[2]

Nanayakkara debut in film came when Wimalaweera adapted Amma into a motion picture in 1949, two years after the release of the first major Sinhalese film Kadawunu Poronduwa. Nanayakkara dabbled as a vocalist in Wimalaweera's films singing two songs for Amma. He continued to appear in Wimalaweera's movies up to Wimalaweera's death in 1963.[3]

Nanayakkara's had one of his most celebrated performances in Rekawa (1956) which is considered a landmark in film. He appeared in the critically acclaimed role of Sooty, the protagonist's father who is a thief and attempts to use his son's supposed healing powers to gain wealth causing a death and his son's condemnation by the whole villages.[3]

Nanayakkara continued his celebrated villainous roles in Kurulu Bedda (1961), Sikuru Tharuwa (1966) and Binaramali (1969).[3] He won the Sarasaviya Best Actor Award for his role in Bicycle Hora in 1968.[4] In 1984, Nanayakkara was chosen as one of the Sri Lankan actors in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. In the movie he played the village headsman.[5]

In Kathuru Muwath (1971) he played the lead role of the Kathuru Muwath. He had major roles in many of K.A.W. Perera's other films like Kapatikama (1966), Duleeka (1974), Lasanda (1974) and Nedeyo (1976),. Working with Lester James Peries again in Baddegama (1981) he played another major negative role as the Medicine Man.[1]

Other film appearances include Chandiya (1965), Parasathumal (1966), Ahasin Polawata (1978), Siribo Aiya (1980) and Dese Mal Pipila. Nanayakkara's last film Ahas Maliga was screened five years after his death.[2]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Other notes
1949 Amma Saranapala film debut
1956 Rekava Sooty
1961 Kurulu Bedda Kaithan Baas [6]
1963 Sikuru Tharuwa Village Headman Sarasaviya Award for Best Actor (1964)
1965 Chandiya Piloris
1966 Parasathu Mal Head Servant Amaris [7]
Sudu Duwa
1967 Saru Bima
Ran Salu
Rena Giraw [8]
1968 Vanasara
Singithi Surathal
Indunila
Hangi Hora
Dahasak Sithuvili Man on bus [9]
Bicycle Hora Sarasaviya Award for Best Actor (1969)
Ataweni Pudumaya
Amathikama
Akka Nago
Adarawanthayo
Abuddassa Kale
1969 Binaramalee Village Headman [10]
1969 Romeo Juliet Kathawak [11]
1970 Thewatha
1970 Ohoma Hondada [12]
1971 Kathuru Muwath
1972 Lokuma Hinawa
1973 Sinawai Inawai Bertie
Suhada Pathuma [13]
1974 Duleeka [14]
Lasanda
1975 Sukiri Kella
1976 Nedeyo
1977 Hithuwoth Hithuwamai Podi Appu [15]
Siripala Saha Ranmenika [16]
Maruwa Samaga Wase
Vishmaya
Sandawata Ran Tharu
Ahasin Polawata
Deviyani Oba Kohida? [17]
1978 Kumara Kumariyo
1979 Hingaa Kolla [18]
1980 Siribo Aiya
Baddegama Exorcist [19]
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Shaman
Welle Thenu Maliga
1988 Sandakada Pahana
1992 Beyond Justice El Mahadi
1994 Ahas Maliga posthumous release

References

  1. "The actor that Spielberg wanted: D. R. Nanayakkara". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  2. Uvais, Ramesh (August 15, 2005). "DR: The prolific character actor". Daily Mirror.
  3. Savarimutthu, Ranee (1977). On the Development of Sinhala Cinema, 1947-1967. Colombo, Sri Lanka: OCIC Sri Lanka.
  4. Gunatilake, P. K. Ishante (May 11, 2008). "He brought a unique touch to the Sinhala silver screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  5. Fernando, Susitha R (June 1, 2008). "Dr. Jones returns to Colombo with the Crystal Skull". Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
  6. "All about urulu Bedda". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  7. "All about "Parasathu Mal"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  8. "All about "Rena Giraw"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  9. "All about Dahasak Sithuvili". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  10. "All about Binaramalee". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  11. "Romeo Juliet Kathawak". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  12. "All about the film "Ohoma Hondada"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  13. "All about Suhada Pathuma". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  14. "All about the film "Duleeka"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  15. "All about "Hithuwoth Hithuwamai"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  16. "Siripala and Ranmenika highlighted the poetic mind of the misguided man". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  17. "Deviyani Oba Koheda". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  18. "All about the film "Hingana Kolla"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
  19. "All about Beddegama". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
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