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| Sunday, 15 January 2006 |
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The 83rd
birth anniversary of Rukmani Devi falls today Lankan cinematic legend and nightingale by Nuwan Nayanajith Kumara and Ranga Chandrarathne It is important to ponder on the life and times of Rukmani Devi, Sri Lankan film icon and perhaps the most beautiful songstress of our time against the backdrop of some sections futile attempt at producing instant "film stars" and "Super stars".
No doubt, there is only a handful of charismatic and legendary actors and film stars whom we could really call "Super Stars". Gamini Fonseka, Wijaya Kumaranatunga, H. R. Jothipala, Malani Fonseka are some of the prominent names associated with the term "Super star". In comparison with the so called "stars", producing a "super star" is rare as their works of art survive and remains as part of the collective memory of the nation against the work of "stars" which invariably dissolved into oblivion with the passage of time. Rukmani Devi was undoubtedly the best actress and songstress with an innate ability to sing and dance, that Sri Lanka had ever produced. Though she died in a vehicular accident on October 28, 1978 at 6.30 a.m. at Tudalla, the fact remains that she is still famous among the contemporary filmgoers, as she became third in the list of most beautiful actresses in an opinion poll conducted by the Sarasaviya newspaper, a popular Sinhala weekly dedicated to Sinhala cinema. She will always remain in the hearts and minds of listeners whenever her melodious songs are aired over the SLBC. A book about the life and time of Rukmani Devi would undoubtedly be a best- seller even though she died decades ago. The Rukmani Devi Commemorative Society has not forgotten to commemorate her birthday annually which falls on January 15 and October 28 the day she met with a tragic death at Tudalla . She was born on January 15, 1923 at Ramboda in Nuwara Eliya District to a Colombo Chetty Christian family and was named "Daicy Rasamma Denials". She received her education at St.Matthews as well as St. Clares where she took part in school dramas such as "Shoe maker's wife" and she also rendered her melodious voice for these dramas, which later led her to the public stage under the guidance of playwright and producer Walter Abeysinghe. She played diverse roles in popular dramas in the 30's such as Ramayanaya, Mayawathi, Rohini, Janaki Harana, Rajadrohiya, Keekaru Birinda, Srisangabo and Romeo and Juliet. However later she found that her name " Daicy Denial " was not appropriate either for stage or for films, and it was suggested that she adopt the name "Rukmani Wasundara" as "Rukmani" was part of her name but had to be given up as her father opposed it. There are two schools of thinking as to how the name "Rukmani Devi" originated. According to one school, the late H. W. Rupasinghe maestro created the name and the other says that Jayantha Weerasekara and Michael Sannas Liyanage who is in his 90s, created it. When Rukmani entered the popular stage, it was more or less dominated by men and women's entry into the closed world of drama and theatre where she acted in Inder Sabha Nurthi staged in 1877. It was a production by the Hindustan Dramtic Company. Thanks to producers like John de Silva's, son Peter de Silva, this practice was changed and women began to adore the stage in the Tower Hall era. Annie Botheju, Lakshmi Bhai, Susila Jayasinghe and Rukmani Devi played unforgettable roles on board. Rukmani became a gramophone singer with the song Siri Buddha Gaya Vihare which she sang with maestro H. W. Rupasinghe which was recorded on an HMV Disc in 1939. Purve Kala u, Sri Sara Sri Muni, Shilpa Satara Loke, The Pen Dina Dina and Love Dasatha are some of the titles of popular songs she sang for HMV Discs. Subsequently, Rukmani Devi joined Minerva troupe of B. A. W. Jayamanna and played main roles and sang for dramas, which were later converted into films. She married talented player and actor Eddie Jayamanna on February 15, 1943 and entered cinema through the Minerva troupe. She was fortunate to play the main role as Ranjani in Kadawunu Poronduva in 1947, the Sri Lanka's first film with sound tracks. Umathu Wishvasaya (where she played double roles as the first actress to do so), Kela Handa, Siriya Latha (Siriya Latha), Daiva Yogaya as Sheela Kumari, Dascon as princess Premila and Nalangana as Prema, were some of the remarkable characters she played in the former part of her career. However, filmgoers expected Rukmani to play idealistic roles and they were thoroughly disappointed when she played a role of a club girl, as it was the model of the day. Her talents in acting was amply demonstrated in the latter part of her career as she played mature roles. She played diverse roles in Suhada Pethuma as a kind mother, Ahasin Polavata, Ihatha Aathmaya as a crazy woman and Chin Chin Nona. Her unique role-played in Dhamma Jagoda's Ves Muhunu play was highly acclaimed by the critics. Rukmani, who was honoured with awards such as the Deepashika, Sarasaviya, O.C.I.C. and Presidential awards, is considered as the best singer Sri Lanka has ever produced. She had an innate ability for singing in any style. Some of the immortal songs she sang for films are Sandyave Sriya for Kadawunu Poronduwa, Pinsara Mage Soyura for Kapati Arakshakaya, Gala Kandeni, and Moranawa Preme Hade for Weradun Kurumanama, Nindede Rathri Yahane for Peralena Iranama, Mavila Pena vi Rupe for Kela Handa, Pem Sihina Loke Maya for Mathabhedaya, Melavi Yanna Hada Mage for Daiva Yogaya, Suva dena Sita Sanasum for Ladalu and Doi Doi Puta for Ahasin Polavata. It is noteworthy to mention the fact that she could not read and write Sinhala and she used to make notes in English and yet pronounced Sinhala words correctly. Together with Nevil Fernando Rukmani sang for music groups based on Western Music (i.e. Menike Obe Sinave, Malbara himidiriye). Towards the latter part of her life she rendered her voice for commercial discs Pem Rajadahane with Milton Mallawaarachchi, Nilambare Piri Kelum with Felix Anton and Chaya Mawa with Deric de Silva. Rukmani was the most celebrated artiste and Sri Lanka's first fan club and statue in memory of her was erected as she still lives in the hearts and minds of the people. She was the one and only Sri Lankan actress on the cover page of popular Indian Film Magazine "Film Fare" and was also featured in "My like and dislike" in 1958 in the Film Fare. She together with Eddie Jayamanna produced Mathabhedaya and Siriya Latha. According to Sri Lankeya Cinema Vanshaya (pp 637 - 638), from Kadaunwunu Poronduwa in 1947 to Ara Soyza in 1984, Rukmani Devi had played different roles in 99 films. |
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