Swarna Mallawarachchi (born 1 August 1948: Sinhala: ස්වර්ණා මල්ලවාරච්චි), is an actress in Sri Lankan cinema. Often known as the "Golden star of Sinhalese cinema", Swarna began her acting career whilst still a schoolgirl, starring in the 1966 blockbuster film Sath Samudura directed by Siri Gunasinghe.[1] During a career spanning over 40 years, Swarna has won the 'Best Actress Award' 26 times, most by a Sri Lankan actress.[2]
Swarna Mallawarachchi ස්වර්ණා මල්ලවාරච්චි | |
---|---|
![]() Swarna Mallawarachchi (left) in 2017 | |
Born | |
Nationality | Sri Lankan |
Education | Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1966–present |
Spouse | Dharmasiri Bandaranayake |
Children | Narendra |
Awards | Best Actress |
Personal life
editShe was born on 1 August 1, 1948. [3] in Kosgas Junction, Grandpass, Colombo. She completed her education at Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya, Grandpass.[4]
In a Colombo municipal election, Swarna, along with other communist leaders such as Peter Kehnemann and K. P. de Silva, fielded Abeysena, a candidate from his party in the Northern Grandpass division.
Swarna was married to renowned filmmaker Dharmasiri Bandaranayake that later she got divorced. They have one daughter named Naredra.
Career
editIn school, she collaborated with her friend Kanthi Kalyani Atugoda for the handwritten school magazine "Pipena Kumudu." Through the magazine, she showcased her abilities.
Swarna left Sri Lankan cinema for a brief period in the 1970s to live abroad. When she returned after a four-year absence, there was an influx of new actresses. Swarna accepted supporting roles from directors during this period and obtained the Best Actress awards for these roles during these years.[5]
In 1983, she played the main role of 'Ranmali' in the thriller drama film Dadayama directed by Vasantha Obeysekera. After receiving positive reviews by the critics, she won the Best Actress award at the Sarasaviya Awards for the role.
She has been appointed the UNHCR ambassador for women's rights in Sri Lanka since 2004.
Swarna's truly unique role as an actress is evident in films such as Vasantha Obeysekera's Dadayama (The Hunt) and Kadapathaka Chayava (Reflections in the Mirror), Dharmasiri Bandaranayake's Suddhilage Kathawa (The Story of Suddhi) and Bava Duka / Bava Karma, Sumitra Peries' Sagara Jalaya (Letter Written in the Sand) and Prasanna Vithanage's Anantha Rathriya (Dark Night of the Soul).[6]
Filmography
edit- No. denotes the number of Sri Lankan films in Sri Lankan cinema.[7]
Year | No. | Film | Role |
---|---|---|---|
1967 | 159 | Sath Samudura | Soma [8] |
1969 | 219 | Hanthane Kathawa | Subhadra [9] |
1970 | 232 | Thunman Handiya | Yasawathi |
1970 | 233 | Nim Wallala | |
1971 | 247 | Samanala Kumariyo Samaga Api Kawadath Surayo | |
1973 | 269 | Mathara Achchi | Sumithra aka Sumi |
1973 | 274 | Gopalu Handa | |
1973 | 276 | Hondama Welawa | |
1974 | 282 | Ahas Gauwa | Vijitha |
1980 | 457 | Muwan Palessa 2 | |
1980 | 459 | Sankhapali | Sugala |
1980 | 460 | Hewanali Eda Minissu | |
1980 | 462 | Hansa Vilak | Miranda Ranaweera [10] |
1980 | 465 | Sinhabahu | Supra |
1981 | 494 | Anjana | [11] |
1981 | 503 | Chanchala Rekha | Kamala |
1982 | 523 | Ridee Nimnaya | Leelawathi |
1982 | 526 | Kiri Suwanda | |
1982 | 534 | Kala Mal | |
1982 | 536 | Biththi Hathara | Samara |
1982 | 542 | Yahalu Yeheli | Gina |
1983 | 558 | Dadayama | Rathmali Kekunawela [12] |
1983 | 567 | Samanala Sihina | |
1983 | 569 | Muwan Palessa 3 | |
1984 | 602 | Maya | Kumari's mother [13] |
1985 | 618 | Suddilage Kathaawa | Suddi [14] |
1985 | 622 | Doringe Sayanaya | |
1985 | 630 | Karadiya Walalla | |
1986 | 643 | Maldeniye Simion | Gunawathi [15] |
1987 | 653 | Yugayen Yugayata | |
1987 | 663 | Kawuluwa | |
1988 | 683 | Sagara Jalaya Madi Haduwa Oba Sanda | Heen Kella |
1989 | 687 | Kedapathaka Chaya | Nandawathi Bandara |
1993 | 791 | Madara Parasathu | Chithra |
1994 | 819 | Mee Haraka | Yamuna Nanayakkara |
1995 | 842 | Ayoma | Ayoma |
1997 | 877 | Bawa Duka | Nona Hami |
1997 | 886 | Bawa Karma | Nona Hami |
1998 | 899 | Chanda Kinnari | |
2001 | 954 | Anantha Rathriya | Weerasinghe Arachchige Piyumi |
