Rukmani Devi
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| Born: | January 15, 1923 Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Died: | September 25, 1978 Tudalla, Sri Lanka |
| Occupation: | Singer, Producer, Actress |
Rukmani Devi (January 15, 1923–September 25, 1978) was a legendary Sri Lankan singer and actress often acclaimed as "The Nightingale of Sri Lanka".
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[edit] Early life
Rukmani Devi was born on January 15, 1923 at Ramboda in Nuwara Eliya District, Sri Lanka to a Colombo Chetty Christian family and was named "Daicy Rasamma Denials". At the age of seven she was picked to sing Christmas carols. Watching her ability to sing, dance, also to act, she was selected to perform a main part in a Christmas play, "The Cobler's Wife".
The stage play was trained and presented by St. Clare's School, Wellawatte. Then at the age of just 12 years she was picked to perform the stage play, "Ramayanaya" presented by 'Sinhala Natya Sabha'.
[edit] Career
Since her performances were highly appreciated by the packed audience, well-known dramatist Dick Dias selected her to act in two of his stage plays, "Jana Kiharanaya" and "Mayawathie".
In 1936 her first recording of the famous song "Siri Buddhagaya Vihare" with Master H. W. Rupasinghe brought her fortune. She captured the hearts of the masses.
With her unique voice she was in a position to be picked and selected by many music directors. Her singing career continued on stage and screen. She in fact was able to sing with pop groups in the latter part of her life.
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.
B. A. W. Jayamanne, founder of "Minerva Dramatic Club" of Negombo took Rukmani to perform remarkable roles in his interestingly featured dramas, such as 'Apparition', 'Broken Promise', 'Changing Fate, 'Defeated Aim', 'Evasive Denial', 'Fanatic Faith', 'Grisly Guardian', 'Hasty Decision' and lastly 'Irangani'. Above-mentioned plays followed the English alphabet. As a result of her close association with Jayamanne, during this era, she fell in love with Eddie Jayamanne and got married to him. They lived at "Jaya Ruk", at Angurukaramulla, Negombo.
The popular play 'Broken Promise', was turned into a film by B. A. W. Jayamanne. This was the first Sinhala film - Kadavunu Poronduwa, screened on January 21, 1947. Thus Rukmani became the first local actress. Her film career covered a period of three decades. 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, up to the time of her death.
She had an inborn talent 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.
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 "Filmfare" and was also featured in "My like and dislike" in 1958 in the Filmfare.
[edit] Death
Rukmani Devi, the singing star, stage and screen idol died in a tragic motor accident near St. Mary's Church, Thudella on September 25, 1978. She was returning after her last musical show in Uyanwatte, Matara. Her funeral ceremony was attended by a very large gathering, mostly film makers and dramatists, friends, politicians and relations. One could remember how people stood on the walls of Negombo cemetery on September 28, 1978. In fact part of the wall collapsed. One can also remember the speech delivered by late President Ranasinghe Premadasa on that day acclaiming Rukmani's life for art and culture.
[edit] External links
Her Songs can be heard at Miyuru Gee
