I WAS NERVOUS INITIALLY
Veteran actress Seetha Kumari Ehelapola is a star mother in every sense because she has played the screen mother for several heroes and herioines in films and tele dramas.
Her portrayal of characters was not just highly entertaining, but also very convincing.
Having made her acting debut in ‘Adarayai Karunawai’ in the mid sixties, Seetha Kumari went on to act in several noteworthy films inclduing Ransalu, Wathsala Akka, Pawuru Walalu, Desa Nisa, Ridee Thella, Suhada Divi Piduma, Duleeka, Kumara Kumariyo, Mahagedara and others.
In her career spanning almost four decades, she has performed with stars such as Joe Abeywickrema, Ravindra Randeniya, Malani Fonseka, Sriyani Amarasena, Vijaya Kumaratunga, Sanath Gunathilaka, Vijitha Mallika, Anoma Wattaladeniya and several others.
12-year-old Neleesa Algama who plays the lead role in Nalaka Swarnathilake’s popular stage play ‘Dangamalla’ said she could not believe her ears when she was told that she was chosen to play the role of Elizabeth Allen in the stage drama.
“Harshika Miss who choreographs dancing in Nalaka Sir’s drama had told him about me after watch- ing one of my dance performances. I was initially a bit nervous on stage though I had acted in a few school plays. I was worried about the length of the drama,”said Neleesa who studies at Good Shepherd’s Convent, Kotahena.
“Nalaka Sir helped me grasp my role well.Though he is strict we know that he loves us. He thought us a lot
YOURSMALL SCREEN ENTRY?
“Well, it was Sriyani Amarasena who offered me my first tele drama character in ‘Dath Kekulu Pala’ in 1990. Since then I have played roles in more than 40 tele dramas like Randiya Dahara, Sanda Ahasata Adarei, Sapa Nokaran Daruwane, Avindu Andura, Sudu Araliya, Ran Samanallu, Girikula and others. In most of the creations I was offerred the role of the mother and I gladly accepted them. There was no Seetha Kumari in any of those roles. There are times I had cried without the use of glyc
erine in several creations.
YOUR FAMILY?
My husband passed away a few eyars ago. My only son pradeep Kumara Aberatne lives in Italy. I will act as long as I can.
A PIECE OF ADVICE FORTHEYOUNG GENERATIONS ACTORS OR ACTRESSES?
Be honest to whatever you do. Treat all artistes kindly. That will take you places. of good qualities that we apply in our day-to-day life. Actually we started acting naturally in this drama and we memorised the dialogues fast. Since we had rehearsals during school holidays, it did not affect my studies at school,” she said. “We have done about ten shows so far and the feedback I get is heartening. I love the scenes at Elizabeth’s home and the scene in which I slap Thomas. Elizabeth is a naughty character and I am too a bit naughty. Whenever my elder sister scolds met at home, I escape her anger by delivering dialogues from the drama. I love the school that comes in the story.The children have a lot of freedom, the teachers love us and the children are very friendly. I am lucky to be part of this drama team. I am grateful to my mother, father and sister for giving me all the support and encouragement,”said Neleesa who will be in Grade 8 next year.
YOUR UPCOMING PROJECTS?
Anjalee is due to be released soon.
Sujatha Wijesekara’s name might not sound familiar for most present generation cinema buffs. Even those in the movie industry might not remember the gorgeous actress who made her film debut in Ramyalatha in the mid sixties. Then she played a lead role in Sirimalee and Pirimiyek Nisa opposite Gamini Fonseka.
She was also the winner of sev- eral beauty pageants during her youthful days. Today Sujatha is not that youthful star of the fifties, but if you take a closer look at her you will discover traces of her past beauty which still remains intact.
“I gave up acting after Pirimiyek Nisa and never went back to cinema because I had to look after my mother followng my father’s untimely death. Since my mother’s death I have struggled to make ends meet, but I have not complained or grumbled,” she told Impulse.
HOWDIDYOUJOIN FILMS?
I learnt dancing from Shesha Palihakkara as a schoolgirl. One of my dancing photographs had been exhibited at the Nayagam studio where film director A. B. Raj had seen it. He offerred me a
role in ‘Ramyalatha’.
BUTYOUR LEAD ROLE CAME IN SIRIMALEE?
That was thanks to Robin Tampoe who cast me opposite Boniface Fernando. I played the lead role opposite Gamini in Pirimiyek Nisa in 1960 I also acted in the ‘Irata Handana Mal’ tele drama. But old age and illness have prevented me from acting now,” she said appreciating Nuwan Wijesiri’s decision to felicitate her and Seetha Kumari at the upcoming Rukmani Devi Commemerative on January 15 in Piliyandala.