Sandhya Kumari

Jayasuriya Arachchige Dona Mary Yvonne Perera, better known as Sandhya Kumari (born 6 January 1945 – died 2 June 1994) was a popular Sri Lankan actress who frequently played femme fatale roles in early Sinhala cinema.

Personal life She was born on 6 January 1945 in Colombo. Kumari was married to Upali Perera.

Career Kumari's first film role was in the 1963 film Adata Wadiya Heta Hondai. Starring alongside Gamini Fonseka, Jeevarani Kurukulasooriya, Ananda Jayaratne, Nelson Karunagama and Vijitha Mallika, Kumari gained fame with the performance. She then appeared as the heroine in the tale of fisher folk, Dheewarayo, released in 1964. In 1965, she acted in Allapu Gedera.

Her other films include Patachara,Ipadunay Aiye?, Ran Rasa, Sura Chowraya (1967), Akka Nago, Amathikama, Ataweni Pudumaya, Bicycle Hora, Hangi Hora, Pini Bindu (1968), Kawda Hari, Sooraygeth Sooraya (1969; which featured a fight sequence between her and Sonia Dissanayake) and Sakuntala (1977).

Sandhya Kumari was an actress active during the 1960s, a period often referred to as the golden age of Sri Lankan cinema. She appeared in numerous films and worked alongside actors Gamini Fonseka as well as with directors Titus Thotawatte. Over the course of her career, she performed in more than 50 leading roles, including films such as Adata Wadiya Heta Hondai, Sapatha Soya, and Deewarayo.

Kumari died in 1994 at the age of 49. Twenty-five years later, her legacy in Sri Lankan cinema is still well known as seen by film journalist Sunil Leenus’s new publication “Cinamawe Nomiyana Daasa” – a look at Kumari’s contribution to the industry and a testament to her persona. Sandhya Kumari, an event hosted by Ceylon Cinema, was full of tributes and memories including a recollection of her life away from the camera made by Kumari’s second husband, Shamal Atapattu. Born in Kotahena on 6 January 1945, Dona Mary Yvonne Perera was later christened Sandhya Kumari following her first starring role.

Her ability to captivate audiences with her versatile acting and onscreen persona was admirable, as were her striking features that made her one of the initial sex symbols of local cinema culture. As Leenus’s book draws to attention, Kumari’s gaze was a part of her legacy as a servant of the silver screen, expressing nuanced and at times even subtle expressions through her eyes alone. Film critic Ajith Galappaththi, delivering the main speech for the evening, alluded as to why Kumari’s roles were mainly contained to commercial films when her range allowed her to tackle more mature and dramatic roles. He revealed that she was even preferred by Lester James Peries to play the role of Sarojini in his 1967 film “Ran Salu”. Galappaththi noted that Kumari ended up turning down many of those roles due to her familial commitments and at times due to the disapproval of her then husband, Upali Perera (although she was well known for her femme fatale roles).

Even as a sex symbol of the era, Sandhya maintained a self-conscious and neutral public image and thus forewent a foray into more serious work, even missing out on the possibility of subsequent international recognition. Many of the roles Kumari would have been considered for eventually went to Malini Fonseka, Galappaththi stated.

Filmography

Year Film Role Ref. 1963 Adata Vediya Heta Hondai Sandhya 1963 Udarata Menike 1963 Deepashika Mala 1964 Dheewarayo Rosalin 1964 Patachara 1964 Sasaraka Hati Ranmali 1964 Sithaka Mahima 1964 Sujage Rahasa 1965 Sepatha Soya Anusha 1965 Yata Giya Dawasa 1965 Allapu Gedara Nirmala 1965 Satha Panaha Sheela 1966 Senasuma Kothanda Maduri 1966 Maha Ra Hamu Wu Sthriya Lilian 1966 Athulweema Thahanam 1966 Sihina Hathak Silvia Dunuthanna 1966 Sampatha 1966 Sudu Duwa 1966 Oba Dutu Da 1966 Senasili Suwaya Amila Weerasinghe 1967 Magul Poruwa 1967 Ran Rasa Nalini 1967 Ipadune Ai? 1967 Okkoma Hari Manika 1967 Sura Chaurya 1968 Pini Bindu 1968 Akka Nago 1968 Bicycle Hora 1968 Amathikama 1968 Hangi Hora 1968 Ataweni Pudumaya 1969 Narilatha Devika 1969 Kawuda Hari? Subashini Weerasinghe 1969 Surayangeth Suraya 1972 Singapore Charlie 1977 Neela 1977 Sakunthala 1978 Sithaka Suwanda Vijay's female friend 1978 Anupama Mrs. Silva 1991 Alibaba Saha Horu Hathaliha 1991 Hithata Dukak Nethi Miniha