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Denawaka Hamine
දෙනවක හාමිනේ
Denawaka Hamine.jpg
Born
Dona Meraya Denawaka

(1906-02-20)20 February 1906
Imbulgoda, Gampaha, Sri Lanka
Died 9 December 2002(2002-12-09) (aged 96)
Nationality Sri Lankan
Education Imbulgoda Vidyalaya
Occupation Actress, Dramatist
Years active 1962–2002
Children 1
Awards Best Actress

Kala Suri Dona Meraya Denawaka, (20 February 1906 – 9 December 2002 as ), popularly known as Denawaka Hamine, was an award-winning actress in Sri Lankan cinema and television. Known as "The grand old lady" of Sinhala cinema, she appeared more than 300 films and teledramas in a career spanned more than four decades.

Personal life

Denawaka Hamine was born 20 February 1906 in Imbulgoda, Gampaha. After completing education from Imbulgoda Vidyalaya, she became a teacher at the school.

She had one daughter, Edith Senarath Yapa. She had three grandchildren, all three were involved in cinema. Anura Senarath Yapa who acted in the film Sama. Palitha Senarath Yapa acted in the films Dasa Nisa and Pethigomara. Palitha later became the head of the sports division of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation. Youngest one, Udaya Bandara Senarath Yapa starred in the film Dandu Monara. Son-in-law Theja Bandara Senarath worked as a supervisor at Yapa Port Cargo Corporation.

She died on December 9, 2002 at the age of 96.

Career

She was by profession a school teacher until a chance encounter with G. D. L. Perera when she accompanied a young actress to a theatrical audition, led to her winning the role of an elderly mother in Perera's play Kandulu. Due to her masterful performance in the role, GDL brought Hamine into his drama group Kala Pela; she would play in Kala Pela productions like Manamalayo, Sakkarawattang and Sama (as Nonnohamy) and was honored with a merit award at the 1964 Arts Council Drama Festival for her role in Totupola.

Hamine's debut film role was in the film adaption of Sama (1965) by GDL reprising the role she had popularized in the play. In Sath Samudura (1968) she played the mother of two fishermen to much critical rave. She was presented a Best Character Actress Award for the role by a special government council. It was delivered on stage by the then Sri Lankan prime minister Dudley Senanayake.

In the 1970s, Hamine had major roles in Tun Man Handiya, Desa Nisa Kolomba Sanniya and Matara Achchi. She continued to perform the elderly woman character. She played to Western audiences with a small role in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as a weeping mother in 1984. In 1987, she was awarded the Kalasuri title. Her best scene in cinema came through Sath Samudura as the mother of Edmund Wijesinghe and Cyril Wickramage who starred in that film. In 1968, she won the Award for Best Actress of the Year for her role in Sath Samudura at the Sarasaviya Film Festival.

Hamine did work in television with roles in teledramas like Kopi Kade in which she made the original cast. In 1998 she received an honorary award for her contributions to Sinhala Cinema from the Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Filmography

Year Title Role Ref.
1965 Saama Nonnohamy
1966 Sihina Hathak Isabella
1966 Kinkini Paada
1967 Sath Samudura Gunadasa's mother
1967 Saru Bima
1967 Sadol Kandulu Servant
1967 Iwasana Danaa
1967 Evasana dana
1967 Raena Giraw Dissa's granny
1968 Hangi Hora
1968 Dahasak Sithuvili Lalith's mother
1968 Wanasara
1968 London Hamu
1969 Romeo Juliet Kathawak
1969 Kawuda Hari Mother
1969 Hari Maga Banda caretaker
1969 Hanthane Kathawa
1970 Thun Man Handiya Sirisena's granny
1970 Lakseta Kodiya Pinsiri's mother
1970 Nim Walalla
1971 Poojithayo Ango
1971 Seeye Nottuwa
1971 Bindunu Hadawath
1971 Samanala Kumariyo
1971 Sahanaya
1972 Desa Nisa Mother
1972 Wehilihini
1972 Lokuma Hinawa Kabi 'Hami'
1972 Miringuwa
1973 Matara Achchi Matara Achchi
1974 Hadawath Naththo
1974 Sheela Prospective Voter Achchi
1974 Sagarika
1974 Lasanda Parakrama's granny
1974 Wasthuwa
1974 Rodi Gama
1975 Pem Kurullo
1975 Raththaran Amma Granny
1975 Kohoma Kiyannada Sudu Nanda
1975 Cyril Malli
1975 Kokilayo
1975 Ranwan Rekha
1975 Jeewana Geethaya
1975 Sikuruliya Namali's aunt
1975 Hadawathaka Wasanthaya
1975 Desa Nisa Nirukada's mother
1976 Kolamba Sanniya Sister
1976 Madol Duwa Net trapped homeowner
1976 Loka Horu
1976 Walmathwuwo Maggie
1976 Hulawali Villager
1977 Sudu Paraviyo Chandi's mother
1977 Sikuru Dasawa
1977 Maruwa Samaga Wase Granny
1977 Pembara Madhu
1977 Yakadaya Granny
1978 Kumara Kumariyo Granny
1978 Janaka Saha Manju Granny
1978 Vishmaya Janaka's granny
1978 Selinage Walawwa Granny
1979 Palagetiyo Sarath's mother
1979 Eka Hitha'
1979 Sawudan Jema Sawdan's granny
1979 Podi Malli Siri's mother
1979 Wisihathara Peya
1980 Anuhasa
1980 Parithyagaya Jayathilaka's mother
1980 Bamvara Pahasa
1980 Raja Dawasak
1980 Paara Dige
1980 Hansa Vilak Granny
1980 Kinduru Kumari Elsie Nona
1981 Mihidum Sihina
1981 Ridee Thella
1981 Geethika
1981 Sathara Diganthaya
1982 Deweni Gamana Unmarried old aunt
1982 Bambara Geethaya
1982 Adhishtana
1982 Pethi Gomara Dhansukha's mother
1982 Anuradha
1982 Majora Sir
1983 Chutte Nanda
1983 Sister Mary Sumedha's mother
1984 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Villager Woman #2
1984 Wadula Sovida's mother
1984 Arunata Pera Mother
1984 Ranmalige Wasanawa Granny
1985 Adara Kathawa
1986 Soora Saradiyel Pinchohamy
1986 Dinuma Granny
1987 Sathyagrahanaya Cartoonist's mother
1987 Mangala Thegga
1987 Kawuluwa
1987 Ahinsa Party guest
1988 Sandakada Pahana Hospital resident
1988 Angulimala
1988 Sagara Jalaya Madi Handuwa Oba Sanda Upasika aunty
1990 Jaya Kothanada
1991 Dolosmahe Pahana
1991 Salambak Handai
1991 Golu Muhude Kunatuwa
1992 Viyaru Minisa
1993 Ordinary Magic Vani
1993 Lagin Giyoth Aehek Na
1993 Meeharaka Grandmother
1994 Le livre de cristal Vielle dame de la pension
1994 Abhiyogaya
1994 Nohadan Landune
1994 Ahas Maliga
1994 150 Mulleriyawa Kiri Amma
1994 Anoma
1994 Mee Haraka Granny
1997 Apaye Thappara 8400k
1998 Channa Kinnari
2002 Seethala Gini Kandu
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