2004 | 1036 | Premawanthayo | |
2014 | 1213 | Thanha Rathi Ranga | Manorani |
2016 | 1251 | Age Asa Aga | |
2023 | Dada Ima | Rathmali Kekunawela[16] |
Awards
editYear | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1981 | Hansa Vilak | Best Actress | Won
1984 “ Dadayama” Best Actress |
1986 | Suddilage Kathawa | Best Actress | Won |
1997 | Bawa Duka | Best Actress | Won |
1998 | Channa Kinnari | Best Actress | Won |
2017 | Age Asa Aga | Best Actress | Won |
2017 | Contribution to Cinema | Lifetime Achievement | Won |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1982 | Ridi Nimnaya Biththi Hathara Yahalu Yeheli |
Best Actress | Won |
1983 | Dadayama | Best Actress | Won |
1984 | Maya | Best Actress | Won |
1985 | Suddilage Kathawa | Best Actress | Won |
1988 | Sagara Jalaya | Best Actress | Won |
1989 | Kadapathaka Chaya | Best Actress | Won |
1996 | Anantha Rathriya | Best Actress | Won |
1997 | Bawa Duka | Best Actress | Won |
1998 | Channa Kinnari | Best Actress | Won |
2017 | Age Asa Aga | Best Actress | Won |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1983 | Dadayama | Best Actress | Won |
1985 | Suddilage Kathawa | Best Actress | Won |
1988 | Sagara Jalaya | Best Actress | Won |
1997 | Bawa Duka | Best Actress | Won |
1998 | Channa Kinnari | Best Actress | Won |
2014 | Contribution to Cinema | Lifetime Achievement | Won |
Swarna Sanka Awards
editYear | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1988 | Sagara Jalaya | Best Actress | Won |
1989 | Kadapathaka Chaya | Best Actress | Won |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Contribution to Cinema | Lifetime Achievement | Won |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Contribution to Cinema | Lifetime Achievement | Won |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | Age Asa Aga | Best Actress | Won |
Other Awards
editYear | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
– | Contribution to Cinema | Bangladesh Film Development Board Award | Won |
– | Contribution to Cinema | Zonta Woman of the Year [17] | Won |
– | Contribution to Cinema | Sanpac Felicitation | Won |
References
edit- ^ "She is "Swarna"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
- ^ "Swarna: The golden star of Sinhala cinema". TV Times (Sri Lanka). 15 January 2006. ISSN 1391-0531.
- ^ ""Swarna Mallawarachchi"".
- ^ "Swarna Mallawarachchi is the golden symbol of Sinhala cinema". Silumina. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ "Tomorrow will be better than today: Leading actress Swarna Mallawarachchi". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
- ^ Swarna Mallawarachchi
- ^ "Sri Lankan Cinema History". National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 9 August 2016.
- ^ "All about "Sath Samudura"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
- ^ "All about Hanthane Kathawa". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
- ^ "All about "Hansa Vilak"". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "All about the film "Anjana"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "Dadayama: The hunt that was a hunt". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
- ^ "Lester-Sumithra cinema on mini-screen". Sunday Times. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
- ^ "All about the film "Suddilage Kathawa"". sarasaviya. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
- ^ "'Maldeniye Simeon' back after 20 years". Sarasaviya. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "'Dhada Ima' directed by Dr Naomal Perera". The Island. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
- ^ Tucker, Neely (14 January 2005). "Off-Screen Activist". Washington Post. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
External links
edit- Swarna Mallawarachchi's Biography in Sinhala Cinema Database
- Official Website - National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka
- Official Website of Lester James Peries in association with Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Sri Lanka
- Swarna Mallawarachchi in Sinhala
- ස්වර්ණා මල්ලවාරච්චි අසංක දේවමිත්ර පෙරේරා සමඟ හෘදයාංගම කතාබහක...