Anula Karunathilaka (, born 23 January 1946) is a Sri Lankan film actress and theatrical performer.
Her work is noted during the 1970s film and cinema history in Sri Lanka. One of the most popular actresses in Sinhala cinema in 1960s, she is best known for the popular role 'Dammi' in the blockbuster film ''Golu Hadawatha''.
Personal life
She was born on 23 January 1946 in
Wellawatte
Wellawatta is a neighbourhood of Colombo, Sri Lanka. It lies immediately south of Bambalapitiya and is classified as zone 6 within the Colombo Municipal region. The town begins at the old Dutch canal just before the Savoy Cinema and extends s ...
, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Career
Karunathilaka's entry into the industry in the early 1960s came about as a result of a chance meeting with senior film industry figures at a beauty contest organized by the
Dawasa newspaper in 1962.
Having applied as a contestant at her sister's insistence, her photo was published in the newspaper among the other candidates' for the public to vote on.
Filmmakers
Sumitra Peries
Sumitra Peries (March 24, 1935–January 19, 2023) was a Sri Lankan filmmaker. She was the first female film director from Sri Lanka. and was known as the "Poetess of Sinhala Cinema". She also held the post of Sri Lanka's ambassador to France, ...
and
Tissa Abeysekera were among the audience of the final event and, using the photo published in the newspaper, identified Karunathilaka during the day's proceedings.
A week later,
Sugathapala de Silva and G. W. Surendra visited the Karunathilakas' home with a message from
Lester James Peries
Sri Lankabhimanya Lester James Peries (Sinhala language, Sinhala: ශ්රී ලංකාභිමාන්ය ලෙස්ටර් ජේම්ස් පීරිස්; 5 April 1919 – 29 April 2018) was a Sri Lankan film director, ...
, Peries, and Abeysekera, inviting her to audition for the role of ''Nanda'' in Lester James' upcoming
Gamperaliya.
Despite her interest, Lester decided her to be too young for the part, and instead gave her the role of ''Liza'', auditioning for the part in a scene alongside
Gamini Fonseka.
She thus made her on-screen debut at 16.
Karunathilika played a role in the local film industry's efforts to produce truly local performances, moving away from highly Indianized productions and plots.
Acting style
Karunathilaka was an acclaimed popular and awarded actress. She is known for
character acting. Her style is said to derive from her nurturing under strict culture and family restrictions in the 1940s.
Key performances
Golu Hadawatha made many notable contributions to Sinhala cinema, and became one of the most popular actresses in the late 1960s. Her most important role was as Dhammi in ''
Golu Hadawatha
''Golu Hadawatha'' (Translation: The Silent Heart) was a popular 1968 Sinhalese language
Sinhala ( ; Sinhala: , , ), sometimes called Sinhalese ( ), is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken by the Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka, who make ...
'' (Silent Heart). Karunathilka was awarded with national
Sarasaviya Awards
''Sarasaviya Awards'' (Sinhala:සරසවිය සම්මාන) is an award bestowed to distinguished individuals involved with the Sinhala cinema, each year by the Sarasaviya weekly newspaper in collaboration with the Associated Newspapers ...
in 1969 for the role. Another key role was Sugath.
Personal life
Karunathilaka was married to photographer and journalist Daya Ranaweera.
Awards
*1965 - Sarasaviya Award - Popular Actress
*1969 - Sarasaviya Award - Best Actress - Golu Hadawatha
*2011 - UV Sumathipala Memorial Award
Selected works
Filmography
Television
* ''Aba Yaluwo''
* ''Bhavathra''
* ''Ganga Addara''
* ''Hirusanda Maima''
* ''Laabai Apple''
* ''Mahathala Hatana''
* ''Rosa Katu''
* ''Sayaweni Patumaga''
* ''Senehase Nimnaya''
* ''Sepalika''
* ''Sith Bindi Rekha''
* ''Tharuka''
Theater
* ''Boarding Karayo''
* ''Ranthodu''
References
External links
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දම්මි තක්ෂිලාවට
{{DEFAULTSORT:Karunathilaka, Anula
1946 births
Living people
Sri Lankan film actresses
Sinhalese artists
20th-century Sri Lankan actresses
21st-century Sri Lankan actresses