SEE ME BEYOND SUWANDA DAMAYANTHA
Only a few actors and actresses are known by the characters they play. Many people may not know the name of this guy Damayantha Perera. But even a child would know him when you simply mention the name ‘Suwanda’ of Kopi Kade fame. Having made his acting debut on stage more than 30 years ago, Damayantha has played a wide variety of roles on stage, tele dramas and films. But unfortunately for him many analysts feel he was typecast in Suwanda’s mould most of the time limiting his chances of showing his true potential.
“I first started acting as a student at Maharagama Vidyakara Vidyalaya where I was also a member of the low country dancing troupe. My music teacher Daya Alwis involved me in all forms of arts and I was given key roles in school dramas. Later I acted in stage plays of K. Saman Kumara, H. M. Ratnayake, Rohan Weliwita in the early days. I have so far acted in about 30 stage plays.”
HOW DID YOU BECOME KOPIKADE SUWANDA?
S. K. Keerthi who was a friend of mine followed a script-writing course conducted by Andrew Jayamanne at the ITN. He had written a script for Kopi Kade which had a character called Suwanda. He asked me if I would like to play it. I was then following a course on acting and drama under Dr. Solomon Fonseka. I accepted the challenge, not knowing it would be a turning point in my career.
BUT WE DON’T SEE YOU ON KOPI KADE NOW?
Well, I played the role for 20 years in 1000 Kopi Kade episodes and gave up due to various reasons. The scripts were becoming very loose, I was not getting enough time to focus on my job and most importantly directors thought that I could only play lumbering roles like Suwanda . When veteran dramatist Somalatha Subasinghe chose me to play a serious role in her stage play “Antigone’, many people had asked her why she took such a decision to give Suwanda that part. But she had said she was not bothered about Suwanda but only the actor to portray the role she had in mind. The feedback I got at the premiere alone spoke volumes of the confidence Ms. Subasinghe had in me.
WHAT IS THE MEDIUM YOU ARE MOST FOND OF – STAGE, TELEVISION OR FILMS?
Stage of course, because we have had no teachers. The stage was the school from which
" I have not won any awards though I have acted in the best dramas at state drama festivals and youth drama
festivals "
we learnt everything about acting. Even now I act in a stage play called ‘Nice Nona’ which also had the late Anton Jude playing a key role. We are now looking for a good actor to replace him. I am also acting in the Arundathi tele drama which is being telecast now. I also sing at some functions. Among the roles I played I will never forget the part I played in Antigone and the character I played in Batti as Victor.
ABOUT MEGA TELE DRAMAS AND THE NEW GENERATION?
Mega tele dramas have been heavily commercialized and has opened doors to a large number of new faces, but the new generation has not come with any awareness about acting. It should be realized that acting is not only about being able to deliver the dialogues. I am grateful to our teachers like Dr. Solomon Fonseka, Somalatha Subasinghe and Dhamma Jagoda.
AWARDS?
I have not won any awards though I have acted in the best dramas at state drama festivals and youth drama festivals. I retired after working at the Cultural Department for 21 years and am now attached to a private insurance company. The reason for not getting an award is the regulation that existed that anyone attached to the cultural department would not be considered for state awards. But I am still loved by the people. I am thankful to my wife Shimalka Perera, daughter Pabasara and son Buddhika for their support. Since I have learnt up country and low country dancing I was always longing to play a role that could portray those talents.