Suraj Mapa

Mapa Mudiyanselage Suraj Laksiri (born on 2 January 1980 as සුරාජ් මාපා) [Sinhala]), popularly as Suraj Mapa, is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and television as well as a Teledrama Producer, Model (person), Dance Performer and a Choreographer.[3] Highly versatile actor particularly active on television, Mapa is best known for the roles in television serials Olu, Sepalika, Haara Kotiya and Sihini. He has been awarded and recognized under various titles for his talents. Apart from being into Entertainment industry, he is into fashion industry as well where he owns partnership in upcoming popular brand named Elsa Clothing

Suraj Mapa
සුරාජ් මාපා
Born
Mapa Mudiyanselage Suraj Laksiri[1]

(1980-01-02) 2 January 1980[2]
Kandy, Sri Lanka
NationalitySri Lankan
EducationTrinity College, Kandy
OccupationActor, Dramatist, Choreographer
Years active2002–present
Parent(s)
  • Dayani Mapa (mother)
AwardsMost Popular Actor
WebsiteSuraj Mapa on Instagram, Suraj Mapa on Facebook

Personal life

He was born on 2 January 1980[4] in Kandy as the youngest of the family with two elder sisters. His father was a businessman and his mother was a housewife. He completed education from Trinity College, Kandy and did his Advance Level examination in 1999.[4]

Then, Mapa attended a course in Hotel Management earning a Diploma in Hotel Management and worked for one year in his father's hotel – ‘Hotel Zurich Park’. He also studied at IDM and gained a Diploma in Computer Studies. His heart strings were pulling him on a different direction. The call of the entertainment world and its glamour was too much to resist and he quit what he was doing and followed a course in modeling. During this period he worked for ‘Suntel’ as a customer care executive. As a model he has walked the ramp for Lou Ching Wong the fashion designer and for Nayana the popular hair dresser.[4] Later he obtained qualifications in Marketing through SLIM.

His father died on 13 July 2016[5] and mother Dayani Mapa died on 17 August 2018 by a blood clot in brain.[6] His mother's sister, Suneetha Ratnayake was a popular dancer.[4] Suraj is a religious, kind-hearted person who values humanity, family and nature.

Acting career

Mapa started his acting career in 2000 with the television serial Mage Sanda Oba directed by Prasanna Vithanage. He was starring the main role, which gained him large popularity and also selected for Upcoming Actor award in year 2002.[7] During the very early stage of his carrier, he had a slight challenge of finding opportunities, but since his appearances in Suriya Daruwo [8] in 2002 he has been continuously starring many different characters.[4] He was also nominated as the Best Upcoming Actor in 2003.[9] Shirly P. Delankawala's Olu Teledrama[4] (TV series scripted out of a famous novel[10]) was the climax in Mapa's carrier. In Olu he was starring a role of a young English Teacher named Asanka.[11] This is still recognized as Mapa's retrospective extraordinary performance which lifted him to the next level of his career. He won the award for the Most Popular Actor in both Sumathi Awards and Raigam Tele'es awards in 2005[9] and 2006 [12] respectively for the serial Olu. In 2005,[7] he won the award for the most popular Sri Lankan actor in the UAE. Nirmala's Character in Pooja teledrama was Mapa's next biggest move which was directed by Eranga Senarathne. In Pooja, Mapa was casting a character of a famous Writer who was leading a battle to save his child and the family. This is one of Mapa's favorite acts[4]

Romantic roles

Since his first appearance in a production Mapa portrayed the role of a lover and he was the main cast in most of his projects.[13] He did a memorable performance in Olu, Pooja,[4] Sapumali,[14] Poojasanaya,[15] Ridee Siththam,[16] Muthu Wessak, Mage Sanda Oba,[17] etc which credited him with the title "Generous Lover in TV". However, over 15 years in his career he was limited to Romantic Roles. Mapa is devoted to his work and always did great justice to all the roles he portrayed.[13]

Moving into challenging roles

His appearance in Kalu Araliya[18] in 2016 can be seen as a turning point in his career. Mapa was performing multiple roles in Kalu Araliya as famous actor Vishwa Disanayaka, servant Muni & a disabled person. His role as Muni was a remarkable act which made him a nominee for the best actor award as well. Since then Mapa started to appear in slight classical roles deviating from his ordinary roles. Thushara Thennakon's Lokantharayo[18] (in 2017) is a scientific story about two parallel universes where Mapa screened dual roles. Mapa was able to study different aspects of life and nature throughout this assignment. In Lokantharayo, his co-star was Shalani Tharaka. Haara Kotiya (in 2017) was his next sparkling act where he was starring as a Crime Boss. In Pini, [19] he played the role of a young businessman who's trapped by his wife which was directed by Shantha Soysa in 2017. His co-star in Pini was Udari Warnakulasooriya. Later in the story, Mapa's character became complicated where he had to put on multiple faces.[18] Vijitha's Character in Amuthu Rasikaya[20] is another interesting role played by Mapa. He has been nominated for awards as well in upcoming award ceremonies for his great performance in this role.[21] His latest tv-series is Sihini which is directed by Shantha Soysa. Mapa demonstrates the role of a rich mischievous, playful young businessman in Sihini and for his extraordinary performance, his fans have started to criticise his character in Sihini.

Moving to cinema

Mapa started his film career with a supportive role in 2004 comedy film, Clean Out directed by Roy de Silva.[22] He also acted in Belgium film Semi Tower.[4] He acted in the film Sikuru Hathe directed by Giriraj Kaushalya. The film became a blockbuster hit and became the highest-grossing film in 2007. The film won many awards at SIGNIS award and Sarasaviya awards.[23] The movie Uththara, released in 2010 unfold Suraj's talent for dancing. His co-star in Uththara was Hashini Gonagala. [24]

Notable television serials

Notable single episode teledramas
  • Sansara Sewanali - Podi Hamuduruwo[54]
  • Thunkal Sihinaya[55]

Notable tele films

Dancing career

Mapa started dancing at school age and excels in Latin American dance. He studied dancing under Neomi Rajaratnam and performed at many events both locally and internationally such as "Footwork Dance Sport 2002".[7] Mapa's talented in Latin Dance. Mapa always works on positioning himself as an actor with dancing capabilities.

His maiden dance show titled Elements with Surya was held at Bishop's college auditorium on 14–15 May 2010 at 7 p.m.[7] On 27 February 2016, Mapa organized a dance show with over fifty dancers. The show was held at the Dharmaraja College Auditorium from 10.00 am and 6.30 pm.[57]

In 2013, he contested for the reality program Derana City of Dance, The Ultimate Level telecast by TV Derana[58] and in 2018 Hiru Mega Stars telecast by Hiru TV.[59]

In 2013 he learned Kandyan dance traditions under Guru Kulasiri Budawatta and became a Ves Kandyan dancer in 2014.[57][60]

Mapa started Started Suraj Dance Academy in 2015 where he conducts workshops in Colombo & Kandy. His next major dancing concert has been planned in 2021.

Filmography
YearFilmRoleRef.
2004Clean OutPathale Sudha 'Sam'[61]
2007Sikuru HatheVidyartha[62]
2008Akasa Kusum[63]
2010UththaraShanilka[64]
2011SuseemaRanga[65]
2015Singa Machan CharlieRomeo[66]
2018Yama Raja SiriIn item song[67]
2019Ginnen Upan Seethala[68]

Other work

Mapa contributed as a producer for the Dagammadiyawa tv series. He was also starring in it and was awarded a Merit Award in Sumathi Awards Ceremony.

In 2008 Suraj hosted Sirasa Dancing Stars season I together with Nirosha Perera, the program won the most popular award in 2008. This was a reality dancing program for stars in Sri Lanka

Suraj act as the Head of Sales & Marketing for Elsa Clothing brand which was launched together with 2 other partners.

Awards and accolades
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2007People's voteSumathi - Most Popular ActorWon
2011DegammediyawaSumathi - Merit AwardWon

References
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